Missouri ?

[Templar]

We are actively searching for the last/retirement/BOL home location. South Carolina is #1 on the list, but I know very little about Missouri and liked the recent listing on Frugals. What I am asking for is thoughts, Pros and Cons, Intel on various parts of the state, etc.. The only requirement I really have is to be within 1 hour of a DOD base, for medical/commissary/PX privileges. 4 distinct seasons would be nice, as well as hills, rural life. School me , please...

Regards,
Templar

[hidden_waldo]

Disclaimers:
I live in Kansas. I am about 15 miles west of the state line and about 20 miles south of Kansas City.
I am non-MIL and my knowledge of the bases is what is talked about on T.V.

The North 1/3 of the state is fairly flat and a lot of farming takes place up there.

The middle 1/3 of the state is home of:Interstate-70; Kansas City, MO; St. Louis, MO (the two biggest cities in the state), Columbia, MO (home of the University of Missouri); Jefferson “Jeff” City (the state capital, the town shuts down at 5 pm).

The south 1/3 of the state is where a high majority the Ozark hills and forests camping takes place. Home of Branson, MO, home of the original Bass Pro, Lake of the Ozarks, Joplin, MO (one of the biggest tornado events in the state) and in the south east Missouri area is home to the New Madrid fault.

The south part of the state would be most likely area that you are looking at. I would stay out of the middle section of the state. Even if you find an area you like, with the growth that is occurring out of Kansas City area, St. Louis area and every other decent size town on I-70, odds are a small area won’t stay small for long. Kansas City is going through a revitalization period in the city (crossroads, Power and Light, Sprint Center). I don’t know much about St. Louis except it is big city that has some fun stuff to do in it.

We have four seasons here, but over the last 10 years it seems to be moving towards: in the spring about two months of ok weather, four summer months of “you have to be kidding me it is this hot”, two decent fall months and four months of “how much colder and winder can it get”.

The only Military bases that I know of are: Whiteman Air Force Base and if you were in the North West part of the state then Leavenworth in Kansas would fit your criteria. I have no doubt there is more, I just don’t know about them.

For politics, it has become a swing state between the political parties. Kansas City MO and St. Louis control a lot of the votes (voters) for the state, so if you don’t agree with their views; then I hope you know how to live with them. Small forgotten fun fact, the state has two Federal Reserve banks in it.

Missouri has pretty good firearms laws. There are a lot more states with a lot worse laws. There is a lot of hunting and fishing that you can do all across the state.

All the small country towns I have been through and visited are nice.

If you are not going to be located by any of the following: I-70, Highway 71, Highway 36 or I-44; then it will take you a long time to get to anywhere else in the state.

This touches on most of the big areas.

[Mannlicher]

that would be quite a move. Oh my.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I don't live there but have visited many times and trained there at "fort lost in the woods". For the most part they are in free America insofar as laws. Meth is an issue.
Ft Leonard Wood http://www.wood.army.mil/newweb/ isn't a "high value" nuke target to my knowledge. The hills and trees in the south are nice. There are a lot of like minded people around there. It's away from the coastal populations. It doesn't have hurricanes but does have tornadoes and ice storms.
Its close to Oklahoma rather than Georgia:)

[MustangGal]

Large numbers of people are retiring to the Ozarks, both Arkansas and Missouri. They are coming for a number of reasons, but I think the most significant factors are low cost of living, low taxes, and relatively low real estate prices. You can buy a large farm for what a tiny house on a postage stamp size lot would by in Kalifornia. Of course, the influx of people for places can be problematic. They move here for the reasons I listed, then get annoyed when things aren't like where ever they came from and try to change things. Of course, in a SHTF type situation, many of those people will not last after their medication runs out.

[rockriver]

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or you can seriously consider the benefits...
just think.
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ombc bros.

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and here for your viewing pleasure are wonderful views of coffee state park.
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[WiseOwl]

an advertisement brought to you by unpaid and unsolicited representatives of a the great state of
Georgia.

you can skip this ad by clicking on the **

or you can seriously consider the benefits...
just think.
the rental moving truck would be less.
free protein in the summer from our special insect friends, the gnat,
property taxes are reasonable
population percentages are % !
not far from friends at stewart, benning, mclb, nasa, dobbins, McPherson, Dahlonega, kings, robins, and many others.
low firewood needs with our mild winters and pleasant, gentle breeze summers!
wide variety of geog. mountains, ocean, rivers, lakes, flatlands!
ombc bros.

and other good reasons, you can get with a call or email or request for our free video!!
Georgia, come to visit. come to stay!
and here for your viewing pleasure are wonderful views of coffee state park.
please note the beautiful manicured grass, the luxuriously fully functioning necessary structure, the prize gophers, the clear water running so lovely from our own dedicated source. and the dust free fire ring for socializing and satellite watching. what more could you want?

Thats what I am talking about!!!!

[610Alpha]

I don't live there but have visited many times and trained there at "fort lost in the woods". For the most part they are in free America insofar as laws. Meth is an issue.
Ft Leonard Wood http://www.wood.army.mil/newweb/ isn't a "high value" nuke target to my knowledge. The hills and trees in the south are nice. There are a lot of like minded people around there. It's away from the coastal populations. It doesn't have hurricanes but does have tornadoes and ice storms.
Its close to Oklahoma rather than Georgia:)

Fort Lost In The Woods aka "Little Korea"...my handle comes from that place. My Dad and I both did basic training there. Don't try to dig a fox hole unless you are prepared to blast it. Hasty positions is what we used there.

I got other family there now. Its better than IL. :)

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Don't try to dig a fox hole unless you are prepared to blast it. Hasty positions is what we used there.
Thats why the engineers are stationed and train there LOL

I got other family there now. Its better than IL. :)

No doubt!!!