[gregandvicky]

I know, different strokes for different folks. We went to Eureka Springs, HSV,
Bella Vista and Mountain Home. Really friendly people everywhere we went.
We found home prices to be reasonable in all but Eureka Springs, sort of expensive, obviously because it is land locked with mountains.
We have decided not to move to NWA. We felt the housing was a trade off as compared to the Austin area, and the humidiity was bad but not as bad as here, there was not enough difference to justify a move.
It is a nice area, nice people and lower property taxes, but we felt the minor differences did not justify the change.

[Sam I Am]

G & V -

Do you intend to look at other areas, or just stay in Austin? NWA is expensive...I'm so sad I didn't buy property there when my then college-aged son begged me to....I'd probably be sitting around eating bon-bons and looking at stacks of green!

Thanks for your assessment and report on what you found, which I am sure others will find useful in the future!

[Dublin]

Greg & Vicky,

Sorry to hear NWA didn't work for you. What's in store now? Hope you find the place of your dreams.

Take care,
- J

[gregandvicky]

Do not misunderstand NWA is really nice but just not enough of a positive change. Housing here in the Austin area in very similar to NWA.
We are continuing our search in NM and Arizona. Yes I know HOT HOT HOT.
We are sort of waiting to see where the real estate prices head based on rates and the sub prime mess.
Some are predicting this may last into 2009 with home price declines.
We are going to continue our search never the less.
Thanks to everyone on this forum. You have been most helpful and all have good attitudes and area knowledge.

[nmnita]

Greg and Vicki,

glad you had a chance to visit the NW section of Arkansas. I only have one thing to add or maybe a couple: as for prices, from what our realtor told us, most of the homes are way over priced and won't begin to sell for the asking price. That probably isn't enough to change your mind.

As for NM, actually depending on where you are looking it isn't all that hot. We live just south of Albuquerque, rarely do we see many days much above 95 with little humidity as you know. Las Cruses and Carlsbad are much hotter while Sante Fe is cooler.

Depending on where you are looking, you will find, just like everywhere a wide variety of political views, with the state, overall being very liberal.

Again depending on where you choose here are my opinions of our state:

Pros: property taxes are low, not as low as Arkansas, but are much lower than Texas; Car and homeowners insurance are very low: no sales tax on food anymore: close to perfect climate with still a change in seasons. This is probably the best part of living here. Friendly people for the most part, not as friendly as Arkansas. Lots of cultural deversity. UNM hospital is rated very high. Probably not as good as many in Texas, but does have a great reputation.

Cons: I hate to generalize but people are lazy; it is one of the poorest states in the union: almost the highest number of drunk driving arrests, some have been arrested 20-30 times, salaries are very low in comparison to other states, even Arkansas. Like most poor states the school systems leave a lot to be desired. This doesn't mean there are no good schools, just more bad ones.

We are leaving for many reasons and yet we will miss much of what NM has to offer. The mindset of the people just differs from our ideas too much. As for AZ, unless you want to re-locate to Flagstaff or Williams which are more expensive, you are right: hotter than you know where. I love the state but couldn't live in the heat.

Hope this helps a little.

Nita