moving (Joplin, Carthage, Neosho: for sale, houses, job market)

[pete.barb]

looking to move to carthage,joplin,mo.any comments on this area would be very much appreciated.

[Someone1515]

Anything specific you would like to know? I'll try to help if I can.

[firebll31]

I live in Carthage, what specifically do you want to know?

[melissajo]

I currently live in Joplin and my husband works in Carthage. Maybe I can help you out? Can you give me some background info on yourself, so I know what types of information you are seeking or would appeal to you?

[pete.barb]

relocating from california to carthage mo,would like to know about jobs,houses,weather year round.any thing and everything.

[firebll31]

Weather in this area can change rapidly. Its not uncommon to run the heat at night and the AC during the day. We have 4 distinct seasons, with part of the summer very hot (95+) and humid, and occasional severe ice storms during the winter. We also have beautiful thunderstorms, tornadoes(as I'm sure you know) and wonderful crisp fall days. Carthage is known as the Maple Leaf City because of it's beautiful fall foliage. It can get as low as 10 below here, although that is rare.
Good paying jobs are not easy to find. Most work is in manufacturing and 12-15 dollars an hour is considered high. Healthcare jobs are one of the higher paying professions. Lots of places are looking for workers, but at 9 dollars an hour. What areas of work specifically are you looking for?
That said, the cost of living is pretty low. Gas right now is $3.29. Housing is reasonable, you can get a nice 3 bed. 2 bath with a yard and garage for $150 thou.
Carthage is a great small town where neighbors know each other. Lots of families have lived here for several generations. We have a new hospital, new high school, a YMCA, farmer's market, and is within driving distance of several colleges. We have our problems like any community but all-in-all its a nice place to live.

[sheri0003]

Seen you are looking at this area....I have a place for sale 4.5 miles East of Diamond, Mo which is aprrox. 15 to Carthage. You could say we are in the middle of Carthage, Neosho and Joplin. Fireball1131 about summed it up on this area. We enjoyed being here...but need to move back home. We have a 1 1/2 story home and a 30x50 shop sitting on 5m/l acers of pasture land......you can e-mail me at unitedcountrysheri@yahoo.com or call 417-291-2688 If you need anything else on this area I will try to help...Thanks Sheriooo3

[Mollym313]

Originally Posted by pete.barb

looking to move to carthage,joplin,mo.any comments on this area would be very much appreciated.

I was born in CA and spent most my childhood in Oregon. I can tell you...the weather is very different here. Dry heat out West, Wet (humid) heat in this region. I really think the weather will be the biggest challenge for you to get used too. The loud crackling thunder-storms scared me to death at first. The best advantage to moving to here (Joplin/Carthage) is the cost of living. I know CA is very expensive to live. We have a fault line in the Eastern part of the state, but don't have an earthquake problem. We do not have the dry areas like CA that catch fire so easily. Yes, we do get tornados but most are small and never seen in this immediate area. I do say most... but there are a few that have caused some serious damage and deaths. I have lived in this area since 1989 and have never seen a tornado. You learn to get used to the storm warnings...there is a good system in place to warn people of storms that are headed their way. Although we have lost many jobs, especially in manufacturing, our job market is doing relatively well.