Finding Home from Afar: How One Woman Built a New Life and Community in Springfield

Keren Levine had never been to Springfield, Missouri. She didn’t know anyone in town and had no family close.

But in 2019, while living in a small town outside of Portland, Oregon, she sent an email that would change her life. 

The email was addressed to David Burton, a community development specialist with the University of Missouri Extension. Keren had been reading his digital newsletter, The Engaged Neighbor, which encouraged readers to celebrate National Good Neighbor Day by reaching out to those nearby. Keren took the advice to heart—but from a distance. 

“It made a real difference in my life,” Keren said. 

That small idea of connecting with neighbors would soon lead her to a new city, new friendships, and a new life.

A Brave Decision

At the time, Keren was caring for her husband, who had serious health issues. Staying in Oregon no longer seemed like an option. 

“To get out from under our growing debts,” she said, “we had to sell our home.” 

Keren began researching affordable places to live and came across Springfield. She liked what she saw—especially the city’s strong neighborhood groups. 

That’s when she found The Engaged Neighbor newsletter. (Go to engagedneighbor.com to subscribe).

Then, Keren made a bold choice: She bought a house in Springfield online.

The realtor recommended a handyman to handle the inspection. He told her that the neighbors seemed friendly and had even offered their contact information. Keren reached out. 

“I introduced myself and was delighted to receive a welcoming reply from a future neighbor,” she said. 

The neighbor shared a story about her mother, who, as a widow, had moved to a new town and ended up having some of the happiest years of her life. “What a balm that encouragement was to me,” said Keren.

Trouble from Afar

The handyman also recommended a property manager. The manager rented the house to tenants who caused major problems, then convinced Keren that everything was fine and that her neighbors were overreacting. 

“By the second visit from a SWAT team, well, I may be slow, but I’m not stupid,” Keren said. 

Another neighbor called Keren and offered to show her the damage over video. 

“She suggested I patch the holes in the walls, replace a few windows, slap on some paint, and sell it.” 

But Keren wasn’t ready to give up. “It was my home, and I planned to move into it.”

She hired her neighbors to help. 

“From 2,000 miles away, I tried to oversee the restoration of a house I had never seen in a town I had never visited,” Keren said. “My future neighbors made that possible.” 

Those future neighbors rented a dumpster, filled it with debris, and teased her about her poor housekeeping. They chased off squatters. They found replacement appliances from the ReStore. One neighbor knew a carpenter who trained former prisoners in the building trades. Keren hired him. 

The carpenter tore parts of the house down to the studs, repaired dry rot, replaced plumbing, fixed electrical problems, installed new cabinetry, and brought the house up to code.

Eventually, Keren’s house became a welcoming home—even better than when she bought it. And before she even moved in, she was making important connections in Springfield.

A Magical Arrival

Two years ago, Keren made the long drive alone from Oregon to Missouri. She brought only the basics: cleaning supplies, her houseplants, a coffee maker, and a change of clothes to hold her over until the moving van arrived.

The neighbors who had helped her from afar welcomed her by placing a plant and a welcome mat at her front door. When they heard she had slept on the floor, they lent her an air mattress. 

“I remember sitting on my porch swing that first day as I oriented myself to the town,” Keren said. “Neighbors gave me a map, local publications, and referrals for every kind of professional. It was like walking into a dream.”

Connecting to the Community

“One of my first stops that week was to deliver a soil sample to the County Extension office,” Keren said. 

As a longtime gardener, she was curious about Missouri’s soil and climate. She signed up for a library card and got her Missouri driver’s license. 

These small steps helped her feel like she belonged.

Keren also began attending meetings of the West Central Neighborhood Alliance (WCNA). 

“I was grateful to meet our local PAR officer and firemen and to see that the concerns raised by people in our neighborhood were addressed by our City Councilman,” she said. 

She even got some of her neighbors to join her at these meetings.

Walking Group Builds Friendships

Keren had one concern—she didn’t feel totally safe walking alone in her new neighborhood. So, she asked the WCNA leadership if she could start a daytime walking group.

They loved the idea. The group first met at a local coffee shop. 

They walked together through the neighborhood, visited local spots like the History Museum and Jordan Creek Underground, and even volunteered at community events like the Route 66 Festival. 

“When the weather got too hot, we got creative,” Keren said. “During winter, we met at local coffee shops just to stay connected.”

Growing Roots, Finding Peace

Keren also completed Master Gardener training and joined gardening groups. She continues to explore Springfield and connect with neighbors who now feel like friends.

Keren’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the surprising power of a friendly connection. She credits her new life to one simple idea—neighboring. 

She still reads David Burton’s Engaged Neighbor newsletter and continues practicing what it means to enter a community, step by step.

Keren’s story shows that being a good neighbor doesn’t require grand gestures. It starts with learning someone’s name, offering a smile, and sharing a conversation. Through her efforts, she didn’t just find a place to live—she found a community. 

Keren sums it up best: “I now feel like I am truly home.”

Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or visit his website at http://engagedneighbor.com.