Hi folks, We are currently living in Northern Minnesota but because we are from Ohio,we miss the growing season and hardwoods terribly. My passion is growing things and here in Zone 3, you are very limited. We love being near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area because of the fact that it is wilderness. We don't want to be around people, that's why we moved away from Ohio in the first place. Is there anyone in Missouri that could give us some idea about the area and whether or not you can actually live in a place without neighbors or sound for miles? Any response would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Deb and Steve

-- Deb Borgia (borgia@northernnet.com), November 01, 2001

Answers

My neighbor is 1/4 mile straight up a hill from me. Can't see or hear them. There are plenty, plenty, of places you can go where you don't have neighbors here.

The weather is good. It is November and the temps in the day are high 60's low 70's. I hear the winter is mild--a few ice storms a little snow. Again temps in the winter can warm up during the day. Lots of times everything melts by afternoon. Summers are hot.

220 growing days a year here. I just got here so I don't have my garden in yet. Working on it.

BTW I'm in southern Missouri in Mountain Grove. Lots a cute little towns here and the folks are very helpful, honest, and friendly.

Good luck!

-- Diane from MO (walte@getgoin.net), November 01, 2001.

Deb, type in www.ozarklandco.com they might be able to help you.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), November 01, 2001.

We are on the Iron/Reynolds County line, north of Johnson Shut-ins state park. We are in a beautiful area and near Taum Sauk which is the highest point in Missouri. Elephant Rocks state park is near by and we are not far from the Black & Current Rivers. The Mark Twain National Forest is all around to some peoples dismay. A few weeks ago there was 20 acres with all the homesteading things needed. It had a house that could sleep eight and a trailer. It was set up for several to live and maintain on their own. It had a green house and they would leave their supplies. They were going to be "mobile ambassador for peace". So that is why they were selling. We don't know if it is still available, but they were asking (?)$40,000 for everything and you wouldn't believe all that was on their list. It was near Hogan and close to Taum Sauk Resevoir.

We have one neighbor living not even a quarter of a mile up the hill and the other neighbor over a mile back. We are at the access point so we have traffic but have learned to adjust. We have been here almost ten years. Ironton, our big town, now has a McDonalds and a subway. People are seeking refuge from the city and the population is starting to get a little unsettling as i'm sure it is in a lot of places.

We know people who have grown things most all year. We do believe we can grow the biggest and the mostest rocks ever. Most in this area have extremely hard water. We have no zoning, permits or restrictions on building and growing (legal stuff) that we know of outside the city limits.

There is very little work unless you drive truck, work at a sawmill, or are in some way self-employed. St.Louis is about 80 miles. Roadside stands do great here. This is the mudbogging, junkers delight, riverrafting and out door enthusiast's country.

Feel free to e-mail us if you want.

-- Diana & Jim (MO) (safehavenofhope@hotmail.com), November 01, 2001.

Missouri is a nice place to live as far as people, weather, and growing things are concerned but as with everything else it has its drawbacks such as jobs and pay. Teachers start at 18,100.00 and it is slow to get more as the pay raise is about 2% a year. Jobs are mostly mininum except maybe in the cities but if your wanting to get off by yourself then you won't be to eager to go work in a city. Land and houses are cheap in comparison to other places I've lived. I've been here 10 years and live in Ozark Co. which is the poorest county in the state moneywise. We do have fun though. sally

-- sally stanton (mallardhen67@hotmail.com), November 01, 2001.

There is a big lake, Clearwater, in that area. Nice recreation, but that brings tourists, etc. Maybe a problem for you, maybe not. Lots of hills in Reynolds County. Lot of public land in the Mark Twain Forest, which covers a lot of wooded acres in Reynolds and other counties. Land that is cleared and you can plant will be a little high. Good folks. Good living. My parents retired to Clearwater lake and loved it will they were there.

-- Rickstir (rpowell@email.ccis.edu), November 01, 2001.

Where I am, near Silex, MO, which is about 15 miles north of Troy,( our closest fair size town) if you are looking for it on a map.It is a lot more north than the other folks who have written here. My husband's kin are from down south MO and beautiful and isolated but as they say is economically hurting. We looked to be down there in the first place after college but couldn't find good work. Our area is farming area and land prices vary from 2500-4000 an acre depending on topography and the highest price is for pasture no trees, It's flat to rolling here, with great soil with few rocks and a great growing season and good rainfall. We love it here and feel there's something for everyone especially if you are like us and willing to drive 50-70 miles one way for good pay in the areas surrounding St. Louis. We don't have the complete homesteading life but it is definitely the country life! (20 beautiful acres, horses and a 180 degree sky.) If you prefer the hilly rocky forests of the Ozarks, (It is beautiful and great horseback riding country) Maybe someone outlying springfield could tell you about their home. That would be my next choice in Missouri if I have to commute to a career. Debbie

-- Debbie Trimble (risingwind@socket.net), November 01, 2001.

Missouri isn't the end of the world, just the end of the North. Down here south of the Mason Dixon line in Arkansas, there are hills, hollers, lower prices and more solitude in many areas. Jobs, too, around our little town of Flippin where the Ranger Bass Boats are made and a couple of electronics companies have assembly plants. Counties in which you might explore more options include: Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Jasper, Marshall, Marion and Izzard for openers.

A couple of web sites for more information: www.ruralize.com www.runningriver.com www.www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/

Something to remember as you search. Don't look for someplace to change, look for the place where you can change to fit it.

Good luck.

Vern M Happily transplanted to the Ozarks for almost 40 years.

-- Vern M. (modeland@runningriver.com), November 01, 2001.