[american_life]

Does almost everybody work for Walmart?

Are there a lot of extravagantly wealthy people--because it would be home to many Walmart executives--for a small town?

[DC at the Ridge]

There are lots of other businesses, but Wal-Mart certainly dominates the economic landscape. Lots of Wal-Mart vendors have offices there, and besided the general office there are several warehouses. Extravagantly wealthy, no, but the town is prosperous and growing. There are several pretty exclusive neighborhoods, some houses with very nice amenities.

[lukeache]

Bentonville is nothing special. It is a growing place, so probably it would be a good place to buy a house in or start a business, but it has nothing of "luxury". Arkansas has a lot of poor, depressed areas, but this area is growing. U of Arkansas is nearby in Fayeteville. I would say, I would rather live in NW Arkansas than Little Rock, but this area still has a long way to go. However, much better than Little Rock IMO

[DC at the Ridge]

I wouldn't go so far as to say "nothing of luxury". There are some very exclusive properties in the area. While Benton County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country, it does have a ways to go when comparing it with established cities like Dallas, or even Tulsa. But it has grown tremendously in the past five years.

[matto]

Originally Posted by lukeache

Bentonville is nothing special. It is a growing place, so probably it would be a good place to buy a house in or start a business, but it has nothing of "luxury". Arkansas has a lot of poor, depressed areas, but this area is growing. U of Arkansas is nearby in Fayeteville. I would say, I would rather live in NW Arkansas than Little Rock, but this area still has a long way to go. However, much better than Little Rock IMO

Yeah, I'm sure Minnesota is hustling and bustling lol

[mjpohl]

Well you have to remember Bentonville, Rogers, Bella Vista and in part Springdale and Fayetteville are all within 25 miles of each other so it is like 1 city. If you add the populations up of those 5 towns it is about 230,000 which is greater than the cities of New Orleans, Birmingham, Boise, Des Moines, etc. It doesn't give off that much of a "small town feel" since you are really more of a spread out city since Fayetteville resident come up to Bentonville/Rogers and vice versa all the time.
Its got very good shopping now that Pinnacle Promenade has opened.

[Atticman]

Originally Posted by matto

Yeah, I'm sure Minnesota is hustling and bustling lol

Ummm... Minneapolis?

[matto]

Originally Posted by Atticman

Ummm... Minneapolis?

How could I forget murderapolis? Oops, I mean minneapolis. Wait, we're talking about cities that are actually seeing an increase in population, guess thats why I forgot.

[lukeache]

Originally Posted by matto

How could I forget murderapolis? Oops, I mean minneapolis. Wait, we're talking about cities that are actually seeing an increase in population, guess thats why I forgot.

Minneapolis is still growing. Detroit and Minneapolis are not the same thing, you know? I am proud to live in one of the most educated states in the United States. Can't say the same about Ar-cun-Saw. Bentonville, Fayeteville and Rogers are essentially redneck towns, there is nothing about the area that is progressive or even remotely exciting, unless you find churches exciting. There is a town nearby called Berryville, they actually have a shooting range at the local park! The Wal-Mart has a hair salon in it, very tacky-redneck crap. Not to mention, that nearby Harrison, AR is one of the most active KKK enclaves. If you are minimally educated, you will not function well in this area

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by lukeache

Bentonville, Fayeteville and Rogers are essentially redneck towns, there is nothing about the area that is progressive or even remotely exciting, unless you find churches exciting.

What you are describing is Ft. Smith, which is arguably the most conservative, backward, and Christian fundamentalist city in the US for its size. Not much of a progressive influence to balance it out either.

NW Arkansas has a whole lot more going for it because of its population boom. Its not quite on the level of more established metros yet, but its far above Ft. Smith and the rural parts of Arkansas and actually has retail and restaraunts that not even Little Rock has. There is tons of nightlife on Dixon street. Yes, there are churches, but there are a variety and some are actually more liberal (a church in Fayetteville actually endorsed gay marriage a while back).

Originally Posted by lukeache

There is a town nearby called Berryville, they actually have a shooting range at the local park! The Wal-Mart has a hair salon in it, very tacky-redneck crap. Not to mention, that nearby Harrison, AR is one of the most active KKK enclaves. If you are minimally educated, you will not function well in this area

Now you are talking about rural Arkansas which is a whole different ballgame. There are places in this state that make even Ft. Smith seem progressive (and thats saying A LOT!), Harrison being one of them.

Stick to NWA or Little Rock if you want modern amenities and progressive thinking.