I'm on the Kansas side of the border, about fifteen miles for Joplin, it's where we go to eat, shop, etc... IM me if you have any questions. I know it's a shitty thing to say but the tornado bought the town to life. New retail, dining, a new hospital and medical school, new state of the art schools and Mexican restaurant for every day in the month.
Non-tornado related thoughts; great hunting and fishing opportunities, gun owner friendly, handy airport, nice people, university, at the intersection of East-West and North-South highways, no liberal activist bullshit, nice'ish downtown. Like most places, have a job lined up before you get here though there are good oportunities in Joplin, across the border in Kansas and the North West Arkansas, Bentonville area is BOOMING, Walmart and all.
Skip Eagle Rock. My dad built his retirement home there. He had to move health reasons but he still wouldn't have sold within a few years. He thought he would enjoy the lake life but it is just so remote. One restaurant within ten miles, only shopping is a liquor store and a Dollar Store, HBO Ozark'ish locals and retiree's. The view was amazing and it's on the highway which is a real hit compared to some lake development areas but after a few months the seclusion and long drives to shop, eat, doctor, is too much.