Ava offers quiet surroundings, horse trails and a walkable downtown
Surrounded by miles of Ozarks farmland, Ava, Missouri, is a small city with quiet surroundings, lower taxes and a destination for horse lovers. This city of just under 5,000 people is over 50 miles southeast of Springfield , and even farther away from several larger metro areas. “I hate to say it, but a lot of it is low taxes,” says Tammy Barrett, a Realtor with Keller Williams, about some of Ava’s appeal. “Our schools are good, and there’s a Walmart there. They also have a lot of horse trails.” The area hosts the country’s largest annual showcase of the Missouri Fox Trotter, a horse breed native to the state. Ava meets its community’s needs with a walkable downtown square, a seasonal farmers market, a diverse mix of local restaurants and shops as well as national chains.
Homebuyers can choose to live outside of town for more seclusion
Many city lots are no larger than 1 acre and include gravel driveways. However, the surrounding farmland offers more room, with some lots spanning over 10 acres. The rural area also offers seclusion, as woods surround some homes. “Most people want to be out of town if they can,” Barrett says. “If you’re out in the rural area, most of the time, there are no covenants and restrictions. You can have farm animals. You can have 25 dogs if you want.” Houses include Craftsman bungalows, ranch-style homes and a few upscale farmhouses. Most homes in the city run between $120,000 and $300,000, while some outside Ava go from about $330,000 to $430,000. Ava’s median sale price for single-family homes is $235,000, less than half of Springfield’s.
Downtown square offers diverse dining options
Various restaurants, boutiques and other businesses are in the vintage buildings around the downtown square. Cafes in this area include True Brew, a coffee shop and cafe that serves flatbread sandwiches, small pizzas and burgers. Casa Delicioso is among the city's few Mexican restaurants. Its options include street-style tacos, tamales and pastries like conchas. Haro Brothers Restaurant is a laid-back spot serving various comfort foods and classic breakfasts. “They do all home-cooked meals, and it’s amazing,” Barrett says. Grocery shopping options include Walmart and Town & Country Supermarket. Every Saturday from April to October, many here go to the Ava Farmers Market for locally-grown produce, crafts and baked goods.
Recreation ranges from pools and tennis to horseback riding
Ava City Park is one of the city’s recreation destinations. The 20-acre park’s amenities range from playgrounds and walking trails to tennis courts and a pool facility. The park also has skating ramps and a disc golf course. Local golfers may play at the private Ava Country Club, which has a nine-hole course and pool. For more recreation, some may make the trip to a section of the Mark Twain National Forest about 30 miles south. Popular spots there include the Glade Top Trail, a 23-mile path that leads users to overlooking views of the region’s sprawling hills and woods. The trail draws many hikers, but horseback riders also visit the area.
Ava hosts the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Show
Ava's most well-known event is the annual Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Show and Celebration at the grounds and tracks just north of the city. The show spans the entire week after Labor Day, with over 1,000 horses competing in over 100 classes. The event also organizes activities like trail rides for spectators. “I’ve been to one of the shows, and they [horses] come from every place on earth. It’s a big deal for horse people,” Barrett says. “The town really tries to accommodate and be all about the Fox Trotters when they come.”
Students may attend Ava schools and take a bike ride around the area
Ava R-I School District serves the city and receives a B-minus from Niche. Ava elementary and high schools get B grades, while Ava Middle School receives a B-minus. The district takes kids into the community, like an elementary-aged bike class that goes on supervised rides to various locations. The trips often involve the students getting frozen desserts and meeting with school district staff.
Missouri Route 14 is a commuter route
Many here have direct access to Missouri Route 14, which goes to several different communities around Ava. Commuters may get on the highway to Springfield, which is more than a 1-hour drive from Ava. Despite the distance, Springfield provides some important institutions for Ava residents. They include Springfield-Branson National Airport and Mercy Hospital Springfield, which is one of the nearest hospitals to Ava.
