[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Creolediva

Your Post on Fort Smith was hilarious. I've just taken a position there and expect to stay for 1 to 2 years. You've got me scared now!!!

which post has you scared and was hilarious? There have been so many. Don't let a few influence you that much. Ft Smith has a lot to offer. Is it right for everyone? Of course not, no place is, but enjoy what the area does have to offer, if you are not from AR get out and learn what a wonderful state it is and appreciate why it is called the natural state.

Then in a year or two, when you re-locate you can look back on all the area did offer.

Normally when someone posts a totally negative review they are not looking at things through clear eyes and can't see the positives in most experiences. They let one or two unfortunate things enfluence their entire outlook.

We once lived someplace for about a year that was certainly not suited to our family. We couldn't wait to move but I still have fond memories of things the area did offer. So do our kids, who are now grown with kids of their own.

Nita

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by Creolediva

Your Post on Fort Smith was hilarious. I've just taken a position there and expect to stay for 1 to 2 years. You've got me scared now!!!

I lived in Fort Smith for 5 years. After two I was ready to get out. 1-2 years in Fort Smith isn't the end of the world but be sure you make the right preparations to get out when the time comes. One of the worst things about Fort Smith in my opinion is once you are there its very difficult to get out. A lot of it has to do with the culture and isolation of the area.

[rsclark]

Fort Smith is an amazing place to live if you ask me.

The number one problem with Fort Smith is the people. You see citizens of NWA and all they do is brag about their area. All we do is *****. Go live in Roland, or Van Buren. If you don't like Fort Smith shop somewhere else. Go to the hospital somewhere else. Fort Smith is far better than any city of it's size in Arkansas. Like children, you guys aren't grateful for what you have.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by rsclark

Fort Smith is an amazing place to live if you ask me.

The number one problem with Fort Smith is the people. You see citizens of NWA and all they do is brag about their area. All we do is *****. Go live in Roland, or Van Buren. If you don't like Fort Smith shop somewhere else. Go to the hospital somewhere else. Fort Smith is far better than any city of it's size in Arkansas. Like children, you guys aren't grateful for what you have.

good defense of Ft Smith. Everyone should be proud of where they have chosen to live. This doesn't mean our home towns do not have problems, but hopefully, there are lots of positives as well.

Nita

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by rsclark

Fort Smith is an amazing place to live if you ask me.

The number one problem with Fort Smith is the people. You see citizens of NWA and all they do is brag about their area. All we do is *****. Go live in Roland, or Van Buren. If you don't like Fort Smith shop somewhere else. Go to the hospital somewhere else. Fort Smith is far better than any city of it's size in Arkansas. Like children, you guys aren't grateful for what you have.

Fort Smith and Little Rock both have this problem. If a newcomer says they like it, the natives will be like "why?..this place sucks." In NWA they are proud of their area and in my opinion civic pride makes a huge difference. I honestly think this is one of the biggest reasons NWA is so pro-economic development and Fort Smith seems to be in such opposition to it. It is a vicious catch-22 cycle in Fort Smith and to some extent Little Rock. It sucks because of the attitude of the people, but because of the people's attitude it will never improve.

That said, Fort Smith especially is just to small and rural to compete with true urban areas. People who prefer a larger city will generally not be happy in a place as small as Fort Smith.

[ArkansasTgirl]

Originally Posted by bchris02

That said, Fort Smith especially is just to small and rural to compete with true urban areas. People who prefer a larger city will generally not be happy in a place as small as Fort Smith.

Fort Smith will probably never be able to compete with places like Houston or Chicago in terms of being urban. I'll probably never walk on Mars either, life goes on.

I did read an article in the Times Record (local paper) a few weeks ago about how the average population of an area where two major interstates cross is about 800,000 people. I-49 and I-40 should cross in Kibler, of all places, just north of Fort Smith.

[jenni-b]

Fort Smith and Little Rock both have this problem. If a newcomer says they like it, the natives will be like "why?..this place sucks."

you have got to be kidding me.

[ArkansasTgirl]

I found that article

“There are statistics that where two interstates cross the average population is 800,000 people,” said Mat Pitsch, WAPDD intermodal manager. “I don’t know that’s our number. ... Some that go into that average may be 300,000 or 1.6 million, but even at 300,000 we’ll undergo tremendous growth. ... It’s a storm that’s waiting to rain. We have to keep going. We’ll have growth stronger than we have now.”

Source
I-49 Has Promise, Problems - The Times Record: Special Reports (http://www.swtimes.com/special_reports/article_83924506-b78d-11df-ab48-001cc4c03286.html - broken link)

[North Pulaski Player]

Originally Posted by jenni-b

you have got to be kidding me.

bchris is back...

[Dr. Foosball]

bchris, you are really doing a disservice to many people who are looking to move to Ft Smith or Little Rock. You would serve them better by just stating that "many people in those cities are homophobic and they are not havens for people who live alternative lifestyles." That would be a true statement. But to bash ever aspect of those cities because of one person's individual experience does not help anyone. Helping people relocate is the main focus of this forum.

I know a lot of people in FSM and LR who do not thing their city "sucks." I also know people from all over the country, some of whom live in wonderful cities, who do think that their city "sucks." Many in NWA think that their area "sucks." I don't see that issue being any more widespread in the cities that you mentioned than it is in any other city in the country.