Current info on Joplin (Kansas City, Springfield: rentals, townhouse, school district)

[bob875]

I know there have been some similar threads, but most of them appear a year or more old. My wife and I are retired. We are planning to move from Washington state to Joplin area in May of 09. (waiting on some 401k money to help)
We are both from the central plains (tornado alley, KS, TX) and miss the people and the food. We are looking for a nice quiet conservative area with a more mature crowd. We are currently focusing on Carl Junction and Webb City, as well as Joplin itself. The demographics look good to me, and what I have read in previous conversations sound good too.
Biggest consideration right now is cost of living. SSI is not the best income, but we know it would stretch farther there than here in eastern Washington. I will probably also find a part time job.
Any suggestions on a nice affordable single story duplex, house or appartment. and an area of town to look in? Also, an idea of average monthly cost for gas and electric plus water for such a dwelling would be of great help.

[Mollym313]

Originally Posted by bob875

I know there have been some similar threads, but most of them appear a year or more old. My wife and I are retired. We are planning to move from Washington state to Joplin area in May of 09. (waiting on some 401k money to help)
We are both from the central plains (tornado alley, KS, TX) and miss the people and the food. We are looking for a nice quiet conservative area with a more mature crowd. We are currently focusing on Carl Junction and Webb City, as well as Joplin itself. The demographics look good to me, and what I have read in previous conversations sound good too.
Biggest consideration right now is cost of living. SSI is not the best income, but we know it would stretch farther there than here in eastern Washington. I will probably also find a part time job.
Any suggestions on a nice affordable single story duplex, house or appartment. and an area of town to look in? Also, an idea of average monthly cost for gas and electric plus water for such a dwelling would be of great help.

Carl Junction is a nice little town. I'm not sure of your age but for a small community they have a Senior Center there. This may be a good avenue to meet people, they also have one in Webb City and Joplin. I work in the Senior service field and our agency runs the Centers and I have heard several good things about meeting new people there. There are several
nice areas in Joplin. You might check on Craigslist.com for rentals and also the Joplin Globe website for classifieds. A decent duplex (2bdrm/2bth) runs about $600-$650. But sometimes you can get one for less that is nice. I have seen a lot of older folks in the Duquesne area (Just East of Rangeline Rd.) Also, I have seen a lot of retirees in East part of town between Connecticut and Rangeline Road between 7th and 32nd streets. I know there are other areas but I can't think of them off hand. These areas seem to be reasonably priced too. In my townhouse, my electric ran just over $100 for electric in the summer and $30 to $40 for gas but my home was not very energy efficient not too mention old. Many places will pay for water and trash. Now I live in an old house...you think I would have learned (UGH!). I'll post something else if I think of it. GOOD LUCK!!!

[bob875]

Thank you, that was very helpful.

[linicx]

Carthage is about 15 miles east of Joplin, It is a beautiful small town with some awesome services for its siza. Theres a family Y, walking track, senior center, two grocers, walmart and Lowe's, several eateries, a strip mall, farmer's market in season, bowling, 18 hole golf course, Kellog Lake, museums, beautiful parks, several churches, senior housing not far from doctors or the hospital, four pharmacies, five banks, country and city services, the square downtown, Precious Moments, CW battlefield, etc. If you like to putter and fix up, you will fall in love with the Tru-Value Hardware Store on the square. It has surprises you will not expect. The Lazy J arena houses the Budweiser horses in the fall when they come for the big parade. Lazy J serves up some pretty good chow, too.

I lived in Carthage a number of years and rarely found a need to drive to Joplin unless I wanted to shop at the mall. It is a comfortable place to live. Any where west of Garrison (the main street that passes by the Carthage Fire Department) between Walmart and Central is a good location to live. There is a Braum's ice cream and a Chinese Buffet near the corner of Garrison and Central.

Central is mostly commercial with resturants, grocery store, oil change, tire dealers, gas statopms amd a couple of liquor stores. If you follow it past the grocer and gas station and under the Interstate you will go the back road to Joplin. When you get to Rangeline, there is a gas station to your right, and a McDonald's across the street on your left, turn LEFT. This will take you to the Mall and the main strip in Joplin.

If you are coming from Joplin, hop on I-44 east and exit 1-71 North. the Carthage exit is 571. When you see Wendy's you'll also see a roundabout.. Follow the next road left that is parallel to Wendy's. The Hometown Bank will be on your left. This is Garrison. When you get to Braum's turn right.. You are two blocks from the square. I-71 South goes into Arkansas.. I071 N goes to Kansas City. Carthage is EAST of I-71. All in all it is not a bad location as it does not get the tornados that visit Joplin from time to time. .

Jasper County is somewhat unique in that it has two courthouses. One in Joplin and one in Carthage.. The Romanesque Carthage corthouse is the oldest having been erected after the CWl, Court is still in session every day. The license bureau to get the car tags in Carthage too. State Farm and some other insuracnes agenies in Grove. Suddenlink Cable, Cell phones, 2-3 new car dealers/repair shops. tire dealers,

[bob875]

Thanks. I appreciate all the info I can get on the area. We are definately moving to Joplin area in mid May.

[bob875]

I appreciate the replies I have recieved. I would like to continue my quest for information.
I would like to ask for experience with satellite TV and internet reception. Does the signal get interrupted very badly by storms in the area? Is it a reliable alternative to cable? And how is the cable company for service and relaibilty?
Also, which wireless service has the best coverage and service in the area? I am with AT&T now, but their coverage map looks kind of spotty.
I may ask for more info later, but a little at a time. We plan to arrive there in mid May.
Thanks for the help. We look forward to meeting some nice people there.

[linicx]

Carthage Suddenling Cable and Cable Internet is horrible. Direct TVand DISH TV receives better than cable. Direct TV does a much better installation. In two satellite was out only during a sorm when the power was out -less than an hour. The cable and internt was out a week during the same storm. I had AT&T Broadband. Ignore the maps as they reallydon't tell you anything. I was out one hour in 4 years. .It is the most reliable of any intenet service in Carthage. Carthage is on a ATT loop. It's rally quite good if you are IN the city. This applies to any town. It has to do with the last mile - which is copper, and being 10000 ft from the CO. The central office is about tree blocks from the first department. Carthage city also offers dialup and Wisp.. DON'T, It is worse than Suddenline, Vonage is a metro VOIP. It doest not work overly well in small towns and they offer zero support. They wound up rebating me a lot of money for their lies and dis-service.

Having said all of this let me tell you what Carthage does have.. First, it has the lastest most upto date Fire and police department in the area. The City budget is close to $20M. The city owns everything except cable, garbage and phones. More importantly the city of Carthage owns its own power grid. This means the rest of the country can drop off line and carthag will still be fully powered. CArthage does not get Joplin twisters. The twisters come out of Tulsa, go north up Rangeline (Bus 71) or they go south and follow US 60 into Springfield. Occassionally they stay on 1-44 an pick off a small town east of Carthage. I missed the last one in Joplin by an hour but didnot miss the one 20+ years ago that destroyed south Sprinfield. I was on W US 60 in the straight line winds.

[bls5555]

Any information on the Carthage schools? I have a son with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and requires services at school. Anyone have any info on the district? Meaning, is it going to be a fight to get what we need? We are currently in a district around Kansas City and they have been wonderful about giving him what he needs to get on the right track.

[Mollym313]

Originally Posted by bls5555

Any information on the Carthage schools? I have a son with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and requires services at school. Anyone have any info on the district? Meaning, is it going to be a fight to get what we need? We are currently in a district around Kansas City and they have been wonderful about giving him what he needs to get on the right track.

I'm not familiar with the Carthage school district but there is a growing hispanic population their. Joplin has a new autism center that is not far from where I work and I have heard great things about it. You might contact them and see if they work in the area schools or if they know of those services. Look it up under Ozark Center Autism Center Joplin, MO. Depending on the side of town you live on, Carthage is only 15-20 minutes from Carthage.

[joetownmom]

Neosho is a pretty small town south of Joplin. If you use the new four-lane 71, you can drive to Joplin in 15 minutes or less, an easy, quick trip.

Neosho has a lot of history and older homes as well as newer sections. I live in a quiet subdivision that is about 40 years old between the new 71 and business loop, nice area.

Lot of senior citizens live here and like it.