[scharette150]

Originally Posted by laweiss

I have many of the same questions except that I am going to work for Walmart in the David Glass Technology Center. Any advice that anyone has would be very much appreciated. We have three children 11, 9 & 7 and of course are very interested in school information. Also, we do not want to end up spending tons on housing. We are moving from an area where we have 2500 sq ft 4 bdr 2 bath and we got a very good deal and therefore our mortgage is only $800 with insurance and taxes each month. Although we realize we will have to increase to a mortgage on $150k-$200k we really aren't willing to go over $170k-180k-ish. Any advice on good housing with good schools, reasonably close to WalMart (within 30 minutes during rush hour) and 4bdr 2 bath in this range? PLEASE HELP!

There are many homes right next to that Wal-Mart, I live probably 5 minutes away from there and we live in a 4 bed 3 bath house that is worth about $215,000. We just had an appraisal done that's how I know that. But I know that there is a new subdivision going in right accross the street from our house that are about the same 200k-250k for a 4 bed 2 bath houses. But to stay inside that amount with the way the market is you should be able to find something close.

[fulluvit]

To newwood--avoid Bella Vista for the reasons others here have posted. What they have out there are cheap lots that bring down the initial cost of the home, but you'd soon make up for that (and FAR more) in commuting costs to drive 20+ miles to work each way. (Very rocky to boot.) South Rogers and the adjoining area of Cave Springs have miles and miles of new subdivisions, as does the south end of Bentonville and the Vaughn area. A Realtor told me last year that there is a five-year standing inventory of unsold homes in Benton County, and the newspaper reported last week that the combined total for Benton/Washington counties is a three-year standing inventory. (At the rate they're now selling, it would take that long to get rid of those that have already been built.) Also, Bella Vista is built on hills, and an actual level yard is a rarity. If you want your kids to be able to play outdoors without tumbling into a ravine, stick closer to the flat area west of Pinnacle. Also, the roads are notoriously undriveable in Bella Vista when there is the least amount of ice.

To laweiss--you're probably going to have to re-think the size of your home, especially if you want new. In new homes, there are some rare entry-level homes for $90/sf, but $100/sf is more typical. The more upscale neighborhoods go for around $135/sf, and their minimum sf is typically over 2500 sf. (The ritziest neighborhoods can cost you around $170/sf, and some of the homes are 10,000 sf.) If you're willing to live in a nice older home, you may get lucky and find one closer to downtown (which in my opinion is not a bad thing at all) that fits your needs. Living close to the town square puts you within walking distance of a grocery store, the town square with the Saturday farmer's market and Friday Night pickin' and grinnin' music, the new city library, the arboretum and the new art museum that is under construction.

[Sam I Am]

Newwood, a large portion of any town in Arkansas, particularly NWA, is built on the side of a hill. We don't lose very many children to ravines...and Arkansas shuts down for ice/snow/freezing rain/sleet or the mere mention of one or any combination. You aren't going anywhere anyway because nothing but the state highways and interstates get cleared, and the highway department is usually late to the party, meaning....you aren't going anywhere. Life in Arkansas continues along the same track no matter where you are for some things.

[Stormcrow73]

Originally Posted by Sam I Am

Newwood, a large portion of any town in Arkansas, particularly NWA, is built on the side of a hill. We don't lose very many children to ravines...and Arkansas shuts down for ice/snow/freezing rain/sleet or the mere mention of one or any combination. You aren't going anywhere anyway because nothing but the state highways and interstates get cleared, and the highway department is usually late to the party, meaning....you aren't going anywhere. Life in Arkansas continues along the same track no matter where you are for some things.

LOL Sam, too true. Snow plows??? Never seen one here. Try a grader clearing the road for you, not exactly the same result. A couple of weeks ago Central Arkansas got a light dusting that was reported as an inch of accumulation and people were racing out of the office to try to get home before the "winter storm" hit.

[fulluvit]

I was exaggerating about the kids in the ravine, but I do recall a senior citizen sliding into a ravine from his back yard when it was icy. In all honesty, though, there are people who spend thousands of dollars building retaining walls and hauling in topsoil to have even a semblance of a yard in Bella Vista, and a person needs to be very careful when mowing due to the slope of many of the yards there. To a lot of people, this wouldn't even be an issue, but if you want to have a yard for your kids to play in it should be.

[Art Brunje]

To answer these questions is not a difficult chore. Bella Vista is a great place to live for certain people. Yes, some lots are difficult, but many aren't. The commute can be tedious at certain times, but it is not like commutes in certain metro ares.If you like woods, space and some good values Bella Vista is wonderful. Unless it is a super special property,anyone who pays $135 per ft in today's market isn't informed. There are many builders who are in trouble and will take 'fair' offers to rid themselves of interest payments .

If you have any questions, don't be afraid to contact me pm.


art

[Art Brunje]

Originally Posted by newwood

My family is moving to Bentonville, probably in January 2008. We're going for a house hunting trip in early December.

We have decided we want to live in the Bentonville School District. I will be working in an office in Pinnacle Hills. We're considering lake front property in Bella Vista or a neighborhood real close to the office so I have a negligable commute.

What insight can you offer about Bella Vista and the southern commute to Pinnacle Hills?
What neighborhoods are near Pinnacle Hills that are easy access to the 540 but still in Bentonville schools?

My children are 1 and 3 -- I'd like to put them in a PreSchool setting that takes younger kids as well so that I only have to do one drop off/pick up per day. What is a good resource for searching for PreSchool/Day Care? Also, are there any you know of near Pinnacle Hills?

My husband works with troubled/at-risk/delinquent youth. In our initial searches, there don't seem to be any agencies serving this population. Granted, the good ones are often somewhat "hidden" from public knowledge. He's willing to commute to Fayetteville, which is a more probable location for this type of agency. Do you know of any such agencies or resources for us to ask about them?

Thank you!

Did you contact the people that I hooked you up with....just curious.

art

[mom2twinz]

Whether you choose a neighborhood in the area of Pinnacle Hills with Rogers or Bentonville Schools, you can be assured that you will be sending your children to exemplary elementary schools. We moved to Cave Springs 2 years ago to be in Bentonville Public Schools. We are 10 minutes from the Promenade and love it here! My children will attend Central Park Elementary. I am excited about that. I have been told that it is very similar in expectation level (of parents and teachers) to Bellview Elementary (in Rogers). I know from experience that Bellview is one of the top performing elementary schools in NW Arkansas.

Please be advised on Pinecrest "private school". Moderator cut: Please contact poster via DM for information regarding personal experience... It has potential, but I will not have my children be put in the situation of having to ride it out.
Sorry, but had to add my two cents there.

Preschools are hard to come by in the area, if you have the kind of expectations that I have for my children's education and care. However, if you can find the good ones (Central Child Care, Lifeway Christian, Fellowship Bible Church, etc.) and get on the waiting list early enough, you will succeed in finding quality care for your children.

Good luck!

[Karla Vollkopf]

How would Bentonville welcome a single brazilian woman and her daughter?

We both have excellent English speaking (my mother teaches English Language), and white skin (german and italian descendents), but we're still from South America, therefore, latinos.

And how about job opportunities, you know, basic stuff, like caretaking, waitering, maid job, etc...

How much would the renting of a small house (for two people), and other expenses be?

What are the temperatures there during winter and summer?

Thanks to anyone who can help!!

[matto]

Originally Posted by Karla Vollkopf

How would Bentonville welcome a single brazilian woman and her daughter?

We both have excellent English speaking (my mother teaches English Language), and white skin (german and italian descendents), but we're still from South America, therefore, latinos.

And how about job opportunities, you know, basic stuff, like caretaking, waitering, maid job, etc...

How much would the renting of a small house (for two people), and other expenses be?

What are the temperatures there during winter and summer?

Thanks to anyone who can help!!

You'll do just fine. There are plenty of latino's in NWA. There are also plenty of job opportunities in NWA as well. Not sure what kind of maid job you'd be looking at, but there are plenty of nice Hotels in the area, Bentonville has a lot of wealthy folk so I'm sure some do need maid services.

Temperature fluctuates a lot. A few weeks ago we had 70 degree temperatures, and here the last couple of days it's gotten to around 30 or so, colder at night. Summers are hot 85-90 to 100 degrees