Ozark Real Estate and Information

Located five miles south of Springfield, along US Route 65, Ozark, Missouri is a thriving community of around 19,000 residents. In February, 2012, the New York Times called Ozark the fastest growing city in Missouri. According to the city's Web site, the population of Ozark has grown 119% in the last ten years!

Located on the Finley River with the Ozark Mountains in the background, Ozark combines a small town feel with excellent schools and all of the amenities of a big city.

Shopping and Dining

Ozark real estate owners will find an eclectic collection of locally-owned shops in town, many of which feature crafts and art produced in the Ozark Mountain region. Among these is Ariel's Pottery Haus, Sew Simple Quilt Shop and Ozark Leather Shop. Ozark was also recently named the "Best Place to Go Antiquing" by "Rural" magazine.

If you can't find what you're looking for in Ozark, nearby Springfield offers 30 shopping centers, including the 150-store Battlefield Mall and the historic Commercial Street shopping district in downtown Springfield.

Ozark offers a good assortment of restaurants. Among the local favorites are Lambert's Cafe for catfish and "throwed rolls," Backyard Burgers for quick sandwiches and chili, and Paolo's Pasta and Grill for Italian food. In addition to the restaurants in Ozark, there are more than 800 eateries just 10 miles north in Springfield, with food ranging from barbecue to sushi – basically, you can find virtually anything you want.

Parks and Recreation

One of the best things about Ozark real estate is wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities just a stone’s throw away. The Ozark Mountains that surround the town of Ozark provide plenty of hiking, biking and climbing opportunities and some of the best trout fishing in the United States. In addition, there are six recreational lakes located within a one-hour drive of Ozark.

The Ozark Park System operates Finley River Park and the city recreation center, which features an indoor swimming pool, running track, state-of-the-art fitness room and weight room.

For entertainment and a quick getaway, Branson is located just 25 miles south of Ozark. The country music mecca attracts some of the biggest names in music to its dozens of concert halls and venues.

Living

Ozark real estate ranges from modestly priced homes to sprawling country estates. Much of the housing stock in Ozark is relatively new, a product of the town's explosive growth. The area tends to be more upscale than other towns of its size, partly because many residents live in Ozark and work in nearby Springfield. The average home listing price in May, 2012 in Ozark was $265,741.

Schools, Health, Transportation

Children of Ozark real estate owners attend the schools of the Ozark School District. The district, which carries the state's highest rating, operates eight schools, including five elementary schools, one junior high school, one high school and an alternative school. The district also operates a before and after-school care program for children in grades K-6 during the school year called "Tiger Care."

For health care needs, there is an urgent care facility located within Ozark and a good selection of doctors' and dentists' offices. For more extensive care, there are six hospitals with more than 2,200 beds in nearby Springfield. Two of these facilities – CoxHealth and Mercy Health Care System – are rated among the top 100 hospitals in the United States.

It's not difficult to get around Ozark. The town is located directly on US 65, which connects Ozark with Springfield to the north and Branson to the south. For those commuting to Springfield, Ozark Transportation System offers a share-a-ride program.

For trips further afield, Springfield-Branson National Airport is located just 15 minutes from Ozark. The 2,750-acre airport has a new terminal (completed in 2009) and offers 33 daily non-stop flights to a dozen cities around the United States, including Chicago, Denver, Dallas and Atlanta.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (417) 894-9093 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.