Single & 50, Branson, Holiday Island or Eureka Springs? (Springfield, Union: apartment complex, to rent)

[tamfam]

Hi All,
I am helping my sister relocate and after much research we have narrowed it down to Branson, Holiday Island or Eureka Springs. Would you be so kind as to share your thoughts on those choices. She works in the Hotel Industry and we're hoping that as these are all vacation areas she wouldn't have too hard a time finding a job? She has always worked in Administration in the hotel industry and really needs somewhere more affordable as she getting up there. (I can say that because she is a year older than me!) Housing looks good, but she would want to rent for a year. Ideally, as she is single, someplace with built in community would be great. Any suggestions on that front? Thanks for any help you might be able to offer.
Margaret

[weimmom]

It sounds like your sister and I are after the same thing, since these are some of the same areas I'm trying to research. I am wanting to get involved in volunteering, fostering or working with Animal Rescues and also need something affordable since I am approaching 50 and would like to find a quiet, friendly neighborhood to make my last home.

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by tamfam

Hi All,
I am helping my sister relocate and after much research we have narrowed it down to Branson, Holiday Island or Eureka Springs. Would you be so kind as to share your thoughts on those choices. She works in the Hotel Industry and we're hoping that as these are all vacation areas she wouldn't have too hard a time finding a job? She has always worked in Administration in the hotel industry and really needs somewhere more affordable as she getting up there. (I can say that because she is a year older than me!) Housing looks good, but she would want to rent for a year. Ideally, as she is single, someplace with built in community would be great. Any suggestions on that front? Thanks for any help you might be able to offer.
Margaret

Hi Margaret!

The answer really depends on what kind of lifestyle your big sis wants...I'd suggest she spend a few days in each place talking to the locals.

Obviously, I chose Branson. I like living in Missouri, for one thing. And although I love visiting Eureka Springs, it doesn't offer enough for me. Work, play, population, amenities...I like what the "Branson Area" has to offer including these marvelous lakes. Oddly enough, I, too am a 50-ish single woman...

As far as Holiday Island, it's way too isolated for me.

But. As I say, everyone needs to think about what THEY want.

[tamfam]

Thank you for your answer. It really does help. I was thinking Eureka Springs because the number of Hotels there, Holiday Island because it looked liked it was in between the two and Branson because of the Hotel situation also.

I may need to repost this thread! When I logged back in I realized the title looked a little like a personal ad! oops. What I was really trying to get at was it wasn't a young children type of situation.

I have read on some of the other threads that the job situation in Branson is a little difficult. Did you find that to be true?
Any chance you could recomend an apartment complex?
Again thanks for the post.
Margaret

[mrschilicook]

Branson would be my suggestion. We looked seriously at Holiday Island 'cause my husband had a fantasy about livin' on a golf course. However, everyone we talked to said they had too many change-overs with management. If that doesn't bother you, it's a nice development with some of the built-in community things your looking for. They have some areas that are less expensive than others. It's fairly close to Eureka Springs, HOWEVER, Eureka Springs just about dies in the off-season. A lot of the hotels close along with many of the restaurants. Are you also aware that Eureka Springs, while being a cool little tourist town (I love it for shopping), is an "alternative lifestyle" town? It may not bother you, but I know some people who won't go there simply because of it. It's about an hour from Eureka Springs/Holiday Island to Branson so while on the map it looks "in between" I wouldn't suggest as a commute. Branson is slow in the winter but many of the hotels remain open. Things here slow down for a shorter period of time. Springfield has many motels/hotels but is less of a tourist area which "usually" means they are catering to a different type of business.

[GreenGeek]

I've only been to Eureka Springs once (in and out the same day) but thought it was way cool because of all the artists and some really terrific art/craft work. Just curious, what do you mean by alternative lifestyle?

[aragx6]

A little more on what mrschilicook means from Eureka Springs's Web site:

"Eureka Springs is known by many names: Haven for the State's Eccentrics. The place where misfits fit. The hole in the Bible Belt where the buckle goes through. And then there's our personal favorite: America's Largest Open Air Asylum.

Sometimes people ask us, "Is it true that Eureka Springs is a haven for gays & lesbians?" Well, yes. Eureka Springs is also a haven for families, church groups, astrologers, lawyers, artists, musicians, accountants ... we're a diverse community in every sense of the word.

Businesses listed in this section include our favorite resources for alternative healing, alternative spirituality, gay friendly lodging, commitment ceremony & Holy Union providers, plus businesses who specifically asked to be in this section because they want you to know they are committed to treating ALL people with dignity and respect."

It's a great place, but if you're not OK with living in the "hole of the bible belt where the buckle goes through" (hysterical btw!!) then it's not the place for you.

[tamfam]

I want to thank everyone who took time to share their thoughts. Your answers were invaluable. Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed
It looks like Branson is just about identical, population, demographic wise, to Plymouth, Ma. where my sister lives now. I was surprised to see it had an almost identical population but of course is much more reasonably priced for a cost of living. Which is what we're looking for. It's also similiar in being a huge tourist town in the summer with a big slowdown in the winter. Another coincidence is 50 miles south of Plymouth is Provincetown which if anyone knows P'town as it's called, might see a similiarity to Eureka Springs. Probably Eureka Springs to nth degree. Originally an artist colony. Anyway, I think I've had a brainstorm to help her out and I will be posting a new thread under condohotels, or condos with lockouts. If you have any knowledge of these please post.
Again thanks to all of you.
Margaret