Hello, We are contemplating a move to the Mansfield,MO.area to be closer to family in TN. but not too close. We would like to hear from folks that have lived in the general area for a long time-10 plus years- and short timers also. We realize that the area is prone to twisters and heavy duty thunderstorms. I'm also pretty sure the land and housing prices are in the reasonable range, for instance, the home we have now is 1000 sq. ft. 2 bedroom, 1 bath,along with a 14 x 20 cinder block building and 4 small sheds on 2 acres appraised at $75,000. My wife is a librarian and I'm a general contractor-remodels and what have you. Our kids are grown but we both enjoy a family atmosphere. We also understand that we would be the newcomers needing to find our niche in the community and accepting some things as they are. Anyway if a little info can be dispenced about the area please do and we will correspond with you.

Thank you, Tony Valdivia tonyvald@nwi.net

-- Tony Valdivia (tonyvald@nwi.net), August 21, 2000

Answers

I was in Mansfield today. I live about 45 minutes from there--east of Ava. I bought this place nearly 3 years ago, but didn't get moved here until this winter. I really like this area and most of the people I've met have been very nice.

I've been through a couple of nasty thunderstorms, but from what I hear twisters aren't that much of a problem. I think they prefer flatter areas. It does get flatter towards Mansfield, so maybe they do have a bit more of a problem with them.

Shameless plug: You might want to join the Ozark Homestead email list at: http://www.egroups.com/group/Ozark-homestead It's a small list I just started not long ago, but it has some good people on it.

If you have any specific questions, just ask.

-- paul (p@ledgewood-consulting.com), August 21, 2000.

i live about 11 miles north of mansfield in hartville. i think that the land prices etc. are fairly reasonable in this general areaand taxes are not as bad as in other places. the downside is that good jobs are not in the smaller towns but near or in springfield however mansfield does have more jobs than hartville. thunderstorms yes but have not seen many tornados in the 3 1/2 years i have lived here. i don't know if it will help or not but wright county is or has i am not sure won a lawsuit with the laura wilder's (little house on the prarie books) to get the royalties as she left those to the wright county library so it looks like we may be getting a better library system. also if you live in mansfield you will be just over 40 miles away from springfield and it is a 4 lane highway to springfield so might be worth while to go to springfield for work. on the news tonight they said all the colleges in springfield have increased enrollements so they might be a carreer posiblity for a librarian. if you have an specific questions please e-mail me as i tend to post to long but would be glad to answer any questions you might have. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef123@hotmail.com), August 22, 2000.

Hi, We live 45 minutes south of Mansfield. We have lived here 2 years. Would be glad to offer another opinion if you would like to email any questions. By the way, does any other area have this many forum participants?

-- Deb (andersland@webound.com), August 23, 2000.

it's me again. was listening to the news from a channel located in springfield. storey was about kids in high school and college getting jobs. per the news story most jobs that are considered as minimum wage go for much more as the local unemployment rate is less than 2%. i bring this up as you say you don't want to commute. the same is true here as anywhere the more the local jobs pay for the more the cost of land. close to the good job markets you will have to pay more for your land. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef123@hotmail.com), August 23, 2000.

I just moved near Springfield 2 monthes ago. I have found the people here to be really nice. Good luck!

-- Iron Man (netorcs@mo-net.com), August 23, 2000.