What's employment like int he Ozarks (Kansas City, Springfield: rent, income, lease)

[familytoth]

My husband and I plan to relocate to Southern Missouri.

He is awaiting a liver transplant so it is imperitive that I obtain a decent job when we move.

We would love to move to the Kimberling City area but I need to know in advance if I will be able to find work there.

I work in administration, mainly medical, are there doctors offices, medical facilities or hospitals, or large companies near by where I would be able to obtain office work? Or should I consider a different area of the state?

Big cities are out of the question and we really want to focus on lake areas. Any advice?

[tambre]

Hi Familytoth,

I am sorry to hear about your husband's medical condition, and hope he receives his needed liver transplant. Any concerns with "pre-existing conditions" as far as changing insurance plans? Insurance companies can be heartless and money driven, from what I have read.


I think it would be helpful to those of us looking to relocate to the Ozarks to know what the odds of finding a job are and how long it typically might take. What are some of the bigger employers that will hire on a regular basis? What types of companies or industries are looking for employees? How could we be valuable in the Ozark area as far as starting a new business or what type of education/experience is needed to be marketable? Thanks for any information you could share.

Best of luck with your search for a place to live in Missouri, FT.

[FloridaGypsy]

Tambre

I replied on another thread but did want to let you that I agree with you. My family are looking to relocate also. I have researched this area and other areas till my eyes hurt and I feel defeated. I feel drawn to this area having visited when growing up with my family and love the beauty of the area, but I don't want to put my family in the same situation we are facing now here in FL -- lack of jobs and high cost of living.

[FloridaGypsy]

Hi Familytoth,

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your husband. Will you be going to KU Med Center in Kansas City for the transplant? They have an excellent facility there. I am not sure what Springfield has as I do not live there (yet!!) I am familiar with KU as my mother had a liver transplant 4 years ago there. She is one of the reasons for my wanting to come north from Florida. God has given four years that she would not have had and I have not been able to use them and enjoy to best of my abilities being so far away.

I know there are several individuals on this forum who are knowledgeable of this area. I have not dealt with all of them personally yet but in reading the many threads for the area, I am impressed with the knowledge and dedication they have to helping all those who are looking to relocate their part of "heaven" in MO.

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by FloridaGypsy

Tambre

I replied on another thread but did want to let you that I agree with you. My family are looking to relocate also. I have researched this area and other areas till my eyes hurt and I feel defeated. I feel drawn to this area having visited when growing up with my family and love the beauty of the area, but I don't want to put my family in the same situation we are facing now here in FL -- lack of jobs and high cost of living.

I don't think you'll find high cost of living here, at least...

Originally Posted by familytoth

My husband and I plan to relocate to Southern Missouri.

He is awaiting a liver transplant so it is imperitive that I obtain a decent job when we move.

We would love to move to the Kimberling City area but I need to know in advance if I will be able to find work there.

I work in administration, mainly medical, are there doctors offices, medical facilities or hospitals, or large companies near by where I would be able to obtain office work? Or should I consider a different area of the state?

Big cities are out of the question and we really want to focus on lake areas. Any advice?

Familytoth...we have a wonderful small hospital right here in Branson that you might want to contact: Careers with Skaggs

Plus, there are two major health groups in Springfield that both have clinics all over down here...Cox Health Systems: Career Opportunities
...and St. John's Health Systems: St. John's Health System

I love the quality of life here...the wages aren't through the roof but either are the costs of living.


Please feel free to ask any specific questions!
Out for now.

[skeating]

Familytoth; Sorry to hear about your husband. His situation is very serious. What salary or hourly wage are you expecting? You can contact the unemployment office in Springfield and in Branson they will give you an idea of jobs available and wages for those positions. There are temp agencies you can contact inside of Springfield and Branson that can get you connected for jobs and temp to hire jobs that are available.

Have you gone on the internet and reseached all the agencies available through the websites for a job position? Monster, Careerbuilder, and have you checked with your local hospitals to see if they are connected with the hospitals in this area.

Make sure before you jump and make a change that you will have insurance coverage when you move to this area. Insurance can force alot of your decisions.

A natural direction would lead to Kansas City or St Louis, but they are definitely bigger cities. Tread cautiously with your move to protect your insurance and your income, you have a very weighty decision to make.

Hope all goes well for you and your family.