Where should home be in the Spg area? (Springfield, Nixa: short sales, foreclosures)

[betwixt & between]

Can anyone tall me where the stable neighborhoods in Spg and its close-in suburbs are? We're looking for some room for 3 kids and a dog and a deck and view for Momma. You'd think that would be easy here, but so far it hasn't been.We have a realtor, but we like to be actively involved in the search too, and explore all our options. This website seems to lots of good opinions and no flaming.

Here's what we know: In spite of community efforts, Spg has been cash strapped for decades. It doesnt have any any major tax base or companies that contribute, and no real functioning downtown let alone downtown life. Actually, Downtown, looks like one vacant building after another, so there's no central core for a safe condo environment. A rule of thumb we heard is "don't buy north of Sunshine".

Rogersville has the doctor$$ and other high-ender$$ because it's out of town yet close the the medical area in town. Nixa and Ozark are the 2 bedroom communities where all the new housing is, but clogged with traffic and Walmart-like stuff. Republic seems interesting because there are some acreages. Sparta, Mentor and points east and south are caught up in the OZ-NX traffic mess. Strafford seems nice and heavily-treed but overpriced, Marshfield is too far to commute unfortunately, and so are many of the other farther out places that have terrific homes at great prices. Willard has houses build close to the road, etc., etc.

Yeah, I know I'm being really picky, but this is probably goig to be where we retire to so this isnt' just the next home, it's that last one. We also know about south central Missouri's rep for being Meth Heaven, so that 's a concern.

Many of the homes we've looked at were just thrown up and right on top of each other - rapacious developer greed. Smaller houses incuding duplexes, short sales and foreclosures are being snapped up by investors ensuring that these will be rentals and hence Spg's slums and meth houses in 10 -15 years.

OK, I have my crashhelmet on, so whaddya think?

[Hillman]

Have you checked into Fair Grove area?

hillman

[betwixt & between]

Originally Posted by Hillman

Have you checked into Fair Grove area?

hillman

yes. We looked as far north as Buffalo west to Bois d Arc, and east to Marshfield. My office is in the South Central/southwestern part of Spg. I'm trying to keep my commuting expenses down so I arbitrarily set a driving time of under 25 minutes.

Perhaps I'm spoiled because the state we're leaving (because of state taxation) actually has the best most efficient road system I've ever driven on and you can get anywhere rather quickly. We're here in Missouri because the roads aren't as good but the taxes aren't nearly as onerous.

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by betwixt & between

OK, I have my crashhelmet on, so whaddya think?

To be perfectly honest, I'm still trying to figure out why you chose Springfield (or SPFD if you want to abbreviate). Perhaps I'm getting the wrong impression, but it really seems like you're unhappy with this area and you're not even here yet. You mention all of the short-comings and problems that you see, but don't seem to notice or mention positive attributes. I can tell you without a doubt that behavior like this will not endear you to the locals.

[Hillman]

Originally Posted by betwixt & between

yes. We looked as far north as Buffalo west to Bois d Arc, and east to Marshfield. My office is in the South Central/southwestern part of Spg. I'm trying to keep my commuting expenses down so I arbitrarily set a driving time of under 25 minutes.

Perhaps I'm spoiled because the state we're leaving (because of state taxation) actually has the best most efficient road system I've ever driven on and you can get anywhere rather quickly. We're here in Missouri because the roads aren't as good but the taxes aren't nearly as onerous.

Ok how about towards Bolivar or Willard.Willard is real good area its where I basically grew up.

hillman

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by betwixt & between

OK, I have my crashhelmet on, so whaddya think?

After reading your post several times, I have to say that I don't think this is the area for you. I think you have a set of standards, based on your previous locales, that Missouri can't achieve.

You want to live in an inexpensive place, like so many outsiders, but you want all the benefits that high taxes pay for, too.

Can you not understand that you can't have both?

I don't think Missouri is your best choice. I think in 10 years you're going to be sorry.

Now, by saying that, I know there will be a lot of folks piling on me, assuring you that I am wrong. Maybe I am, but I doubt it.

[misplaced1]

Well I've got to agree with a couple other posters here. I'm not sure why are you choosing this area? It's a big old country and there are plenty of places you might like more if you aren't finding the area to fit you.

[BigRedIdiot]

Anybody tell the lad about the sink holes in the area?

More blue-collared tattooed folk than normal hereabouts.

Might be best to dwell upon an acreage not far removed from city or town.

Consider commuting when the roads are sheets of ice.

In my opinion roads are not horrid here and neither is the typical driver; not as bad as other locales!!!!!

[saxon75]

I do not live in Spgfld (YET) but am moving there by the end of Summer. And my question to the author of this thread is HAVE YOU EVEN BEEN THERE???? It is easy to read articles and statistics and get a really bad opinion of a place if you go look at a place and visit it and the people then do your research you will have a better idea of if the the article or statistics you are reading is one sided or biased in some way. I have been to Springfield 2x and Kansas City/Warrensburge once and I love the area. I think Springfield is very friendly, clean, and thriving. My family and I are moving up there from Mississippi in the Summer for me to attend Missouri State University in the Fall and we can not wait.

If your (proverbial) glass is half empty before you even move somewhere then why even consider moving there?

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by betwixt & between

Can anyone tall me where the stable neighborhoods in Spg and its close-in suburbs are? We're looking for some room for 3 kids and a dog and a deck and view for Momma. You'd think that would be easy here, but so far it hasn't been.We have a realtor, but we like to be actively involved in the search too, and explore all our options. This website seems to lots of good opinions and no flaming.

Here's what we know: In spite of community efforts, Spg has been cash strapped for decades. It doesnt have any any major tax base or companies that contribute, and no real functioning downtown let alone downtown life. Actually, Downtown, looks like one vacant building after another, so there's no central core for a safe condo environment. A rule of thumb we heard is "don't buy north of Sunshine".

Rogersville has the doctor$$ and other high-ender$$ because it's out of town yet close the the medical area in town. Nixa and Ozark are the 2 bedroom communities where all the new housing is, but clogged with traffic and Walmart-like stuff. Republic seems interesting because there are some acreages. Sparta, Mentor and points east and south are caught up in the OZ-NX traffic mess. Strafford seems nice and heavily-treed but overpriced, Marshfield is too far to commute unfortunately, and so are many of the other farther out places that have terrific homes at great prices. Willard has houses build close to the road, etc., etc.

Yeah, I know I'm being really picky, but this is probably goig to be where we retire to so this isnt' just the next home, it's that last one. We also know about south central Missouri's rep for being Meth Heaven, so that 's a concern.

Many of the homes we've looked at were just thrown up and right on top of each other - rapacious developer greed. Smaller houses incuding duplexes, short sales and foreclosures are being snapped up by investors ensuring that these will be rentals and hence Spg's slums and meth houses in 10 -15 years.

OK, I have my crashhelmet on, so whaddya think?

If you can afford it, look around the Phelps Grove Park area between Jefferson and National just North of Sunshine. Lots of great, older, BEAUTIFUL homes in this area. They are mostly on large, deep lots, too which give you lots of room for pools, gardens and room for kids to run around. If I had unlimited funds and wanted to live in the City, that I where I would look for sure. The area has a lot more character than the nameless, faceless subdivisions that dot the exterior of Springfield, where every house looks the same.

20yrsinBranson