Thinking about....

[cassillsgirlfriend]

My husband and I are thinking about relocating down to Missouri due to numerous reasons. Probably to the southern part around Springfield/Ozark. Been doing some looking online at houses down there in that area. The prices seem pretty reasonable compared to what they are here in Iowa. Also wondering what the economy is like down around that area. Such as are there companies hiring. What are the public school systems like? Are they decent? What are the winters like? Seems like from what I have seen on maps both towns are fairly easy to get around in.

I have had friends and family ask me why do you want to move to the southern part of Missouri for? I just simply state 1. We are sick of the winters up here. 2. We are tired of certain family members thinking we have nothing else better to do than to cater to them all the time. 3. Tired of the drama/bs/bickering that is going on with the family. And finally 4. We just cant seem to please everybody in the family when it comes to the holidays/family get together's (Both sides of our families for that matter). I just think it is time for a move. Yes my husband and I would miss people up here. But we would come back here to Iowa once a year to see friends and family members.

We have look online at other towns down there for houses. Such as Hannibal and around St. Louis even Columbia. Prices for houses there seem to be running about the same as what they are up here. But I would like the input of the people who live down in Missouri. All information and input will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all have a wonderful day.

[Casual Observer]

Since you are considering Southwest MO, you may be interested in this article I read yesterday about a small town in Southwest MO.

The manufacturing industry has shed hundreds of thousands of jobs during the recession as plants have closed or scaled back. Places such as the southwest Missouri city of Lamar, tucked amid endless fields of winter wheat and soybeans, have seen the cornerstones of their economies disappear, leaving a gap that even billions in roadwork and government aid cannot fill.
Lamar began feeling the recession ahead of the rest of the country, when the furniture-maker O'Sullivan Industries closed its doors in mid-2007, immediately leaving 700 workers unemployed and turning its factory into a million-square-foot vacancy.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33573988/ns ... _business/

I don't think I'd be striking out to start a new life till the economy straightens up a bit and more jobs are available, but that's just me. It may also be helpful to you to check out the websites of newspapers in towns, such as Springfield, and check out the classifieds to see what kind of jobs are available. Better yet, take a long weekend and drive down there and see for yourself. It's your decision, make it wisely.

[cassillsgirlfriend]

Thank you very much for the information you provided. My husband and I were thinking about taking about a week and coming down to the area to check it all out. But thanks once again for the information. I greatly appreciate it.