Q & A on Leaving LA
Q: You're moving where?
A: The Ozarks
Q: Is that in Tennessee?
A: No, those are the Great Smoky Mountains. The Ozarks are in Arkansas and Missouri.
Q: Good god. Why?
A: We wanted seasons, changing weather, and land.
Q: So move to Prescott, Arizona.
A: We don’t like the desert too much. We wanted to live on a lake, which we found in this house. It has 4.5 acres of land around it. We have a little neighborhood of kind, generous people, who have welcomed us. It’s a good fit.
Q: Aren’t they Bible thumpers?
A: Some yes, some no, but I would say faith is quite important to a lot of the people we met. They haven’t pushed their religion us on it.
Q: Doesn’t it snow there?
A: Yep, but it doesn’t stay around long. The snow is beautiful.When it snows, the neighborhood gets together for a party. Ice is a bigger problem. And I happen to love rain. Everything is green there in the spring and summer. The thunderstorms are amazing.
Q: Do people read there?
A: Are you kidding? the local high schools rate very high on tests. Bentonville, AR, close by has some of the best schools in the nation. There are several creative writing programs with good reputations in nearby Springfield, MO; the University of Arkansas is only 2 hours away also. Tthe library in Galena had a lot of current titles, a friendly librarian, and they have a very good book mobile. Two of our neighbors are doctors, one is a teacher, one is a nurse. I don’t think I’ll lack for a book club.
Q: Can you get out to eat?
A: Now that is more of a problem, especially in the winter. But if we feel like it, the Chateau on the LakeResort is not far, has two great restaurants and a sweet shoppe. Plus most of Branson has chain restaurants and little specialty restaurants too. Springfield has famous chili (one hour’s drive) Sonic is about 13 miles away. But we won’t be ordering pizza to be delivered!
Q: So when?
A: My husband had once said 2007. With the real estate downturn, I am guessing 2010.
Q: And you already own a house there?
A: We do. I visit about five times a year, usually from March to November. Only because I’m not too confident driving the country roads in bad weather. our neighbors have been lovely about keeping an eye on it and helping with package deliveries and finding a gardener, etc.
Q: Will you miss LA?
A: I will miss people I know here and my family in San Diego. I will not miss LA, the traffic, the noise, the attitude.Q: Why not move to your old hometown?A: My husband doesn’t like it and he also turned down Seattle and Oregon. So we’ll try our Ozarks adventure. We have close friends in Rogers, about 90 minutes away. We’ll be fine. And if not, we’ll sell, and then who knows. . .maybe Alaska? In Missouri, we’ll be closer to our kids and grandkids (Ohio, North Carolina) and unlike Paris Hilton, we think the simple life is a life rich in beauty and peace. We’ll see!
Ted