If you’ve had it with city traffic, high taxes, metro housing prices and you just don’t feel safe . . . .
These are common reasons people give for wanting to move to the Clearwater area. There’s lots to get away from in the city. This region not only provides relief from city pressures, it offers reasons to move here even if you really haven’t been pounded by the city’s pressures.
Outdoor recreational opportunities abound, as you can see from the rest of this booklet. But how is the area as a place to live?
SCHOOLS
No one wants to live where kids are given the short end of the stick. Clearwater R-I School District has been rated highly rated since 1979. Yet compared to some city tax rates, education is a bargain here.
Southern Reynolds County R-II has a 1-A accreditation with about 500 students. South Iron R-I was the first A+ designated school in Missouri.
And just because you are an adult, perhaps retired, does not mean you no longer want to learn. Three Rivers College at Poplar Bluff is the official post-high school educational facility for the Clearwater area. Computer classes are some of the most popular classes they offer for adults. But if you can’t get enough there, you can enroll in Mineral Area College at Park Hills, or at Southeast Missouri University at Cape Girardeau.
A glance at the map shows they’re an hour or so away. But that’s not far when you don’t have to fight city traffic and can enjoy the scenery of the changing seasons.
MEDICAL
There are two clinics in Piedmont for medical care. They’re affiliated with hospitals in Poplar Bluff. And there are two clinics and a hospital at Ellington.
If nursing home care should be needed sometime in the future, quality care is available at Clark Mountain Nursing Home, Brent B. Tinnin Manor and elsewhere in the region.
Emergencies - ambulance service and helicopter are available.
SHOPPING
When you get right down to it, you can probably find anything you really need at retailers in the lake area. And if you are used to mall merchandise, you will probably be pleasantly surprised by the offerings of many stores.
But when you have a craving for the mall-type stuff, you can satisfy the craving at Poplar Bluff, Cape Girardeau or Farmington - all accessible in about the same time it would take for a cross-town drive in St. Louis. Springfield’s Bass Pro Shop is 3-4 hours away for most people.
RETIREMENT
If you are considering moving here to retire, consider that there is already a sizeable retirement community in the lake area, complete with senior centers. Others have found pleasant, affordable living here and can help you make the move most comfortably. It helps to move to an area where others have similar needs and desires.
THE ECONOMY
The lake area has a multi-faceted economy, not dependent on only one thing. Tourism and travel is a sizeable thing. So is the timber industry. Farming is primarily cattle ranching, but there is some cropping too. Retail isn’t huge, but for this sparcely settled area, the Clearwater area is a shopping hub.
There is some manufacturing and mining, but like everywhere, manufacturing is a smaller part of the economy now than it once was. One of the fastest growing things in this area is a software company. So, yes, the area is high tech too. State and federal agencies provide considerable employment.
REAL ESTATE
Like everywhere else, prices are going up. That’s why some folks buy property for recreation now, retirement later. Compared to other areas, prices here are mostly bargains. It is a pretty good bet they’ll be viewed as good investments in the future.
Cities' websites: Ellington Piedmont
FOLLOWING ARE SOME CLEARWATER LAKE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS THAT ARE NOT DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE LAKE, AND NOT MENTIONED ELSEWHERE. THEY PROVIDE VARIOIUS COMMUNITY SERVICES.
Johnson Farm & Pet, 573-223-7340, www.johnsonfarmandpet.com
Turnbaugh Building Supply. 573-223-4267.
Ferrellgas propane, 573-223-7222.
Hannah's Cabana Boutique and Tanning, 573-223-2060.
Buck's Outboards, 573-785-6792.
Medical Center Pharmacy, 223-4235,
Missouri Highlands Health Care, 573-663-2525, 573-598-4213. www.mohigh.org
Young's Heating, Cooling & Refrigeration, 223-2160.
Shelter Insurance, 573-223-7310.
J.& J. Sanitation, 573-223-7797.
Midwest Pumping and Portables, L.L.C., 223-2128
Piedmont Florist, 573-223-4922
Bluff View Boat Storage, 573-576-6440
Heartland Realty, 573-223-2769 www.heartlandrealty.net
Peoples Community Bank, Piedmont, 573-223-4000
People Community Bank, Ellington, 573-663-2295 http://www.peoplescommunitybank.com/
M&O Motors - towing, 573-223-2155
Blazer Boats, blazer@mcmo.net, www.blazerjetboats.com
River Hills Traveler regional travel magazine, 800-874-8423 www.riverhillstraveler.com
Morrison Worley Funeral Chapel, 573-223-2625
Bluff City Beer, 573-651-6228
Arcadia Sporting Goods, 573-546-7616.
Clearwater Floor Covering Center, 573-223-4766 http://clearwaterfloorcovering.com/
Ruegg Funeral Homes, 573-223-7444 http://www.rueggfuneralhome.com/Piedmont_-103515.html
First Midwest Bank, 573-223-4215 www.fmbozarks.com
Coleman's Shoes and Clothing, 573-223-7530
Over the Hills Graphics, 573-223-7391
Ramshur Law Office, LLC, 573-223-4213, www.ramshurlawoffice.net.
Our Studio Custom Framing Gallery, 573-856-4005.
Dennis Hovis, Farmers Insurance, 573-223-2189, www.farmersagent.com/dhovis/
Wayne County Journal Banner, weekly newspaper, 573-223-7871 www.waynecojournalbanner.com/
Clearwater Space Center, 573-223-4200
Budweiser, www.beeresponsible.com
Wayne County Auto Parts, and Car Care Center, 573-223-4226
Hackworth, Hackworth & Ferguson, attorneys, 573-223-4247 www.hackworthlawoffice.com
Bluff City Ice, 573-686-6666
Ernies Sales and Service, boats and motors, 573-461-2244 www.jetdoctor.net/