Doctors, nurses, and other professionals make a living here too. It can't all be proud boys for days.

I moved to Chicago from Springpatch in '97. Couldn't agree with you more. Not only will you find beautiful diversity, but the Mexican food is truly authentic, there isn't any Cashew Chicken within 500 miles, and the Trumpers stay put in their little southern Illinois Trump bubble.

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"In a temperate climate, it usually requires three weeks to several years for a body to completely decompose into a skeleton, depending on factors such as temperature, humidity, presence of insects, and submergence in a substrate such as water."

Time to check the local missing persons lists...

Good: there are tons of options if you like dining out. Cost of living is low overall. Lots of natural areas if you like spending time outdoors. The people are in general friendlier and more open than a lot of places. Good healthcare for a town its size. It's easy to navigate because the streets are set up in a grid. If you like theme parks Silver Dollar City is a short drive, and it's pretty good.

Bad: low wages, lack of opportunity, especially in the tech sector. High crime, especially for a city its size. Huge homeless population the city refuses to help. Lack of mental healthcare, it's almost non-existent unless you can pay for private. Traffic is balls and getting worse. Housing is more expensive than it has any right to be. MSU is a regional university no matter how many times they change their name, and doesn't bring the kind of advantages a larger university like MU does.

Ugly: more racism and bigotry than central MO. The north side is in decay. Panhandlers on every corner. Local government is a good ol' boys network that are in bed with developers.

If your looking for weekend volunteer opportunities, keep your ear to the ground for the local conventions scene, there's several through the year and have decent perks, as well as part of the proceeds going to local non-profits such as toys for tots.

Another vote for ozarks food harvest. Probably the best non-profit org in town

Ozarks Food Harvest is a great place to volunteer. You help sort and package donated food that is sent to families in need. The nonviable food goes to pig farms. I've had great experiences volunteering there in the past.

You might try crosslines. They have a food pantry and diaper bank as well as several other areas where they have regular volunteers.

https://ccozarks.org/volunteer/

Still top 20 most dangerous city. There's a reason why I'm leaving for Illinois...

Chicago is many times safer...

I'm not joking. https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/blog/top100dangerous

Can’t speak to dating locals as I imported my spouse - but… if you like nature this is a great place to live. Lots of gorgeous places to explore

There are a ton of groups for lots of different hobbies. - you just have to put yourself out there. I have never lacked for something to do when I have free time (which isn’t often)

As a single person - you should have lots of options of things to pick from to grow your network

Yes! Go to the Springfield Roller Girls FB page and the schedule is posted there. They are always looking for skaters and volunteers, some of the best people I have met in town!

Yes!

https://springfieldrollerderby.com/

So these guys, many of whom end up being innocent normal men without any bad past, are having their photos posted without their consent? By partners they like and trust? Wow, exemplary behavior there.

I'm glad the breach of their trust and violation of their privacy is "entertaining" and "hilarious" for you though. I feel bad for any men who've had the misfortune to date any of the women from the bullying-scumbag FB group. Hopefully these men catch on to the vile nature of these women fast and get away from them. Probably why these group members stay in the dating pool long enough to "need" such a group.

there’s detoxing ones.

There isn't one

Auto parts stores usually have copious amounts of boxes usually

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I wish I could refute this. As an old, married, former Baptist, it’s hard to find non-church, non-cult, non-drug friends. Lesser of three evils (shrug)?

the last date I had was a complete disaster.

Wait, really? Do they actually have derbies in Springfield?

Unless you are into churching, culting, or mething, it’s hard to find a good partner in Springfield.

If you want something a little more expensive and re-usable, we've used and really like these blue tote bags you can buy off amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=blue+tote+moving+bags&crid=24Q984SUIPILY&sprefix=blue+tote+moving+bag%2Caps%2C116&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Healing Paws is the only fear free certified vet in the city 🙂