Rae:
Sounds like you are on your way. You are on the right track. Look at lots and lots of places before deciding on any one. And don't be afraid to negotiate. On the listings, look at days on the market. If 6 months or more, odds are the price is too high or something is wrong with the property. It also does not hurt to ask to see properties that have recently sold and ask what the sold for. Ask price is one thing. Sold price may be another. Best values will be found south of I-44 (actually south of the Meramec River) and west of Hwy 63. North and east of there has St. Louis value influence, so you pay more for what you get. It's more related to drive time to St. Louis than quality. You are competing with buyers from St. Louis looking for weekend recreational property. Also, keep in mind that in this area.....and perhaps most other areas, there are two prices paid for things. One for the locals and one for outsiders. Talking land values. Locals often get things bought......one way or the other......for far less than they will try to sell to an outsider for. There is no public disclosure of value as in most other states, so buyer beware. Best defense is to do your homework and look at lots and lots of properties. And again, negotiate.
On the area you are looking, that is the heart of the Ozarks. It is not uncommon for folks from out of state to move to that region, so there is an "acceptance" factor. Contrast that with some areas of North Missouri where that is not the case. In some areas and communities in North MO, you almost have to be born there to be accepted by the community and/or neighbors. If not born there, you are always considered an "outsider". Not so in the Ozarks.
Texas County is one of the largest, so is pretty diverse. All the areas you mention are not far from Rolla and good medical care. Down there you might find an eclectic mix of third world hillbillies and MIT rocket surgeons living
side by side and dining side by side in the
local cafe. Summertime is float season, on the Current, Jack's Fork and some other floatable rivers. Those can get a bit wild and out of hand, but it is a big part of the economy in the summer months.
On the safety factor, once you decide on a place, make it a point to go visit the county Sheriff's office. Tell them who you are, where you live and ask if there are any known troublemakers in that neighborhood. (Actually, you may want to do this before you buy a property......you would not want to knowingly move next to a problem neighbor). They know the troublemakers by heart and are on a first name basis with most of them. They, and perhaps the realty agent you are working with may also know which neighbors you can count on for help if you need it. Be a good neighbor and you will find good neighbors to live next to. Even a total jerkwad can be softened up over time. If not, shoot em. (kidding.......just kidding..........although if you did ask the local sheriff if it would be OK to shoot a troublemaker, they would probably just smile.......and politely so NO.....not OK.....by secretly hope you would). The term "shoot, shovel and shut up", if not coined by Missouri Broadcaster Derry Brownfield, was made popular by him. Generally, that applied to things like mountain lions and other natural predators like skunks, etc, but some will extend that sentiment to some human stinkers as well.
2
