Well I'll jump in here. Recently retired and moved to Osage Beach, LOZ. A word of caution on living in a rural area and being a snow bird. Missouri is like all other states, crack heads will steal you blind if they figure out you are gone for the winter. nuff said bout that. Truman, LOZ, Pomme, Stockton, Table Rock are all excellent fisheries within 1 1/2 hrs of each other. Missouri has several trout areas in the southern part of the state. Clarification on LOZ, this lake is excellent fishing year round. There is heavy large boat traffic on the main channel during the summer, don't fish the main channel during this time of year or fish early in the morning. Boat traffic is minimal up on the Niangua arms and Glaize arm- there are numerous large no wake coves through out the lake. In choosing your retirement home, choose carefully so no regrets. I don't like to travel on gravel or travel on the highway just to go get a dammed loaf of bread, haircut or Big Mac. Osage Beach is the only fully developed city on the waters edge; hospital, shopping, eateries, fishing and excellent infrastructure. I just don't think it gets much better for retirement, recreation, fishing, convenience and life style. Smithville is excellent fishery up north and Liberty is excellent community to live, however it is up north.