Thinking of moving to Springfield...............Read this (Ozark, Branson: middle-class, homes)

[SouthernerInSeattle]

I'm just wondering what brought this post on in the first place. I don't think you can "review" a city after only being here 5 months.

If you're looking for 'trendy' restaurants and great shopping, don't come knocking on Springfield's door. In my opinion, I like not having all the trendy stuff or tons of shopping, who needs to be eating overpriced food and going on shopping sprees these days anyway? You got what you need in Springfield - grocery stores, walmart/target, and a mall (which you really don't need). 3 hours to the next big city is a plus if you ask most of the people from here. Most my friends and family don't like going that far north anyway. By the way, Tulsa OK is not that far at all.

Now on to the driving situation. If the speed limit is 40, it's probably for a good reason. There is no reason to have a 70mph speed limit anywhere in the Ozarks til you get north on I-44. Like MrsChilliCook said..people are just more respectful of lights and other drivers. If you didn't realize it, people don't live in the Ozarks for a "sense of urgency" anytime or anywhere, nice and easy is the way to be.

While you're right about the amazing hunting and fishing, I think you missed a lot of what this area is about by comparing it to your home.

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by havhon

Pros
Entertainment – Recreation
Housing Costs – Affordability
I44 – Ease of Navigation
Rural feeling – rural area just outside city
Several colleges in the city

Cons
Poverty – Traffic
3 hour drive to next ‘big’ city
‘Ugly’ city
Baptist denomination is majority
Mediocre (at best) Public Trans

You don't like the older neighborhoods that have character.

You prefer the "nicer" southeast side of town, which has a more homogenized look with the chain stores and the more expensive houses, all of which could be picked up and moved to a different big town and no one would know the difference.

You're ticked because people obeyed traffic laws for the sake of safety instead of driving like dern fools from Chicago.

You found that there wasn't enough to do (not even in Springfield?) and the nearest real city was 3 hours or more away.

Plus, there are too many Baptists (what about the Assemblies of God?).

You sound like the typical newcomer from other states. Fortunately for you (and for Springfieldians), your move was temporary. I'm glad you get to go back home to Illinois and your family where you want to be and where you belong.

The Ozarks Boy, who thinks Rolla is a big city

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by SouthernerInSeattle

If you're looking for 'trendy' restaurants and great shopping, don't come knocking on Springfield's door

I'd actually disagree with you about the restaurants. Springfield won't have as many options as a large, urban area but there are some very good restaurants around here. The same can be said for some of the boutique shops. Believe me, my wife knows where they are.

[lone sailor]

Since you didn't list ANY of the actually locations that you are reviewing in Springfield, the review means absolutely ZERO. How is someone suppose to take anything you said seriously when they have no basis to judge for themselves? No to mention the fact that you have not returned to the thread to accept the constructive criticism nor explain the questions that have been brought before you. While you did write a novel of a review, it doesn't seem to be much help, IMHO.

[lone sailor]

I'm sure you'll find California much more suited to your preferences.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-b...gh-desert.html

[DeanMoore]

what goes around, comes around... write a snide post about a nice but older place. get relocated to Ontario... hehehe

if he didn't like Springfield, yeah, Ontario... enjoy.

[SouthernerInSeattle]

Originally Posted by 8 SNAKE

I'd actually disagree with you about the restaurants. Springfield won't have as many options as a large, urban area but there are some very good restaurants around here. The same can be said for some of the boutique shops. Believe me, my wife knows where they are.

I know there are plenty of good restaurants, I said don't come looking for trendy restaurants. To me, trendy is a flash in the pan overpriced for not that good of food places. Like if an Emeril's came to Springfield, overpriced and not that good. Just wanted to clarify...

[westvissouri]

IMHO, I love Springfield. We still miss it, and it's been almost 2 years since we last set foot there. But I read the news online everyday, and keep up with everything.

By older "run down" neighborhoods, do you mean the area around the Central Part of the city around Walnut, etc.? Or do you mean (no offense) the area around Commercial St. and that general area? Because if you're talking about the area around Walnut and the older neighborhoods - I thought they were absolutely beautiful and had a lot of character.

I think you wrote a very good, objective review. And I think that some people will disagree with it completely, or agree with you. Everyone has a different opinion and view of the city. But the review was good none the less. So, thank you for that. It was very tasteful - even when you were describing what you didn't like about SGF.

I fell in love with the small town yet medium-sized city charm it has. It was perfect for a transplant from West Virginia - where the biggest city is roughtly 50,000 and the metro areas are about the size of SGF. So, I felt right at home. And I always will.

And even though I'm not a big bar hopper or postmodern type - I miss the square =( It was so full of life on weekends!

Better than Huntington, WV - believe me, Huntington is a hole. SGF to me, was likened more to Charleston (WV) except more vibrant...and well...flat.

[westvissouri]

The only thing that bugged me was Hammons Tower. I know some people don't like a lot of high buildings and "skyscrapers" but it looked absolutely weird just to have one lone towering building over the whole city. It was like someone was watching.... and beside the fact that Hammons owns practically the whole city.

But we did used to sit on the big hill in Jordan Valley and watch the passersby at Hammons Field on warm Spring nights. Ah..fond memories...

Does anyone know if that robot is fixed yet. It was "broken" (had caution tape around it ) the last time I was there. Maybe I shouldn't have played with it with the caution tape there...

[joetownmom]

Originally Posted by Hillman

Baptist denomination is majority

And this is a Con

hillman

It can be for those of us who are not Baptist; nothing against Baptists. I have many family & friends who are Baptist but I have also been approached by many who want to change my religion to theirs in a very pushy manner.