Thinking about JOPLIN Missouri (Kansas City, Springfield: houses, jobs, college)

[1983christinar]

Originally Posted by wionee

Thank you all very much for your information on Joplin and Missouri. I know that theres no quick set answers to any one of my question's, but I do so appreciate all of you taking the time to answer. The real answer will only arrive when I make a trip out to Missouri, but at least I've learned something about the city of Joplin and the State of Missouri. I'd like to find a house with at least 4 bedrooms and two bath, with hopefully a two car garage. One that could use a little TLC, an older home would be nice. If anyone has any suggestion's as to the area's in and around Joplin and Springfield to buy in, I would be very grateful. WISHING YOU ALL A GRAND NEW YEAR, Wionee

Now, lets see....Everyone is right about Springfield, it is a bigger place with all the things you need and want, but remains to have a small town feel. Nevada MO(vernon county) is a great place. It is 45 min. from Joplin and is mainly made up of old victorian houses and is a smaller (but not too awful small) town. (rent is around $350.00 to $400.00 for a house) With an EXCELLENT school. Haggans Real Estate, Nevada, MO is a GREAT site to go on and look at the "complete MLS" and poke around at all the homes for sale around the area

[jiston2000]

If you are looking to buy an older home to fix up, Carthage is the place to go (just outside of Joplin.) There are TONS of HUGE old beautiful homes at super cheap prices, just begging to be renovated. I saw a couple the other days that were actually inns, like 3-4,000 square feet, for $200-250,000. It is the county seat, built in the old "square-style" downtown. Very cute.

[jiston2000]

The real estate site for joplin is joplin real estate|joplin homes|joplin houses|.

[jiston2000]

Wionee--just some FYI on the school system. I graduated from Joplin, and it was definitely not subpar. In fact, it is very difficult, with high-level classes required to graduate. Just for example--you know how most people say "Oh, just wait until you get into college, the work is SO much more difficult--" actually I felt that college was a breeze compared to high school!

When I compared classes with other college students, most of them had not NEARLY what I had taken--whereas I had to re-take many of the same subjects in college that I had already taken in high school, they had never even been exposed to them! And that was 10 years ago--my cousin goes there now, and is taking Calculus in the 10th grade--that is a requirement! The Carl Junction school district is actually rated the best in the Joplin area.

I think when people say Missouri, they are talking about KC, MO. That is where I live now, and MO has had their accreditation removed due to failing some state requirements ? something like that. I do know that when people relocate to KCMO or even KCKS schools, they are often far beyond their peers and are sometimes able to skip grades (my husband works with many high school students and some of them have done this.) Also, I would imagine St. Louis is the same--I have not heard this so I do not know, but I know that much of St. Louis city is rough--has a lot of poverty, gangs, etc. so I would not be surprised if this were the case.

[MOHIllbillyWoman]

Originally Posted by wionee

I was talking to some people today about Missouri, they told me it was a mostly southern state with education standards way below the national average. Ok...not to insult anyone in Missouri, but does everyone there talk with a southern accent? I never thought of Missouri as being a southern state. I guess I thought it was more midwestern. Missouri seems like one of those forgotten states that no one knows to much about. Could someone give me some idea as to the social and cultural aspects of Missouri. I spent some time many years ago in Kentucky and not to insult anyone... but I found the intellect of the people I incountered somewhat oppressive. Most of these folks were southern baptist, and many of them were extremly predjudice. I guess I'm wondering if Missouri is a more progressive state compared to the down southern states. What are the economic conditions of Joplin. Is the unemployment rate high? I would really like someone to be frank and honest with me about Missouri, and especially Joplin Missouri. Is the city of Joplin an urban city with many interesting things to do? I know I'm asking alot of question's and that everyone has a different opinion, But people's opinions are the best source of information. Thanking You All...Wionee

I will tell you that the education of the whole country has been dumbed down these few decades a lot but, if you want to see subpar education then you need to check out NM. Now, those poor kids in the public schools in that state can barely make change without a computer. They are a sad bunch let me tell ya.

At least when I went to public school many moons ago in the St. Louis area we were actually taught real history and not so much of the revisionist history one sees these days. They also taught us how to think and do things on our own and not to depend on others constantly. The cheating that goes on these days is something else also.

[deadjed]

Springfield is such a better place to live than Joplin.

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by MNdad

Yes, they have a southern accent. No one ever thinks "they" have an accent. It depends on where you grew up whether or not you hear it.

I agree the people in the bootheel and in far Southeast Missouri have a Southern accent, nut if you just said many Missourians in general have a Southern accent, that is a lie and a big one at that. Most of Missouri from my experience talks like the Lower Midwest. True Southern accents are not heard that often in most of the state except for Southeast Missouri. Even in Southwest Missouri I heard didn't hear many Southern accents at all. Now I said in another thread I was taking a leave of absence, so i will do that now. will hopefully be back on in a few days/weeks.

[holmeed]

I moved here from Wisconsin 7 months ago and its been a nightmare. DO NOT go to Steve Spicer if looking for a realtor. Remember these greedy real
estate people are not making CLOSE to the money they were. They have to keep up that lifestyle (ok most) that their used too. A immoral one at that. Now I'm not saying theres no good RE people. We have had 3 real good ones up north. The weather in SW Mo is terrible. Ice storms, too much rain, now its not even June and its miserably hot and humid. Wife has another 1 1/2 years left for school and its back to the north for me. Remember when it gets -10 up north..you can dress for it..when we get 10 feet of snow..you move it. Down here your at mother natures mercy, nothing you can do. Now I know why its cheaper to live down here..

[holmeed]

I was talking to some people today about Missouri, they told me it was a mostly southern state with education standards way below the national average. Ok...not to insult anyone in Missouri, but does everyone there talk with a southern accent? I never thought of Missouri as being a southern state. I guess I thought it was more midwestern. Missouri seems like one of those forgotten states that no one knows to much about. Could someone give me some idea as to the social and cultural aspects of Missouri. I spent some time many years ago in Kentucky and not to insult anyone... but I found the intellect of the people I incountered somewhat oppressive. Most of these folks were southern baptist, and many of them were extremly predjudice. I guess I'm wondering if Missouri is a more progressive state compared to the down southern states. What are the economic conditions of Joplin. Is the unemployment rate high? I would really like someone to be frank and honest with me about Missouri, and especially Joplin Missouri. Is the city of Joplin an urban city with many interesting things to do? I know I'm asking alot of question's and that everyone has a different opinion, But people's opinions are the best source of information. Thanking You All...Wionee


Wionee.. The MINDSET in Joplin is "south". Remember also theres 50,000 in Joplin but in the day theres over 200,000 people! The traffic here is as bad as bigger Wis towns like Madison almost. Lots of Kansas and Oklahoma people come here for what I don't know. Only hospitals to work at that pay anything. The extra taxes up north are worth it. The thing about Joplin too is the litter. It is getting better but it never ends. MUCH cleaner up north. Ok not everywhere but most I've seen. This is the bible belt also full of that southern hypocracy where they do more "sinnin" down here than anywhere. From the internet to the recycling programs to everything. Its 10 years behind the times down here...

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by holmeed

Wionee.. The MINDSET in Joplin is "south". Remember also theres 50,000 in Joplin but in the day theres over 200,000 people! The traffic here is as bad as bigger Wis towns like Madison almost. Lots of Kansas and Oklahoma people come here for what I don't know. Only hospitals to work at that pay anything. The extra taxes up north are worth it. The thing about Joplin too is the litter. It is getting better but it never ends. MUCH cleaner up north. Ok not everywhere but most I've seen. This is the bible belt also full of that southern hypocracy where they do more "sinnin" down here than anywhere. From the internet to the recycling programs to everything. Its 10 years behind the times down here...

People from KS and OK come to Joplin because both states are very close (within 10 miles) and Joplin has much more in the way of shopping and employment. For a town of its size the Joplin area actually has a lot of employment, the headquarters of Leggett and Platt (a Fortune 500 company) is nearby in Carthage, and there are many more jobs in manufacturing in the area such as Modine, General Mills, F A G bearings, and many more, including several large trucking companies. I'm not from the area, but when I see a bitter rant on these forums about a particular place in Missouri it bothers me. FYI I think Carthage is a nicer town than Joplin, and as far as "sinnin" goes that happens absolutley EVERYWHERE and if you think it is bad in Joplin visit New Orleans or Las Vegas. And as far as the crazy weather goes, I think you'll find more extreme and volatile weather further north on the plains (KC, Omaha, ect).