willard/ash grove areas (Springfield, Ozark: real estate, low crime, home)

[cat]

I just got back from the Willard/Ash Grove area..Im looking to relocate and that area seems to be what I would like. I realize that just driving around and actually living in an area can be a lot different, so, can anyone familiar with the area tell me something about it? Crime, home prices, property taxes, any pro's and con's?
Thank you in advance.

[toddm]

Both Willard and Ash Grove will offer more "bang for your housing buck" then say the areas to the South and East of Springfield. A lot of housing being build in and around Willard due to its very close proximity to Springfield and along with it some business/retail development. Pretty low crime rate and good police/fire protection. My understanding is that the schools are very good with a lot of community involvement as well. On the con side, it is very near the Regional Airport and Hwy 160 through town can be pretty bad during rush hours.

Ash Grove is smaller with not a lot of growth..yet and not quite as many conveniences. As with Willard, good police/fire protection and a good school system. Plus, Ash Grove had an absolutley incrediable 4th of July celebration this year. We made the trip form Ozark (about 40 miles) and was VERY impressed.

The whole area around Willard/Ash Grove, including Bois D'Arc (pronounced Bow Dark in Ozarkian ) and Walnut Grove is pretty rural and scenic. Lot of rolling hills and the Sac River Valley. If you area biker or hiker, the Ozark Greenways Trail goes from Willard to Walnut Grove and points north. For fishing, boating, or camping, you would be pretty close to Stockton Lake.

Depending on what you're looking for, either would be good. In fact, we have looked at property in the area several times over the years but other matters took precedence.

Where are you relocating from ?

[Ozarks21]

I think it's pronounced "Bow Dark" in French, also.

But what do I know. I was raised in Missouri.

[johninvegas]

Actually it's pronounced "bwa dar" in French, but then Versailles is pronounced "Vearsai" in French, not "Versails" as in Missouri.

Henkelphoto

[cat]

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful information you gave me. All areas sound so nice. Im in California now so I am used to the traffic. I will be moving as soon as my home is sold here, which could be a long while since Real Estate is pretty slow right now..

[cat]

As far as knowing how to pronounce Bois D'Arc, I have always heard, "when in doubt, mumble"..It sounds like this should apply here...LOL

[MoMark]

Originally Posted by Ozarks21

I think it's pronounced "Bow Dark" in French, also.

But what do I know. I was raised in Missouri.

In Fwench ( ) it's pronounced bwah dahhhk, or a facisimile thereof..."Bow" "Dark" is gen-U-ine Ozarkian!

[MoMark]

Originally Posted by cat

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful information you gave me. All areas sound so nice. Im in California now so I am used to the traffic. I will be moving as soon as my home is sold here, which could be a long while since Real Estate is pretty slow right now..

I like Ash Grove. It's a really pretty typical small Missouri town with a 19th century brick downtown. It's kind of deserted though downtown with lots of empty storefronts...not much activity though the Mayor Brenda Ellsworth has been trying to improve it. It is fairly close to Stockton Lake and the country around it is absolutely stunning. It's a beautiful setting. I thought about living in that area around it as well, but for me it turned out to be just a tad too far as the road that connects it to Springfield also goes through Willard and it's become a choked road. I got caught on it in heavy traffic during an enormous thunderstorm last year and I was actually afraid I'd be hit by oncoming traffic. For the sake of convenience, I settled on an area between highway 13 and Highway H about one mile east of Ebenezer, six miles or so north of I-44. I'm close, but far enough out to enjoy country life.

[Ozarks21]

Originally Posted by MoMark

In Fwench ( ) it's pronounced bwah dahhhk, or a facisimile thereof..."Bow" "Dark" is gen-U-ine Ozarkian!

No, genuine Ozarkian would be "boys dee ark" That's why I figured Bow Dark was the French pronunciation. "Bwa" does sound more french though.

[2beamissourian]

I camt find it on a map