We're finally here! And now - Settling In! (Kansas City, Springfield: to rent, homes)

[Curmudgeon]

We made it. After months and years of research, a lovely trip back and a lot of valuable information here on City-Data we are finally in Missouri for good!

We have landed on the shores of Table Rock Lake in the Ozarks of SW MO with a mailing address of the booming metropolis of Blue Eye -- 192 souls in Blue Eye, MO and 36 in Blue Eye, AR. We're approximately nine miles from the state borders, four miles from the closest gas station and convenience store and 20 miles from any shopping of note, as well as 23 miles from Branson.

Nature abounds with rabbits, coyotes, chipmunks, deer, racoons, opposoms, squirrels and birds of every feather, to include a bunch of illegal alien Canadian geese. We have a lake view from our front deck as the water is just across the street from us and we're in a beautiful, park-like setting which is extremely pedestrian friendly.

Best of all, neighbors have proved friendly, welcoming and accepting and after all, the best measure of a neighborhood is the people who live there. We couldn't be happier.

Last evening, thanks to Lake Junkie, we made our first foray onto the lake to watch fireworks over the water put on by the American Pyrotechnic Association which was holding their annual convention in Branson. A great show, wonderful company and a delightful introduction to the lake.

Our home is comfortable, manageable and has everything we wanted; especially a large kitchen. We're in the process of putting our own touches to it and in time it will be everything we dreamed of. We feel extremely blessed, and have been. Lake Junkie steered us towards a real gem.

Even with all our planning and research we couldn't have even begun to imagine a more perfect setting for our retirement years. We wish all of you who are also searching equal luck in landing right where you want to be.

[christina0001]

Welcome home.

[Arkie4Life]

illegal alien Canadian geese

CM: Did you have to go there? Glad to see you made it safe and sound. Been wondering.....

[Cali BassMan]

Sweet, Congrats...

[Cali BassMan]

Hey Curm,
On another note, I was wondering how you moved your stuff? MOvers, U-haul, Sold and bought new etc????? Did you both drive out in seperate cars?

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Cali BassMan

Hey Curm,
On another note, I was wondering how you moved your stuff? MOvers, U-haul, Sold and bought new etc????? Did you both drive out in seperate cars?

We donated a lot of stuff, including furniture, before we moved. We then contracted with one company that parked a trailer for us to have loaded and charged by the linear foot, not by the pound. Another company packed and loaded us and then the first one drove our goods to MO where the second company had a crew unload us. All-in-all it probably saved us about $2-3,000 as opposed to a commercial mover and with no tricks, gimmicks or extra charges at the receiving end. It was relatively painless as others did the grunt work. We then drove our one car back with our two cats and a few days after the house closed our goods were delivered and unloaded. One car is all we've ever had (we walked to work before we retired) and my wife can no longer drive because of her reconstructed shoulder anyway.

Now we're newly furnishing the living room, except for our antiques which are here, the master bedroom and a new desk and chair for the "office." The guest room, where we're currently sleeping, has our antique bedroom set in it. We're calling it the "Lincoln Bedroom" and taking pre-paid reservations.

Oh! Wait a minute. That's already been done, hasn't it?

[Cali BassMan]

Ahhh I've read about that here on city - data. DId you use ABF? I've never heard anthing Bad about them??

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Cali BassMan

Ahhh I've read about that here on city - data. DId you use ABF? I've never heard anthing Bad about them??

Yes we did and we were very pleased all around.

[Cali BassMan]

Good Info thanks.............

[northbayeric]

Just in time for what should be a marvelous autumn season! So happy for you and Mrs. Curmudgeon.

Mrs. Northbayeric isn't exactly Barbra Streisand or Whoopi Goldberg or any of those other members of the Hollywood glitterati--and I'm not Woody Harrelson or Sean Penn. But if your "Lincoln Bedroom" is still available in another 12 to 18 months (probably the next time we could attempt to vacation there and in Oklahoma), we'd love to meet you, Lake Junkie, Mrs. Genealogy, Da Jammer, and the whole rest of you at last! Enjoy your new home to the fullest, and continue to keep in touch with us.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."