Springfield, Missouri mixes a lively mid-size city vibe with an affordable cost of living, a growing food and craft‑brew scene, walkable downtown cultural venues and strong healthcare employers—ideal for travel therapists who want variety between shifts. Easy access to the Ozarks means hiking, mountain biking, rivers and lakes are regular weekend escapes, so multi‑week stays rarely feel stale.
About 45 miles south, Branson supplies big shows and Table Rock Lake recreation, and roughly 70 miles southwest Joplin offers larger-city shopping and services—both make quick weekend getaways.