Chatter Box II (Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield: homes, job market, high school)

[jdslady]

I'm here..just been lurking in the shadows. Have braces on both hands making it kinda hard to type.

[ShadowCaver]

Originally Posted by jdslady

I'm here..just been lurking in the shadows. Have braces on both hands making it kinda hard to type.

OUCH!!!

Wow,,, I thought I felt a strange, different presence lately...

[mrsgenealogy]

Originally Posted by mamagator54

Good morning! But where is everyone. There hasn't been much posting lately.
I sure do miss everyone.
Are you all outside enjoying the nice weather we have been having?

Hey, MamaG!

It has been awfully quiet, hasn't it? Well, I guess I'm a part of that, aren't I? For my part, I got a job and it is taking a whole lot of my time. I've actually been kinda grateful that it's slower because I haven't fallen too far behind...but I'm missing everyone, too. I can hardly wait for tomorrow's OTFCC gathering! Hope you and the Mr. will be able to join us one day!

Originally Posted by Darlynn0217

I am here!! It has been quiet! I'd love to be out enjoying the warmth, but stuck inside here, "managing"........

Geared up for tomorrow, tho, for the OTFCC meeting in Ozark! Can't you come play with us, mamgator??

Hooray! Doin' the happy dance here, Darlynn! See you in the A M!!!

Originally Posted by Northwoods Voyager

Have a great day Wednesday. Good weather predicted!!! I'll be in Columbia all day with my hubby. Again, have fun.

Well, as much as we'll miss you, that sounds like a nice day too, Voyager! Hope you have a great day together! Give our regards to Mr. Voyager!

Originally Posted by jdslady

I'm here..just been lurking in the shadows. Have braces on both hands making it kinda hard to type.

Oh, my gosh! What happened, lady? I'm so sorry to hear you're in such pain! Thanks for showin' up at all! (((jdslady))) Hugs from all of us!

[kshe95girl]

I've been wondering where everyone was.......

[simplewife&mom]

We're in Placerville, CA where my husband and I have lived all our lives. I've been "ready" (in my mind at least) to move for years and have had my eye on the West Plains, MO area. I've looked into TN and OK, but keep going back to the Ozarks of MO and Howell County in particular. All our family are here, we own our home, my husband likes his job with a small family owned business he helps run. His boss is a great friend. That being said, we are squeezed tighter and tighter by expenses here in CA, people crowding here from big cities with big city attitudes, traffic, etc. We will never be able to own the land that we have always dreamed about. With the freedom to homeschool in CA being threatened, we are seriously considering that we will need to move. That will be the last straw. I read a post describing West Plains and it sounds just like my town, Placerville. Has anyone ever been to Placerville, CA and West Plains, MO and could offer a comparison? If we moved, we would be able to pay for a house on property with cash. But we would leave all of our family, friends, and a relatively secure job. I wouldn't want to leave here only to just go to what we came from. We desire a more relaxed, friendly, and simple pace. It's still quite nice here, but there are too many hurried people racing around. Do people in the Ozarks walk around on their cell phones all the time - LOL ? Have any of you ever done this - just packed up and went somewhere to start new? It sounds exciting to someone like me who has hardly ever left the county I was born in! Terrifying too. Maybe we should stay here and be thankful to have a job, as long as we can still homeschool here. I'm sorry if these subjects have already been discussed elsewhere and I've missed them, but I would so much love to hear your opinions. I've spent hours and hours looking at data for Howell County but that isn't the same as hearing from actual people. Also, I hope this is an appropriate topic for the chatterbox thread. The people on it are familiar to me from reading cd and maybe can offer more input.

[Silvermouse]

Originally Posted by simplewife&mom

All our family are here, we own our home, my husband likes his job with a small family owned business he helps run. His boss is a great friend.

You probably better check out the job situation before you get too het up. West Plains isn't exactly a hub of commerce.

Originally Posted by simplewife&mom

That being said, we are squeezed tighter and tighter by expenses here in CA, people crowding here from big cities with big city attitudes, traffic, etc.

Yeah, it makes us angry when that happens in our state too.

Originally Posted by simplewife&mom

With the freedom to homeschool in CA being threatened, we are seriously considering that we will need to move. That will be the last straw.

I read about the homeschool set back. That's really sad. I don't blame you for being angry.

Originally Posted by simplewife&mom

I read a post describing West Plains and it sounds just like my town, Placerville. Has anyone ever been to Placerville, CA and West Plains, MO and could offer a comparison? If we moved, we would be able to pay for a house on property with cash. But we would leave all of our family, friends, and a relatively secure job.

I would even live in (ick) CA to be near my friends and family. Secure jobs don't grown on trees either. Better think this one over.

[Darlynn0217]

Silvermouse, you are right on all points, but sometimes you just HAVE to take the plunge!!

My husband and I moved here 8 years ago and left friends, family and all things familiar behind. We had no jobs, no friends and no idea what we were getting into up here! We are fortunate that he was able to find a job, doing what he loves, in the entertainment field, and found a great home near the lake. Everyone (from home) said "Oh, you guys will be back! You can't stay away!" But, we love it here! Miss some of the folks, but aren't going back!!!! I don't think it would work so easy for everyone, as it did for us, but I wouldn't rule it out!

I can't help you with info about CA or West Plains, but I say weigh your options and follow your heart. Sometimes money isn't everything. And you can be happy where ever you choose to be!!

[jdslady]

Originally Posted by ShadowCaver

OUCH!!!
Wow,,, I thought I felt a strange, different presence lately...

Now wait just a sec, I will admit to the being strange part but not the different part. Just goes to show you that you never know who may be "lurking" in the shadows.

Originally Posted by mrsgenealogy

Oh, my gosh! What happened, lady? I'm so sorry to hear you're in such pain! Thanks for showin' up at all! (((jdslady))) Hugs from all of us!

Thank you Mrs G.. 25 yrs of typing finally catching up to me. I start physical therapy tomorrow and go for sensitivity tests on Monday.

[Lake Junkie]

Hi there simplewife...welcome to the Missouri forum!

I lived in Pollock Pines as a kid and have been around Placerville from time to time as an adult. I lived in Tahoe City and Truckee for several years. Placerville has a lot of character and mountain-y charm that you will find in abundance in the Sierras.

I've also spent a little time in & around West Plains. My first move in Missouri was a small town between there & Springfield, plus I've gone on float trips in the rivers to the south. I had a couple of clients in West Plains with my last job, so I spent a few days there.

I know you've probably seen this:
West Plains, Missouri (MO) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders
And compared it to this:
Placerville, California (CA) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders
And as far as the rest of it, I don't see much similarity between the two.

I understand the desire to get out and start a new life in another place, as a matter of fact I did that 14 years ago! As a matter of fact, we brought several family groups with us because we were all looking for a better life out of the madness of CA.

What I would suggest is to start a new thread with these questions, after you've done a SEARCH with West Plains as the keywords...

Please keep us in the loop about your quest!

[simplewife&mom]

Thank you, I value all of your replies, both about being cautious, and about taking the "plunge." Both sentiments reflect our thoughts right now. Even in my thirties, I tend to feel like I haven't really lived on my own since I've always been totally surrounded by family. That can be a good thing and I love my family, but maybe it's time to strike out on our own. And I definitely agree that money is not everything. It wouldn't bring me more happiness.