wheres should I retire?
You are here: Home > Missouri > West Plains

Retirement Living In West Plains - Missouri


Jump to: Area, Characteristics, Cost, Amenities, Climate, Demographics, Housing, Assistance

Area Description

Tucked in the Ozark Mountains, near pristine wilderness areas and spring-fed streams, the City of West Plains attracts nature lovers, entrepreneurs and families searching for a small-town feel with big-city conveniences. As the largest city within 100 miles of south central Missouri, West Plains considers itself the heart of the Ozarks - a community that prides itself on its philanthropy, its ingenuity, and its progressiveness. It’s a place where you can make it all happen. A place where you can experience life on your own terms and chart your own course. Wherever you want to go, we have the resources and the commitment to help you make it happen here.

Region Characteristics





Area Amenities

Things to Do, Recreation & Fitness
   West Plains sits just outside the Mark Twain National Forest, providing much of the scenic beauty of the Ozarks and giving residents and visitors access to more than 40 campgrounds and picnic sites, 350 miles of floatable streams, 63,000 wilderness acres, and 125 miles of trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders.

Residents of West Plains can also take advantage of an extensive parks systems that offers a wide variety of facilities and recreational activities. The city has 15 parks encompassing 159 acres, and the Parks and Recreation Department offers recreational sporting activities for a variety of ages and fitness levels. Also home to West Plains is a multi-use Civic Center, which houses a sports arena, 30,000 square feet of floor space for trade shows, an indoor pool, conferences, and sporting events, a 400-seat theater, and another 8,000 square-feet of space for meeting rooms.

Cultural Activities
West Plains also offers a broad variety of cultural and arts programs as well as a number of special events throughout the year. The city’s signature event - the Old Time Music Ozark Heritage Festival - is held each June and honors the music and traditions of the Ozark region, drawing thousands of people to the city each year. West Plains is home to Missouri State University-West Plains, a two-year college recently selected as the nation’s sixth best community college by a national publication. In addition to its educational opportunities, the college hosts fine arts and performing arts events throughout the year, and its men’s basketball and women’s volleyball programs routinely rank among the finest in the nation.

Public transportation
The West Plains Transit System (WPTS) operates three 16-passenger buses within the city limits of West Plains. The service is available to the public between 7:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday except for city holidays. All service is curb-to-curb.

Medical Facilities


West Plains is served by a vibrant, modern medical community, including the 114-bed Ozarks Medical Center, which serves an 11-county area in south central Missouri and north central Arkansas. Interventional cardiac care, open-heart surgery, oncology and neurosurgery are just a few of the high-tech services offered at Ozarks Medical Center, giving area residents the option of staying close to home while receiving the care they need.


What Will The Climate And Weather Be Like If I Retire In West Plains, Missouri?

For those of you that retire in West Plains, you will enjoy warm summers, a cool fall, a cold winter and a temperate spring!

Winter temperatures are cold with averages in the mid 30's and highs in the upper 40's. Nights are cold with lows in the mid 20's. Expect some rainy days in the winter.

If the weather in the spring is too cold for the outdoors, enjoy some indoor activities in West Plains such as a movie, a visit to a museum, dining, nightlife or some shopping. Spring temperatures are cool with averages in the mid 50's and highs in the upper 60's. Nights are cold with lows in the low 40's. Expect some rainy days in the spring.

Summertime in West Plains is a great time to enjoy your retirement with an outdoor concert, a local festival or other outdoor activity! Summer temperatures are warm with averages in the mid 70's and highs in the upper 80's. Nights are cool with lows in the mid 60's. Expect a lot of days above 90°. Humidity may feel uncomfortable. Expect some rainy days in the summer.

If you retire in West Plains, you can look forward to fall weather activities such as biking on a bike path, hiking, enjoying a walking path and more! Fall temperatures are cool with averages in the upper 50's and highs in the upper 60's. Nights are cold with lows in the mid 40's. Expect some rainy days in the fall.

Monthly Temperature Ranges

 Month  Low  Avg  High
 Jan  22 F°  34 F°  45 F°
 Feb  26 F°  38 F°  50 F°
 Mar  34 F°  47 F°  59 F°
 Apr  44 F°  57 F°  69 F°
 May  53 F°  65 F°  76 F°
 Jun  61 F°  73 F°  84 F°
 Jul  66 F°  77 F°  89 F°
 Aug  64 F°  77 F°  89 F°
 Sep  56 F°  68 F°  81 F°
 Oct  44 F°  57 F°  70 F°
 Nov  35 F°  46 F°  58 F°
 Dec  25 F°  35 F°  46 F°

Monthly Average # of Hot and Cold Days

 Month  Days Greater Than 90 F°  Days Less Than 32 F°  Days Less Than 0 F°
 Jan  0  26  1
 Feb  0  21  0
 Mar  0  14  0
 Apr  0  4  0
 May  0  0  0
 Jun  4  0  0
 Jul  14  0  0
 Aug  14  0  0
 Sep  3  0  0
 Oct  0  4  0
 Nov  0  12  0
 Dec  0  24  1

Rain & Humidity

 Month  Rainfall  Rainy Days  Humidity
 Jan  3 "  6  25 %
 Feb  3 "  6  28 %
 Mar  5 "  8  34 %
 Apr  5 "  8  43 %
 May  5 "  10  55 %
 Jun  4 "  8  63 %
 Jul  4 "  7  68 %
 Aug  3 "  6  66 %
 Sep  4 "  6  59 %
 Oct  4 "  7  47 %
 Nov  5 "  8  37 %
 Dec  4 "  8  28 %

Snow

 Month  Snowfall  Snow On Ground Days  Snowy Days
 Jan  2 "  3  1
 Feb  3 "  2  1
 Mar  2 "  0  0
 Apr  0 "  0  0
 May  0 "  0  0
 Jun  0 "  0  0
 Jul  0 "  0  0
 Aug  0 "  0  0
 Sep  0 "  0  0
 Oct  0 "  0  0
 Nov  0 "  0  0
 Dec  1 "  1  1


Natural Disaster Areas

Cost of Living for West Plains, MO

West Plains, Missouri cost of living for Housing, Healthcare, Transportation, Taxes, Utilities, etc.:

 Cost of Living

Demographics

Race

Religion

Political Party

Age

Senior Housing Options

Senior Assistance in West Plains, MO

West Plains, Missouri offers the following assistance for seniors:

What Job or Volunteer Opportunities Does West Plains Offer For Retirees?

West Plains has many volunteer opportunities for seniors, including the local hospital (Ozarks Medical Center) and numerous non-profit organizations that assist the community.

Additional Information

Visitor Information


Back to: Area, Characteristics, Cost, Amenities, Climate, Demographics, Housing, Assistance

     





Disclaimer Privacy Contact Us