The Joplin metro area is home to more than 157,000 residents. With retail, manufacturing and small businesses all expanding. Longtime Joplin businesses have been joined by newcomers ranging from high-tech start-ups to warehousing solutions. Situated in Jasper and Newton Counties, Joplin's family, small-town atmosphere, access to quality health care and affordability continue to attract record numbers of newcomers - from seniors looking for a great retirement spot to younger generations seeking quality of life and a diverse economic climate.
Joplinites, old and new believe that Joplin is a great place to live, work and raise a family. While Joplin is still growing it has not lost it's close knit feel. There are great neighborhoods and excellent educational opportunities. Joplin has a very good public school system, your choice of private schools and several collages and universities to choose from. Such as Missouri Southern State University and Ozark Christian Collage.
Joplin has plenty of outdoor and recreational activities to choose from. Such as the many parks in town, with Schifferdecker, McClelland and Wildcat parks being among the largest. The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center, located in Wildcat Park, the Joplin Sports Complex and many walking and biking trails throughout the city. If you are more interested in the arts then we have the Spiva center for the Arts in downtown joplin, Joplin Little Theatre  and many more options. For the shoppers, Joplin has the Northpark mall with Sears, Macy's, Macy's Home and Mens store, J C Penny, T J Maxx plus many specialty stores and dining options. Just south of the mall is Northpark Crossing, which includes stores such as a Super Target, Kohl's, Dress Barn, Bed Bath and Beyond, Kirklands, Buffalo Wild Wings and many more.
The cost of living in Joplin is very competitive. The American Chamber of Commerce Research Association Cost of Living Index places Joplin's cost of living at nearly 12 percent below the national average, making Joplin the lowest cost of living metropolitan area in Missouri and among the lowest in the four-state area. This research compares prices of specific commodities in more than 300 urban cities.
As the health care center for the four-state region, Joplin is home to two major hospitals that provide special services and treatment capabilities rivaling those found in major metropolitan areas. Freeman Health System is a 392-bed, three-hospital system in Joplin and Neosho providing comprehensive healthcare and behavioral health services to more than 450,000 area residents from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Freeman has also been named one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals® by Solucient, the leading source of healthcare business intelligence. St. John's Regional Medical Center is a 392-bed hospital operated by the Catholic Health Initiative and was recently reconized as one of the top twenty-five (25) hospitals in the nation for Peripheral Vascular Bypass Surgery in the special edition of Money Magazine: "The Best Health Care For Your Family". More than 300 physicians serve the hospitals and four-state region. Along with the state-of-the-art hospital care are two fully equipped sports medicine clinics, psychological and psychiatric services, major heart and cancer care facilities and many top-quality nursing/retirement centers and extended care facilities.
When quality of life, cultural amenities, educational opportunities and people are all reviewed, it is proven that the Joplin area is a great place to live, work and play. Joplin is not just simply the best, it is Better Than Ever!
Here is some additional places where you can find information about Joplin.
Joplin area chamber of commerce
Joplin convention and visitors bureau
Joplin parks and recreation center
For a detailed look at what Joplin has to offer, read this article from Associated Content.
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