What's Jane, Mo. like?(far S.W.) (Springfield, Joplin: school, college)

[boris63]

I've got a job interview coming up this Friday with a company that has plants in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and one in Jane Missouri. If I were to take a job at that plant I'd be re-locating from near Kankakee IL.

I love the idea of living in the country and from what I can tell on the map, Jane looks to be in part of the Ozarks which is great, I'm sure it's beautiful country down there. It seems like it would be a great area to live in.

One of my main concerns though, is, I'm a part-time musician(guitarist/vocalist) and I've always played in bar bands on the weekends and would like to continue. I know Branson is not too far to the east(I'm guessin about an hour) and is known for live music. I also assume that there's a live music scene in Joplin about 40 miles north. What I'm curious about is if there would be any places to play live music in any of the rural areas, or small towns within half an hour of Jane?

Also any info on the area in general. The good points, the bad points, cost of living, what the people are like, etc... Anything that might help me decide if that's someplace I'd be happy moving to.

Thanx much.

[MoNative34]

The area isn't as rural as you might think. Jane is the northernmost community of the NW Arkansas metro area. From Jane through Bella Vista, Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale to Fayetteville is pretty much one big and long city nowadays. The combined population is over 300 thousand. It is the most prosperous, middle class community I've ever seen and it runs circles around Springfield and Branson IMO. Fayetteville would be your best bet to show your musical talent. It's a college town with more to offer as far as entertainment options go.

[boris63]

I thought I read that Benton county Arkansas was dry? I just assumed there wouldn't be much of a music scene in a "dry" county. Then I read later that many of the dry counties in Arkansas allow drinking in private clubs, so maybe I'm wrong.

I really want to live in a rural area, but not so far from civilization that I can't find a working band nearby. The company I may go to work for has 30 plants in eastern OK, western Ar., and one in Jane Mo.

There's no way I'll be able to check out all the towns by visiting, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can about them on line.

Do you think I'd be able to find a working band somewhere within 30 minutes of Jane?

Thanx much for all the help.

[MoNative34]

Yes. Fayetteville. Washington Co.(where Fytvle is) is not dry, just Benton Co. You're just a little over 30 miles to Fayetteville. Branson would be about 2 hours. It looks close on the map, but there's no direct route and all of the roads are narrow two laners.

Plus everyone in Branson goes to bed at 8pm

[ed malcom]

you will find that benton county is by far the wettest dry county in arkansas.Living expenses and especialy taxes are way cheaper here than surrounding areas. we have been here for 12 years and plan to stay. there are a few jerks but everywhere has some of them. overall the population is friendly down to earth people and we seem to have a good school system

[ed malcom]

in my precedind post i neglected to day i live in the suburbs of jane /about 3 miles from town center