Joplin Missouri ?

Republic is basically a suburb just on west side of Springfield. They just about touch. Nice area.
Buffalo is about 30 mi North of N side of Springfield. They have a WalMart. Maybe 5000 pop. very rural. Majority there commute to Springfield for work.
The S and E sides of Springfield are considered the "best" sides. Just about all medical (hospitals) is on S side of town.
Life is an adventure. In 1979 (I was 31) I sold everything I had back in SW Ga and moved to 40 ac I had bought near Sedalia, Mo.... NO job, the wife, 2 kids, a 1 t. pickup, trailer, and a doz. quarter horses. I never looked back. I would do it all again. Yea, I could have moved to other state and made more $ but....
I have seen a lot of people move to rural Mo. and love it and stay a lifetime, I seen others that hated it and could not leave quick enough..