Any info on Joplin area would be appreciated. (Springfield, Center: crime rate, house)

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by DocGSD

I lived in KCMO for a while, I didnt see a problem. Does it cause any problems that you know of? Is KCMO and KCKS the same incorporated city, or are they different? HAving lived there I really dont know.

The KC metro area is divided because it sprawls very far on both sides of the state line, including Kansas. The JOCO sprawl is spreading all the way to Franklin and Miami counties now. This creates a division when Kansas City, MO tries to pass bi-state initiatives to improvements for the Truman Sports Complex or other such matters. Then, you have the KC, MO city limits which stretch for over 340 square miles, and cover three counties. The population density is much too low for the metro area considering it has around 2 million residents.

When they built the KCI airport in the middle of nowhere they encouraged more sprawl from KC, MO to spread gradually into the "northland" area.
Basically, the KC metro has more highway lane miles per capita compared with any other metro area in the country. The Downtown redevelopment projects and the KC power and light district is a key in order to get more people to reconsider living in the city itself instead of flocking to the suburbs.

[DocGSD]

Originally Posted by Plains10

The KC metro area is divided because it sprawls very far on both sides of the state line, including Kansas. The JOCO sprawl is spreading all the way to Franklin and Miami counties now. This creates a division when Kansas City, MO tries to pass bi-state initiatives to improvements for the Truman Sports Complex or other such matters. Then, you have the KC, MO city limits which stretch for over 340 square miles, and cover three counties. The population density is much too low for the metro area considering it has around 2 million residents.

When they built the KCI airport in the middle of nowhere they encouraged more sprawl from KC, MO to spread gradually into the "northland" area.
Basically, the KC metro has more highway lane miles per capita compared with any other metro area in the country. The Downtown redevelopment projects and the KC power and light district is a key in order to get more people to reconsider living in the city itself instead of flocking to the suburbs.

I gotcha, when I lived up there (only about a year for work) I lived in Parkville. When you drive up I-29 north of the river, it was amazing how many times you were in and out of KC City limits. I gusee they have just grown around all of the what use to be small towns.

Anyway, to the OP, I think that you would be very happy in the Joplin area. And the entire SWMO for that matter. After all, I came from very liberal NY to very conservitave MO. Its a change in life for me but I wouldnt trade it.

[GraniteStater]

A suggestion to the OP:
You could also try Carthage. The town seemed pleasant when I visited it. It is the county seat of Jasper County and not too far away from Joplin.

[firebll31]

Originally Posted by Plains10

A suggestion to the OP:
You could also try Carthage. The town seemed pleasant when I visited it. It is the county seat of Jasper County and not too far away from Joplin.

I have lived in Carthage for 25 years and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about this town!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by firebll31

I have lived in Carthage for 25 years and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about this town!

Oh, I didn't know that! Well, at least I didn't say anything negative about your town. Carthage seems like a pretty good town from when I visited a few years ago.

[firebll31]

Carthage is a great place to live, with all the necessary things for everyday life and with Joplin close at hand for entertainment, and not a great distance from larger cities like Springfield, Tulsa and KC. Many families have lived here for generations and its amazing how many people who leave end up coming back. We do have a large influx of Hispanics due to the Butterball company and area chicken farms. I personally like the diversity, but some have other feelings about it. I like the small town atmosphere-everybody knows everybody and we have few major problems.

[Mollym313]

Originally Posted by DocGSD

"The Falls" are on Shoal Creek. The City of Joplin owns them along with Missouri American Watter. Its part of McIndoe Park. Spring River is over in Baxter Springs KS.

Everyone talks about the Meth problem here. I have been her for about 3.5 years. I havent had any problems with meth encounters. Having worked in a hospital here, its not as bad as some people make it out to be. Crack Cocaine is a bigger problem here now but still not all that bad. State government has made it very hard to buy all of the componets to make meth and I think that the local police have done a really good job of fighting it. I see the results first hand through my work.

I really like Joplin. The city is really cleaning the place up. It has a bit of small town charm and big city living all at the same town. While there are currently 49,000 people who live here, the cities population grows to over 270,000 durring each day. (Source City of Joplin, Missouri) The cost of living is decent and the pay is according to the costs here.

When you read comments to stories online on the Joplin Globes page, keep in mind that the posts to those stories are generally negitive and not the opinion of most of the people here. It seems that some people have nothing better to do than spread hate.

I came from NY and I was really a nervous about MO. Now that I'm here, I love it.

Most people that I talk to live in Joplin but I know that the housing in Carl Junction and Oronogo is really growing. Webb City and Joplin connect on Rangeline road and you cant even tell when you leave one to the other. Hope you find what you are looking for. Other places to check out are:

Home :: Joplin.com
FourStateshomepage.com - Home Page
Joplin Schools | Joplin, Missouri
City of Joplin, Missouri

Yes...you make a very valid point about the "bad" news. I live in a "not so" good apt. complex...unfortunately the "druggies flock to each other" and I worked at Lafayette House...But other than that I personally do not know any "meth" or "Cocaine" users (to my knowledge). So you are absolutely right...things are improving and only a small group of individuals have chose that path. I too like Joplin...it is growing and attracts a lot of out-of- towners during the week and on the weekends.

[DocGSD]

Originally Posted by Mollym313

Yes...you make a very valid point about the "bad" news. I live in a "not so" good apt. complex...unfortunately the "druggies flock to each other" and I worked at Lafayette House...But other than that I personally do not know any "meth" or "Cocaine" users (to my knowledge). So you are absolutely right...things are improving and only a small group of individuals have chose that path. I too like Joplin...it is growing and attracts a lot of out-of- towners during the week and on the weekends.

Yep! Despite the hand full of dopers, most of the people here seem to be pretty good people. There are more jobs and oppertuninties coming this way all the time.

[highdesertmutz]

We're presently located in T or C New Mexico, and are contemplating our final move for spring 2009. we came to T or C because of ill health, thinking the dry heat would benefit us, but we dislike the town tremendously for a variety of reasons.
We're living in a RV and probably will continue to do so because we're not in a position to purchase a home, and we have a medium sized dog, and usually landlords won't accept or rent to folks with doggies. I'd like to obtain info on RV parks, are they year round or seasonal? I'm a veteran, and need a vet medical clinic nearby, is there one in Joplin? My wife is presently employed as a cashier, and she'd like to obtain employment doing the same. I am the disabled doggie sitter when she's at work. we are normal folks, and not into the druggie scene, and I've read some posts about drugs at the forum, and that really isn't a problem for us, we distance ourselves from the element.
A few years ago, I used to drive a expedited cargo hauler, and made many trips and deliveries to Modine there in Joplin, and am somewhat curious about it's wellbeing, as well as residents who are or were employed there too due to economic downturns. How is Joplin handling an unemployment crisis if any? are there jobs available? any help and advice is appreciated!

[DocGSD]

I think Joplin's job market is fine. Modene is still here and as far as I know doing fine. THere are several industrial jobs here. Downstream Casino just opened this month creating 1200 jobs. It is located in Oklahoma, with the parking lot in Kansas and that driveway in Missouri (Joplin city limits). It is at I-44 and US 166.

There is a vet hospital in Mt. Vernon (35 miles away) and Fayetteville AR (50 ish miles). There is an RV park off of mile 4 at I-44 and a few others but to be honest I dont really know much about them. I know that there is also one in Mt. Vernon, next door to the Vet clinic on I-44. The only problem with that one is, its a few miles out of town and probably a little bad for the disabled to get to the store and such.