Living in SW, MO (Springfield, Joplin: relocate, work, hospital)

[Shep836]

I have been reading alot of discussions about SW, MO., and
have a couple of questions myself. Several poeple have mentioned the
humidity, and I am curious how often it gets really muggy in the summer.
Hot is one thing, oppressive humidity is another. My wife and I are planning a trip, to see the area, Springfield, Joplin, and around the Ozarks, if there are
certain things we should look into I would appreciate some guidance. We
are located up North and brutal winters are the norm, lots of snow and bitter cold spells, so the winters in MO don't sound too bad. Any info is appreciated.

[Chellivia]

I've lived here 11 years and love it! It's so beautiful here and folks are very friendly. I moved from the long, cold winters of SW Iowa. The humidity is pretty major about 70% (imho) of the summer. If you have air conditioning (most folks do around here) it's great. I just save anything like mowing for early a.m. or the evening. My biggest complaint here is the traffic.

Unfortunately we may have to move due to hubby's work .

If you have any questions, please feel free to pm or e-mail me. I hope you enjoy your visit to the area.

[Ozarks21]

From mid-June to late August it is normally very hot and humid. I live, drive and work in the A/C so it's not too bad. In the past I have worked outdoors in the summer. It is a killer.

[Darren Stewart]

I would agree with the last comments the humidity can be bad here in Missouri, when it gets that bad normally we do alot more in the early morning or early evening if its to be done outdoors, other wise I to work and live with the A/C.

Hope you have a great time visiting the area. If I were visiting and used to living in a city I definitely would check out Springfield and the surrounding areas its nice to have a little bit of both and while this area is growing rapidly it still is amazing sometimes how alot of the suburbs retain their small town charm.

I have had several clients relocate from the North and all of them say these winters in MO are nothing. Occaisionally we will have a snowfall that tops 10 or 12 inches but its rare and the thing about Missouri weather it changes on a dime so even when that snow is on the ground your not stuck with it for long usually.

[Randy Henderson]

When I moved here 15 years ago, I came from northern Idaho (NO humidity) and thought I was going to die for the first summer.

Now that I am used to it, I barely notice it. It isn't nearly as bad as, say, New Orleans.

Since every car , home, and business has air conditioning, I think you really don't notice it much. You just mow your lawn early or late.

Most of my clients also tell me that the temperature here is far milder than where they are moving from.

Let me know if you need tips on the various parts of our area.

[Shep836]

Thank you for the insight. Where I live now has some pretty humid
summer days but not for the most part. It seems to me that almost
everybody that has lived or lives in Missouri really loves it. Schools are not an issue in our life now, but of course crime is. Lower taxes seem quite attractive. Friendly community life is certainly an issue. back to the original question I was suprised at the humidity, I would have guessed that the air coming across the mid west was very dry before it reaches MO. Does some of the humidity come from the Gulf. I am beginning to think that maybe the heat is really not that bad, or should I say one gets accustomed to it. My family lives in central Florida and I was there in August. Wow! That was brutal. But they all love it there and dont seem to mind it at all. Any further infor about things like health care, shopping, entertainment (golf) (shooting)
(boating) would be appreciated. Is there a WMCA for my wife to swim at. libraries and such? Just looking for more positive aspects. Thanks agian Shep.

[Randy Henderson]

Health Care - We are probably as big a health care region as you will ever see. Between Cox Hospital (www.coxhealth.com) and St. John's (www.Stjohns.com) you will find some of the best health care in the country. Seriously, these facilities are, for example, leading the way in some of the current cancer research that is very cutting edge.

Shopping is good, we have one major mall (The Battlefield Mall- http://www.simon.com/mall/mall_info.aspx?ID=174) that has a lot of stores, many upscale (Jos A. Banks) and a lot of anchor stores (Penny's, Dillards, Macy's).
Entertainment is great, I have played several of the public and private courses (although my game is horrible!) We also have a great Minor League Baseball Club, the Springfield Cardinals. Springfield also hosts a July 4 celebration and First Night, a New Years Party.

There is a shooting range south of Ozark, and probably others that I don't know about. The boating is, of course, incredible with all of the lakes within an hour of us.

The YWCA and fitness centers owned by Cox and St. John health facilities are amazing - because of the large medical presence, there is also lots of opportunity for fitness centers.

I haven't been to the library in a while, but the Greene County library center on Campbell is huge, and offers a lot of resources.

There are some other resources under "Community" on my web page.

Hope that helps.

Randy