Which Is Better? Joplin Or Springfield (Kansas City, Carthage: mortgage, credit, for sale)

[DocGSD]

Originally Posted by DC at the Ridge

One reason for the growth in Jasper County is that the housing is more affordable than in Northwest Arkansas. Northwest Arkansas has grown so much during the past ten years, and the job market is so strong that thousands of Missourians commute to Northwest Arkansas to work each day. I've known people from Joplin who work in Bentonville, though they aren't as common as people from Noel or Anderson or other communities in the vicinity.

If people travel to Arkansas to work each day, why does the population in Joplin expand to 250,000 durring the day? The entire Joplin area has a good strong job market on its own. There are plenty of industrial jobs and even more trucking and supply jobs here. The local hospitals (St.Johns, Freeman East, Freeman West and Landmark Hospital) employ over 4,000 people. While the "disabled" population here is somewhat high, the job market is strong as well.

While there are plenty of overweight, nasty people here, I will argue that there are still plenty of outdoor activities here. I participate in them myself. Having lived in Atlanta, KCMO, NY and NM, I will say that the outdoor activities are less here but it is also the smallest metro that I have ever lived in. Joplin may not have as much to do as Springfield, but it is still a nice place to live. Housing is somewhat cheep, schools are good, medical services are good and family recreation is here if you want to take part in it. The crime rate sucks, as according to area connect, it is three times the national average. The police are scattered and take FOREVER, as they are stacked with calls when they start their shift. I blame this for the high crime rate and drugs. The voters just passed a tax to increase the police and fire numbers and hire 30 cops. With this, I hope to see the crime rate drop, but still I have never had a major problem with crime.

[GraniteStater]

According to the Census Bureau Jasper County lost non-farm jobs between 2000-2005. The percentage of residents living below the poverty line in Jasper County in 2004 was 17%. Hopefully, the Joplin economy is doing a little better than the census data indicates.
Jasper County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

[DocGSD]

Originally Posted by Plains10

According to the Census Bureau Jasper County lost non-farm jobs between 2000-2005. The percentage of residents living below the poverty line in Jasper County in 2004 was 17%. Hopefully, the Joplin economy is doing a little better than the census data indicates.
Jasper County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

I havent been here that long, but since I have been here, there have been many new buisnesses open up (mostly retailers). I dont know a lot about the area yet, but I will say, I like it. I find plenty to keep me busy.

[DC at the Ridge]

DocGSD:

If people travel to Arkansas to work each day, why does the population in Joplin expand to 250,000 durring the day? The entire Joplin area has a good strong job market on its own. There are plenty of industrial jobs and even more trucking and supply jobs here. The local hospitals (St.Johns, Freeman East, Freeman West and Landmark Hospital) employ over 4,000 people. While the "disabled" population here is somewhat high, the job market is strong as well.



Please read what I wrote. I did not say or imply that Joplin does not have a strong job market. I was addressing a question about the growth in Jasper County and the southwest corner of Missouri and pointing out that many Missourians work in Northwest Arkansas. Both McDonald County and Barry County have significant numbers of residents who work in Northwest Arkansas. McDonald County's land values have increased significantly in the past five years because of the growth in the area. And I personally know people who live in Joplin and work in Bentonville.

[innerpeacezz]

I was thinking of moving to Springfield, Missouri. I heard that it is racist in Springfield, is this true ?? I don't want to move there if people can't see beyond a persons skin color.
Is Springfield, Missouri a good and quiet place to live for someone who is a Christian ??

Thank You, Innerpeacezz

[yogowypi]

If you are planning on moving to Southwest Missouri I would highly reccomend the Joplin Area. The Joplin area is a very fast growing region. I live in Cherokee county which is a suburban county of Joplin. Joplins daytime population is now 250,000, not 180,000 as someone else said. It has all of the stores that Springfield has, well at least almost does. Abercombie is comming in a few months, then we will be even. Joplin has everything that you could want from a big city. I also noticed that you wanted a liberal city. Joplin has many different types of people and is not insistant on one paticular type of people. There are many rural elements to Joplin but there is also a comtemporary feel. There are four Starbucks, two sushi bars, several night clubs, and one of the largest malls in the area. The airport is fairly large with daily flights to Kansas City and then less frequent flights to Memphis, Dallas, Saint Louis, and other regional airports, but it is a very comvienient airport. There are also two huge hospitals based out of Joplin. St. John's Regional Medical Center, and Freeman Health Systems. Between the two of the hospitals they employ somewhere around or over 4,000 people. So to sum it all up Joplin has all of the amienities of a large city, but it has the rural elements that many people seek today. My cousins from L.A love Joplin, and are actually considering moving here too. If I were you I would definietly go with Joplin.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by innerpeacezz

I was thinking of moving to Springfield, Missouri. I heard that it is racist in Springfield, is this true ?? I don't want to move there if people can't see beyond a persons skin color.
Is Springfield, Missouri a good and quiet place to live for someone who is a Christian ??

Thank You, Innerpeacezz

I would not think their would be any problems. The Springfield metro area is becoming more diverse over time. Also, many people move into the area from different parts of the US. Springfield is part of the bible belt, and most people are Christians. Their is a county south of Springfield called Christian County as well!

[DocGSD]

Originally Posted by yogowypi

If you are planning on moving to Southwest Missouri I would highly reccomend the Joplin Area. The Joplin area is a very fast growing region. I live in Cherokee county which is a suburban county of Joplin. Joplins daytime population is now 250,000, not 180,000 as someone else said. It has all of the stores that Springfield has, well at least almost does. Abercombie is comming in a few months, then we will be even. Joplin has everything that you could want from a big city. I also noticed that you wanted a liberal city. Joplin has many different types of people and is not insistant on one paticular type of people. There are many rural elements to Joplin but there is also a comtemporary feel. There are four Starbucks, two sushi bars, several night clubs, and one of the largest malls in the area. The airport is fairly large with daily flights to Kansas City and then less frequent flights to Memphis, Dallas, Saint Louis, and other regional airports, but it is a very comvienient airport. There are also two huge hospitals based out of Joplin. St. John's Regional Medical Center, and Freeman Health Systems. Between the two of the hospitals they employ somewhere around or over 4,000 people. So to sum it all up Joplin has all of the amienities of a large city, but it has the rural elements that many people seek today. My cousins from L.A love Joplin, and are actually considering moving here too. If I were you I would definietly go with Joplin.

Great Post! I couldnt agree more. THere are five Starbucks that I know of in Joplin, 34-Rangeline, 4th and Rangeline, inside Target, inside MSSU, and Price Cutter on Maiden Lane. Being the Starbucks addict that I am, I keep track! There is one coming soon to 7th and Harlem. Another Hospital opened a few months ago, Landmark Hospital. It is a "Vent" or CCU hospital that will employ 400 people and hopefully take critical patients from the other hospitals, improving overall patient care and wait times.

[Mika>Kimi]

Originally Posted by DocGSD

While there are plenty of overweight, nasty people here, I will argue that there are still plenty of outdoor activities here. I participate in them myself.

There are plenty of outdoor activities in Joplin? Name three! And don't give us deer hunting, meth-lab seminars or a day trip to Precious Moments. It sound like you are trying to make yourself feel better for deciding to move to the arm-pit of MO. I used to live there and it is the anti-cultural, white trash center of the universe. The greatest hope that city had was that a new city manager moved there a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, the narrow-minded Joplinites have "run him off" as I hear that he has applied for employment elsewhere (and I don't blame him!). There are some really great salt-of-the-earth people in Joplin but sadly they are greatly outnumbered.

[jorhyne]

Originally Posted by Gwynyvyr

The one bright note is a thriving gay/lesbian community

That discredits your post completely.