branson (Joplin, Nixa, Ozark: apartments, condos, house)

[mechanic]

We bopught a house in Clever mo. and have been here for 2 years. Our house is out in the country and is on 3 acreas. It requires alot more than a regular lot. We like it but we are retired and it seems like all I do is work. I also work at lowes part time. My thought is to down size and move to something smaller. But don't know too much about Branson like the traffic, taxes and cost of living. We are from Colorado and did not like the big town life. Any advice. Thanks

[Arrby]

The taxes and cost of living will not be significantly greater nor less than what you pay now. Traffic can be another matter altogether.

There are new gated retirement communities opening here and there which you may want to consider. Many retirement facilities also have independent living housing - duplexes, town homes, apartments, etc. These allow you to move more or less seamlessly into assisted living, should that need arise.

Branson has roughly a gazillion condos at every price point imaginable. These reduce your maintenance work to pretty much nil.

Or, close at hand, you could find a smaller house and lot in Nixa or Ozark.

[Floorist]

Branson is extremely overpriced for everything. Consider a smaller town like Lamar, Nevada, etc. Home prices will be half of Branson prices and groceries and utilities are far cheaper too. And you are still close enough to Joplin for major shopping.