Making a decision on moving to the Branson area (Springfield: jobs, house)

[Lake Junkie]

These forums can be really helpful and informational, and they also can be an outlet for people who are bitter and unhappy. You will see a WIDE disparity of opinions here. Which is, as we celebrate it, what freedom of speech is all about!

I have lived in SW MO for 15 years having moved from a major California city...have spent periods of time going to church and spent years not going to church. I have not found the Christian influence here to be oppressive, nor have I found that church-based activities are a primary social outlet for most people. It all depends on what you're looking for!

And I can't imagine living in Branson and thinking there's nothing much to do other than church.

Many of us who have posted here regularly for a long time have said repeatedly, there are "negatives"...you'll find whole threads devoted to those discussions. I applaud the people who figure to spend a couple of weeks in August and another couple of weeks in January to see the area at it's worst...and figure out if it's the right bunch of sticks for you to make your nest.

[OnOurWay2MO]

20years, I thought your post was great. Good to hear everyones views of where they live. Most people want to hear the water downed everything is fabulous. There is good and bad to anywhere it just depends on what people are looking for in quality of life.


LJ, that was cute lol! My sticks are all in a bunch now I just need to make my nest.

[mrschilicook]

Crunch: Been reading this thread and thought I would throw in another 2 cents worth.

We moved here from Las Vegas about 15 months ago (the SF Bay area before that). Everything that has been said, is a true opinion, for the most part.

The weather here is very different than the desert....but if you want water, trees, rivers, etc..then it's a good thing. We do have more humidity, but so far it hasn't been so bad that bothered a couple of previous desert rats. It's not every day and it is NEVER 110 degrees! It seldom gets over 100 but you do get a few days (read DAYS not WEEKS/MONTHS) of it in August.

We also have different bugs. Where I am (between Branson and Springfield) we have few, if any mosquitoes, but we have more spiders, snakes and wasps than Las Vegas and then there are the ticks & chiggers (comes with the forest and grass most anywhere in the US), but we don't have few scorpions and other such desert creatures. All of it liveable....I have the house & yard sprayed for bugs. None of us, including the dog, has had a problem.

Religion...now I'm not sure what "oppressive" would mean, but not being a overly religious person, I haven't felt oppressed...or even bothered by the area. There definitely is a more open embracing of church and God here than there was in either Las Vegas or the SF Bay Area, but it hasn't been a bad thing...it just is what it is. Yes, there are lots of activities sponsored by churches both for their members and the public, but again, it's not a bad thing.

And there are tons of things to do around Branson that has nothing to do with religion...shows, concerts, etc. Springfield is about 1/2 hour away and they have an active sports scene (check out Hammons field), community theater, art walk, farmers Market (Even Branson now has a farmers market).

I can't speak to the veterans care thing, but Branson (and surrounding areas) are very proud of their Veterans...they have a big museum and a couple of big parades all honoring the same.

As far as ice...Springfield has way more ice than we do further south. We had three days here in the development I'm in that had ice (but hiway 65 was clear). And one doesn't drive in ice if they can help it...so you plan on NOT driving. But definitely more winter driving here than in where your at in AZ...but then 1 day is 100% more than you normally see.

My advise is to come in August when it is it's hottest and most humid, and then come in January or February when it's the coldest. Watch the weather temps, take everything with a grain of salt. If we love it, we over sell it, if we are unhappy, we only see the negatives. And if we've been here for a long time, we often take things for granted.

But all in all, after living in both the San Fransisco Bay Area and Las Vega NV, I find this to be a good place to live. Lower cost of living, friendly people (at least where I'm at), family oriented, and reasonable 4 season weather. What you will miss...lack of humidity from time to time and access to really fresh citrus and veggies. You can find most things, but you have to look a little harder or drive a little further. I play in Branson and shop in Springfield for the most part.

[crunchtime]

Originally Posted by mrschilicook

Crunch: Been reading this thread and thought I would throw in another 2 cents worth.

We moved here from Las Vegas about 15 months ago (the SF Bay area before that). Everything that has been said, is a true opinion, for the most part.

The weather here is very different than the desert....but if you want water, trees, rivers, etc..then it's a good thing. We do have more humidity, but so far it hasn't been so bad that bothered a couple of previous desert rats. It's not every day and it is NEVER 110 degrees! It seldom gets over 100 but you do get a few days (read DAYS not WEEKS/MONTHS) of it in August.

We also have different bugs. Where I am (between Branson and Springfield) we have few, if any mosquitoes, but we have more spiders, snakes and wasps than Las Vegas and then there are the ticks & chiggers (comes with the forest and grass most anywhere in the US), but we don't have few scorpions and other such desert creatures. All of it liveable....I have the house & yard sprayed for bugs. None of us, including the dog, has had a problem.

Religion...now I'm not sure what "oppressive" would mean, but not being a overly religious person, I haven't felt oppressed...or even bothered by the area. There definitely is a more open embracing of church and God here than there was in either Las Vegas or the SF Bay Area, but it hasn't been a bad thing...it just is what it is. Yes, there are lots of activities sponsored by churches both for their members and the public, but again, it's not a bad thing.

And there are tons of things to do around Branson that has nothing to do with religion...shows, concerts, etc. Springfield is about 1/2 hour away and they have an active sports scene (check out Hammons field), community theater, art walk, farmers Market (Even Branson now has a farmers market).

I can't speak to the veterans care thing, but Branson (and surrounding areas) are very proud of their Veterans...they have a big museum and a couple of big parades all honoring the same.

As far as ice...Springfield has way more ice than we do further south. We had three days here in the development I'm in that had ice (but hiway 65 was clear). And one doesn't drive in ice if they can help it...so you plan on NOT driving. But definitely more winter driving here than in where your at in AZ...but then 1 day is 100% more than you normally see.

My advise is to come in August when it is it's hottest and most humid, and then come in January or February when it's the coldest. Watch the weather temps, take everything with a grain of salt. If we love it, we over sell it, if we are unhappy, we only see the negatives. And if we've been here for a long time, we often take things for granted.

But all in all, after living in both the San Fransisco Bay Area and Las Vega NV, I find this to be a good place to live. Lower cost of living, friendly people (at least where I'm at), family oriented, and reasonable 4 season weather. What you will miss...lack of humidity from time to time and access to really fresh citrus and veggies. You can find most things, but you have to look a little harder or drive a little further. I play in Branson and shop in Springfield for the most part.

Nice post. Very descriptive and informative. Having lived in Michigan as a young adult I know all about humid summers and cold winters. Like you said it doesn't get over 100 every day. And the blizzards only occur once or twice a year so you just don't drive those days. Having lived in San Diego for two years I know what perfect weather is all about. But it just doesn't happen anywhere else in the US so you just have to accept the good with the bad. What's important to us right now is the lower cost of living as I am pretty much retired now due to my disability. I have medicare so the VA hospital is not critical for me to use. But I may take your advice and go to Branson/Springfield next February to see for ourselves if the winter is for us. I know the area suits us fine in July having just visited there a week ago. I can't believe everything just shuts down for the winter though as one poster mentioned. Don't most of the theatres, and the restaurants stay open year around? Maybe he was exaggerating just alittle bit. By the way what area do you live in? Thanks again for the info.

[skeating]

Center your family between Springfield and Branson. The center is off Hwy 65 @ Hwy EE. That way you can be in either city within 15-20 minutes. No matter where your wife works, where you may need to go to the hospital if needed you have a easy access. Your daughter will find a good school in most areas of the Ozarks.

This area is definitely four seasons, that is a plus, not a negative regarding the area.

Hope all goes well for your family.

[Darlynn0217]

I wouldn't say that Branson "shuts down" in the winter. Maybe that was the case 5 years ago, or more, but more and more businesses are staying open. The Branson Landing is our biggest new thing, and it will not close, I assure you. Some of the shows take breaks , up to 2 months long, from Jan. to March, but are up and running by Spring Break. They don't want to miss that revenue!! Our movie theatres, skating rinks, and new "Rec-Plex" are also open all year, so the kids will always have something to do. We even have indoor Go-Cart Tracks and "Putt Putt" Golf, open year round!

I moved here from Texas, and I LOVE the weather!! It's WAY cooler in the summer and I happen to like a little snow and ice, but maybe that's because I never had any, AND it gives you a chance to play hookie from work/obligations for a day or two.

Do come and investigate, as I'm sure it's not for everyone, but it sure was a great fit for us!

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by crunchtime

<snip>(I am a Vietnam Vet)

P.S. We are getting a VA clinic by next year.

[Paw Tucker]

Originally Posted by Darlynn0217

I wouldn't say that Branson "shuts down" in the winter. Maybe that was the case 5 years ago, or more, but more and more businesses are staying open. The Branson Landing is our biggest new thing, and it will not close, I assure you. Some of the shows take breaks , up to 2 months long, from Jan. to March, but are up and running by Spring Break. They don't want to miss that revenue!! Our movie theatres, skating rinks, and new "Rec-Plex" are also open all year, so the kids will always have something to do. We even have indoor Go-Cart Tracks and "Putt Putt" Golf, open year round!

I moved here from Texas, and I LOVE the weather!! It's WAY cooler in the summer and I happen to like a little snow and ice, but maybe that's because I never had any, AND it gives you a chance to play hookie from work/obligations for a day or two.

Do come and investigate, as I'm sure it's not for everyone, but it sure was a great fit for us!

Darlyn, "shuts down" is a relative term. If you live in Nixa and go to Branson every other weekend then no, technically it doesnt shut down. But if you are one of the people who works in Branson and gets laid off in those two months you better believe it shuts down and you shut down with it. I think the situation isnt as bad as in years past as you said but depending on what purpose Branson serves to you (recreation or employment) you will be affected differently. I worked many years in Branson and even if the business stays open lots of the crews get furlowed.
The best bet if you want to live and work in Branson is to get a job in some other area than the service industry (banking, city admionistration, etc) otherwise you will surely miss those two months salary.

[Darlynn0217]

My husband is one of those who is off...AND, after our first (semi-rough)winter, we figured out that we had to be prepared. My job is year round, so it's balanced out. Most of the people I know that work seasonal jobs, look forward to the down time, going South on vacation, etc. Of course, that wouldn't be possible if you hadn't saved and prepared for it. Unfortunately, I just read today, that Americans are saving less and less, all the time. We are SUPPOSSED to be saving at least 5% of our salary, and not be paying more than 28% on housing/mortgage payments. I know few people who follow these guidelines....

[Paw Tucker]

People haven't been saving money for a long time. I used to work sales in Branson and can identify. When you hit the busy season usually the money you make is spent paying the delinquent bills you have. After that the season tapers off and the whole process starts again.
I never knew anyone who wasn't retired that had enough money to head south for the winter. The point that I was trying to make is that anyone who comes to Branson looking for work needs to be prepared for that because unless they are like you and me and have experienced it first hand then its going to come as a real shock.