I was born and raised in Northeast Bay Area in California, and after 21-years service in the US Air Force, I retired. I visited the little town of Van Buren, MO in the Ozark Foothills and found the nicest, most gracious people in the USA there. We fell in love with the community and bought a 120-acre farm with an old farmhouse. I found the people to be very genuine, helpful and accepting. I went to work with the Sheriff's Department as the Chief Deputy of Carter County (Van Buren is the County Seat). My opinion did not change of the people who lived and worked here, but I found that the tourists that came from all over the state of Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas were a real problem. They wanted to make it "Party City" so for the "Terrorist Months" (Tourist) of May thru Sept they would bring their trashy ways and expect the people to welcome it, and we don't. It is the best place to raise your children, Great Schools and very low crime and drugs (except during the Tourist months). I have live here now for 35 years and 45 of my family and friends from California have relocated to this nice community. If you call great American Rural Values Hillbilly, then this Rural Conservative Community will proudly wear that name, but we see the Trash come in from the cities every summer, and it is tolerated, but not enjoyed. But if you have a problem and need help, the people stand up and take care of their own! I'd do it all over again! If you had problems in this little gem of a town, then you brought the problems with you! We are a proud community of caring people who open their town to all to come and enjoy it with us, but if you come with the idea of bringing trashy ways with you and to get drunk and raise caine, then you will have a bad time. Just like where you live. Be resectful and you will be respected!
John | Van Buren, MO | Report Abuse