Bentonville vs. Fayetteville (Springdale, Rogers, Bella Vista: environment, for sale, job)

[jaskat]

HI, I've been reading this forum for a while and did a search on both of these towns, but still need some help.

I want to move to NW AR as soon as I sell my house in FL. I narrowed it down to Bentonville and Fayetteville, but don't know which one would fit better. Here are the most important factors.

1. I have 2 kids - 6 & 9 and school quality is very important to me. My kids have always been in schools rated 9-10 at greatschools.com and I did not see any rated that high in the area. However, it seemed that Bentonville, on average, had better schools than F-ville. Is this the case?

2. I would like to get 5-10 acres and still be within 10 min of the school. I'd like to stay under $100K for the land. After looking at current listings, it looks like F-ville has a lot more land lots for sale vs. B-ville. Is that a correct observation?

3. I am concerned about the smell of chicken farms. I lived in TN downwind from a paper plant (which was horrible) and in FL close to an orange factory (no, it does not smell like oranges). I am tired of living in the stink, so is either of these areas less prone to smell? I see chicken farms everywhere on Google satellite pictures and understand that this is the poultry area, but how far do you need to be from one to not be affected that much?

As far as town life, I don't need that much. Just a WalMart within 15-20 min and some good churches around. Does not seem like either would be a problem.

I would appreciate any opinions. Sorry for the long post.

[boulder]

Jaskat - even though Bentonville and Fayetteville are only 25 miles apart they are very different communities. For one, Fayetteville is pushing 70k people and Bentonville, while growing very aggressively, is still a much smaller town as far as population goes.

Both have good schools and I wouldn't hesitate putting my children in either school system. Bentonville schools get large donations from Wal-Mart headquarters but then again Wal-Mart seems to take care of all the schools in the area with very generous donations. Fayetteville schools are probably more diverse considering it is a college town.

I would think you would be more apt to find 5-10 acres west of Bentonville than you would around Fayetteville. Fayetteville is kinda landlocked on most sides except for maybe the west and southwest. But small parcels of land should be available around both towns.

I have never smelled chicken farms in either town but you can smell chicken processing in Springdale and Rogers. Urban sprawl has pushed the farms farther and farther out.

As far as "town life" this is the big difference between Bentonville and Fayetteville. While Bentonville is all about business, Fayetteville is the social hub of NWA ... with Dickson Street, the Walton Art Center, the university, the festivals, and the unique shopping and restaurants. Fayetteville is always busy with something going on and is a weekend retreat type town. Bentonville is very commercial and has plenty of new shopping and eating areas but it's mostly chain type stuff. The town is packed during the week with all the suppliers coming in Tuesday through Thursday.

My suggestion would be to visit the area and compare the two towns for yourself - the difference between Fayetteville and Bentonville will be obvious and the town that best matches your lifestyle should be evident to you.

[sherrenee]

Too me Bentonville seems alot more $ focused (Wal Mart and all their big wigs). Where as Fayetteville is alot more eclectic and more of a town for just the "average joe". Fayetteville is very big on the arts etc and there is usually quite a bit to do.

[nmnita]

Remember, Fayetteville is a college town, we checked property: it is more expensive than Bentonville or seemed to be. Of course a college town will bring about a little more culture as a rule.

As for schools, I am a firm beleiver, if your kids want to learn and succeed they will shine, no matter where they are educated, if, on the other hand they did to be pushed, you may have a totally different situation.

Don't worry, either town will offer a good educational system.

Nita

[Hog-I]

Goshen is a town just a couple of miles east of Fayetteville that should have plenty of plots of land the size you're looking for but for less money. I think it is in the Fayetteville school district as well.

Another thing you may consider if it is important to you:

Fayetteville = Very liberal
Bentonville = Very conservative

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by Hog-I

Goshen is a town just a couple of miles east of Fayetteville that should have plenty of plots of land the size you're looking for but for less money. I think it is in the Fayetteville school district as well.

Another thing you may consider if it is important to you:

Fayetteville = Very liberal
Bentonville = Very conservative

Feyetteville is Liberal? Good, thats another good tip for me. Another one in the win column for Fayetteville. how liberal is it? are we talking lib for Arkansas or up there with Austin/Seattle/Portland? Please no negative comments from conservatives, I just want to move to a place I can make friends.

[boulder]

Fayetteville is liberal for Arkansas and I would say it parallels with Austin. Fayetteville is a great place to live and raise a family - residents tend to be broad minded and tolerant of others yet protective of the town and what makes it unique. City leaders are always exploring new ideas to improve quality of life in the community.

[Hog-I]

I would say boulder hit the nail on the head. The city is very liberal for Arkansas but is also liberal for anywhere. The city government and city council tend to be very progressive and there is great support for environmental issues. It is nothing like any other place in Arkansas, which tends to be conservative, even though most of its state politicians are Democrats.

The community is very active in the political decisions made in the town. If you lean liberal you will be right at home and will have no problem finding like-minded friends.

[chadmacp1]

Hello,

I live just south of Fayetteville. I actually live on the same road as the UA football stadium, just about 10 minutes south. I have a brother who lives in Bentonville, so I know a little about your questions. I have recently gotten my teaching license and have been looking for a job in the area.

1) As for schools, Bentonville and Fayetteville are 2 of the four highest paying school districts in the state, with Rogers and Springdale being the other 2. So they certainly are willing to spend money up here in NWA. Bentonville has been growing rapidly and has many new schools. Most of the growth around Fayetteville is to the west and there are plenty of new schools around that part of town. I think national test scores for the districts in NWA are skewed quite a bit. There is a huge influx of Hispanics in the area, and these students are required to take the exams with everyone else. Springdale is where this is most evident. All in all, I would say its probably a push when it comes to schools in Bentonville and Fayetteville.

2) I would say both should have plenty of land available, but west of Fayetteville is probably less expensive. Dont know for sure.

3) I dont think you have to really worry much about the smell. Certainly not in or around Fayetteville. Springdale is the only city where the smell is noticeable to me. It is just north of Fayetteville.

Depending on your profession, in general, the job market is probably better in Bentonville.

Hope this helps a little,

[nmnita]

I was about to answer the liberal/conservative question when boulder took the words right off my response. If you are liberal, Fayetteville would be the best match for you.

Our daughter just sent the break down as voters registration in the zip code that takes in Bella Vista, I am sure Bentonville would be similar: 68% republican and 30% democrats, the other 1 plus percent are independants. I guess that tells the story.

Nita