Poplar Bluff Info (Springfield, Branson, New Madrid: violent crime, house, employment)

[Kicking4JC]

Hello,

My best friend lives in Poplar Bluff and several years ago I considered moving there but got a job where I currently live. Since then, as of a month ago I quit the job and would never want to work for the company again. I brought my finance to the town last weekend to visit, and to show him the community and he likes the smaller towns, but being close to things you need as well. It's funny, as we have been with each other for 2 years he's getting warm and almost hot in the summers in the NW MS area. He used to be comfortable in the tempertures in the upper 80's and low to mid 90's. I am originally from WI and can not stand the heat nor humidity. When we were up there my friend took us to Lake Wappallello (spelling?) and there was a stream / river part that was absolutely wonderful. We didn't bring swimming appareal, as I anticipated she had to work that weekend, and while out there in a pair of pants and a shirt, I noticed I wasn't sweating or complaining of the heat, even though the temps were in the higher end of my normal comfort, I guess due to the high humidity levels back home. Anyways, upon sitting on a rock ledge, my finance and I sat there, breating in the fresh air and he held my hand and said I would like for us to move here. I looked to him and said, what? I've told him that I wish to move there, because I miss my friend so much, she's more than a friend, she's like family. He's always told me he's afraid to move there because of the New Madrid fault line, prone to have a earthquake that will be very devistating. He did say though we'd have to build a house that would be a lot stronger than our original plans if we had decided to stay in Mississippi.

I'm asking from people in that area, my finance is currently working for a paint store, and there are none of those stores in that city. He's wanting to get his pilot license, and was wondering how jobs are in the field of crop dusting? He's also into computer stuff, from building his own computers to repairing my parent's computers. He wants to avoid work for Home Depot. (I do too!) My desire is to go back to college, which I know PB has the community college that allows for one to earn a degree in education though SEMO without leaving the city which is wonderful. How are the schools in PB? Where would be the best parts of the county, closer to Wappallelo for land? What other advice and suggestions could you provide for someone? Our plans would probably to be there next summer, depending on a few situations here at home.

Thanks.

[nola]

PB is a beautiful area, however that area has some problems with meth and meth production in heavily wooded areas. Thus many young people in that area use meth as well.
The schools are good and they have a good community college there.
Wages are low with the employers there, but so is the cost of living. There aren't many big employers there either other than Walmart, Gates Rubber, Plastics plant and Brigg&Stratton.
West of PB is Springfield, MO and it is bigger with more employment opportunities. It is just north of Branson, MO and has five or more lakes within driving distance. Although it is a bigger city it has a small town feel and is very clean with lots of parks, trees and green space. Just outside of town in the county are rollin hills of green, fields creeks, rivers and caves.

[Kicking4JC]

Yes, I had heard of the problems with the meth, but there has been an explosion a few years ago across the lake from my mother. Then I have heard the other day on the news in Memphis of a meth bust. It's a shame that anyone uses that crap. One thing I noticed though, despite it being illegal for meth, their crimes are usually only against the neglect of their children, and possible murder charges against those they kill in their explosions. Not saying that is ok, it isn't. The drug crimes in Memphis, however, are drive by shootings, murders of family that wasn't part of the drug deal went bad, along with all the other violent crimes in Memphis, such as rape, theft, murder, etc.

Springfield is all the way close to Branson, right? All the way on the west end of the state? That would still put me further from my best friend, and my family (and finance's family) as well.

Thanks for your input.

[huntman58]

I would only add from living in earthquake country do not worry about it any more then you would having a gas main blow you place up not common at all any were (I live in calf now over 30 years. lived in the san Fran area in the shake of 1989 Loma perda) (spelling) I would worry more about tornados and hurricanes. More common for Missouri and your state I would think.