Springfield trip report! :) (Nixa, Ozark, Branson: appointed, for sale, real estate)

[NOLA2SGF]

We arrived in Springfield on Monday afternoon. In the past day and a half, we have been having a ball!

We did "drive-bys" of about a dozen real estate properties that looked nice online, and found that most of it looked just as good (or better!) in person. We each found a house or two that we find tempting and would definitely look into further, if we could move now. (We can't, since neither of us qualifies for retirement until the fall of 2009). We also drove around the Orchard Crest area developments, which include many nice brand new houses but we discovered that they are small and on lots that are probably way too small for our desires. We drove up S. Sulgrove in SE Springfield and decided those new homes didn't appeal to us either. Frank was curious about the area just east of I-65 from Sunshine south, so we went down (I think?) Blackman Road; Black-something road, anyway. It's a very nice area with many large, newer homes. I was so curious to see what the area around W. El Castile looked like, and it was pretty nice, too. We are discovering that we prefer 30-50 year old homes on larger lots, and found them in many neighborhoods like Southern Hills and down at the southern end of Fremont. So, maybe we will end up there. I can SO see myself living in Southern Hills.

Last night, we went to Barnes and Noble which is open until 11 PM. The mall and nearly everything else seems to close at 6 PM. Then, around 8-9 PM we drove clear down Kearney from Glenstone to the W. Bypass, because I wanted to see what a theoretically rougher area of town might be like at night. There were a lot of pawn shops open there, and some fast food. It seemed extremely safe to me. I saw children on their bikes, a man buying pizza with his 8-year-old son, and a woman with a baby carriage. Not my idea of a "scary rough" neighborhood, though it may seem that way to Springfield-ites (Springfieldians? LOL).

We drove down to Ozark this afternoon, and decided it is not for us!! There are many, many beautiful new subdivisions down there for those who want to live in a newer community, though. We got a couple of flyers from houses that we saw for sale there, and the prices seemed very reasonable for such new homes.

We went antiquing in Ozark and Springfield, both. It was hard to find anything in the yellow pages that actually still exists at an existing address. So, we stopped at a half dozen or so antique stores that we saw while driving, including the "antique mall" right by the freeway in Ozark and a couple of other antique stores near it. We were really disappointed because all of the antique stores we went to, seemed more like flea markets - - with booths, and a lot of assorted stuff. We had hoped to find a place with a lot more actual antique furniture. Maybe next time. Meanwhile, Frank (who is into ham radio) found an old one that he wants to restore, at one of these antique stores.

We went to a really cool surplus store on W. Sunshine near the west bypass. Then, we went to Bass Pro. What can I say about Bass Pro? It's an experience that you should NOT miss, if you haven't been there. And this is coming from a 59 year old woman who doesn't hunt or fish. Frank does both, and was in heaven.

I told Frank about the Cajun restaurants, and we saw two of them while driving around! He said we should try one. But when it came time for lunch, there we were at TGIFridays, and for dinner we hit Outback. Oh well. Maybe we can go to one of them before we leave.

I have been having a BALL!!! This town is so nice, and the people seem so friendly. And we are STILL HERE - - I am writing this from our motel room in Springfield. I'll post an update later on! Now, time to get out of the motel room and have more fun.

[northbayeric]

That is wonderful to hear! If you have the time and you enjoy visiting caves, try to visit Fantastic Caverns, just NW of the city. It is one of the only caves, if not the only cave in the world that features a ride-through tour. And once you finally get settled in Springfield, there's just all kinds of places to visit--caves, lakes, rivers, museums, down to Branson, and much more. Here's Fantastic Caverns' website: Fantastic Caverns - Springfield, Missouri USA - America's Ride-Through Cave. I toured it back in April 2003 and the tour guide, an older guy with a delightful Southern-sounding accent, couldn't have been nicer.

Again, have a great time! Just be a little careful with the colder weather that should come tomorrow. It doesn't seem like it will be cold enough for anything like freezing rain or sleet, so that's good.

[Lake Junkie]

I'm so excited for you. You found Surplus City...one of my regular stops.
And how cool you thought to drive around NW SGF at night.
"Define safe!"
It's all relative, don't you think?

I love the older Southern Hills homes.
(Yep...Springfieldians...)

Have a great time...don't miss Andy's Frozen Custard. Try a pumpkin pie concrete (for me!)...
And the lights at Silver Dollar City if you have time. Best time to catch their train is right at dusk.

More...we want to hear more...

[NOLA2SGF]

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

Tonight we had dinner at JParrino's on Battlefield. They are a Sicilian restaurant, and Sicilian cuisine is something we have in New Orleans that I thought I'd never find in Springfield! The atmosphere and service were wonderful, the prices were reasonable, and the food was passable and at least better than I thought it might be (sorry if I sound like a food snob! Don't mean to, and I think it is great that Springfield has a good Sicilian restaurant). We will go back. I had the veal piccata, and Frank had the spaghetti with marinara sauce. So anyway, we feel that JParrino's is quite a "find", and that was fun. On to Barnes and Noble (again), and we are done for the day.

Northbayeric, we might "chicken out" and go home tomorrow to avoid that cold front. It is supposed to bring lots of rain and maybe snow tomorrow night. Or, we might stay. I just love it here!

We might or might not drive through Fayetteville, Arkansas on our way home. It is now our second choice retirement location, but I can't imagine that we would like it as well. We have never seen Fayetteville, and we have pretty much decided on Springfield.

LJ, we really like Surplus City. They have a lot of cool stuff, and the prices there are great! The older lady who works there was so sweet and when we told her we may retire in Springfield, she recommended several neighborhoods and told us to be sure to come back to the store.

[redneck central]

I've noticed the same thing. Drive thru the new subdivisions, big ,beautiful large homes, on postage stamp size lots. I think it was lexington square , a subd. just south of Springfield. Nice all brick homes, listed at 1/2 million dollars each , and the houses are 20 feet apart. Thats not my style, but maybe it makes for a cozy neighborhood?
Enjoy your springfield visit!

[NOLA2SGF]

Redneck Central, that's so true! I can't understand the mentality of these developers, with land as cheap as it is in the Springfield area. Who wants neighbors breathing down their necks? I would live out in the country on acreage, except that I am a city girl and do not want to learn to deal with septic tanks and wells at my age, plus I like having stores nearby. So one of the most attractive things about Springfield for me, is the availability of homes on large lots in the city. I don't need a huge back yard, but I would really like a lot that is 100-200' wide so that I am not jammed up right next to my neighbors.

Also, I love the amenities in the new homes but I don't want the potential hassle of a homeowners' association, possible assessments, and fees after retirement. I have heard that most homeowners' associations are not that bad, but I also know that sometimes they can be awful. I am kind of a loner and would rather just deal with things myself.

Many of the more interesting older homes have nice built-ins, big fireplaces, and large rooms. With a little updating (possibly), I could have a very nice home, on a larger lot with no homeowners' association fees.

Older homes are not for everybody, or even most people, but they appeal to me. Each to his/her own! I was born in 1948 and as long as a home is younger than I am, it is new enough for me.

Looks like we will be leaving this morning. We discussed it after my last post, and Frank is concerned with the possibility of icy roads (especially freeways) once the front comes through. We have seen a lot. I wish I could stay! But until the next time, I will have to say "goodbye for now" to Springfield.

[GregoryS]

Wow NOLA....was reading your posts about your Springfield trip...lots and lots of great information. Imagine someone from New Orleans being a food snob lol lol...we do have some grrrrrreat food here. I had a sandwich in the French Quarter yesterday and I had sort of forgotten what a really GOOD sandwich on french bread tasted like...it came back to me quick though... after I got past the sign that said "cash or travelers checks only" lol...New Orleans... New Orleans geeeez....

So glad to hear you had such a nice visit. I wish I was as good as you are at reporting what you have seen. I could sort of visualize what you were seeing and relate to what you were thinking(I think) lol...Some of those older homes you speak of remind me of memories of my Grandmother's and Aunt's houses. I don't think they lived in the expensive neighborhoods but I know we loved my Aunt's house. I returned there and hardly recognized the area....it's not too far from Cox Hospital. My Uncle lived in a very nice area around a large park and had a larger home. And what you said about Ozark makes me wonder a little too about whether it is right for us but we are looking to downsize and one quarter to a half acre would be fine for us...Ozark and Nixa has been where I think we are looking at but that may be because my cousin lives in Nixa. After reading about your visit I'm going to look a little more in Springfield...I sort of like newer homes(in this century would be nice lol)...I've done my remodeling...I have a couple of craggy fingers to show for it lol...Sorry you had to cut your trip short...no snow expected here for about another 20 years or so

[Melancon]

It must be a New Orleans thing about Springfield.
I was born in 1942 in New Orleans.
Springfield reminds me of New Orleans in the 50-60's.
Also like Baton Rouge 20 years ago or so.

We just bought a nice large home in Eastgate (1977 updated) and are in process of moving from Baton Rouge. Nice large lot like I have now. .6 acre and no homeowners assoc. in city limits. Perfect We weren't really ready but made offer and reached very reasonable price.

Thanks for recommendation on restaurant JParinno's. My sister lives in Springfield and has taught Cajun classes. She says forget about any "Cajun" food. So, each trip up I have to bring food from Baton Rouge.
Crawfish Etouffee this time, last time brought several pounds of fresh Gulf shrimp. None of the above lasted very long.

As soon as we can sell our home in Baton Rouge, we will be in Springfield full time.

With all the lakes around, I might have to buy a boat again so I don't miss my Gulf fishing and boating.

[NOLA2SGF]

Just to be clear, I am NOT recommending it as a restaurant equivalent to those here in New Orleans. But, I AM recommending it in comparison with the chain restaurants in town, and as the one and only Sicilian restaurant that I have found in Springfield. The food itself at JParrino's had a few problems that would cause it to fail quickly in a competitive environment like New Orleans. Please don't expect it to be like a Sicilian restaurant down here! Fitzmorris would have died in horror. But still, it was a whole lot better than if there were no Sicilian restaurant in town at all.

If we are going to adapt to a new place, I think we need to appreciate what it has, rather than being such a food snob as I am sometimes tempted to be. We WILL go back to JParrino's, and we will visit the Cajun places next time. We are determined to find the best Springfield has to offer, to deal with it, and to learn to appreciate it for what it is. Eventually we will even be brave enough to try Lambert's with the "thowed rolls", too. Just not quite yet.... baby steps!

I am back in New Orleans already. We beat the front, so didn't get much rain on the drive. All in all, it was a wonderful trip even though we did cut it short.

Melancon, your house sounds wonderful!! It sounds like just what I am hoping to find, when I am ready to move.

GregoryS, my grandparents on both sides lived in Springfield too, though I have no family there any more. They lived up by Drury. Don't feel I am "putting down" Ozark - - I think it is a terrific place for many people, but many of the homes are newer and so they don't suit my particular tastes. That doesn't mean that I think it is a bad place to live, at all!! It all depends on what you want.

[Lake Junkie]

LOVE the trip reports! More...more...more!