Want to move to Arkansas-need info (Little Rock, Fayetteville: relocation, lease, work)

[EnisledLady]

My husband and I are looking to relocate to Arkansas, but after a disastrous relocation to Montana, we are a tad hesitant to go to parts unknown again. My husband has heard that people in Arkansas are very stand-offish and unfriendly to people from other places moving in. I think he is putting to much weight on this as there are always people willing to speak badly of others but I would appreciate some input on this matter.
I also would appreciate some input on where would be the best places to consider for our needs. We love the country life; hunting, fishing, gardening and raising animals (chickens-pigs etc). We need a small place (fixer-ups okay) with a little land (5+ acres) in the country with good access to fishing and hunting areas. A place where the neighbors "live and let live". It needs to be within commute time from a men's correctional facility so as to be able to transfer his work. It needs to be in a lower cost area as correctional officers don't earn much. Lastly it needs to be in an area that has access to decent medical care as I have many health issues. Any input would be appreciated - Thanks

[LadyDrifter]

I am sitting here thinking of where all of the men's correctional facilities are located in Arkansas. I am thinking one is located by Calico Rock. That is a very country area. Really pretty. As far as medical facilities, I would think Mtn. Home would have a good place, but unsure.

Pine Bluff in south Arkansas also has a correctional facility. A pretty big one at that. I don't recommend living in Pine Bluff itself, but living a "commutes" distance away might not be bad at all. Little Rock is about 30 miles from Pine Bluff and has excellent medical options. As far as hunting, especially deer hunting, you will have it made down there. A lot of the land down there is leased though. So knowing somebody or joining a hunting club is the best way to get started as far as finding good land to hunt. You will be able to find fishing just about anywhere you go in the state.

If I think of more I will try to post. Or if you have any more particular questions, feel free to ask.

[LadyDrifter]

Here is a link to show you where the correctional facilities are located in the state.

Arkansas Department of Correction | Facilities

North/northwest Arkansas is more mountainous, whereas northeast and southern Arkansas is more farm land and flat. Fayetteville in northwest AR is a major area of growth right now. Jonesboro in northeast AR has also gone through a growing spurt the last several years, but I think has slowed down.

[Sam I Am]

You know, you might be interested in the Wrightsville unit between Little Rock and Pine Bluff. It's less violent offenders and you would be very close to Little Rock, where there is the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences campus - which is absolutely world reknowned for some types of medical care. Down around East End and Sheridan is very pretty, with a lower cost of living. There has been some boom down that way from Little Rock overflow, but not nearly the explosion other areas of the state have seen. You'd be relatively close to Hot Springs for lake activities and there's plenty of hunting anywhere in Arkansas. Once you get down toward Pine Bluff it gets pretty flat, but just north of there are areas that are still hilly.

I think much would depend on your emergent medical needs - if you have a lot of problems but none are extremely serious, then you can venture further from the northwest part of the state or Little Rock - but some of the rural hospitals in Arkansas, as anywhere else, are struggling to stay afloat and just don't have the facilities to treat some conditions and they're going to send you to Little Rock anyway. Just a thought...good luck in your search.

As far as friendliness, read some of these other threads - I'd like to believe we have some of the friendliest folks you could ever meet, but it's usually a case of just getting back what you put forth!

[SouthernMomto3]

24 of my 36 years have been spent in Jonesboro and Little Rock, AR. I've lived in OK, TN and PA as well. Arkansas is very much a southern state and people are very friendly. I honestly don't think people care where you came from as far as accepting you. Like was referenced, you get out of people what you put into it. If you are warm and friendly, you'll find others that are as well. I was nervous about moving to the Northeast but I've met a lot of very friendly people. There are things about the people in PA that are very different from what I'm used to having spent most of my life in the south. Different doesn't have to be bad. I will be moving back south next year and for me that is more to my liking. I think if you visit Arkansas you'll find the people friendly and willing to give anyone a chance. Being near Little Rock is your best bet for medical care. The University of Arkansas Medical School is in LR and offers great care through those docs and Baptist Hospital is top notch. Fayetteville and Jonesboro also have strong medical communities. If you are in the eastern part of the state, Memphis is also a great option medically. As for the type of area you desire to live in, there are an abundance of places that offer properties with land. Do you prefer to be in the mountains or flatter terrain?

[EnisledLady]

would prefer to be in a more varied lanscape rather then just flat.

[bal40]

I just moved here from Texas about a month ago. Most people are friendly, however, people here are very "clanish", meaning you probably don't want to tell them your life story until you know who you can trust. I'm going to kill them with kindness- anyone who is unfriendly to me, gets a sickening amount of charm back. That way no one can say that "outsider" is anything but polite and kind.

[looigloo]

Southwest Arkansas may have the landscape you are looking for. Telford Unit is located on the Texas side, just out of Texarkana and within driving distance. I like to say we have friendly, generous, kind people here, but as someone else noted - you get back what you put in. (And it's not a good idea to badmouth anyone until you know just whom they might be related to!)

[Stormcrow73]

As far as friendliness, I think it highly depends on what area you're talking about. Arkansans are somewhat standoffish for southerners, particularly in the Ozarks. I think it's a function of being the butt of jokes nationwide, people want to see what your intentions are and how uppity you're going to be. If you're well grounded and don't think the locals aren't as good as you are, then they'll be very friendly and you'll fit in as much as anyone. I think Arkansans are very much live and let live these days unless you fall in with the church crowd. They'll leave you alone and let you do your thing unless you have a death in the family or your barn burns down and then all your neighbors will come around and bring you dinner and help you out. That's what Arkansans, especially Ozarkers, are all about, leave you be during the good times, come together and help during the bad.

[wonderkind]

Depends on where you move, if you move to harrison you may feel a bit of an outsider. Eurika springs you will fit in unless you go around with a Wrules and bomb iran, Hot Springs is a more openminded place. keep away from pinebluff, crime is through the roof and not a good place to live.
I would say the two places I mentiond and you would be fine.