I lived in Phoenix AZ in my school years and early working career years. Had to move to neighboring New Mexico for my career in my mid 20's. Always thought I would return. Well, over time the Phoenix area has become a huge overcrowded mess of a place! Lot's of crime, high taxes, high cost of living, etc. New Mexico, not much better, live near Albuquerque now and although I like our community alright the crime rate has increased over 250% in the past 10 years. Drug use, theft, murder, all of it is out of control. Lots of gangs from South America (think MS 13, yes they are here folks!). So I am looking to get out!
We have family in the Branson MO area, we have visited there many times and love it! Sure, the weather can be a pain but same goes for the southwest. I watch the weather between the both and quite frankly they aren't that different tempurature wise most of the time! Big difference is dry in the southwest, humid in the midwest! I think it is a good enough trade for somewhere that I probably will not need an electified fence around my porperty to keep out the vermin!
