Which Is Better? Joplin Or Springfield (Nixa, Ozark: rental, condo, crime rates)

[skeating]

Joplin is pretty boring. Springfield/Branson is the happening location. Move in the center between both Springfield and Branson and you will love the decision. You can do whatever you like from the center location (Highlandville)is the center. Within 15-20 minutes you can be in either town. PERFECT LOCATION: HIGHLANDVILLE

[Chris19]

I personally would pick Springfield. It has more amenities and has a decent-sized college handy if one wants to take classes or advance his or her education. Springfield, MO area, when I stopped by in 1999, reminds me a lot of Sioux Falls, SD. The two are similar-sized cities around 150,000 in the city limits, but Sprinfield is a little bigger in the outlying areas. The town has a nice grid pattern for a road system, better than Sioux Falls since the Big Sioux makes a U-shaped path through the city and goof up the east and west traffic flow. Springfield appeared to be a nice and friendly city from my memory. I would not mind to come and visit again in the next couple years.

[kdnxdr]

Hey designer,

I lived in Nixa, just south of Springfield, for about 16 years. I loved it, mostly because of size. It is definately in the throws of change. With Brad Pitt and a few other noteworthies from that area, who knows what's coming into that region. All I can say is that it is definately changing and it is a GROWING area.

I wanted to mention that my daughter and her husband have a very different 3,000 sq ft home for sale (on 8 acres) that is "out" but within minutes of everything. It has a fantastic view! The house is only about 3 years old and has been put together by two very creative people. For the area, they are asking a good price.

If you would like any more info, let me know.

kid

[CaliDreaming]

I am a young liberal currently living in Springfield and I like it. People are pretty accepting and cost of living is unbelievably low!!

[Gwynyvyr]

Originally Posted by jorhyne

That discredits your post completely.

And just why did mentioning the gay/lesbian community discredit my post completely?
Most of the ones I know live here quietly...they go to St Louis or Kansas City for entertainment and much of their socializing. They live here because of cheap, cheap, cheap housing.

I am moving...going to a land of good food, culture and great people...Lived there years ago, visit often and love it...!
Strange how seven hours of travel can make a HUGE difference!

[Mollym313]

Really...what it sounds like from some posts...if you don't like Joplin, then move. I live in Joplin and I see the good and bad. I don't even live in the best part of town and I still see good things here. I am 37 and about to graduate with my BS in Psychology in May, and I can see things objectively. Yes, there is a big Meth problem here and I do not believe we have top notch treatment facilities here. And as another post mentioned...Joplin overall does not pay well in certain occupations and one of those is drug treatment counselors. Yes, there is a high gay population...and I personally could care less. If people are nice to me...I don't judge. I do believe Joplin is "Stuck" and not progressing in some ways but overall I think many improvements have been made. There is a new Police Chief (from Oregon) and he seems to be trying to clean up the police force and hire more officers. I plan to move soon but...I just have to say...Joplin has some good aspects to its community.

[Curosi-dee]

Originally Posted by Gwynyvyr

And just why did mentioning the gay/lesbian community discredit my post completely?
Most of the ones I know live here quietly...they go to St Louis or Kansas City for entertainment and much of their socializing. They live here because of cheap, cheap, cheap housing.

I am moving...going to a land of good food, culture and great people...Lived there years ago, visit often and love it...!
Strange how seven hours of travel can make a HUGE difference!

Where is that then? Hiya! Gwen...I thought I recognized you by your posts. Did you ever find anything in the Caretaker Gazette? I hope all is well with you.

[d_weava]

This contest is not even close, Springfield has tons more to do.

Springfield has big time college sports(with new 12,000 seat arena), AA-Cardinals baseball, ice skating rink, science center, a good mall, bass pro shops, Juanita Q Hammons performance hall, and many other things Joplin doesn't have.

[firebll31]

Originally Posted by d_weava

This contest is not even close, Springfield has tons more to do.

Springfield has big time college sports(with new 12,000 seat arena), AA-Cardinals baseball, ice skating rink, science center, a good mall, bass pro shops, Juanita Q Hammons performance hall, and many other things Joplin doesn't have.

While this may be true for some people, not all would agree. I have no interest in college sports or baseball, Joplin's Northpark Mall has many of the same stores as Springfield's, and some top-notch performances on the MSSU campus. Bass Pro is not high on my list of places to visit. I actually prefer to live in a SMALLER town where I know more neighbors. In Carthage we don't have the large traffic snarls that Springfield gets. There are lots of great things to do here that don't involve shopping. Being more of a rural person, I hate to see all the development that is spoiling the beautiful Ozarks region, but I know that it is inevitable. Where I live, I have the small town atmospere (Carthage) with more job opportunities close by (Joplin) and for a change of scenery and variety of entertainment, just a short drive (Springfield, Tulsa, KC, Fayetteville, Branson, Eureka Springs). I would like to see an ice skating rink in Joplin.

[melissajo]

I have lived in this area my whole life. We lived in Springfield for a while (Ozark actually) and loved it. There is so much to do in Springfield and Branson. There is better shopping in Springfield (as Joplin does NOT have all the same stores..we are missing several that I like!) and more of a night life.

However, on the flip side, we now live in Joplin. We both attended MSSU and decided to move back. Our house in Ozark/Springfield would cost us an extra 50,000 dollars. We live in a nice new build in one of the best school districts around. We are close enough to drive to Springfield to shop, watch baseball, etc. We are closer to KC and Tulsa which I would rather visit than Springfield for entertainment. However, we really enjoy having a much smaller mortgage and living in a top notch subdivision/school district. I think it just depends on who you are. We are a young couple. I am an elementary teacher. We are starting to think about having kids. It just made sense to stick with Joplin for us.

Our police officers are overworked and underpaid. Starting pay is in the 20,000's with having to work late nights and weekends and holidays. It's hard to get people who are willing to do that, for no money.