Tell us about Shell Knob (Ozark, California: living, move to, yard)

[itstobe]

Hello, newbie here, we are thinking of moving to the Shell Knob area and we have a 12 year old daughter, could anyone tell me about the activities and the school she would be attending? Is this a good place to raise a 12 year old daughter? Any info would be helpful. Thank you so much.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by dober1

We have done a lot of research and Shell Knob (area) looks like the best bet for us. We are planning to retire within 1-2 years. I love to hunt and my wife and I both love to fish (every day if we can). We either want a lake front home or an acerage in the country near Table Rock. I come from the Midwest but my wife has lived almost her whole life in Southern California.
I am a country boy who needs to get back to his roots and am blessed to have a wife who is willing and wanting to experience it also.
Is this area as good as it looks? Are there any negatives? As long as we are within 30 miles of larger shopping she is ok. Me I could care less. The more remote the better.
Are there job opportunities in the field of telecommunication or restaurants (for the wife).

My first post thanks.

It rather depends on your definition of "larger shopping" I doubt if she will consider Aurora or Monett "larger" therefore I am going to assume that Springfield is going to be what she is looking for and it is a good hour or more from Shell Knob. (Depending of course, how fast you drive).

There isn't a lot of restaurants to choose from either, as I recall. A few "family restaurants" but nothing particularly memorable.

That having been said, I like Shell Knob. It has a lot of "outside" influendces from the many retirees who have migrated here from all over the country. It has a very nice grocery store.

I do realize that you said "acreage" but just to be on the safe side, be careful that any property that you are interested meets the necessary requirements for building. I know that sounds silly, but there are a few developments in the area that were platted before the county changed the building requirements and have been rendered unbuildable unless you buy several together.

20yrsinBranson

[melissajo]

I grew up in Shell Knob and you couldn't pay me to go back. The lake is nice, but only enjoyable a few months out of the year, and then overcrowded due to tourists. The town completely shuts down in the winter. In the summer even, you will find alot of the town is closed Sunday and Monday. It used to be, Pizza Hut was one of the only places open on Monday night.

The other problem I have with the area is that everyone seems to be addicted to something. Drug and alcohol abuse is very high in the area. I have never seen anything like it before. Everyone thinks that it is "normal" to live like that.

I would urge you to look more towards the Branson area. Kimberling City area would be nice. Or the Ozark area (or just south of there) is beautiful. We lived in Ozark for a while and absolutely loved the small town feel (while being very close to both Springfield and Branson for some entertainment and dining)

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by itstobe

Hello, newbie here, we are thinking of moving to the Shell Knob area and we have a 12 year old daughter, could anyone tell me about the activities and the school she would be attending? Is this a good place to raise a 12 year old daughter? Any info would be helpful. Thank you so much.

itstobe...welcome to our little corner of cyberspace!

There's a grammar school in Shell Knob...Jr. Hi & High School will be in Cassville. One of the above posters mentioned it shuts down in the winter...that's close. There is a large percentage of summer homes. A couple of my friends in Shell Knob say it's kinda lonely in the winter...

Is there a reason you're looking at Shell Knob? Family there? Could you consider closer to Kimberling City-Cape Fair-Branson areas?

Please...more info...

[lone sailor]

Originally Posted by itstobe

Hello, newbie here, we are thinking of moving to the Shell Knob area and we have a 12 year old daughter, could anyone tell me about the activities and the school she would be attending? Is this a good place to raise a 12 year old daughter? Any info would be helpful. Thank you so much.

While others find it to be less than desirable, it's all in how you look at things. It's a quaint little community, with easy access to the Branson area. More things to do there than you can shake a stick at. Sure, maybe it's a little touristy, but hey, every town has to survive somehow. Good luck in whatever you decide.

[cleach]

Hi! We just caught wind of a job opportunity on the Shell Knob area and I'd love to learn more about the town!
We have two young children; the oldest will be starting kindergarten this fall. We currently live in a very rural location (as in 120 miles to Wal-Mart, doctors, etc. Eating out and movies don't exist) and believe it or not, we want to stay fairly isolated, but within closer access to amenities. We also have horses and would like to have property.
Is Shell Knob the right place for us? Or, would you recommend a surrounding community and commuting to work?
Thank you so much for any information!

[lone sailor]

Originally Posted by cleach

Hi! We just caught wind of a job opportunity on the Shell Knob area and I'd love to learn more about the town!
We have two young children; the oldest will be starting kindergarten this fall. We currently live in a very rural location (as in 120 miles to Wal-Mart, doctors, etc. Eating out and movies don't exist) and believe it or not, we want to stay fairly isolated, but within closer access to amenities. We also have horses and would like to have property.
Is Shell Knob the right place for us? Or, would you recommend a surrounding community and commuting to work?
Thank you so much for any information!

From what you've posted here, I don't see any places that would trump Shell Knob. Especially if a job opportunity was already available.

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by cleach

Hi! We just caught wind of a job opportunity on the Shell Knob area and I'd love to learn more about the town!
We have two young children; the oldest will be starting kindergarten this fall. We currently live in a very rural location (as in 120 miles to Wal-Mart, doctors, etc. Eating out and movies don't exist) and believe it or not, we want to stay fairly isolated, but within closer access to amenities. We also have horses and would like to have property.
Is Shell Knob the right place for us? Or, would you recommend a surrounding community and commuting to work?
Thank you so much for any information!

You might be one of the few on here who can actually move to Shell Knob and love it. Most of them (like the original poster, wonder whatever happened ot him) are going to be moaning that there are no high-brow cultural opportunities and no place for "serious shopping," but if you're already from a rural location and love it, then you'll likely love Shell Knob, too.

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by cleach

Hi! We just caught wind of a job opportunity on the Shell Knob area and I'd love to learn more about the town!
We have two young children; the oldest will be starting kindergarten this fall. We currently live in a very rural location (as in 120 miles to Wal-Mart, doctors, etc. Eating out and movies don't exist) and believe it or not, we want to stay fairly isolated, but within closer access to amenities. We also have horses and would like to have property.
Is Shell Knob the right place for us? Or, would you recommend a surrounding community and commuting to work?
Thank you so much for any information!

Well it sounds like Shell Knob might be movin' a bit fast compared to where you're living now......I personally really like the area. Jobs are hard to come by, I'd love to know what kind of job you've found...

Land is affordable...but I guess that depends on what you're comparing it to!

There is a lively summer crowd that moves in to Shell Knob during "the season"...they call it Little Wichita because so many Kansans vacation there. There's a decent grocery store, several restaurants, and a very relaxed attitude.

They call it "the quiet side" of Table Rock Lake...

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by dober1

Thanks for the posts. We appreciate the input from everyone. Keep it coming, I am sure there is more to follow. My wife is especially interested since she has never lived anywhere but So California and the south Pacific.

P.S. Are there any vineyards in south Missouri my wife is a big wine fan. (WINO)

1. If you're coming here from California, don't move to the Shell Knob side of the lake. You'll be much happier over on the hoppin' side of the lake. Listen to Lake Junkie; she and I tangle over many issues, but she's right on this one.

2. The best place in Missouri for winos like your wife (just joking) to visit is St. James. There are about five vineyards/wineries there, plus there's a nice one down in Steelville, and the biggest one up in Hermann. Many of these wineries offer concerts during the summer, and they serve food. Google Missouri wine country and find those towns.

3. And, I can't end this without asking one more question: Are you absolutely SURE you want to move to Missouri, and why Missouri, not some other state?