We are often asked why we decided to relocate, and especially why to Missouri? There are a number of reasons that played into the decision.
EMPLOYMENT
My 3rd departure (layoff) from BlueCross BlueShield in 2018 hit during the critical last few years before retirement when we were putting maximum dollars into savings. Unfortunately, I also found that no one was hiring 60 year old IT people. Those jobs are now more cheaply filled overseas. So, instead of griping, I returned to my roots driving truck. I thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors again, staying active and getting to meet lots of great people. But, I mistakenly thought I could get those jobs anywhere I went. Then Bidenomics careened into the picture and everything changed.
So DARN, I guess I am retired 😉
Similarly, after Sherry left Family of Christ, she was less than enamored with her role at Costco (but loved the people) and was ready to retire.
FINANCIAL
Compounding the situation detailed above, we came to realize we wouldn’t be able to stay in Lakeville at 1/3 my previous salary, so set about updating our house to get it ready for sale. While doing so, we researched various cost-of-living studies to narrow down our focus and found Idaho and the southern Midwest as the best options (financially). Seeking a warmer climate, we ruled out Idaho and concentrated on the Ozarks, having vacationed there (houseboat on the lake) many years ago.
Now that we’ve been here for over a year, we are astounded at how much we are saving. Our property taxes dropped from $4k+/year for a half acre in Lakeville, down to $400/year for 20 acres here. We have no water bill (w/private well) and garbage “service” is me hauling it to the recycle center at about $10/month. Gas (propane) cost is about $400/year since we heat mostly with wood. We also downsized (our mortgage) by purchasing a beautiful 20 acre farm for about $50k less than our Lakeville home sold for.
CLIMATE
That wood heating option is nice but is not needed for nearly half the year like it was up north. Our furnace wasn’t turned on until December. Throughout the winter, we’ll still get some days reaching the 60s and the 50s are quite common. What little snow falls down here easily melts in a few hours and by the end of February, spring has fully sprung!
COVID RESPONSE
A big factor wasn’t COVID itself, but rather the response to it by the government and others. We learned early on the best way to combat the disease was by keeping your immune system strong by remaining healthy (meaning diet and exercise). Of course this was met with scorn and ridicule from all those drinking the approved narrative Kool Aid – even though everything we said turned out to be true and everything pushed by the establishment turned out to be a LIE.
Once the *carditis issues started surfacing, my cardiologist recommended waiting on the jab until more was known. Of course, that meant I “was killing Grandma“. So once they began trying to mandate the jab, we knew we had to get out of there. It took another 18 months or so and 4 trips down to view properties before we finally bought our freedom – and not a moment too soon.
HEALTH
Beside avoiding another round of Myocarditis (which I had in my 20s), we were interested in growing/raising and consuming our own natural food. From the garden produce to fresh eggs to goats milk, our diet has improve immensely. I dropped from about 220 lbs at the move to about 180 now and feel great. My heart murmur is still there (as it has always been) but it doesn’t bother me at all. I may need a valve job in the future but there are hospitals here as well.
JUST A DAY AWAY
We wanted to be no further than a one day drive from MN and this fits the bill as it is about a 10 hour drive each way. We’ve made a few trips back together as well as a few more by ourselves – which is the norm now with many animals to care for. Luckily, each trip seems shorter and shorter.
- RURAL PERKS AND ROOM TO ROAM
Best of all is enjoying the peace and quiet. We can sit on our front porch in the evening and hear nothing but crickets, cicadas and Amish buggies clopping by. The stars are amazing! Our house isn’t large but has everything we need. With now a 6 car garage + a 6 car shop (w/mechanics pit), a tidy house as well as the small barn, we have room to do pretty much whatever we want without dealing with messy neighbors, HOA regulations or city codes.
The truly amazing aspect was that I found this property on a solo trip down since Sherry had to work that weekend and submitted the offer to buy it with only her verbal ok. Our MO realtor (Kay) had visited many properties with the both of us in prior trips so she was keen to what we BOTH wanted and Sherry trusted her judgement. I remember initially pulling into the driveway with Kay on that very first visit, where she declared “oh, I think you are gonna like this one”. To which I replied “I think you are right” and it only improved from there. In truth, I truly love every aspect of our new home but Sherry didn’t actually see the place until we moved in.
AND WE ARE STILL MARRIED!!!
There are of course other subtle reasons that played into it but those were the major factors on this life changing decision.
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Cool beans bro!
Happy you found your green acres paradise!!!
And the telephone pole with the phone at the top is right there close by the house.