Arkansas...the good and the bad

mike_littlerock · May 2013

I say that being from Cali moved to OK. Everywhere has their pros and cons. No one can do it for you, you just have to get out a piece of paper and do it for yourself. Disposable income in a HUGE pro for me because that has a ripple affect on other areas of your life.

you are right. every place i have ever lived had pro's and con's. I have found things i loved in every city I have lived in, or worked in, but I also know negative people who will focus on the bad. It is a matter of perspective really, if you go in with an open mind and are able to acknowledge positives and negatives, then you have the ability to continue to find new positives, and avoid the negatives you discover.. before long you have a pretty nice situation. I have one friend that comes to mind, hes so negative in general and will walk into a restaurant for example, with a thought in his head that this place is going to suck. he will then focus on every negative ,no matter how picayune, and by the end of the night his prophecy has been fulfilled and he had a horrible night because he went looking for it. Once in a while we are able to distract him from his mission and can get him to stop looking for things to ***** about and he will grumble something about how "it did not suck as bad as I have heard".. LOL.

we were chatting last night about a negative trainer we know, who does not know why people dont listen to him. His basic approach is "hey.. what do you think you are doing? thats all wrong.. Let me show you how stupid you look". I just cant seem to figure out why more people dont open up to him.

xoxodollface · June 2013

I actually moved to Arkansas in 2001 from Austin, Texas (and eventually I'd like to move back to Texas to be closer to family) but I live in Conway, it's about 20 minutes or so North of Little Rock. There are 3 colleges here and we have about 65,000 people. There are some nice places to live here but anyone coming from an urban area may deal with a little culture shock at first

Chieflrg · June 2013

Brother is in Mountain Home. He really doesn't like it at all. But he is is a tattoo dude and an artist of many textures. He very unique person to say the least. He complains how the big thing in that area is a Walmart. Hear they have some good golf courses if your into that, along with scuba diving as well. Weather is pretty humid i summer and snow is barely sticking although they don't take care of the roads which shuts them down when any kind of cold weather hits. Taxes are extremely low, which is why so many people retire there.

mycrazy8splus1 · June 2013

we are not coming from an urban place. We currently have a farm and are 20 miles from any town (and it is only a town of 3,000 people). Not sure if I can deal with a Walmart being to close. Our 'local' Walmart is 50 +miles away. I love the rural life! My hubby has been golfing but neither of us are really into it.

Thanks for the responses.

weighlossforbaby · June 2013

I live in Conway, Arkansas (30 mins from Little Rock). I moved to Arkansas in 2005 from Maine. There's mostly colleges and shopping here.

IlaDoty · June 2013

I was born and raised in California. Several years back my husband and I sold everything and moved our family to Arkansas. We were only there for one year (Fayetteville, Springdale area). I LOVED it. For the first time in our marriage, I got to stay home and raise my kids. Cost of living was awesome. Our biggest mistake was having family lure us back. But, the short time we were there I learned to prioritize finances and family. I too home schooled, but not until we came back. We lived in Arkansas while I was researching the idea and found a lot of support. It was a completely different (slower) way of life. The only thing that I experienced that I couldn't get used to was the racism. That was foreign to me. My husband and I talk about going back when we retire to live around the Beaver Lake area. SO BEAUTIFUL! I also learned what four seasons meant.

songbird1973 · June 2013

I live in Pine Bluff Arkansas, if I had my choice I would go north of Pine Bluff. Good luck in your move!!!

unmitigatedbadassery · June 2013

I was born in AR. In Conway. I lived in Mountain View for the first years of childhood and build many fond memories. I moved back when I was 18 and lived there another couple of years before moving back to FL for family reasons. I love it there. I try to visit as often as I can, which I admit isn't very often. I'd be happy to raise my son there given the opportunity. The only negative I would have is the job market in the areas in which I lived. Decent jobs are few and far between unless you are willing to live in one of the larger cities or commute. If you have anymore questions just shoot me a message.

roeann53 · June 2013

I'm rather liberal, a democrat, not religious, enjoy intellectual conversations and like to go shopping.

I think the issue is that cities offer more social and educational options than small towns. Also, location, location, location... I don't like a lot of heat but then again I don't like it too cold either.

LAS_1980 · June 2013

I have lived in Arkansas my whole life. I currently live in a town of about 2500 people and I love it! My closest Walmart, McDonald's, or any other major chain is 20 or so minutes away and I am happy with that. I know you said you homeschool but our school here is small and wonderful. Considering my oldest 2 just started this school last year and both love it, that says a lot because they came from the same school they've been going to their whole life. As far as clubs and organizations, you would not find those in this town...you'd have to be willing to travel 20 or so minutes.

Good luck and let me know if I can answer any more questions!

mycrazy8splus1 · June 2013

We don't mind traveling to get the kids to activities. Right now we have to drive 20-30 minutes to get them to wrestling practice and 4H. It sounds as if Arkansas has a lot to offer that we are looking for.

I'm concerned about tornadoes. We don't have things like that out here. Are they very common there?

mike_littlerock · June 2013

I guess it depends on the area (regarding the tornado's). i found one map, loads of others out there that show the number of storms.
http://weather.about.com/od/tornadoe1/ss/tornadointro_2.htm
I am sure there must be one that shows property damage, etc.

I personally have never seen one. I have seen damage from tornado's in a town near conway (30ish miles from little rock) and was working in TN when the one hit union university. They certainly can be devastating, but I think some areas are more prone to hits based on not only location, but geography as the topology might either aid or hinder the confluence or warm and cold air needed.

mandyjanine · July 2013

I also live in Fort Smith and work alot in Little Rock right now. There's good and bad everywhere. The more south you go the more rural it gets, but it would also be harder to find the kid's oppurtunities that you mentioned as alot of the small towns in our area don't have wrestling that I'm aware of so you'd probably have to find a class in the nearest town. I was born and raised in arkansas and moved to Austin TX for the city life and the live music, but moved back about 6 years ago to marry my husband and best friend. I don't get on the boards much as I'm on my mobile app all the time, but feel free to add me anytime and best of luck wherever you end up!

buckaroos30 · July 2013

I live in rural south Ar. small town USA we have a wonderful school ,but I hate that for large chain shopping malls we have to drive two hrs. jobs are really hard to find in this area also. health food stores are no where to be found either. but it we live in the country so it was a wonderful quit place to raise our kids. good luck to your family.

megabyt23 · July 2013

I live in northwest Arkansas and love it. The schools are great, and it's not too small/big. Lots of activities, etc. Kinda just depends on what you're looking for.

Arkansas...the good and the bad

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