The vibrant lakeside lifestyle of Osage Beach
Osage Beach started as a small riverside town in 1886 and transformed over the years into a flourishing lakeside community. Its position on the Osage River, which was dammed to create Lake of the Ozarks, gives it access to miles of shoreline. Once Lake Ozarks State Park was developed, Osage Beach became a popular destination for tourists, retirees and part-time residents with second homes. "It’s the heart of the lake. It’s where all the commerce is, all the medical centers and restaurants. We’re getting more and more year-round residents,” says Melissa Krantz, a local Realtor with Re/Max Lake of the Ozarks, who’s been selling homes for 30 years. “In a way, it’s like coastal living. It’s not a stagnant lake. People can do so much by boat, whether docking at restaurants or visiting their friends on the water.”
Recreation at Lake of the Ozarks and community green spaces
Outdoor recreation, especially lake activities, is huge here. The community is almost entirely bordered by water, and it backs up to Lake Ozarks State Park. “There’s barely an off-season since the lake is open all year,” Krantz says. “There’s so much to do on the water, it’s hard to list. We have a big bass fishing community, and you always see people wakeboarding. Those two are big.” Several parks are scattered around the community, maintained by the Osage Beach Parks and Recreation departments. Locals don't have to travel far for things like sports courts or playgrounds. Hiking and biking trails run throughout Osage Beach, winding past the lake shoreline and coves.
Midcentury condos, lakefront homes and New Traditional properties
Osage Beach offers an array of housing types, from midcentury condos and townhomes to custom waterfront houses and New Traditional-style dwellings. “You can get into a condo around the $300,000 range, or get as fancy as an $8 million lakefront property,” Krantz says. She points out that property taxes have stayed low despite the influx of year-round residents. “What’s important to consider is that in the Ozarks, you have the right to have a private dock connected to your grounds," Krantz says. "Sometimes, someone’s dock and boat are worth more than their home.” The median sales price for homes in Osage Beach is about $685,000, higher than the national median of $435,000.
Popular shopping plazas and lakeside dining
Osage Beach has several retail areas, attracting national retailers and big-box stores due to the population increase during summer tourism. The Osage Beach Outlet Marketplace, close to the waterfront, is an open-air mall with dozens of shops. Farther inland, the Stone Crest Mall is an anchor for shopping plazas that house stores like Target, Hy-Vee and Marshalls. The lakeside is flush with owner-operated restaurants that have been community staples for years, from the upbeat atmosphere at Dog Days Bar and Grill to the upscale dining at 1932 Reserve. “It’s cool because, unlike many lake communities, there are so many waterfront restaurants you can just boat to and dock at,” Krantz says.
Education at the centralized School of the Osage
Due to Osage Beach’s split between Miller and Camden counties, the community formed its own school district, the School of the Osage. Most kids in the area will start at Heritage Elementary and Osage Upper Elementary School, both of which get B-plus grades from Niche. Students can move on to B-rated Osage Middle and B-plus-rated Osage High. Osage High has a nearly 98% graduation rate, and 23 athletic programs and activities sponsored by the Missouri State High School Activities Association.
The month-long fun of the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout event
The community has several annual events, from the carnival games and live music of the fall festival to the youth competitions at the summertime Fishing Derby. Its most renowned event, however, is the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, which draws thousands to Osage Beach every weekend in August and September. “It’s one big fundraiser. We can usually raise $150,000 just in one night,” Krantz says. “It’s a huge party.” Each day of the Shootout has a different main event, such as boat racing, a street party and a live auction.
Getting around on major routes and local healthcare
U.S. Route 54 runs through the community, connecting to Jefferson City in the north and Camdenton in the south. Near the center of Osage Beach, it intersects with Route 42, a major highway for central Missouri. On Osage Beach’s west side is the Lake Regional Hospital, which operates as a general and emergency medical center. While Osage Beach has two nearby airports, neither operates commercial flights. Most residents will drive 65 miles north to Columbia Regional Airport.
