For more information check out these:

Here is a little information about Joplin and Missouri's Ozark Mountains, and why you might want to consider making this area your new home. Scattered through the text are some links to area businesses, schools, etc. If you don't want to read, you can use this menu to skip to the links and statistics. Be sure to sign up for the Joplin email discussion list -- the first email discussion list for Joplin residents!

Joplin has many advantages associated with urban living without a lot of the high crime and other negatives associated with large cities. Joplin itself is a small city (pop 40,000 with 136,000 in the two county Metropolitan Area -- Missouri's fourth largest). Tulsa, OK is 110 miles away and Oklahoma City is 300 miles, both by Interstate highway. Kansas City, MO is 150 miles by US 71 (4-lane all the way). St. Louis, MO is less than 300 miles by Interstate highway (I-44).

The other city in the Missouri Ozarks, Springfield (pop. 150,000), is 70 miles east on I-44. Both Joplin and Springfield ranked in the top 65 places to live in the United States in a recent Money magazine poll and both consistently rank high on similar surveys from a variety of sources. Factors that make Joplin such a great place to live include clean water, a low crime rate, unpolluted air, plentiful hospitals and doctors, strong city government and housing appreciation. Also, author Hugh Bayless recently honored Joplin by selecting it as one of the fifty Best Towns in America: Where To Go For A Better Life.

The Ozarks are unmatched for outdoor recreation. There are eight major lakes in the area. Joplin has four 18-hole golf courses. Joplin has 19 parks totaling 932 acres, including 4 swimming pools, 2 athletic fields and an 18 hole municipal golf course. The municipal golf course encompasses 150 acres and includes 21 greens, 32 tee boxes, and a two acre lake. Most professional sports (including hockey, major and minor league baseball, basketball, football and soccer) are represented in Tulsa, Kansas City and St. Louis. The nearby Branson area (40 miles south of Springfield and about 1.5 hours from Joplin) is the Live Entertainment Capital of the World with performers ranging from Wayne Newton to Kenny Rogers to Bill Cosby. Branson, which is the center of the Tri-Lakes District of Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lakes, also features theme parks, a water park and other family oriented entertainment.

As to climate. Yes, it does get cold a few weeks during the winter and we do see some snow. The climate is relatively mild. Colder than Florida but warmer than Minnesota. According to the Joplin Chamber of Commerce:

Joplin enjoys a four season climate with milder seasons than in the upland plains or prairie sections of the state. This climate is characterized by an abundance of sunshine, low wind velocity, mild temperatures and favorable humidity. Residents enjoy colorful autumns, mild winters, fresh springs and moderately warm summers. On the Ozark Plateau at 928 feet above sea level, beautiful scenery abounds in all directions.

In addition to a AAA rated public school system, Joplin has 8 parochial and 7 private schools. There are several four year colleges in the area. Joplin's Missouri Southern State College has been given an "international mission" by the state Coordinating Board for Higher Education. MSSC also has very low tuition and a good scholarship program. Nearby Pittsburg, Kansas is the home of Pittsburg State University. Joplin is also the home of Ozark Christian College and Messenger College.

The American Chamber of Commerce Research Association Cost of Living Index recently rated Joplin nearly 14 points lower than the national cost of living average. Housing costs in Joplin were the lowest of any MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) in the United States. Joplin has one of the lowest mortgage costs in the U.S. According to Places Rated Almanac. Most residences are owner-occupied single houses, due mainly to the area's affordability. The homes range from Victorian Homes in town to newer brick and frame bi-levels and ranches out along U.S.71. The average cost for a home was $47,300. The annual average mortgage payments totaled $4,314.

If there are any other questions I can answer, please let me know.