What can you tell me about Poplar Bluff and surrounding towns? (Ozark: crime, camp)

[RebelFluff]

Looks like hubby is taking a job in Poplar Bluff and, being a 50 year desert rat from AZ, I'm not sure what to expect. Ive looked at pictures and housing and it looks lovely and "small town rural"...just what we're looking for. I guess Im trying to get a feel for the people, sense of community, activities, etc. Not dead set on Poplar Bluff..maybe Donaphin or other surrounding towns. We are avid motorcycle riders, Legion members and riders, love to fish and camp and are friendly and neighborly people. Any insights on what to expect would be most appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[GunnerTHB]

Sounds like a good choice for the lifestyle you are talking about. The only way you can really get a feel for the area is to come visit really (just like anywhere else). I like Poplar Bluff personally but it is too small for most people and doesn't have much to do when it comes to nightlife and other things. Lots of hunting and fishing around Poplar Bluff though. It's located on Crowley's Ridge, which is a ridge that separates the Bootheel, which is flat farmland, and the Ozarks. The local economy is fair to poor. Some great fishing to be had in Southeast Missouri. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

[kshe95girl]

PB can be a rather closed community, unfortunately.
Everything Gunner said in his post is dead on, I will reiterate that the economy is pretty poor there, and has been for decades.
Shopping is pretty bad, restaurants are meh, so is the nightlife.
Dont look at housing on the south or east sides, they are prone to flooding as well as crime.
The north end of PB is fine and way out Main St is quite lovely.
I'm just not a big fan of PB, my mothers family is from there, most of them are still there, I lived there for 4 years and could not wait to get out of there.

[ellenkuper]

Poplar Bluff is not a good choice. "Closed community" is an understatement. People are extremely rude and 'uppity' for a lack of a better word. The economy is horrible... There are about 3 clothing stores, WalMart, Kroger, and I estimate about 18 fast food restaurants. There is no nightlife and no fine dining. There isn't crime by the way of murder or gangs necessarily, but there is crime and a fairly large deal of drug use. Avoid actual poplar bluff if you can... if you are describing yourself as 'friendly,' it is not the place for you. My father lives near Doniphan, and it's small and cute but quite a bit more isolated. It would be better to move North from Poplar Bluff as opposed to south, and it also gets drastically friendlier the Norther you go from Poplar Bluff. I moved to Advance a year ago and I am amazed at the difference in peoples' personalities here. I cringe just thinking about poplar bluff.

[GunnerTHB]

Originally Posted by ellenkuper

Poplar Bluff is not a good choice. "Closed community" is an understatement. People are extremely rude and 'uppity' for a lack of a better word. The economy is horrible... There are about 3 clothing stores, WalMart, Kroger, and I estimate about 18 fast food restaurants. There is no nightlife and no fine dining. There isn't crime by the way of murder or gangs necessarily, but there is crime and a fairly large deal of drug use. Avoid actual poplar bluff if you can... if you are describing yourself as 'friendly,' it is not the place for you. My father lives near Doniphan, and it's small and cute but quite a bit more isolated. It would be better to move North from Poplar Bluff as opposed to south, and it also gets drastically friendlier the Norther you go from Poplar Bluff. I moved to Advance a year ago and I am amazed at the difference in peoples' personalities here. I cringe just thinking about poplar bluff.

I've met far more friendly people from PB than unfriendly. With that being said, you are right about the economy. I like Poplar Bluff but I'm not too hard to please either.

[Cali BassMan]

Well I don't live there, just have some kin from there "Hi Kshe Cuzz"
Most of the folks I've came across have been friendly, last time there we drove through Doniphan and while the landscape is beautiful the poverty is very apparent, think trailer with 20 years of trash surrounding it.