[CCScarfaro]

Hey everyone,

Couple questions for you. I live in Westlake Village , Calfornia and thinking of relocation to NWA.

I am in a corporate executive and have been doing the same thing for 20 years and would like to spend more time with my family and start working in my passion, which is in Fitness as a Personal trainer. Though money wouldnt be a huge issue, we have acquired enough from home value out here and other investments that I wouldnt have to earn that much, but question would be is there enough market or enough high end earners whom would use a personal trainer?

Second questions, housing? Where to live, we can afford the 500s to 600s without carrying a mortgage, so I would like to stay in that price range, is Shadow Valley the place to live?

My wife went to college in NWA and her family is here so I know she is dying to go back, but I am torn. I love california for all that it offers, but I would love the freedom of doing what I love and hanging with my kiddos, staying in California would just mean me being a corporate executive for 10 more years, which would be a bad thing, but just kicking this idea around.

Any help would be great.

CCS

[nmnita]

Depending on what you like to do in your spare time, you may want to look at the Fayetteville area. It will give you a certain amount on culture with the college there, be a little more liberal, choser to what you have in Calif and the medical facilities are outstanding. Another area: Bella Vista.

As for what you can get for your buck, I would think you could have anything you want and more for less than the price you quoted. Remember property and taxes are about 1/2 of what you pay in Calif. I am familiar with Westlake Villagem, I really do think you would like Bella Vista.

As for being a personal trainer, that I can't answer, but it seems to me most of the areas in NWA would be very receptive: the problem, there may already be a few in the area.

Good luck, our daughter and son in law were just up previewing Bella Vista and Hot Springs Village. They will be back in Dallas tonight: I can't wait to hear what they thought.

Nita

[CCScarfaro]

Thanks for the input. Though being from California, I can see how you could think I am liberal, but I am not, more a moderate republican. I havent check out Bella Vista at all, my visits back I spent more time over in the Pinnacle area since that did feel more like Westlake then anywhere else. I did enjoy my time in Fayetteville as well, nice college area.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by CCScarfaro

Thanks for the input. Though being from California, I can see how you could think I am liberal, but I am not, more a moderate republican. I havent check out Bella Vista at all, my visits back I spent more time over in the Pinnacle area since that did feel more like Westlake then anywhere else. I did enjoy my time in Fayetteville as well, nice college area.

I was born and raised in California, I just had to throw the liberal part in; I would certainly look into the Bella Vista area. My daughter and hubby just got back. Well actually they aren't back yet, they have stopped to see our granddaughter in OKC.

With the wonders of techology I talked to them a little while ago. They are about your age I would guess, maybe a little older, have a daughter who is a senior at the University of AR and another daughter that has been married a couple of years with a new baby. Although they are not going to hang it up and retire for maybe 5 more years, looking for the perfect place in important.

My son in law is very far right and our daughter middle of the road republican. They absolutely loved Bella Vista. They have been looking for land in other areas of AR as well as Mo.

Just thought I would throw that in.

nita

[Meg Lesher]

Rogers leaps to my mind as a good place for your venture into fitness training. It's affluent, and tends to draw a somewhat younger population than Bella Vista, which while lovely does have the reputation of being a retirement community. No aspersions on senior citizens meant here, but when I think of fitness buffs I think of folks in mid-life trying to keep their shape and those a bit younger trying to win a mate. I'm sure that you can find housing in your price range easily anywhere in N.W. Arkansas.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Meg Lesher

Rogers leaps to my mind as a good place for your venture into fitness training. It's affluent, and tends to draw a somewhat younger population than Bella Vista, which while lovely does have the reputation of being a retirement community. No aspersions on senior citizens meant here, but when I think of fitness buffs I think of folks in mid-life trying to keep their shape and those a bit younger trying to win a mate. I'm sure that you can find housing in your price range easily anywhere in N.W. Arkansas.

Meg, from the latest statistics BV is turning into a bedroom community for the younger set. As of about a year or so ago, 54% of those living in BV were retired. In a very short time that number has gone down to, I think, 37%. Many things seem to be changing as the years are passing. Rogers may be a good bet as well, same as Bentonville and Fayetteville. I was referring to the entire area actually and yet, knowing a little about Westlake Village I have to admit Bella Vista popped into my mind right away.

Nita

[jcbarbit]

I recently moved to Rogers, AR and am in my 20s/young professional--working for a vendor of Wal Mart. I am also a huge runner/exerciser and find the Rogers area to be where the 20s crowd tends to be moving to. I think being a trainer in this area might end up to be a good experience for you. As far as living--all of the towns are VERY close to one another and you could easily commute (as I am not sure Rogers has big homes) I believe it caters more to the condo/apartment/younger crowd.

[JGAngel97]

I used to live in Simi Valley, CA and was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. I now live in Las Vegas, NV and cannot wait to get out.

We went on the free trip with NRPI in Feb thinking we probably would not like NWA. We stayed in Rogers and toured Bella Vista. OMG! We cannot wait to move. We fell in love with the area. Bentonville, Rogers and Bella are very close together.

I recommend two sites: REALTOR.com - Real Estate Listings & Homes For Sale and Beautiful Bella Vista Arkansas. You can see what is available for sale in almost any city at realtor.com. You will be surprised with the upscale homes in Bella Vista and Bentonville. You will be able to afford a gorgeous waterfront home (if that is your style!) free and clear in BV.

Hope this helps!

JGAngel97

[DFWMike]

Be sure and check out greatschools.net if you plan on sending your kids to public schools. The rumor has been that all of NWA has great school systems but the shool district's scores don't reflect that. If this is an issue for you, be sure to stay within the fayetteville, and bentonville school districts, both have excellent schools and great scores.

I was quite shocked at some of the scores of the other districts high school ratings when I was looking into moving to the area. I know that some would say those scores may not mean much, but they match pretty well in the Dallas area with what I would assume to be true, so I would assume this would hold true there.

This only reflects the immediate area school districts of course, Siloam Springs and some others have great scores, out of the major cities though, this shows to be true.

[CCScarfaro]

Thanks for the input. I am going back in a few weeks, and take a long look if this is something I can do. I know of all the benefits and the idea of doing something I love. But then there is the down sides, I love the beach....I grew up here and have 3 little kids, so I am not sure if I can move them and not give them the california lifesytle I had....I will have to really think this out. I could even rent out my california home and give NWA a few years and if it doesnt work out I can move back. On thing about california real estate , if you leave the state and dont have a home to come back too, your not coming back, pricing jumps so fast its hard to get into the market. We bought our home 5 years ago and no way shape or form would I want to try to rebuy it now.

Thanks for all the input, the more the merrier.