Retirees Enjoy Living, Working, Playing
at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO --When it’s time to retire, what attracts retirees to a particular community? Topping the list are recreation and activities, economical cost of living, safety and security, access to healthcare, housing options, and scenic beauty.  All of that and more are what retirees increasingly are discovering at Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks.

   According to the latest U.S. Census figures, the lakeside lifestyle is attracting a growing number of seniors, age 65 and over.  That population grew by more than 26 percent from 1990 to 2000 at the Lake of the Ozarks.  In Camden, Miller and Morgan counties surrounding the Lake, the percentage of population over age 65 is well above state and national averages.  Eighteen percent of the Lake population of approximately 80,000 falls into that age group, compared with 13.5 percent statewide and 12.4 percent nationally.

   “The Lake is just a fantastic place for retirement.  There are a lot of seniors here and as a result there’s a lot going on for us,” says Mary Nathan of Sunrise Beach.  When she and her husband, Bob, retired five years ago, they moved from a two-story house in Kansas City, Mo., to a lakefront condo. “We used to spend a couple of weeks at the Lake of the Ozarks every summer so we knew the area pretty well. Then several of our friends retired here and we thought that made a lot of sense for us, too.  Best of all, our children and grandchildren love to come visit.”

Active Lifestyles
   How do retirees at the Lake of the Ozarks spend their leisure time?  “Where to begin?” says Bob Nathan, a former corporate accountant.  “Except when it’s really cold, several times a week you can find me out fishing in my boat or off the dock.  I’m also happy to report my golf game seems to be improving.”

   Nathan is among the many retirees who know it’s what’s underneath the water that counts – and that includes largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, hybrid striped bass, catfish and walleye.  Anglers age 65 and older do not need a fishing license in Missouri.

   On the water, with more than 1,150 miles of shoreline, the Lake is an endless source of recreational boating.  “We really enjoy exploring all the little coves and tributaries off the Lake, and meeting friends for lunch or dinner at one of our favorite places,” Nathan says. More than 40 of the Lake’s 100-plus restaurants are situated right on the water.  Lake-area dining options range from hot dogs to haute cuisine, including outstanding Ozarks-style barbecue and many well known chains.  Most offer senior and early-bird discounts.

   Golf-wise, Nathan has access to 16 world-class courses, including those designed by well-known names like Roger Null, Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf, Jim Lewis and Bruce Devlin and Robert Von Hagge.  The courses are open year round; off-season, retirees take advantage of fewer golfers and deep discounts.

   Shopping is another major Lake attraction for retirees and visitors alike. The largest outlet center in Missouri, Osage Beach Premium Outlets, features 110 name-brand stores and special discount days for seniors.  In addition, the Lake area includes 50-plus antique stores, one-of-a-kind specialty shops and boutiques as well as large discount stores like Wal-Mart, Target and Marshall’s. Numerous day spas also appeal to retirees, including the award-winning Spa Shiki at The Lodge of Four Seasons, plus spas at Tan-Tar-A Resort and the Country Club Hotel and more.

   Outdoor activities abound at the Lake year-round. Those who enjoy walking head to the trails at the Lake area’s two state parks.  Lake of the Ozarks State Park is Missouri’s largest at 17,442 acres.  Ha Ha Tonka State Park features the mysterious ruins of a castle built by a Kansas City businessman in the early 20th century.

   The parks also are good destinations for birdwatching.  The Lake area is on the Mississippi Flyway, the invisible highway in the sky used by a wide variety of eastern and western birds migrating from their homes in Central and South America.  Lake-area bird traffic peaks at the end of May, making springtime the perfect time for birding.  And in the winter, retirees and others take advantage of eagle-watching.  About 2,800 bald eagles annually migrate to Missouri, including more than 100 that congregate at the Lake of the Ozarks for the winter.

   Many retirees participate in the Lake area’s active arts and cultural scene. The Lake Arts Council supports organizations for painters, actors, musicians, writers, singers and photographers.  Every year, from early October through late November, the Carousel of the Arts celebrates the diversity of the arts all around the Lake with gallery walks, special performances, book fairs, craft shows and much more.  Also throughout the year retirees volunteer for and attend the Lake area’s numerous festivals celebrating hummingbirds, hillbillies, wine, apples, dogwood trees and Christmas trees and more.  And that’s in addition to bingo at area VFWs and American Legion posts.

Body and Soul
   Retirees can depend on exceptional medical care at the Lake of the Ozarks.  Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach is an awarding-winning, 140-bed, Level III trauma center with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and a skilled professional medical staff.  Top-flight cardiovascular services include open-heart surgery and digital cardiac catheterization and a three-year-old cancer treatment center offers patients convenient testing and treatment.  Additionally, specialty clinics located throughout the area round out the full range of available services in the community.

   Retirees’ spiritual needs are met through approximately 100 churches representing many faiths and denominations located throughout the Lake area.

Low-Cost Living
   The quality of life available at the Lake of the Ozarks doesn’t require a huge pension or savings account.  According to the latest figures available, in 2004 (2nd quarter) the state of Missouri had the 11th lowest cost of living index in the United States at 92.7.  A further breakdown shows Missouri’s ranking in the U.S. as follows: utilities, 3rd lowest; transportation cost (gasoline), 7th lowest; health care, 16th lowest; housing and food, 18th lowest. The composite index for the Lake of the Ozarks Region is below the Missouri state average.  Low state and county taxes also benefit retirees living at the Lake.

   As for housing, the region offers apartments, condos and houses on and off the Lake, from modest to luxurious.  In particular, gated communities that cater to retirees are being developed all across the area.  Recent retirees Louise and Jim Norbring recently moved from Des Moines to a new home in a retirement community on a Lake-area golf course. “We love having all the amenities of a resort right where we live,” Jim says.  “It’s like being on vacation year-round.  I have my golf and Louise has her volunteer work.  We are both enjoying retirement at the Lake.”

   Seniors agree living at the Lake allows them to feel safe and secure.  The crime rate is substantially lower in all categories compared to urban areas.  Also, the Lake’s location in central Missouri helps keep the air and water clean. Recent infrastructure projects, like road improvement and utility expansion, assure the area will continue to accommodate its growing population of seniors and other newcomers.

   The Lake area offers a pleasant year-round climate; even in the winter the average daily temperature is in the 40s.  Best of all, retirees enjoy four distinct seasons, each with its own special beauty in an area of natural splendor surrounded by the rolling Ozarks hills.

   With everything a retiree could want and more, it’s no wonder the Lake of the Ozarks is a magnet for seniors looking for a rewarding lifestyle.  For more information on Lake-area living, dining, shopping, events, activities, lodging and more, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253), or visit www.funlake.com.