Watch This Before You Move to The Ozark Mountains!

[@commonsense246]

We moved 4 yrs ago just over the border to Mountain Home AR. from San Antonio TX. You couldn't pay us enough money to move back. This is paradise to us. We live on a mountain ridge, we only paid $55k for 10 acres and a house. We built a new house and we do rainwater collection and solar. Yes, it has it's unique challenges but the plusses way out weigh it's negatives. But hey, dish all you want, we don't want too many folks coming here anyway!

[@LivinginBranson]

That sounds amazing! Good for you! I don't mind people moving in when they make our properties better. Sometimes you'll see a run down house or an old shell of a mobile on land and its been like that forever! Just needs someone with vision that can roll their sleeves up and make it better.

[@hopemoody4854]

I’m from Mississippi and live in northern Montana 🥶 I have been looking in mountain home Arkansas for house. I finally talked my husband to retire back down south. So I can grow a garden again I can’t grow nothing up here. And I’m missing the south so much. He’s worried about tornadoes do y’all have tornadoes there?

[@debralabarge614]

@@hopemoody4854yup

[@frankenz66]

@hopemoody4854 Sure we have tornadoes, but they tend to have favored areas they frequent. Mountain Home is a little bit closer to a prone area. Gassville Arkansas, just west of Mt. Home, and South Marion county ( the county just to the west of there) are a little more prone. The lakes provide a more flat open area for them to develop. They are still pretty rare. I have lived in this region, barring my college and military tour, 52/57 years and have had them near me, but never seen one. I do have, and use a storm shelter. Am also a trained storm spotter and an active volunteer for a Collaboration of daily precipitation and weather reporting. You lived in Mississippi, right? They are far less common than in those areas here. No one can never say never though. Think about a shelter and if you move to that area just stay abreast of the weather at certain times. I actually am going to Mt. Home today. It is about 40 miles out for me.

[@williamstonesmith7971]

Did you say you are from the Ozarks for 7 generations? There must be some nice-looking people there because you are very pretty! Also interested to know where the cool Ozark name came from -

[@bonniephillips1823]

The Ozarks are so much more than a geographical location. It's a spirit, a lifestyle, and culture. Came down in '79 and fell in love with how real folks were

[@LivinginBranson]

very well said! thank you

[@NancyGordon-nw9mc]

I live in Arkansas. Absolute truth from aa realtor!!!

[@williamlee3066]

Branson is just a tourist attraction....and methhead capital

[@dragonflydreamer7658]

Its hot it humid the people are rude and they have no teeth you would hate it here especially if your from california.

[@eadecamp]

@@dragonflydreamer7658 Good. Stay there, please.

[@cherylgawne711]

The retiring vets are being encouraged to retire in the Ozarks. That area sounds almost exactly like the area I live in, North Hastings County, Ontario, Canada.

[@terrytreadway9645]

This old Marine found himself one step closer to Paradise in Missouri! It is very conservative, so Liberal folks may not get on well here.

[@Britt-v6z]

@@terrytreadway9645

[@wesjet6933]

This is the most honest and accurate description of the Ozarks I have ever read. I am from a 5th generation Ozark family and I agree with everything you said.

[@LivinginBranson]

Awe thanks! I really appreciate that!

[@megantaylor7751]

@wesjet6933, I was just coming here to say the same thing! Husband and I have been in KC all our lives. We would go to the Ozarks all the time. We are now retired and have been looking all over the nation but keep coming back to wanting to move to the Ozarks. We laughed we she said the houses are older and you will have to remodel. Our new neighbors, just outside KC came in and tore out the house down to the studs and put it back! Never seen that before!

[@debbiesittard7653]

Well while you may (foolishly) " agree" with everything this sociopath has to say. This is STILL America. Neither you nor her 'own' the State of Missouri or the Ozarks. People are free to live where they choose. I bet you don't opt for turning tourist money away do you? Oh course you don't. Grow up! We could always start a GO FUND ME and move all you like minded people to China or a remote deserted island.....

[@michaelfarris2985]

You Yankees stay where you are…she might want yall here (she’s in it for the MONEY!) it isn’t the Ozarks I grew up in!!!

[@robinbirdj743]

@@michaelfarris2985thank God, in some respects. Walmart changed everything, but keeps small towns alive. There’s change. I don’t like some of it either. But dying towns are not the answer. ❤

[@MichaelBurke-f2p]

Spent my youth in O'Fallon MO. Joined the USAF ended up in Shreveport Louisiana got married became a union Electrician. Got divorced retired couldn't wait to get back to hill country! I now live in North Arkansas 35miles from the MO state line couldn't be happier on my 11 acres of hill country.

[@MichaelM-q2q]

Glad they must have fixed the major drugs issues that were the plague of that area when I lived there. Couldn't keep a car from being stolen and my house being robbed while I was at work. Lousy place to live . Hope it's better.

[@gregpoe1993]

I miss the mountains I go down in❤ Born n raised OZARK MOUNTAIN HILLBILLY! PROUD OF IT❤

[@LivinginBranson]

😂 thanks for your comments

[@HarveyTalksPrison]

Same here Greg

[@DavidSmith-tu1nd]

Do you remember Shepherd of the Hills live theater. And Bob O Links. Are they still there? I haven't been there since the early 80's.

[@gregpoe1993]

@@DavidSmith-tu1nd they keep messin with the Shepard of the hills. Funding I think. And Bob olinks ain't been there in some time from what I hear. I been bouncin back n forth between the Plains and the Ozarks for the past 30 years tho.

[@amyfox9659]

Hella Yeah!!

[@d.g.n9392]

Born, raised, now I’m getting old, in the ozarks. When I was younger, it was always wonderful tromping through the hills and woods

[@LivinginBranson]

Same here! ❤️

[@frankenz66]

Yep for sure! I was raised just outside what became the Buffalo National River, and often us kids would tromp and play in the creeks and streams on our way down to the river to do the same in the spring and summers.

[@HarveyTalksPrison]

I love tromping through the Ozark hills

[@Kayprofessor]

I want to tromp through the woods so badly but how do you do that without being attacked by ticks? My mom stepped on a nest and got covered. She ended up on her death bed with Lyme disease

[@matthewjohnson53]

I've lived off-grid in the Ozarks for just under a year now, I truly love it. I'm on top of a hill with an amazing views, I've got lakes and streams all around me. The hardest part has been the building process. Just to set my gate posts (a cut in half telephone pole) too HOURS to set. The ground is so rocky I had to use a jackhammer to dig down to set them, an auger bit on a post hole digger won't work. But it's a great place. She's right about the weather too.

[@LivinginBranson]

Wow off grid! That is so interesting! You can cut wood to keep warm, but how do you do in the summer heat? I'm just imagining those posts, yep bet that was some work!

[@salvatorelamagna559]

Sounds perfect. Born and raised here in Calif, and we own land up near Lake Ozark. You might be suprised to know most of us californians are as hard core NON liberal as red states. We can wait to leave here for a True American state

[@twotonrhinottr2877]

Same boat. Took a year, but the challenges don’t bug me anymore. I look forward to them now - I end up learning something knew every time.

[@mikelett8749]

My Grandfather was building a new fence when I was a teenager. He said someday you will want to buy a place. When that day comes look it over real good and if you see one rock just keep on a go’n.

[@doubletappinhillbilly]

Get a rock bar

[@raynall3593]

move to the Ozarks 8 years ago and will never leave, but you keep talking, it is crowded enough here, I love it

[@CarnabooClarke]

Was wondering if her motive was population motivated😂

[@darelshelton697]

Exactly... I think this is reverse psychology or somethng.... maybe she's looking to keep prices down?

[@Joy-Marie369]

@@darelshelton697 Keeping the democrats out. Lol

[@melbapeters5457]

It is pronounced Saint Louis with a long "a".

[@PeterGoodman-uv2jh]

My father loved writing about the Ozarks so much he self published. Ron Goodman RIP

[@LivinginBranson]

That's interesting! I'll have to look up some of his work.

[@PeterGoodman-uv2jh]

@@LivinginBranson he lived in Springfield

[@richardbowers3647]

Bingo!!! Many a young man left to expand their lives & wrote about it to warn others or at least guide them. Just commenting.

[@JackieVillegas-j8g]

We moved to MO and I love the green and all the wild life. I'm wishing that it never changes, it's beautiful here ❤

[@LivinginBranson]

@user-od5xm4py4i I agree! The trees are so full and lush. Love seeing these green hills everyday.

[@dragonflydreamer7658]

Yee haa we love to have you here maybe you could help me find my last tooth I think it fell into my old cover alls

[@mattstrandquist2148]

6:50 Can confirm! Living in Ozark County, MO, we used to literally toss a coin on what Christmas weather was going to be like: some years we had Christmas cookouts with everyone in shorts n flip-flops enjoying the 70 degree sunny weather, and sometimes we had 16 degrees with an inch of ice and 6 inches of snow with more falling. It's great!

[@LivinginBranson]

It's always a surprise! Thanks for your comment!

[@HarveyTalksPrison]

Wait 5 minutes and the weather will change

[@mavfin8720]

I've lived in Missouri for most of my life. (I'm 54 and lived outside Missouri for about 3 years of that.) If you don't like the weather today in Missouri, just wait an hour. It's likely to change. And I've lived the last 17 in the Ozarks, but also lived in Kansas City, Hannibal, and almost on the Iowa border.

[@lindickison3055]

One year (1954?) it was so warm we had a weenie roast out in the field on Christmas Eve!!!! In shirtsleeves!

[@mavfin8720]

@@lindickison3055 yes, i specifically remember in the span of 1998-2001 playing basketball with the boys two days before christmas, and the next year there was a foot of snow on the ground. Wasn't Ozarks, but it was northern Missouri.

[@jerrywalker2699]

Good video and I agree with thankfulness that not everyone wants to move to our area. I'll be a good neighbor but if they don't like our hillbilly way then just stay where they are.. with that being said I personally think our Ozark way of life is the very best in the world ❤❤❤

[@LivinginBranson]

We make great neighbors, thats for sure! Thanks for the kind comments! 😊

[@josephtobin3347]

I was there once, Cabool, and the people and land was great as far as ai was concerned. I’d love to go back for the simple life, away from all the crazies, but not quite enough cash at the moment. I can’t understand why anyone would try to bring the city with them.

[@bradmaxwell6843]

That's what Texans say to transplanted Californians. "If youre complaining about the TX lifestyle, then you need to go back where you came from"

[@jasonschannel9017]

I'm curious, what does hillbilly way mean? Are you talking burning firewood to heat your house,self-sufficiency, traditional values, and a close-knit community? That's who I am, so I'm wondering if I can claim the title, too!

[@mainscorp9982]

​@@jasonschannel9017sounds like you close enough 😉

[@Momo-SixTimes]

We move to the Ozarks 3 years ago. Your descriptions and information are spot on! We love it here, but it's not for everyone. The people here are the best!

[@LivinginBranson]

That's awesome! ❤️

[@you4080]

How do you mean the best?

[@Momo-SixTimes]

@@you4080They’re nice

[@markhouck5258]

Thx for sharing! Missouri isn't for everyone, but for the rest of us, it's WONDERFUL ❤

[@LivinginBranson]

Yes it is! 😁

[@msherry5]

You know, Nebraska's tourism motto is "Nebraska - It's not for everyone". Probably can be said for the entire middle of the US. 😂

[@Saviour3]

I grew up in NYC, lived in Tampa, Charlotte and Raleigh but from 2010 to 2014 i lived in a great apartment overlooking spindletop and watched the sun rise over Branson, beautiful! Best place i ever lived, never ran out of things to do or places to see and the people were marvelous! That leap year tornado just passed close to our apartment and a friend woke me up just in time to hear it. The next day we drove along 76 and were amazed to see the damage! The restaurants and local eateries were perfect even compared to NYC when it was livable. I had excellent deer sausage for the first time in my life from a friend who hunted there. I have only good to say about Branson ... the churches are numerous and eclectic. In all the trails I walked there I never had chiggers. The table rock dam is beautiful and the tour was very interesting, the museum near it was enjoyable as well. Driving on the hills in winter should be avoided, the only downside. At Christmas you must visit Silver Dollar City, at least twice and the Sight and Sound theater is imperative. I'll stop here and Yeshua Bless you all which reminds me, I even found a Messianic congregation! No downside Amen!

[@LivinginBranson]

Thank you so much for your kind comment! You described it perfectly! 🙂

[@chericandream]

Peace ❤️ CommonWeath -- Hebrew= CrossedOver sWORD Spirit and Truth -- 7th day sAbbAth's Seal -- Covenant IN Loyalty The Most High Ahb Yahu'Ah= Spirit= AbbA Creator Father. Yahu'Sha Hebrew Anointed SonShip= sWORD and Head(ROCK) to body(stones) of congregation covenant loyal (be)living IN earth, that adhere TO His voice: (Yashra'Al) ...The Most High Ahb Yahu'Ah sovereign saves. Emet ❤️ Praise and thanks to the Most High Ahb Yahu'Ah for His 'Saving Will' Testimony IN His anointed Hebrew Son Yahu'Sha Messiah. Prayers, blessings, and peace (restoration) of the ❤️, for those that adhere TO His voice, covenant, and commandments. Love you Ahb Yahu'Ah sovereign of my breath, soul, and the blood IN my veins (DNA). (Psalm 90:12-17) So teach us TO number our days, That we (may) apply our hearts unTO wisdom. Return, Oh Most High Ahb Yahu'Ah sovereign, how long? And let it repent thee concerning thy servants. Oh satisfy us (early) with thy mercy; That we (may) rejoice and be glad all our days. And counting: ...1st day/night season of the WorkWeek, ...2nd day/night season of the WorkWeek, ...3rd day/night season of the WorkWeek ...4th day/night season of the WorkWeek, ...5th day/night season of the WorkWeek, ...6th day/night season of the WorkWeek (double up): ...for the morrow’s morning IS the Seventh day/night sAbbAth's season. Emet ❤️ What was Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob considered before the 12 tribes were born? ...And before Yahu'Sha the anointed Hebrew Messiah, rather than the Roman religion's man-made diety with the Greek name that has no power and authority IN the Kingdom's throne. ...Go to (Genesis Chapters 15-17) and (Hebrews Chapter 11) to understand the Covenant Loyalty and 'Saving Will' Testimony of the Most High Ahb Yahu'Ah sovereign ❤️ ...They were all faithful, obedient, and walked with the Most High Sovereign IN UpRightNess, Kingdom MindSet Justice, and were SetApart from embedded pagan world religious conditioning and dogma. Tsion ❤️

[@ridgehilljillie9429]

​@@chericandream Baruk Haba Bashem Yahuah.

[@MephiticMiasma]

Yeah, I was asleep in bed when that tornado came through... it woke me up, and I couldn't figure out what the loud whistling sound was about... so I rolled over and went back to sleep. Next morning, I realized it had missed me by about an eighth of a mile.

[@citomp1240]

Brown bats, ticks, chiggers, deer and snakes. Yep, just like home.

[@netasedlak9454]

​@@Cold_Hard_Truth Copperheads and cottonmouths, cougars and black bears. Bobcats, ticks and poison ivy...part of a song I wrote.

[@msherry5]

Oh man those ticks. I once walked from my sister's front door to my car without bug spray, and I was covered in ticks.

[@Fly420]

Springfield homeowner here: This is renovator's paradise. It is relatively easy to purchase a raw shell for $20-25k. 30k buys something with the utilities on. 40k buys something rough, but livable for a family. 50k you are starting to buy a cosmetic project. One thing if you work at home: you must pick a place where the signal is strong or you get taken to the cleaners for phone/ISP. Some places do not have access. At all. But the advantage of that in a small town rehab makes prices even better, not to mention the welcome you will receive from the local Chamber of Commerce. The first few in a small town make the most money (or equity) of course. Materials for site prep, common mechanicals, and structural are plentiful if not cheap, but cosmetics generally require shipping. Amazon and UPS are excellent here. Crime: stay out of the trailer parks. I have done projects in St Louis, Cincinnati and Minneapolis. It's easier here.

[@stanburk7392]

Stay out of the trailer parks? I grew up in a trailer park In western Canada and that's kind of universal I think. just out of curiosity have you watched trailer park boys?

[@WilliamMurphy-tj7il]

Springfield...STAY OUT OF SPRINGFIELD if your talking crime! Illegals are everywhere as well as city trash junkies.

[@eeleye733]

as a prospective homebuyer in Springfield for the last 4 years, your price estimates are WAY off. must be nice to be makin money though

[@marlinweekley51]

I was born and raised in Mo Ozarks. I moved away after college for work 50 years ago but go back regularly, it’s where I feel at home. Many of my ancestors are buried there and I make the pilgrimage and tend their graves at multiple small cemeteries every year.

[@LivinginBranson]

That's good to hear, I feel the same way. Most of my dad's ancestors are buried here too. Thanks for watching my channel!

[@flyonwall360]

When I was a kid, my parents took us on a summer vacation to Missouri. Growing up in upstate NY, there were very few flat open spaces, and as a kid, I brought my model rockets. Well, we never did get a chance to launch the rockets but we did go to the Ozarks. The one thing that I remember about the Ozarks is how they are similar to the Adirondack Mountains. About 14 years ago I left NY for work in Wisconsin. I miss the mountains. Like the Ozarks, the small town atmosphere is unique. The Ozarks and the Adirondacks are not as grand as the Rockies but they have their own charm the truly makes them special.

[@LivinginBranson]

Yes I agree! The Adirondack Mountains are similar, I've taken a couple trips up there..there's a lot beautiful places in NY.

[@weekendmom]

Down in Arkansas we have the Ozarks and the Ouchitas, which are two different ranges of mountains and hills, but often are categorized as the same.

[@ControlsEngineerOne]

South Missouri was amazing! Every weekend I would go on drives through the hills & back roads and get lost (in a good way). There’s a curve that looks over a valley on the way from Springfield to Cassville that is beyond imagination. Sugar Hollow I think that valley is. The most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen. I’ve drove over hill tops that were borderline scary, forded creeks and all that fun. The drive to Branson on Rt 76 is amazing. If you’re afraid of heights, I’d suggest a pass. Had I found another job in my career field that paid more than $20-25 an hour I would had stayed. Now in Wisconsin, and not impressed by any means, but I’m stuck here for the next 2 yrs. Once my side home improvement business takes off, or a decent day job opens up in my engineering field. I’ll pack up and head back down south. The people are super cool as well. Certainly the best place I’ve ever lived. Also noting, rented a 1500 sq’ house for the same price I’m now paying for half of that in an apartment.

[@frankfighter6409]

Very nice presentation honest and sincere.

[@stevepeyton9073]

From March to June 1980 I did basic training at Leonard Wood Grew up in south east Ohio To me Missouri felt like home

[@Bugsybear2]

I've liven mostly in Missouri and SE Ohio. I love the Ozarks. We have as many chiggers here in Ohio.

[@HarveyTalksPrison]

I grew up between Ft Wood and Rolla

[@tomlewis28]

​@HarveyTalksPriso My dad's family is from the Jerome/Newburg/Doolittle areas. I bet we're related lol

[@brenm4894]

Ticks, chiggars, copperheads, scorpions, bob cats, bears, armadillos (tearing up the yard) and we grow more rocks than anything else!! As a gardener- I miss the rich black prairie soil I had in IL…but will never go back there. Crazy weather and all… it can be frustrating- but we love it.

[@poppyd434]

Raised beds! 😊

[@brenm4894]

@ Yep!!! Its the only way to go!

[@anthonygerber8261]

I'm from the Northeast and had spent several months in MO back in 2012 - 2013 for work. It was a beautiful area.

[@universallaw8850]

Washington County Missourian here I'm located approximately 3 hours we visit every year with our 2 sons and we absolutely love the scenery. We also live out in the sticks so i totally relate to ticks and chiggers being horrible but I'd rather deal with them then the big city life any day. Missouri is a awesome conservative state to live in sure the cities suck but the small towns are truly amazing.

[@ZER0_G]

Sounds inviting! I've visited Washington and neighboring counties from out of state and I love the vibe. Beautiful landscape too.

[@LivinginBranson]

Hello! I'm glad you and your family are loving it here. Thanks for the kind comment!

[@universallaw8850]

@@ZER0_G Washington Co has tons of Forrest , small rivers and Creeks to explore. We really enjoy living here and don't plan on moving any time soon .

[@ZER0_G]

@@universallaw8850 Sweet! Adventure. Side note, I enjoyed my first ever pork steak during my last visit too.

[@andyokus5735]

My " Pluto " line runs through there. Safer to stay out of there.

[@billybobwombat2231]

I grew up listening to the Ozark mountain daredevils in Australia, I made it one of my life goals to go there, 12 years ago I rode through it on a motorcycle, I didn't see any Ozark mountain daredevils, but I did see a dead skunk on the side of the road, my first skunk, I also saw many many dead armadillos.

[@LivinginBranson]

Oh yeah..Jackie Blue! I remember seeing them play 20yrs ago!👍

[@billybobwombat2231]

@@LivinginBranson lucky you, it was just vinyl for me 🤙🦘

[@Giles29]

I grew up in the Ozarks. It is funny, I don't remember ever seeing an Armadillo at all but now everybody I know that still lives there is complaining about them.

[@billybobwombat2231]

@@Giles29 I think I saw my first one on my ride in Missouri on my way south

[@frankenz66]

​​@@Giles29They migrated south in the 1980's. I never remembered seeing any until the 1980's. They were not a enough to be a problem as they are now either.

[@rjoetting7594]

I was born in the Ozarks, South West Missouri. And most of my family is still there, myself. I've lived all over the country from California to Virginia, where I currently live. Every time time I go back to visit, it feels like I am home again, but I don't have that feeling when I come back to Virginia. I've always loved the Ozarks, fishing, hunting, exploring caves, and hiking. I also love to take motorcycle rides through the winding back roads. If you enjoy nature, it's an endless paradise. As for as tornadoes go, in-between Springfield and Seymour there have been quite a few. I grew up outside of Strafford and lived in a valley and never experienced a tornado 🌪 there. I also lived in south central Arkansas, and Wichita ks, and Tulsa ok, and tornadoes were quite common. I personally seem many of them.

[@henninggoerdler2270]

Do you live in a flat part of Virginia, like Southside or Tidewater? My sole visit to the Ozarks reminded me of SWVA.

[@rjoetting7594]

@henninggoerdler2270 If you look up Blackstone va, that is the closest town from where I live. I'm a civilian employee at Fort Barfoot. (Formally Fort Pickett) heavy equipment operator.

[@KevinBrooks-en8ur]

We sold our home in Colorado at the market peak in April, 2022, and ultimately bought a home in Missouri, at least in part because it's not too hot, not too cold, with relatively low humidity. Not to mention low property taxes. We live in a small/medium town of 47,000.!

[@tracistewart5122]

Carrie you rock. I have worked with realtors before but none that worked as hard as you did to find us a home in Kimberling. We are so excited about the upcoming move. We are looking forward to four seasons and a lot of time on the lake this spring and summer. Thank you so much!

[@LivinginBranson]

Thank you Traci! I'm excited for your move! ❤😊

[@paulhenson4434]

Kimberling city and surrounding area's is nice. Enjoy

[@jeffstull2534]

My wife and I have vacationed in Jasper, Ark for 15 years now. We totally love the Ozarks. I was raised in the Appalachians of Western Pennsylvania so I'm used to mountain life.

[@thepitpatrol]

Jasper is an amazing place but is under attack now by the government and the Waltons.

[@kaywaits4616]

Isn’t jasper such a quaint little town? I drive there every great once in a while when I want to go home and choose to drive scenic hwy 7 going down. I was born in southwest Arkansas and it has some of the prettiest country that most people have no idea about.

[@lindacrawford8777]

@@kaywaits4616. We’ve lived in Jasper going on 50 years. It has been wonderful and we will certainly die here. Did you ever have a sandwich at Crawford’s Store?

[@bayoulafourche]

I live in Fayetteville Arkansas but I've always loved jasper.

[@lindacrawford8777]

@@bayoulafourche Yes. We moved in 1979 in the “Back to the Land” movement. Best decision ever. Jasper is unique.

[@TheOzarkExplorer]

Carrie Ann has done a great job of describing the area and the folks who live here, and what to expect if you move here. My wife and I and our children moved here about 30 years ago. To be honest we've never had any issues acclimating or fitting in.

[@LivinginBranson]

Thank you! ❤️😊

[@HarveyTalksPrison]

She did an excellent job of describing it

[@mavfin8720]

People usually have to *work at* not fitting in. But, the ones that do, really should take the cue and go somewhere else. We're not difficult to get along with, generally.

[@christopherbennett4559]

North Arkansas has been on my mind for years. I live in Louisiana. The plants here like ExxonMobil shell, etc.pay good money, but now I am older, and the money doesn't matter anymore . No bills. I have spent years going up once a year to stay in cabins and camping. I have a farm and I was raised old school. Off grid is OK with me. Arkansas line is so beautiful, and I love the peace and quiet of those hills. Country boy paradise. ❤

[@terriodom4266]

Thank you so much for this video. I really appreciate it. I was born and raised in Fayetteville Arkansas. My grandparents at one time lived in Shell knob, Missouri while my grandfather was running the road grader to make the big arch. Then they moved to Dutch Mills Arkansas. That’s my old stomping grounds. I’m 70 and I was transplanted into Texas when I was 19 but my heart belongs in Arkansas.❤🙏🙏🙏😇

[@jmikew417]

You left off mountain lions under the critters. Also when we moved to Missouri we were told the number thing that grows are rocks (I thought it was a joke, but it's true). I have seen bob cats while hunting. We have lived here for 15 years now in one of those small towns and have found that the majority of the people are friendly and just good down to earth people.

[@LivinginBranson]

Yes you are right!!!🫣 We have those too just a lot more bobcats though:) Down to earth is a good way put it. Thank you!

[@silverbackag9790]

Don’t forget sasquatches. Though I’d rather have them than Californians.

[@rocktech7144]

Shannon county here.Your description is Very fresh and accurate. I live inside the national forest. We have everything including chicks and tiggers. Been here 7 years and I am not leaving.

[@LivinginBranson]

I live very close to the national forest too! Thanks for watching!

[@DSonthehomestead]

My husband and I moved to the MO Ozarks with our youngest five kids 3 years ago. We bought undeveloped land and have been making it into a wonderful off grid homestead. We are in a very rural area but near a couple of small towns and found a wonderful church and amazing community. Love it here!!! Best people very!

[@playdohsrepublic3562]

I only lasted 3 months in CA when I was 22. Two miles from the beach. Had to get back to my Arkansas hills and hollers. I have to be around people with this southern accent. It soothes my soul. We are quite a ways from the Ozark foothills but the Boston Mountains are just north of us. There are other parts of America that are just as stunning as these hills. But home is home. Some people like those dry, scruffy Arizona parts, I'm sure.

[@LivinginBranson]

I love southern accents as well! I have to cross the line into AR to hear it, I also have a close friend from Mississippi and I just love hearing her talk!

[@gloriafrazier7334]

Appreciate your video Carrie I was born and raised in Missouri but now live in the deep South. I love it here except for the tornadoes and hurricanes and well even more humidity. I do miss the stronger changes in seasons and the streams,creeks, hills and Ozarks. I lived in St. Louis county, Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Kirksville. Have family in Ozark, Nixa ,Salem ,Frederktown,St. Louis and surrounding small towns. My husband grew up in Springfield. You can move away from Missouri but will always be a Missourian. 😊

[@ricktoole9991]

My family has been in Florida since the mid 1800 , my state is being ruined ! So many people are moving here and screwing up the whole state

[@LivinginBranson]

It's crazy to think everyone is moving east, instead of moving west!

[@NarleyAdventures]

I have to agree Florida has been pretty much ruined. I moved to FL 40 years ago when there were only mosquitoes and gators. Will be leaving in a few months for good.

[@LivinginBranson]

Let me know if you're coming our way! @@NarleyAdventures

[@paulinedye5479]

Same with Colorado. Way to many out of staters coming here and ruining our great state.

[@deepbludude4697]

Dude i lived in Fl space coast. Cant take the invasion. moved to the Ozarks bought 80 acres w house outbuildings creeks n ponds. Under 80k. Best move ever.

[@MsMadmax1]

I moved to Central Missouri 6 years ago--Jefferson City to be exact. We moved her to care for an elderly family member. I can honestly say, for the most part I've enjoyed it. The downside to living here is that depending on where you are in JC, the soil is rocky and poor quality for growing a vegetable garden. In fact, it's taken 6 years of adding black dirt, compost and manure and the soil still stinks, The second thing I discovered living here is the almost unbearably hot summers. Yes, I have air-conditioning but the heat and humidity here are insufferable (I moved here from NW Illinois). I feel trapped in my house during the long summer months which begin in Mid-May and don't end until Mid-October. And third, we want to move out away from the city once we retire to a more rural area. While home prices in towns and cities is very reasonable, we want a little more space between ourselves and our neighbors. I can't get over how expensive rural properties are in this state. And if you want to live down around the Lake of the Ozarks--forget it. I can't afford to pay attention there. But it does have some very nice qualities. Most of my neighbors are wonderful kind, caring people. It's fairly conservative, clean and has very little crime when compared to other cities and states.

[@terryjeffries3233]

Yes it’s outrageous here at lake of the ozarks born and raised 5 minutes from the lake roads named after my family here

[@michaelduggar5897]

I moved just outside the ozark to New Madrid Mo. love it here. Missouri and the kindness of the people make it a great place to live if you want to leave the city life.

[@LivinginBranson]

Nice! That's awesome!

[@annettegilstrap8261]

I was born around the😅 Ozarks and love every inch of it. I now live in flat country and miss my mountains very much and keep hoping one day to move back.

[@LivinginBranson]

Hello there, I know the feeling, I tend to get lost and disoriented on flat ground 😄

[@cameliawilks2049]

I’m a Texan, but I have always loved the Ozarks. I’m sure there are many challenges there, but here in Southeast Texas we have our challenges as well, the worst being hurricane season. And our summers are brutal. My favorite place is Eureka Springs, Ark. I have always wanted to relocate and move to the Ozarks. I’m retired now and would love to move, but all my family is here, so much for that idea. Love your channel and all the information you give us on the Ozarks.

[@LivinginBranson]

Thanks so much for watching and for your nice comment! Hope you at least get to visit soon.

[@OSCOCAT]

You mentioned the weather man and my first thought was "you mean Ned?" I haven't lived in the Ozarks in 20 years but that man is a bastion of Ozark weather knowledge.

[@jillwhite5373]

Not Ned Reynolds! He was the sports guy. Do you mean Tom Dye?

[@OSCOCAT]

@@jillwhite5373 Oh, yeah! You're right! My bad. I haven't lived there in 30 years now since I graduated high school. My memory must be slipping! But every time I visit, some things never change. I swear, that Ned Reynolds is going to outlive me!

[@charlesharper7292]

Love that part of Missouri. I lived in Lincoln with my grandparents for many years. Just down the road from Truman dam

[@charityhutton6719]

You should add to that if something is broken.. it will be a while to get it fixed. No one is in a hurry to get things done. No one.

[@LivinginBranson]

Yes no one is in a rush here...its true!

[@tad3900]

Moved here from the northwest. Bit of a change but we did our homework. We weren't shy about getting plugged in to our local community governmental and faith. We got to know our neighbors right away. We love it here.

[@HawthronRose43-fx3rc]

I moved here from Arizona in 2022. I love Missouri. Your money goes very far here! The area is beautiful and the people are lovely.

[@LivinginBranson]

That's awesome!! ❤️

[@JS-jh4cy]

Most city people don't need to bother coming to the Ozarks except for tourism

[@mrs8792]

I wouldn’t worry, the snakes and ticks alone will drive them away.

[@jwells3315]

What's to tour? WOODS AND TOOTHLESS HILLBILLIES, no thanks keep it!

[@augustsouza8982]

thats why hundreds flock here to ride the hundreds of bike trails or fish our rivers for trout and other game fish. i do agree the Ozarks are not for simps. as far as toothless hillbillies.. Let's talk about the toothless crack heads in your cities least we know what bathrooms to use, just sayin.

[@tiffanymartin8988]

It's so funny because where I live they moved in during covid and now their trying to sell their houses for triple what they paid for and are trying to leave as fast as possible. Another thing they like to do is try to start a business and dump hundreds of thousands into it and go bankrupt.

[@tiffanymartin8988]

​@jwells3315 the hill billies are great it's the crack heads that are annoying.

[@charlesharper7292]

When I was living in Lincoln, the general store was a GENERAL STORE. Everything from clothes to ammo to tractor parts. Now a friend owns it, and turned it into a nice antique shop.

[@maryleigh8990]

It has always been my dream to move to rural MO when I retire...I had no idea I would not be welcome, I am glad you opened my eyes because those people sure had me fooled for decades...

[@LivinginBranson]

That's not true of everyone, and that was not my intention in the video,The Branson area is a melting pot of retired folks from all over and has been thar way for over 50 years.

[@PuncleLeonard]

​@@LivinginBransontry finding someone in Branson under 65 yrs old who isn't currently or formerly a meth addict! Spent a couple of years living in that scumbag little hell hole, you can have it!

[@kevinbenoit7167]

In Maine we have a saying, you can’t get there from here. It means town A has no road to go to town B, so you have to go to town C then go to town B. It take an hour to get anywhere due to that. Maine also only has one highway it goes North and South, so east and west is all side roads.

[@tessab.2065]

In my area of the Ozaks, we say, " You can't hardly get there from here."

[@jeffengland9913]

I live in the Appalachian mountains. Up in the blue ridge. We love life here. We don't need or want outsiders moving here.

[@LivinginBranson]

I imagine its very similar!

[@brianfitch5469]

We feel the same in the deep south. However id rather have mountain folk move here then far northern or out west where they made their states blue hellholes.

[@Navyuncle]

@jeffengland9913 Old Jeffy Boy...you don't have to worry about outsiders moving in. My mother-in-law is moving there next week. She's as onary as a polecat and as ugly as a crocodile. With her as you neighbor, people won't stay too long.

[@kaywaits4616]

I use to live there too! North Georgia, north of Cleveland, GA. Love love love loved it! Nowhere like it! I’m a Texas girl at heart but if I were to move again, I’d have to pick the North Georgia Mountains over Texas. I’d move back in a heartbeat if my daughter would let me take my grandson! Did I say how much I love those mountains? If not, I LOVE those mountains! Btw, I now live in the Missouri Ozarks. No comparison but there is some beautiful country here for sure.

[@kathymc234]

I grew up in the Appalachian Mtns. I just watched a video about the Appalachian State of Franklin. You might enjoy it.

[@juditholivares597]

My family and I lived in Branson for almost a year I loved it..its so beautiful

[@LivinginBranson]

Yes it is!

[@CombatDoc54]

I caught a black bear on my dash cam just last week in Branson West. It was crossing the road by Ace Hardware. Then about 2 weeks before that, I caught a Bob Cat around 2 A.M. on my home security camera chasing a neighbors dog. When the Leap Year tornado hit, I was out on my back deck around 1 A.M. It hit TRL about 100 yards from our house. I was just getting ready to go inside and a down burst came down on one of my 52 Cedar trees and just snapped it in half. The next morning, my wife's boss called and told her she didn't have to come to work that day because the motel where she worked at was destroyed. It was the Kimberling Inn. So I went there to check it out and it was absolutely destroyed. There was a bass fishing tournament and those poor guy's boats were also destroyed. One pick up truck had a 2x4 shoved right through the passenger side door. There was a guy staying on the 3rd floor and he got down between the beds and that whole south side all just completely collapsed right in front of his head. I go to the VA in Fayetteville 3 or 4 times a year and just across the Kimberling bridge about a mile or so, dump trucks started bring in dirt on this property just off of Hwy 13 about 3 years ago, now it's a huge mountain with million dollar homes on it. I just hope this area doesn't end up like Lake of the Ozarks. You forgot to mention the rattlesnakes.. Western Pygmy, Timber and Massasauga and scorpions. My son got bit by a pygmy Rattler on his thumb. He thought it was a baby hognose. His wife took him to Branson, they ended up giving him 2 vials of anti-venom at 20K per vial!! We stay away from Branson in the Summer, 76 is the only moving parking lot in the U.S. You just have to know the back roads to get from point A to point B.

[@LivinginBranson]

Yes I probably could do a whole video on snakes and how to kill the bad ones! Too many people kill the black snakes here, which is too bad because they kill the bad venomous ones. Thanks for your comments, I didn't realize there's bears in Kimberling?? Sounds like you've been living here a long time?

[@commonsense246]

I can top that, we have one on our back deck from time to time. But he's a gentleman.

[@susieserb6068]

did the neighbor's dog get killed? 🫣

[@CombatDoc54]

@@susieserb6068 All I know is the dog is still around. I do have a few videos I posted of a fox that has been visiting here lately. One of the videos is of one of the outside stray, feral cats scaring and chasing the fox away.

[@rrrr67rrrr]

We live in rural Barry County, MO, & we love it here! Winters can be hard to get around, especially with ice! Spring rains bring flooding, and sometimes storms produce high winds & tornados. If it's not flooded, there are trees blocking the road, always something! Four wheel drive is a must! Yes, there are snakes, bobcats, bears, coyotes, armadillos, skunks, and plenty of white tail deer, gotta share our space with the wildlife. Ticks, chiggers, fleas, and wasps are a nuisance, so bug spray is a must as well. You just gotta be prepared for anything in the Ozarks. I love the laid-back, slow pace, the creeks, hills, trees, and just peacefulness I find here. It is absolutely beautiful!

[@paulayala4816]

Tornado's are something I was aware of and as long as you have plenty of notice and a place to hunker down they don't seem as dangerous as an unannounced earthquake. I think one of the critters I wanted to know more about were Water Mocassins. The likelyhood of running into one on water or land. I've dealt with plenty of rattlesnakes, but they don't swim.

[@LivinginBranson]

Hi Paul, yes we usually see at least one water snake when we go kayaking on the rivers, more so on the James River. Sometimes they like to sun themselves on a rock and are usually on the edge and won't attack unless you mess with them.

[@bobbydee1187]

Water is an essential part of a rattlesnake's life, and they have no qualms about swimming in it - even if it's just to cool down. They are good swimmers and can hold their breath for long periods of time. They are pretty buoyant too, thanks to their scales and the surface tension of water.

[@paulayala4816]

@@bobbydee1187 Great! There goes the plunge pool in the backyard of my home in Kingman.

[@SuperLooneyrooney]

With all the small streams in the area, you WILL run into water mocassins at some point if you are active on those areas Just be aware and cognizant of that when you are close to shorelines of these rivers/streams. The diamondbacks are harder to see as they camouflage much better in the forest floor.

[@rayguest6851]

Oh Yes they will! With their rattles up out of the water

[@anarchistatheist1917]

The thing about tornadoes in the Ozarks is that the tri state tornado of march 1925 started northwest of Ellington, Missouri. Though it reached it's peak size, speed, and strength in southern illinois. And of course that was before severe weather warnings, and before storm spotters.

[@handimanjay6642]

Retired from the Navy in 97’. We lived in central Missouri for 14 years. I studied the area and picked a spot on the Ozarks plateau because of the rarity of tornadoes. Loved it there been stuck in So California for 12 years and can’t wait to get back to Missouri living, soon we hope.

[@LivinginBranson]

sounds nice! there's some beautiful areas in central MO as well!

[@georgekelley4858]

My family home steded in Stone, and Taney County's. Now live in north west Missouri, retired I remember when the culture was knowing people for miles around . Grandfather cut stave bolts where the road was that went between Lakeviwe and Branson . Used to navigate by hills which one i was on .When we come down to go to cemeteries it makes me sad to see the changes, people are still somewhat friendly as they were . It is still home to me and will always be.may God bless each one that makes the Ozarks their home.

[@LivinginBranson]

I have memories of my family knowing everyone around, and going to visit your neighbors was a normal thing to do several times a year. So yes those were the good Ole days!! 👍

[@bigdawgz4530]

A very honest assessment of the Ozarks. I moved here from Pennsylvania a decade ago because I wanted a slower lifestyle in an area that valued it's natural beauty & retained its old-fashioned values. I like to say that I went on a search to find my Mayberry & I located it in the Ozarks. But, yes, if you're not prepared to live a simple life & find joy in that simplicity, the Ozarks are definitely NOT where you want to be.

[@CR03_Outdoor_Adventures]

I love mountains. I am heavily considering Missouri as a good state to start a homestead in. I lived in west Pennsylvania my whole life so if I moved somewhere without mountains I know I would really miss them.

[@LivinginBranson]

That's great! We have a lot of people here that are into homesteading, or have moved here for that reason. It's similar to Pennsylvania with a hilly landscape too. Here's my email if you'd like to chat about properties! 🙂 [e-mail]

[@ITBubba1]

Keep in mind. the ground here is rockier than the Rocky Mtns I came from ! Own a post hole digger ? Leave it behind, it's useless here !

[@Snarkapotamus]

We live in SW MO and came from Western PA about 20-years ago because I got tired of shoveling snow every other day. We had friends with a home on Table Rock Lake and visited one October and decided to move to the area. The Branson area is pretty hilly and similar to Western PA's terrain but the further north you go towards Springfield, it gets flatter. The woodlands are different here. Where you're at, it's mostly hardwoods with high canopies and open forest floors. Here's, most woodlands have a lot more softwoods and undergrowth allowing for lots of bad bugs and ragweed. As for culture, compared to the NE with all the different ethnic groups, it's culturally sterile. The people can be really cold, but you get used to it after while. Would I move here again? In a word, no.

[@LivinginBranson]

@Snarkapotamus Thank you for explaining the Ozarks woods.. absolutely right on the forest. It is rough country, and so many don't fully understand that. As for our culture here, well we have our own culture here yes. It's been an isolated place for so long and we have not had a wide variety or blend of culture happening over a long period of time like you do on the east coast. Here, we can be rough and rugged like the landscape, but the majority of folks here are "salt of the earth" friendly people.

[@mattycakes1161]

This is the Pennsylvania of the West, as it's called. A lot of people moved here from Pennsylvania to settle this place.

[@Robert-r5r3r]

My Grandpa told me once don't fix it if it isn't broke but getting up in age over the years I learned I rather fix it before it's broke so I am not broke down in the rain or snow fixing something on the side of the road but I see his point like save your money but it's just not usually the case for me.

[@LivinginBranson]

I hear ya! Its better to maintain things instead of letting them fall apart totally!

[@geraldmiller2236]

If it isn't broke I usually end up breaking it anyway.

[@2012NewStart]

I was born in the woods of Howell County Missouri. My family moved to Idaho and then to Kansas. So I remember being car sick. I remember scorpions. I remember snakes. And ticks. The lakes and rivers beautiful. The springs have delicious water. The trees. are pretty. But I love the flat prairies and wide highways of Kansas!!!

[@CFord-wu3in]

Excellent video! Wish I would have had you as our realtor when we moved to Warsaw, MO from Los Angeles! You have totally nailed the environment! We ended up moving after about 10 years. The culture is quite different in the Midwest compared to a big city and even if you've lived there 10 years, you're still considered an "outsider". We moved to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas and love it here.

[@LivinginBranson]

I can imagine Warsaw would be a culture shock from LA! It's fairly remote around Truman lake..thanks for watching!

[@angiehorn9417]

Love the lake there in Warsaw. Truman Lake- been going there for over 30 years. My family has property there. WE LOVE IT !!!

[@calvinheisten7474]

Your Vids are so informative. Great job. City of Branson does a great job clearing off the snow on the main streets. BTW I was in the Joplin tornado. Scary stuff.

[@LivinginBranson]

Wow I didnt know that Calvin! 😳 That's scary!

[@davidvogel6359]

I live in Independence mo and we lived in the Phoenix Az area for 8 years so we would travel through Joplin on our way to I-40. we went through just after the bad tornado. we were seeing the tandem axle truck and trailers going to and from the damaged areas and the fema site. we were on I-44 and went past the huge US flag and wept and prayed for the people who had lost their lives, homes and businesses from the tornado.

[@wcstrawberryfields8011]

Yep. Bodies never found or identified. Not even a tooth. Unreal.

[@sharinnature]

I'm near Ava and we have a swarm of dragonflies that come out before the sun goes down and they are feasting on bugs .I have never seen so many chiggers and ticks 😳Other then that we love it here❣️Thanks so much for such good information! I was raised in Illinois and raised my kids there but when they were grown I moved to Eastern Washington state for almost 10 years then decided on Missouri to be closer to my kids across the river but WIW do I wish I had come here when younger❣️🙏

[@LivinginBranson]

You're welcome! Dragonflies are so beautiful, love it! It sounds like you're very happy here.

[@db477]

I moved here 25 years ago, lol I have seen the ground move with ticks and chiggers suck. but all in all it's not bad. never seen a bear or sign, yet depends on area your in. camped in bad weather, some blow through fairly quick some that stuck around a bit, so far so good. encountered my first ice storm here, that was a learning exp. lived through the one in 07 no power for 10 days, that was awesome. anyway we get it all around here.

[@LivinginBranson]

Thanks for your comment! I've seen 3 bears so far at 3 different times!

[@sethmurry4712]

I'm from missouri just a little bit north of the ozarks but I love the way you represented us The only thing I can see that you left out is the still have a pretty good population of people that process their own Meet meaning butchering in our backyard

[@dudleydooright6181]

I truly appreciate your honesty throwing in good wit

[@LivinginBranson]

Thank you so much!

[@dalegunter6700]

I both enjoyed and was amused by your commentary on the Oxarks. I grew up in Ozark and have lived in North Arkansas since college in the early 70s. It is all true.

[@LivinginBranson]

👐Hello there! This is the best comment ever! Thank you!!!!

[@jasondobbins1137]

The lake of the ozarks has a bunch of good resteruants and food. Better then alot of big cities I have visited. FYI

[@LivinginBranson]

Great suggestion! Yes I bet they do!

[@JeffreyLange-mm9md]

@@LivinginBranson You need to come up and spend a week at our lake. Might see a bear swimming across it or could finally see a bobcat or mountain lion.

[@Robertmacmedia]

Carrie I’m happy that I moved here only thing I did wrong was not get a place with 15 to 30 acres ,I will be looking for property with or without a house in 2024 or 25 , tornadoes 🌪️ that’s why I have insurance, I’ve only seen strong winds and hail which put a few holes in my siding of the house 🏠 no problem I can say the people in my neighborhood are great and everyone watches out for each other

[@LivinginBranson]

Acreage is always a good thing to buy here! Glad you're enjoying it here so far. If there's anything I can help you with, let me know. thanks!

[@Robertmacmedia]

@@LivinginBranson I will contact you once I sell a couple of the California homes

[@ugaladh]

Allergies - many spring allergies because it can be tree pollen ( wide variety of trees, not all evergreens) or grasses. Fall allergies are almost always Ragweed, and there is plenty of that. The Ozark Forest is one of the few remaining Oak-Hickory forests left in the US.

[@byronpyles996]

I had an incredible time in Branson and the Hercules Glades area of Mark Twain National Forest a couple of years ago. Pleasant surprise and I want to return. The people were the nicest I've met anywhere I've ever been.

[@LivinginBranson]

Awsome! 😀

[@AdventureIndiana]

I had the great opportunity to go to Rock Bridge many years ago to do some trout fishing. It was in middle of no where, not a lot to do and not a lot going on. I loved! You are right on the curves. I wish I had a log cabin there where I could go fishing and a porch to sit and do wood carving

[@LivinginBranson]

I know Rockbridge very well, we had family gatherings there every year through the early 2000's . It's an amazing place and relaxing!

[@OpenYourMind313]

Thank you for making this video. I absolutely loved it & the positive message your sending.

[@LivinginBranson]

Thank you! ❤️😊

[@zigzag9133]

More ticks than you will see in a lifetime.

[@LivinginBranson]

yep! there are ways to avoid them sometimes, but not all the time

[@michaelschranz5666]

Get some guinnies. They definitely help reducing the tick population.

[@AtticusMaxiMillian43]

And mosquitoes

[@Piper7cub]

Yes..... We are picking about 50-60 ticks a day off of each of our dogs a day! One day they had over 100 ticks each. We have tried all kinds of sprays on them, collars, tick medication. Even with the tick medication, the ticks still bite the dogs and still cause itching - our border collie itches and scratches 24/7 and is miserable, and a lot of the ticks don't fall out and we have to pick out dead ticks. It's crazy. I do not like chemicals and did not want to spray anything but my husband and I have had to spray our clothes and our bodies when we go outside and we still get ticks on us somehow. It's only one or two but we both are highly reactive to them and I will get blisters the size of a grape....even if the tick just bit me. It's crazy! I never knew ticks could be this bad....I always heard of people going into the woods and to be careful of ticks but I thought you would get maybe....one or two with no protection or maybe you wouldn't get any at all. That is definitely not the case. Before moving here, we had never heard of seed ticks but that makes sense that ticks would have babies and we had never heard of chiggers. We are used to going outside in the summer where we are from and we were able to go anywhere without worry of anything and here, we feel we cannot go outside in the summer. We even have ticks in the garden. My husband sees them drawing on the mower. They are everywhere. We had planned on getting Chickens and Guinea's last year but due to having been in a car accident we are so far behind on everything and now we have to deal with the ticks which takes at least an hour out of our day every day. It is horrible.

[@avatarfin]

@@Piper7cub I lived in the Zarks for years, much time in the woods and rarely experienced ticks, not a problem at all.

[@peregrination3643]

My family is from all over, but we were in CO for my first 10 years and then moved to NW Ark before the boom. I think I scare CO people off when I explain humidity and chiggers, lol. My family wouldn't mind retiring away from the NWA area though. Smaller north Arkansas town. I'm a big hiker, so intend to stay central to the better trail hubs. And unlike CO, those hubs don't have crowds or ridiculous rules.

[@jerrysadler6100]

Thank you!! You have a wonderful way to explain yourself!! The area is almost a one of a kind area !! You can be as close or as far away from people as you wish!

[@gregpoe1993]

Gardener? Bring in some black dirt from northern mo. Too rocky to garden down here😂

[@josephmclennan1229]

Yes the soil sucks.

[@davidcampbell4465]

Hey, ever seen a rock garden? Rocks grow really well....😅

[@gregpoe1993]

@@davidcampbell4465 😆

[@gregpoe1993]

@@davidcampbell4465 I'm a old school dirt and rock farmer from way back 😆

[@paulamaples8100]

The first year here I thought I had a bumper crop of rock. Love it in the Ozarks. I've been here since 1989

[@shanescott3168]

We like to visit the Branson area once or twice a year. I had a great experience fishing with a friend on Table Rock one spring. I can understand how your advice is true from our visits. We are staying in Branson next week for the Christmas shows and activities.

[@LivinginBranson]

Nice!! Have a great time!

[@SteveNoverini]

It’s great for a holiday season vacation!

[@johnlindner8065]

You're not old! Would you think about doing a real estate video on log homes available in the Ozarks? Thank you.

[@LivinginBranson]

Thanks! That's a great idea! I'll add it to the list:)

[@mainscorp9982]

If it aint broke, dont fix it! I feel like I say that at least once a week 😅 God I love my state, potatas and gravy, biscuits and all the fixins! Missouri aint for the faint at heart, so dont come here tryin to change us! We love the river, eatin, shootin guns, hunting, fishing and drinkin beer. There are endless things to do, we have beautiful sunsets and the most beautiful rolling hills and diverse terrain. My favorite thing about MO is you can literally see where the glaciers stopped in the last ice age. We are 1/2 rock and 1/2 flat its fascinating. You can find arrowheads up north and rocks as big as a house down south. We are a special kind of people here, so be ready to adapt❤

[@LivinginBranson]

Right on sister! Thanks for your comments. So many people don't understand or can't understand Ozarks cutlure. You either love it, or you don't, but we sure do have some special things about our area that you can't find anywhere else in the world!

[@tessab.2065]

Amen!

[@joaquinmojado]

Just make sure you get a porch so you can film the tornado before it gets close and that the basement is close to the porch entrance so it don’t take long to get cover. Because I am Missoura born and bred and when I die I’ll be Missoura dead.

[@marksellers4875]

WOW! A proud AND honest presentation of a storied region! Well done young Lady! My sister moved to Missouri last year, Thayer, and LOVES it. Except "all the food's fried."

[@LivinginBranson]

Lol! thanks so much!!!

[@aliensojourner]

Very honest and accurate presentation!

[@RICHARD-t1u9o]

You did an excellent job describing the area, pretty much summed it up.

[@LivinginBranson]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@WayneRogersOutdoors]

I have not even watched this video yet, but I am 1000% positive. You’re just going to make me want to move to Missouri tomorrow. I have been to Missouri many many times in my life. I love it there. I’ve never lived there so that might be a whole different thing. I am a realtor with ReeceNichols South Central Kansas. I hope the market is better for you guys than it is here.

[@maryadkins1661]

My grandparents were born in Shannon county. They moved to Colorado back in the 30s. They had 13 kids when they came here. Loved visiting them, and their stories.

[@LivinginBranson]

That's wonderful! ❤️

[@scottsozmtns7534]

I’m in the “Title Insurance”, part of real estate & Realtors talk people into pricing their house, land, farm or whatever in $$ people who live here can’t afford. Then we see the “out of staters”, they go through the buying of a lot of land, building a big house or remodeling one that they can never sell to people here as it was overpriced when they bought it in the first place, then they find out that all their money they saved in California or Illinois got them a nice home & land but getting a job here that pays like where they came from just doesn’t exist. All of the sudden, their beautiful farm & house they paid BIG $$ for is “Up For Sale”, & they go back. People here are untrusting of outsiders, they must watch them & see the “Out-of-Staters”, prove themselves to the families that’s lived here for generations. Are they easy to get along with, do they complain “your fence is 2”inches over on my property”, or they bring their “democratic”, politics with them & vote that way but never seem to understand that the reason they wanted to move here is because we are the exact opposite of their political views. That’s NEVER made sense to me. They spend a lot of their hard earned money & think “prices are so low here, we can basically retire”, then you see them working somewhere. They’ve found out, it costs to live here too, just like anywhere else! It surprises me that people from other states that move here just expect everyone to welcome them with open arms & smiling faces? Well, I hate to burst their bubbles but that’s not the case & especially with the last few years “outsiders”, have an even more difficult time moving & living here. Most people I know “Do NOT want them here, their politics, their “behavior as a neighbor”, the way they vote & in general the way they live & socialize”. People here DO NOT live like that wether its California or Maine, people here live their own way but for the “Out-of-Staters”, they think somehow they’ll change everything once they move here & show their neighbors how things are. It’s generally their 1st, Biggest & ultimately their LAST mistake, and it’s what will almost always in the end cause them to sell their home,land or their “5-acre Ranch”, as the weather, tics, hunting, close knit family neighbors & community people are not open to them & for them they see the exact opposite from the people they live by & moved here for in the first place. It’s a hard lesson, but we have unspoken rules, conduct & a set of values about how to live, how to treat your neighbors & they soon realize they’ve been talking about a certain person & then they find out “Oh my! There related to so-in-so?”. It’s their undoing & not much will help them ever truly integrate into the rural small communities. If your from another state, political views or other & want to live here? The best advice I can give you as an 8th Generation area resident is to be self sufficient, keep to yourself & don’t constantly bother your neighbors as it’s not helping you in any way but to cause your fellow neighbors to like you even less or distrust you more than they already did in the 1st place. It can take years for certain people to truly integrate & become accepted here and they don’t know that before going in & spending hundreds of thousands of dollars as they were never truly told the truth about their soon to be “perception”, by their new fellow neighbors. There’s a reason no one local bought their home or farm. It was priced so high from a Realtor that no one here can afford it but by this time, it’s already too late & your savings is gone & making a life here isn’t near as easy as you were led to believe. Just telling you the truth folks!! Sorry, but it can be painful at times. So my advice is stay where you are, take all that money & buy yourself a nice home where you’ve lived in California, Illinois or New York as most likely you won’t be entirely welcome here, if ever. Sorry.😣

[@ginaperry2599]

Thank God not everyone has your opinion! But give people the benefit of the doubt before you start judging them! 🤷

[@AWayfaringstranger180]

What does the gospel say about the stranger?

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

@@ginaperry2599what is wrong with locals loving their way of life and not wanting outsiders ruining the lifestyles they enjoy. Blue staters routinely escapee the cesspools they created while going to states they previously put down as backwards. Kind of hypocritical

[@mikeburrill779]

Sounds like a nice place. Wonder what the gun laws are. Like

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

@@mikeburrill779 gun laws in Missouri favor the honest not the criminal

[@AdventureswithP.C.Wabash6057]

I dont want people moving here either. WHY? they dont change how they vote.They left because they were dissatisfied with the crap happening to them. YET COME HERE and vote the same idiotic way. They changed nothing except a good place into a crappy place.

[@jeffs9302]

I'm moving there and I don't plan on changing the way I vote. I voted for Trump and I intend to vote for him again. You are right, I am dissatisfied with the crap that is happening in my blueish state. But I just can't bring myself to vote for a liberal or a RINO. Sorry. Maybe you would be well advised to change the way your vote.

[@AdventureswithP.C.Wabash6057]

@jeffs9302 think you missed the point. I am talking about people leave CA come to a Republican state but vote the CA way. Why did they leave? They leave the ultra liberal state only to come and still vote ultra liberal why leave. Hopefully this clears it up. Jumped to the wrong conclusion. .

[@GrandmaKW]

I’m from the Ozarks, born and raised. I will always vote blue! 😊

[@a4000t]

We here is Texas have all but lost Austin to the liberals from California,they make a mess out of any place they move to and keep voting their failed policy in that made them move in the first place.

[@bobharris6095]

Fantastic video. Thank you for all the wonderful info! You might be getting "older", but you are certainly not old! ;-)

[@LivinginBranson]

Well thank you very much Bob! appreciate you watching!

[@wolfheart3085]

I moved to St Robert More in 2019 after living in Ca. I was born in Kansas City in 1951 and I am so glad to be back. I love it here! So don't be afraid to move to Mo!

[@TruthSeekerChik]

I’m from Lebanon, MO, lived in Kansas last 25 years. Miss it so much. My sons and grandkids are here, but if the world wasn’t so unstable, I would move back to my roots! Love and miss Missouri 💕

[@singmysong1167]

Missouri is such a beautiful state, with bubbling brooks and dramatic, colorful seasonal changes. I miss the snow. However, I'm disappointed that Missourians allowed Conservationists to re-introduce blackbear into the area. I lived there for many years and never saw one. I know all about the pros and cons too...watched videos concerning huge bear populations saturating and eventually taking over areas up north and the dangers added into their communities. Now living in Texas and recently was surprised when I read where conservationists are trying to introduce black bears in our mostly flat caveless state also! What!! We raise much cattle here and they literally roam the range in some places, so we definitely don't need blackbears hunting down our defenseless cows to fatten them up before they hibernate! And speaking of hibernation, where will they hibernate, if at all?

[@LivinginBranson]

Wow that's crazy! I would think the bears need to be around woods with berries to eat, not in the open plains of Texas. Anyway I have mixed emotions about bears living here. It makes me think twice when going for a walk:)

[@singmysong1167]

@@LivinginBranson ...well, Texas does have woods and some wimpy hills and berries do grow along some fence lines and near railroad tracks, but still not enough to fatten up multiple 500 lb. bears in every season. Our poor birds need those berries to survive here! Additionally our winter days are sporadic, mostly sunny, usually no snow, and the cold is short-lived. Lastly,, bears have no known predators to balance their numbers and the ecosystem, except for Man and his rifle, is my understanding. Therefore their numbers and presence and danger in each state increases annually.

[@johnfisher9969]

They reintroduced mountain lions in the hills close to Hannibal 25-30 years ago. One drug a horse down by its hind quarter and they claimed it was a pack of wild dogs.

[@MichaelSmith-kr9qw]

@@singmysong1167 The Black Bear is and was a native species of Missouri and the Ozark Region and is a integral part of the ecosystem they provide a natural means of controlling deer population and other predatory animals they also fertilize the soil with Nitrogen rich minerals from their droppings. Their existence on this planet is just a important as our own we all can cohabitate together. I am a Avid Hunter but I also believe we are all put on this planet for a purpose. Just remember you encroached on their territory not the other way around.

[@singmysong1167]

@@johnfisher9969 ...wow, that poor horse!

[@sabine3769]

The worst is winter ice

[@LivinginBranson]

I agree! We haven't had ice in several years, honestly can't remember when the last ice storm was.

[@LisaMitchell-f8e]

Probably will never need to worry about ice again. Now fires? Get ready.

[@joshuacarr1720]

​@@LisaMitchell-f8e We get so much rain in this area that it would take an extremely rare dry period to get things flammable in that way thankfully.

[@ZER0_G]

I'm planning to move to the region soon so this video is perfectly timed for me! It's right up my alley. I promise not feed any deer when I settle. 😂. Thanks for the tips on housing too.

[@LivinginBranson]

Great! Thanks for watching. We would love to help! My email is [e-mail]

[@margaretburnham5683]

I planning to move to southwest Missouri in about another year. I’m so excited and spend so much time researching.

[@LivinginBranson]

We would love to help with your move even if it's next year! Contact me directly at [e-mail]@@margaretburnham5683

[@allenra530]

I was heading north from Arkansas with a loaded semi, going up through Branson to get up to Illinois and I came over a ridge where all of the trees looked like they had been cut off with a giant lawnmower with a dull blade. The tornado had gone over the ridge and down into the valley, then over the next ridge and into the next valley before lifting. There were a lot of homes in that place that had tarps over the holes in the roofs. I saw a lot more tornado damage in Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas than I ever saw in Missouri. I live in Idaho and we have a gun culture here and a lot of hunting and fishing. Winter in Idaho lasts from October to April, so you have warmer weather than we do. We have grizzly bears that will eat you and bison and elk that will stomp you into road kill if you get too close to them. People ought to go to Missouri and buy homes with your help and stay away from Idaho.

[@Bextrovert1]

Springfield, MO has the best sushi restaurant I have ever had, and I travel a TON. Haruno is absolutely amazing. Flame is a restaurant that rivals any steak specialty house. Great grocery stores in Springfield?? Where?? There’s Hy-Vee, Price Cutter, Harter House, and Aldi. Which of these is “great”? How did you do your research??

[@LivinginBranson]

I've been to all of these places... no research needed. Haruno and Flame are both good, although I just tried Ariake for sushi, and it's way better! Hy-Vee is probably the best around for selection, and Aldis for best prices.