Which Is Better? Joplin Or Springfield (St. Louis, Washington: transplants, find a job, theater)

[DocGSD]

Originally Posted by Suzanne1945

DocGSD, Just wanted to say hello from one GSD owner to another. We have an 8 yr. old and he is the 5th one we owned over the years. That breed is super special!

They are great dogs! I have raised them most of my life.

Originally Posted by Gwynyvyr

Glad to hear Joplin is no longer #1 in meth.
As far as other cities and towns...I have lived in some.
In Asheville, NC I started a nonprofit for the homeless. Biggest problem there was *weed*...with crack being a close runner-up. Charlottesville, Va. was about the same. When I lived in San Diego, gang violence was a huge problem. I have lived in many other cities, all sizes. Some in the States, some in Europe.
Yes, I guess I am negative about Joplin.
The crime, the meth, the fundamentalist churches that run everything, the lack of enviromental awareness, the lack of public transportation,everything just added up to a big old negative spot on the map to me!
I lived there years ago (about 18 years) for 3 years, then moved away. I came back in 2004 and it hadn't improved, as far as I could see, it actually had deteriorated.
Glad you are happy there and have found your little place in the sun.
As for me, well, currently in Texas. Went through Ike in my locale and sort of enjoyed it. After living in an area where you might get a 4 minute warning of a tornado, it was kind of refreshing to get a 4 day warning!
Lost part of a roof, my power and internet connection for a couple weeks, but did okay as I had plenty of water, charcoal for the grill and canned foods stored up. Also, terrific neighbors!
I know I am only here for about another 10 months, and although the humidity down here is absolutely deadly (seriously, it is gawdawful humidity sometimes!), I think I will miss Texas and the Gulf Coast.
I miss my friends in Joplin, but I sure don't miss the town itself!

We arent all bad up here. Compared to NYC, ATL and ALB, this place is great!
I'm glad you found a place that makes you happy.

[missouridad]

I've been reading all the replies about Joplin and Springfield' Every one mentions about Ozark and Nixa. Springfield also has allot of other close towns, To the west of Springfield is Republic' Which is growing really fast and has lots of shopping centers and Businesses, and New Sub divisions." To the North west of Springfield Is the City of Willard Missouri' Its Not as big as Republic' But it is also Growing and has Businesses and a Brand New Large High school, Not to mention its very near the Springfield- Branson Air port." Then to the east of Springfield You have the Town of Strafford, East of that you have Marshfield Missouri' Then North of Springfield you have Bolivar Missouri, Bolivar has most of the Fast food Chains you will find in Springfield, Then you still have allot more smaller towns all around Springfield' Like Fair Grove and Walnut Grove' Greenfield ' Hall town' Rogersville' Ash Grove' And many more." I' Agree Springfield would be a better place to live than Joplin' Because of all the Other close Towns and smaller Cities." So if You don't like living in a Larger city like Springfield You have your pick of all the other near by Towns and still be close enough to Springfield to Drive to Work or be close to the Larger Hospitals and Other things that Springfield has that the smaller Towns and Cities don't have to offer." Joplin Don't have all the close towns and Cities that Springfield has."

[DocGSD]

Yes it does, Carthage (7-10 minutes), Neosho(10-15 minutes), Webb City(touches Joplin), Carl Junction(touches Joplin), Pittsburg(KS)(15 minutes), Miami(OK)(15-20 min), Grove (OK), Duquesne, Carterville, Oronogo, Duenweg, Reddings Mill, Jasper, Seneca, Granby, Diamond, Asburg, Neck City, Alba, Purcell, Sarcoxie, Avilla, Galena (KS), Baxter Spgs (KS), and Riverton (KS) are all close towns that depend on Joplins econemy. The large majority of Joplins daytime population come from these outside areas.

[GetmeoutofAR]

yeah Joplin has alot of little town suburbs. I personally dont like Joplin, I'm partial to Greene Co, MO

[GreenGeek]

Originally Posted by xTheGeneralx

I grew up in Webb City .... Try paying 125,000 for a four year degree (3 girls). On my last check, U of Ark is about 6,400. a year for in-state....
Blessings! Jim

...the rest of the story: U of Ark prices, like most others in the area, are not all that cheap. Check out Texas state colleges if you want to see some real bargains! Psst, some Texas schools are moving to a free tuition program. Can Arkansas or Missouri conservatives beat that concept?

U of Ark ...
Cost of Attendance In-state: $17,824
Out-of-state: $26,804
Tuition and Fees In-state $6,299
Out-of-state $15,279
Room and Board $7,422
Books and Supplies $966
Other Expenses $3,137

[GreenGeek]

Huh , ol Jim must be comparing caviar to potato salad with his college pricing info. Just checked out the Washington state tuition rates and here's some comparative pricing...

In state, Out of state, etc
Tuition & Fees $6,802 $6,802 $6,802
Room & Board $8,640 $2,877 $12,474
Books & Supplies $1,035 $1,035 $1,035
Personal Expenses $2,265 $2,265 $2,265
Transportation $396 $396 $1,524
Total $19,138 $13,375 $24,100

[DocGSD]

What does all of that have to do with this topic??????

[BABsMom]

I grew up in Springfield and lived in Joplin for two years before moving back to Springfield. To me, Joplin is kinda of a "has-been" city, while Springfield is still growing. There are plenty of problems in both places, but better work opportunities and more abundant housing in Springfield. I believe that it is also safer than Joplin, but I'm not sure. When we were living there, I don't quite remember the circumstances, but police held a boy from a school in near by Riverton, Kansas for planning a school shooting or something (it was national news), and after we moved back to Springfield, another kid got arrested for a school shooting at the Joplin Middle School. As far as I can remember, there hasn't been anything to that extreme in Springfield.

There are also more universities/colleges in Spfld and surrounding areas, but it's not like a "college town". Several of the outer towns also have extension centers from OTC or other schools.

If you are a church goer, there are also lots of churches of different faiths and sizes. You never just have to settle for what you see.

I also really take to the outer towns of Springfield: Bolivar, Pleasant Hope, Nixa, Ozark, Republic and being closer to Branson (great shopping!!!), Joplin is just closer to casinos, and state lines. If you are concerned with being close to Tulsa, Spfld is only an additional 75 miles away, you can still drive it in a day. We used to take day trips to STL and Tulsa when I was little, it's a long drive, but possible! Congratulations on the move and I think you'll like wherever you go!!

[Willy-Bill]

Springfield is nice. Joplin is a bit burned out and dying.
Bentonville area became too expensive for my tastes. Not sure that's what they had in mind for a retirement mecca.

[Liaibis]

Springfield just personal opinion.