relocating to Branson area (Springfield, Hollister: rental, house, to buy)

[PA_Mom]

Hi all!
My husband and I are planning to move to Missouri the middle of next year. Right now we live in PA. We have two kids, ages 6 and 4. We were wondering about school districts. I hear the Branson S.D. is good, but it seems to be growing so fast that I'm wondering if they are able to keep up with the growth (discipline problems?). We've also looked into the Forsyth area. Can anyone tell me anything about that area and its schools? Our goal is to buy a farm, but not when we first move out. We'll just buy a house at first. We like the country and to be outside a lot. Any info is greatly appreciated!!
PA_Mom

[Cowboy67]

Branson is an awesome town, but it is so crowded. 20 years ago, I would have loved to live in Branson. Try somewhere like Forsyth/Kissee Mills. My parents just retired to Kissee Mills and they/we love it. Unfortunately, I do not know much about the school. I have seen it, and it isn't too bad compared to the school in IL that my kids used to go to.

[PA_Mom]

Thanks, cowboy67, I am really leaning toward Forsyth, but how far away is Kissee Mills from Branson? My husband will be working in Branson. Also, are there any other areas near Branson you would recommend. I would prefer to stay away from the crowds and tourists. Back roads are more my style.

[speerking]

We have a very nice lake here, good for fishing, sail boating and all the water sports. Stockton is about 80 miles from Branson, 50 miles from Springfield. We are a growing community and very "kid friendly". They are starting to build a new school. I'm sure you could find a home here that would be just what you need. Good luck.

[srs107]

Hollister is right next to Branson and a great place to live. I've lived there for 15 years and love it. It's not as crowded as Branson but it's starting to grow. Hollister Schools are excellent. Their MAP test scores have steadily increased over the last couple years. Other schools from the area have been coming to see what the school has been doing to improve. If you'd rather live more out in the "country" try Ridgedale which is still in the Hollister School District. Forsyth is a good school district too. But it is farther from Branson than Hollister. Some of the other small towns don't have their own schools and the kids have to ride a bus to Branson/Hollister/Forsyth.
here are some links of the local schools.
http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/parents/mo/798
http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/parents/mo/598
http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/parents/mo/266

[PA_Mom]

Thank you so much for the info. We were looking into the Hollister area until someone told us that there is a growing drug problem there. Is this the case or just misinformation? ----PA_Mom

[srs107]

it's true that there is a huge drug problem here. but that's the case for all the surrounding towns also. Hollister High School actually has been cracking down on it.. any student wanting to participate in any school activity has to pass a drug test and then those students are randomly tested throughout the year. Hollister is no better or any worse than the surrounding towns when it comes to the drug problems.

[Cowboy67]

Branson to my parents house in Kissee Mills is about 15miles. I read another post about drugs. Seems drugs are the norm these days for schools. No matter where you go, drugs are bad.

[jewelrydesigns]

We're moving to Hollister this month. Branson housing is expensive and hard to find a decent rental house. My problem is finding a job. The newspaper doesn't even list any help wanted ads this time of year.

[dgubin]

I almost have to disagree with every post. Branson does get crowed this is true, we have over 7,000,000 visitors come through the area every year, and Branson is a town of only 6,500. You learn how to avoid the crowds and traffic by taking back roads and avoiding certain areas at certain times of day.
On the cost of housing, I find housing costs to be very reasonable, average home costs about $150,000.00, now if you want to live on the lake you are going to need to spend more.
Schools in the area are all fairly good; Reeds Spring school district is highly regarded as well as Branson school district, check out www.schoolsk-12.com,
Missouri is known for meth and I’m sure it is in the schools, just like anywhere. I know lots of people with kids in school here, from grade school to high school. All the parents feel the schools do a fairly good job controlling the kids who get into drugs and keeping it out of the schools the best they can.
I came from one of the top rated places to live, Fort Collins, Colorado and I love it here and don’t miss Colorado one bit. If you want a small town that is family oriented, with big city entertainment, and great lakes for water sports you can’t beat the Branson/Tri-Lakes area.
Should want to know more about the area please drop me a line.