This is a checklist of essential items that Korean immigrants preparing to move to Springfield, MO, should consider.

The more you prepare in advance, the less confusion you will experience during the initial settling-in period.

First, selecting a place to live. Downtown Springfield is preferred by young people and college students, while Korean families typically choose suburban areas like Nixa, Ozark, and the southwestern part of Springfield. These areas are known for their safety and good school districts. It is recommended to conduct thorough searches on real estate websites like Zillow and Realtor.com before connecting with a local real estate agent. A 12-month fixed-term lease is common when signing a rental agreement, and the security deposit is often equivalent to one or two months' rent.

Second, vehicles and driver's licenses. Public transportation in Springfield is inconvenient, making a personal vehicle essential. You must obtain a Missouri Driver License within 30 days of moving. When visiting the Missouri DMV (Driver License Bureau), you need to bring identification, proof of address, and your Social Security Number (SSN) or residency documents. Korean driver's licenses cannot be directly converted in Missouri, and you must pass both a written and a driving test separately.

Third, connecting to healthcare services. Springfield has two major hospitals: Mercy Hospital Springfield and CoxHealth. It is important to enroll in basic health insurance early on and designate a primary care physician. Korean interpretation services require separate appointments, but both hospitals can provide interpreter services upon request.

Fourth, understanding the living infrastructure. Korean markets in Springfield are not very large, so it is common to order some Korean ingredients online (from Korean shopping sites or Amazon) or purchase in bulk when visiting Kansas City or St. Louis. Missouri has a state income tax (with a top rate of 4.95%), and the state sales tax is 4.225%, but when combined with local taxes, it typically ranges from about 8% to 9%. Banks like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase are all present in the area.

Fifth, connecting with the community. Contacting a Korean church in Springfield can be very helpful for obtaining initial settling information and building a network. KakaoTalk Korean groups and online channels for the Korean community in Missouri are also practical avenues for exchanging information. Moving to a new city can feel overwhelming at first, but the small size of the Springfield Korean community often allows for quicker connections.