Table Rock condos....

[GANGGREEN]

So, I've been back and forth about what to do in retirement, second home, condo, timeshare, rent, camp, etc..  I'm retiring in 2 weeks, but my wife intends to continue working for at least 3 more years, so we can't just up and leave home for a month or more at a time.  By way of background, I live in northern Pennsylvania, the winters suck and I'd really like to escape in the wintertime, at least for a few weeks here and there.  I don't need Florida warmth to make me happy, but I'd like to be able to fish during the winter months and had considered Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and North Carolina.  I also have bird dogs and a lot of other hobbies, but admit that my list for a retirement home involves fishing, good dining and shopping and entertainment and natural beauty, probably far more than a place to hunt.  

 

Because of my wife's work situation, we really can't consider something that involves home maintenance, yard maintenance, snow removal, etc. and we're considering finding a condo that will take care of all of that and which we could rent out during the periods that we're not there to help with the mortgage, taxes, condo fees, etc..  So, to that end, can anyone give me some advice about areas on or near Table Rock to search?  I'd like to avoid the tourist trap that is Branson, but admit that during the off-season, I actually like being close to grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment, etc. and presume that Branson would be fine during the time period that I'd typically use the condo (October-April), so maybe 8-15 miles out wouldn't be bad.  

 

Obviously I understand that there are tons of factors, busy areas on the lake (I'd prefer to avoid lots of activity), better fishing areas on the lake, real estate values, proximity to the amenities, etc..  Because we're keeping our farm up north and because we're not independently wealthy, cost is always a factor, but I'm hopeful that between what I can scrape up and what we can realize through summer rentals that I could probably manage the average 2BR condo in that area if the cost and fees are what I think they'll be.  

 

Thanks in advance for any knowledge or tips you can give.

 

[rangerjockey]

Having  been around Table Rock about 40 years now I have some thoughts. 

We started out by buying a condo and in Branson and owned it for about 7 years or so, the condos you'll find are concentrated in Branson, Branson West, and Kimberling City all pretty busy part of the lake.

After Labor Day we pretty much get the lake back but during the summer months that area is definitely katie-bar-the-door you can get out a few hours in the morning but the pleasure boats will run you off by 10 or so.

Some homeowners associations allow rentals some don't so you'll have to check on that.

I really don't think that's the best area to be in but if you want a condo you don't have much choice.

We ended up selling ours and bought a  RV and rent a yearly spot up the James River arm and it's considerably quieter and I like the fishing a little better, but your don't have the restaurants and  shopping like you do in Branson.

 Another thing remember is we still have a pretty good winter. Some of the feeder Creeks freeze over and we get snow Table Rock is a beautiful place but if you're looking to escape the winter you won't do it there. Its probably not as long as you're used to but none the less it gets cold .

I like the RV deal a little better but it's not as comfortable as a condo overall the cost is about the same when I retire we will build permanent home down there.

if I can help in any way let me know

[GANGGREEN]

Thanks Rangerjockey.  I found some fairly reasonably priced condos near Fall Creek on Taneycomo that would make it easy enough to purchase, but that would have me concentrating on the lower end of Table Rock and being forced to trailer or keep a slip to fish there.  At least I'd be on Taneycomo and I do enjoy fly fishing as well, so there's that.  Just not sure what the traffic and activity level would be that close to Branson, even during the off-season.  If I purchased a condo that was very reasonably priced, I'd also be inclined to NOT rent it out, although if nothing else, I might try to rent it by the month in June, July and August, since I'm not too keen on being there during those months anyway and you'd only have to deal with 3 renters, rather than 20 or 30.  I've also considered the RV thing, but I'd be more inclined to park it, build a deck and make it a semi-permanent camp and since I mostly want to be there from October to April, the camper doesn't really make much sense.  We had also considered areas slightly to the south (Arkansas and Tennessee), but the part of Arkansas I like doesn't really have much in the way of condos and I can't be there to handle maintenance.   Parts of eastern TN have condos on the lakes, but the price point is much higher than it is in the Branson area.  I think I'll continue to look because I might not mind paying a bit more for a place on Table Rock, particularly if it had a slip, but I'm liking this idea more and more.

 

[SlingandWind]

Table Rock is getting crowded. Come over here to Bull Shoals. My wife just happens to be a real estate agent. I'm an appraiser and we share the same office in Gainesville, Mo . Property is less expensive over here. Give us a holler ?

[Loochy88]

My family has a condo on the Niangua arm of Lake of the Ozarks.  LOTO has a rep of being crazy, but the Niangua end is more on par with some place on Table Rock, and you can avoid the Branson crowd.  Fishing is great.  Might be worth a look.  Lots of condo choices there.

Be warned, Missouri is fishable in the winter, but can still be absolutely frigid when it wants to.

[GANGGREEN]

Thanks guys.  I'd actually like to be in northern Arkansas, but I just don't see any real condo choices in those areas.  Might have to expand my search a little bit.  I fished Table Rock 30 years ago and visited again this summer and was amazed at how busy it's gotten.  That said, I'd spend most of my time down there after Labor Day and before Memorial Day and probably escape most of the foolishness on the lake and in and around Branson.  Having recently retired, I can also fish midweek and would avoid weekends like the plague.

 

As I mentioned before, for me finding reasonably priced properties that I like isn't really the issue, it's the fact that my wife still works, so we can't take up full-time residence down there and it's going to be practically impossible to maintain a property (lawn care, snow removal, handyman stuff) without hiring the work out and I'm not sure how available or reasonable those things are.