I want to be a Transplant? (St. Louis, Springfield: appointed, to rent, house)

[CA Woman]

Never moved in my life of 54 years...Central CA. So many people moving to MO, sounds wonderful. Right now I live in a small town of 4500, a resort town with 80% second home owners, we have to drive 1 1/2 hour to shop Costco, Mall, etc. I want to live in the country with acres, yet be close...10-20 miles of a town that has EVERYTHING: decent job opportunites. good schools, The town, when you see it you want to live there forever... ANY IDEAS WHERE THAT MIGHT BE I have heard of Mt Grove, sounds very nice but to far for shopping, is that right? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

[JPyleMortgage]

Welcome CA Woman!

I am a long time transplant who married a local boy myself. I have lived in the Branson area for over 30 years and can tell you that you won't be making a mistake if you move to the Ozarks!

As far as Mtn Grove, your right it is a long way from big shopping but it has it's own community, Wal-Mart and such. If you want to be close to things yet in the country you might look into Marshfield, Strafford or Rogersville. These are communities close to Springfiled with a lot of there own to offer. Down Branson way you could buy some acerage in the outlying communities such as Walnut Shade, Highlandville, Ozark & Nixa but you will pay a price. Land prices in these areas have skyrocketed in the last few years but seem to be holding their values well.

It can be hard to find a good piece of land because it seems like everyone wants one these days but if you are prepared to go out of the towns a bit it can be done. My suggestion is to find a good realtor once you find the town you want to be near. They can prove to be invaluable in your search.

When are you thinking about making your move? Moderator cut: removed

[mrschilicook]

Welcome to the forum. I'm a CA transplant myself. Born in Salinas, lived most of my adult life in the SF Bay area (San Jose, Mountain View, Los Altos, Pleasanton). Moved here last year and love it!

What do you consider to be "everything"? There is a lot here, but no Costco (I mention it cause you did). Springfield has all of the basics...a mall with 4 anchor stores (Sears, Dilliard, Macy's, Penny's). Home Depot, Lowes, Sam's Club, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohls, etc. are all here. There is a great sports scene here (Springfield Cardinals, basketball at the college/high schools, etc). A couple of good little theaters (great drama cirriculum at MSU) and several nice restaurants. Ethnic restaurants are becoming more available.

You can live close but have a rural feel without getting so far away. But Branson is a great little town as is Hollister which is growing.

Lake Junkie is a great realtor if you need some direct information. She's sort of the CD appointed ambassador of all things lake...

[rebelmommy07]

I lived outside of Eminence for almost a year and have just been "forced" to move back to the bootheel where I am from and I HATE IT!!!!!!!!!! I am looking for employment anywhere in the Mt. View area anywhere I can find it. I am in the medical field. Have been a lab tech and know pharmacy. Not certified but know the job and can pick up new stuff fast. I also have office skillls. I can and have worked as a secretary and a claims administrator for AFLAC. The Eminence area has become my home and I miss it something awfull!!!!!! So does my 2 year old son. He keeps asking me, " when are we going home?" If anyone can tell me who is hiring and a cheap but decent place to rent I would really be greatfull!!!!!!! I just want to come home!!!!

[ozarksboy]

Many people are coming:

Originally Posted by CA Woman

Never moved in my life of 54 years...Central CA. So many people moving to MO, sounds wonderful. ...I want to live in the country with acres, yet be close...10-20 miles of a town that has EVERYTHING

Demand is up, and it's getting hard to find a place:

Originally Posted by JPyleMortgage

you could buy some acerage in the outlying communities such as Walnut Shade, Highlandville, Ozark & Nixa but you will pay a price. Land prices in these areas have skyrocketed in the last few years but seem to be holding their values well.

It can be hard to find a good piece of land because it seems like everyone wants one these days

So, CaliBassman, you'd better hurry yourself up, son, and get it while the gettin's good. The rest of you, too ... better hurry now. The prices have skyrocketed; land that was $200 an acre in the 80s and 90s is $2,000 an acre now. What will it be in the Twentyteens and Twentytwenties when you retire? Buy now or say bye to your dreams of living in Missouri later.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by CA Woman

Never moved in my life of 54 years...Central CA. So many people moving to MO, sounds wonderful. Right now I live in a small town of 4500, a resort town with 80% second home owners, we have to drive 1 1/2 hour to shop Costco, Mall, etc. I want to live in the country with acres, yet be close...10-20 miles of a town that has EVERYTHING: decent job opportunites. good schools, The town, when you see it you want to live there forever... ANY IDEAS WHERE THAT MIGHT BE I have heard of Mt Grove, sounds very nice but to far for shopping, is that right? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

Define "acres!" We just bought a house last week in Stone County on Table Rock Lake. We'll be making the move from Sacramento to the Ozarks in about three weeks. Nice lot, lake's across our street and no acres required.

I gotta tell ya, it ain't California so be careful. Do a lot of research and, more important, visit. Our house is four miles from the nearest store -- a gas station and convenience store. Then it's another 16 miles to "civilization" which is a Lowes and a couple of strip malls and grocery stores. In 66 more miles (hour and a half) we'll finally hit the closest real city and shopping venue, Springfield.

This is all fine with us (we're retired) but there are no Trader Joes, no Safeways, no In-N-Out Burgers, etc.

If shopping's a big issue for you, you might want to look at some of the large cities rather than rural MO, or even stay in CA.

By the way, the closest Trader Joe's is in St. Louis and that's a five mile drive.

[gone-island]

$2000 an acre? Still cheap!
Here on St. Croix an acre that's not too steep with a nice view will run $100k or more. A 2 acre homesite I know of recently sold for $250k

[gone-island]

And to build will cost $300 a square foot.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

By the way, the closest Trader Joe's is in St. Louis and that's a five mile drive.

Umm! That's five hour drive.

[Arkie4Life]

Curmudeon, don't worry, when you arrive in God's country your mind will clear up and you won't make those mistakes!

From the description of your new place sounds like you have found paradise! Enjoy, my friend......