Moving to Springfield area from Northern MN...nervous... (Kansas City, St. Louis: high crime, neighborhoods)

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by upnorthmn

Still my personal biggest questions are about the hunting and fishing. The whole time I was in MO I didn't see a deer or a turkey. I figured I would have.

Where and when were you looking for them?

I've seen deer walking down the middle of a main thoroughfare in Rolla at night.

Outside of St. James, the deer are so smart that of an evening you'll often see them out walking around and grazing openly on James Foundation land where hunting is not allowed. Across the highway on private land, you won't see one.

Silvermouse may be able to confirm this.

However, having said this, I want the OP to understand I am not encouraging him or her to move to the Ozarks.

[DeanMoore]

the nixa-ozark areas are great. the transition from weatherless northern california was great, we love it here. we are watching a storm coming in now, and have seen damage from storms like the one you saw, but its not a reason to worry if you have a plan for those events.

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

However, having said this, I want the OP to understand I am not encouraging him or her to move to the Ozarks.

I don't think the forum has to worry about you encouraging anyone to move to the Ozarks.

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by DeanMoore

the nixa-ozark areas are great. the transition from weatherless northern california was great, we love it here. we are watching a storm coming in now, and have seen damage from storms like the one you saw, but its not a reason to worry if you have a plan for those events.

Absolutely agree. As another no/cal ex-pat, I still find the storms exhilarating. As long as you're prepared...!

[Silvermouse]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

Outside of St. James, the deer are so smart that of an evening you'll often see them out walking around and grazing openly on James Foundation land where hunting is not allowed. Across the highway on private land, you won't see one.

Silvermouse may be able to confirm this.

Exactly what we've noticed too, OB. Almost like they're thumbing their noses at the hunters.

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by 8 SNAKE

I don't think the forum has to worry about you encouraging anyone to move to the Ozarks.

I like to keep the Ozarks our little secret. I wish more of you felt the same. Join me in my campaign to keep the Ozarks Ozarkian.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

I like to keep the Ozarks our little secret. I wish more of you felt the same. Join me in my campaign to keep the Ozarks Ozarkian.

Too late, OB. The word is out. The forces gather. Already the planned participants in your Rolla parade are making their travel arrangements. Since my wife and l will be in the Table Rock Lake area next month looking at houses, we hope to begin the process of assimilating and morphing into Ozarkians by July. If a Georgian can do it, so can we. In fact, my wife has a seven year head start on me.

But Shhhh! We won't tell anyone. Mum's the word!

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Lake Junkie

Absolutely agree. As another no/cal ex-pat, I still find the storms exhilarating. As long as you're prepared...!

One of the things I have missed most since returning to CA -- and the big "why did you do that" question persists.

Real thunder and lightening storms, especially on summer nights, fire flies/lightening bugs, cardinals and four actually separate, distinct and discernable seasons with all they bring. Heaven on earth!

[Nina Sala-Gault]

When it comes to wildlife, on our 40 acres outside of Fair Grove, I see the same 4 to 6 head of deer come out of the woods each evening to graze with our horses. A flock of humongous wild turkeys call our farm home and come up to the barnyard to clean up grain the horses spill on the ground. Maybe they really are smart enough to know where the hunters are and where they are not. For safety reasons, none of the neighbors allow hunting on their property. Most properties are only 5 to 10 acres and it's just too densely populated. The bigger farms have cattle and horses on them. There are lots of private lands in more remote areas where people hunt.

Regarding the catfishing... I was watching a special on PBS about Oklahoma lakes where folks "noodle" for catfish. Cold day in hades before I stick MY arm into a dark muddy hole and into a catfish's mouth... but if that's your idea of fun, you are less than two hours from those muddy Oklahoma lakes!

I do have to eat my words about the weather though... we finally had some damage from straightline winds. Shingles blown off the roof and trees felled into fence rows. Fortunately, we are insured. Nobody hurt.

Buying a house on acreage is the most affordable it has been in many years. Certainly a buyer's market. There are "for sale" signs up on several area farms and land properties. Generally speaking, in Greene County, you need to have at least 5 acres to build on, unless in a subdivision.

You just really need to come take a look and be sure to get a bulldog realtor who is on your side. I think housing prices may be lower here than Minn. I have friends in the Twin Cities area who tell me they pay about 25% more for housing than when they lived here. Your mileage may differ.

Best of luck to you and yours!

Nina

[upnorthmn]

Nina, yes the housing prices down there are unbelievable! YOu can get so much more house for the money! And they are beautiful! So regarding the deer and turkeys.... I know you said for safety reasons you and your neighbors don't let people hunt... But do you let people bow hunt at least? I'm just asking because deer are so high in numbers up here that you can bow hunt for them in city limits. Of course you can't use a rifle or anything. It will be interesting to see what kind of feedback I get from people down there about hunting on their property. I have always had great luck in MN, but I'm sure every state is different. Thanks for all the info Nina, I appreciate it!