Lake of the Ozarks area... which town is best for families? (Eldon: homes, schools)

[LemonYellow]

DH is interviewing in this area.


Which town/city around the lake (20 miles radius) is best for families with little to big kids? We aren't looking to be on the beach or even in a "tier 2 w/lake views" house, and we don't boat so I am not worried about a slip or dock... so living outside the immediate lake "ring" is ok.


I see ALOT of people bashing Camdenton on here... is it really that bad?



Any areas to just avoid like the plague?



Bonus points if there are any "crunchy" groups or homeschooling groups!


PS.... what is the humidity like in the summer?




Thank you for your time!!!!!!

[Bodyne]

if you aren't a lake rat, I would suggest the west side, its smaller and quieter, Camdenton actually isn't that bad, the schools are pretty good, Osage Beach has a good school, but it has a uppity money feel to it, but there just isn't anything to do in Camdenton, IMO.

[LemonYellow]

Thanks!

We are definately not lake rats.



Anyone else?

[Hillman]

Are you wanting Big City convenience or Small Town??

hillman

[mthawki]

I have the same interest too, but it seems that this thread died. Have read the Camdenton bashing too, but there has to be ONE nice town around.

[h&j]

There are a lot of nice towns close by. All the bashing about camdenton is true. The lake area is like living in a big city. We are 30 minutes away and it is great if you like peacefull living.

[Hillman]

I'm 30 minutes from Camdenton too the difference is like Day and Night.You make a 25 mile circle around Camdenton outside it life is much better.

hillman

[mthawki]

The potential job I'm looking at is in Sunrise Beach, so it sounds like I'd be better off staying north of Camdenton to be safe. Then could go in for shopping and stuff, then escape back to the peace. How long of a drive is it from Sunrise Beach to Camdenton?

[h&j]

Originally Posted by mthawki

The potential job I'm looking at is in Sunrise Beach, so it sounds like I'd be better off staying north of Camdenton to be safe. Then could go in for shopping and stuff, then escape back to the peace. How long of a drive is it from Sunrise Beach to Camdenton?

You might want to consider the Eldon area. Some nice homes and right on hwy 54.

[SummersAtTheLake]

Originally Posted by mthawki

The potential job I'm looking at is in Sunrise Beach, so it sounds like I'd be better off staying north of Camdenton to be safe. Then could go in for shopping and stuff, then escape back to the peace. How long of a drive is it from Sunrise Beach to Camdenton?

The new stretch of HWY 5 opened up last week so it's about 15 minutes from the so called "city" of Sunrise Beach to the center of Camdenton. I have 3 children in Camdenton schools and I have a Sunrise Beach address but live near the new bridge on Shawnee Bend. Camdenton and Osage are great schools.