Opportunities in Branson??? (Joplin, Hollister, Cassville: sale, home, employment)

[Mollym313]

Ok...I have been really thinking about a move to Branson. I have visited many times and love the activity and the landscape. Is this a good place for a single mom? What about opportunities to meet new people? Where are good places to do that in Branson? I only have a boy (13) and I have heard good things about the Jr. High. My biggest issue...is getting the job of course but also making new friends, acquantances etc. Do City-data people from the area schedule gatherings? I am thinking about coming to the polar Plunge in Feb. and seeing the area when it's not so busy. Any input or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by Mollym313

Ok...I have been really thinking about a move to Branson. I have visited many times and love the activity and the landscape. Is this a good place for a single mom? What about opportunities to meet new people? Where are good places to do that in Branson? I only have a boy (13) and I have heard good things about the Jr. High. My biggest issue...is getting the job of course but also making new friends, acquantances etc. Do City-data people from the area schedule gatherings? I am thinking about coming to the polar Plunge in Feb. and seeing the area when it's not so busy. Any input or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Molly, first of all, I'm glad you asked!
(Welcome to the City-Data family.)


I have lived here for 5 years, after 10 years moving around SW MO and brief stints in New York & western Kansas.

You can make friends, there are a number of ways! One of my best friends I met right here. We do have a group that we've called The Over The Fence Coffee Club...we have suspended our meetings for the winter, but will start up again when there is interest! Read some of our chit chat here:http://www.city-data.com/forum/sprin...b-part-ii.html

I have friends who are neighbors! It's no more difficult than being available; walk around the block on a nice day & say hello to the others who are out, go to every garage sale & let them know you're a new neighbor, have a little get together and invite them over!

I have friends who came from work associations!

There are also dance classes, workout classes, bible study classes, lots of different places to meet people.

The Polar Plunge is a great idea! You say the word, and I'll call a meeting of the Coffee Club so you can meet some of the folks...

It's a fun place to live, IMHO.

[Mollym313]

Thank you Lake Junkie. I have seen your past responses to other inquiries, I know that you definitely know the area. I love the Garage Sale idea...nothin like getting a back seat of bargains for $10.00 and meeting new people. ok...now another question, I currently work for a social service agency here in Joplin, do you, off hand know any agencies that hire Social Workers, Case Managers etc. besides the home health agencies and state jobs? I am getting limited info about those services online.
I know in my line of work, I will be doing some traveling, especially rural but I'd like to live fairly close to schools, grocery store etc. Any ideas on that?

[Lake Junkie]

Sorry...I don't really have any experience in the social worker employment area. Have you talked to Penmac?

It's nice to be close to a grocery store! There are good grocery stores in Branson, Hollister, Kimberling City, Branson West, Forsyth. You can find a wide variety of housing in all of those areas. Do you mean you want to be close to a school like walking distance?

I know you have lots of questions...ask away!

[Mollym313]

No...not necessarily walking distance, although that would be ideal. Would prefer just a few miles (2 to 5) but I have been kinda droolin over the Lake area and see that Reeds Springs may be the school district. I have one of those brains that won't stop thinking. I'd probably drop my son off at school and let him ride bus home. I was reading about the busses and inclement weather. All the surrounding school districts sound great! This kind of broadens the area that I would like to live in. Although I live in Joplin now, my son loves country life and he loves the water. I never thought there would be so many good choices in the Branson area, I'm impressed!!!

[Lake Junkie]

Molly,

The schools are very careful about our children...when it even looks like it's going to be bad, they cancel school. It all hinges on whether the bus can safely make it to the furthest rural stop...many times it's not that bad in town but they cancel school because the buses can't run. Today the kids were all let out of school way early because there was a storm predicted for late this afternoon. No way they're going to take a chance!

The Reeds Spring school district includes Indian Point, Branson West including Talking Rocks Road & DD Hwy & OO Hwy (which technically are Reeds Spring mailing address) & Kimberling City. You can also live at the lake and be in Branson school district off 265 between Indian Point & the Dam, or Hollister school district which runs south of the Dam to encompass the Ridgedale mailing addresses, or Blue Eye School district which covers the area to the west of the Long Creek Bridge all the way across the south side of the lake including Lampe! Shell Knob goes to Cassville schools. I don't know about walking distance, I guess you'd have to figure out how far you'd be willing to drive and just draw a circle...


~Janet

[Ciaerin]

Hiya Molly. I live outside of Reeds Spring on Highway Y. The school district is excellent here. We also drop our children off on the way to work and then the bus brings them home. The schools here have exceeded my expectations completely. When we first moved here, my wife would take the children to school and i would pick them up. For the first week they didn't really know me and would ask for my ID before they would allow the children to come out of the school.

[Mollym313]

Originally Posted by Lake Junkie

Molly,

The schools are very careful about our children...when it even looks like it's going to be bad, they cancel school. It all hinges on whether the bus can safely make it to the furthest rural stop...many times it's not that bad in town but they cancel school because the buses can't run. Today the kids were all let out of school way early because there was a storm predicted for late this afternoon. No way they're going to take a chance!

The Reeds Spring school district includes Indian Point, Branson West including Talking Rocks Road & DD Hwy & OO Hwy (which technically are Reeds Spring mailing address) & Kimberling City. You can also live at the lake and be in Branson school district off 265 between Indian Point & the Dam, or Hollister school district which runs south of the Dam to encompass the Ridgedale mailing addresses, or Blue Eye School district which covers the area to the west of the Long Creek Bridge all the way across the south side of the lake including Lampe! Shell Knob goes to Cassville schools. I don't know about walking distance, I guess you'd have to figure out how far you'd be willing to drive and just draw a circle...


~Janet

Thanks Janet! This is awesome information. The school district info is very helpful. Did you all get that ice on Monday? I drove home from work in it. If I would have had to pee I would have wet my pants. (HA!)

[Mollym313]

Originally Posted by Ciaerin

Hiya Molly. I live outside of Reeds Spring on Highway Y. The school district is excellent here. We also drop our children off on the way to work and then the bus brings them home. The schools here have exceeded my expectations completely. When we first moved here, my wife would take the children to school and i would pick them up. For the first week they didn't really know me and would ask for my ID before they would allow the children to come out of the school.

I am already impressed with the schools in your area and I'm not even there yet. My son is 13 and he needs a good school system. I would not go back to the age of 13, those are the "wierd" years. I won't evet get started on the puberty thing. My son is really for this move, which is unusual since he doesn't like change. So I want to get this ball rollin before the "attitude" comes back. How close are you to the lake? How far do you drive to work?

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by Mollym313

Thanks Janet! This is awesome information. The school district info is very helpful. Did you all get that ice on Monday? I drove home from work in it. If I would have had to pee I would have wet my pants. (HA!)

I got ice, sleet & snow on Monday night & all day Tuesday. Gave me a good excuse to get some filing & other stuff done... (I made sure I was home before it started!)