[WIFERN]

Where would you chose to live? Compare schools, taxes, family-oriented, beauty.
Thanks.

[LongtimeNWAResident]

There are a lot of good places in between Springfield and Fayetteville. Northwest Arkansas is unique in that our bigger towns comprise one big "urban corridor" if you will, along Highway 71 Business and I-540. From Fayetteville through Springdale, then Rogers and Bentonville it is pretty much one big "metro scene."
All of these towns have something to offer. But if you are looking for small town atmosphere you might consider Prairie Grove. It is located just to the west of Fayetteville. It has civic organizations of it's own. It is the scene of a Civil War battle and has a State Park commemorating it. The park is the scene of a major Arts and Crafts fair on Labor Day weekend.
Farmington is between Fayetteville and Prairie Grove but it is pretty much just a bedroom community for Fayetteville. It abuts directly against Fayetteville and does have it's own school system but not much else to set it apart.
Bella Vista is on the Missouri/Arkansas line and started out as a retirement community. It recently voted to incorporate as a city but doesn't really have a business district or it's own school system.

Most of the small towns send their children to the bigger towns for school. So there are a lot of small towns around the periphery of the metro area. These include Cave Springs, Little Flock, Elm Springs, Avoca, Hindsville, Centerton and Garfield.
To the south of Fayetteville is the town of West Fork (derived from the "West fork of the White River") which is a pretty little town with good schools that is nestled in the foothills of the Boston Mountains. Like so many little towns it's downtown is pretty dead but it does have civic groups and schools and churches and a couple of restaurants and grocery stores.

I don't know where you are going to work. There are the towns of Gravette and Decatur and Gentry in the western part of Benton County. These are little towns dating back to the 1880s (and the coming of the railroads) that have their own schools and business districts. A lot of folks find them charming but it would be a long drive on two lane roads to the "metro area" to work.
Write me back with more specific questions or thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you!

[gimme it]

Originally Posted by LongtimeNWAResident

There are a lot of good places in between Springfield and Fayetteville. Northwest Arkansas is unique in that our bigger towns comprise one big "urban corridor" if you will, along Highway 71 Business and I-540. From Fayetteville through Springdale, then Rogers and Bentonville it is pretty much one big "metro scene."
All of these towns have something to offer. But if you are looking for small town atmosphere you might consider Prairie Grove. It is located just to the west of Fayetteville. It has civic organizations of it's own. It is the scene of a Civil War battle and has a State Park commemorating it. The park is the scene of a major Arts and Crafts fair on Labor Day weekend.
Farmington is between Fayetteville and Prairie Grove but it is pretty much just a bedroom community for Fayetteville. It abuts directly against Fayetteville and does have it's own school system but not much else to set it apart.
Bella Vista is on the Missouri/Arkansas line and started out as a retirement community. It recently voted to incorporate as a city but doesn't really have a business district or it's own school system.

Most of the small towns send their children to the bigger towns for school. So there are a lot of small towns around the periphery of the metro area. These include Cave Springs, Little Flock, Elm Springs, Avoca, Hindsville, Centerton and Garfield.
To the south of Fayetteville is the town of West Fork (derived from the "West fork of the White River") which is a pretty little town with good schools that is nestled in the foothills of the Boston Mountains. Like so many little towns it's downtown is pretty dead but it does have civic groups and schools and churches and a couple of restaurants and grocery stores.

I don't know where you are going to work. There are the towns of Gravette and Decatur and Gentry in the western part of Benton County. These are little towns dating back to the 1880s (and the coming of the railroads) that have their own schools and business districts. A lot of folks find them charming but it would be a long drive on two lane roads to the "metro area" to work.
Write me back with more specific questions or thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you!

Wow! That was such a helpful response, and I'm not even the original poster. Fayetteville is one of the places we will checking out. Just a couple of questions, if you don't mind: Where do most of the professors live in Fayetteville? Or do they tend to live outside of the city? Also, what are your favorite established neighborhoods that have houses for under $300k? Thanks in advance, and sorry to hijack this thread.

[LongtimeNWAResident]

As to your first question. The University faculty tend to live in town and seem to live predominantly in the "Historic" district and on Mount Sequoyah.

Mt. Sequoyah is a mountain in the eastern part of Fayetteville (called appropriately enough "East Mountain" a century ago) which has many many homes on it's sides and top which overlook Fayetteville. The historic district lies along the foot of Mt. Sequoyah and contains some beautiful homes dating back as far as the post Civil War years. There are few ante-bellum structures in Fayetteville as the town was burned during the Civil War.

As to the second question. Some of my favorite subdivisions in that price range include the Bridgeport (wonderful, with walking trails and park space and playgrounds) Legacy Pointe (yes, with an "e") Clabber Creek, Brookside, and East Oaks.
There are some great individual homes to be had in other parts of town but they are in neighbohoods with traffic problem or in areas where the resale potential is lessened.
Let me know any specific questions or thoughts. I am always glad to help!

[LongtimeNWAResident]

Short answer, Fayetteville if a larger town is acceptable. Prairie Grove for a smaller town. But as I said all the towns have things to recommend them. Let me know what your questions and concerns are and I will try to help.

[GetmeoutofAR]

If you must move to NWA move to Fayetteville. The countryside of NWA is littered with chicken houses which may pose a VERY serious health risk in my opinion. Springfield, MO area may have a few poultry farms but they are sparse compared to NWA. You may find real estate prices in the areas outside of Springfield cheaper as well. If you prefer winter weather move to Springfield, but make sure and position yourself north and west of I-44. If you do move to NWA i'd highly reccomend Fayetteville, its really the gem of the area as far as culture and beauty. Springdale is awful, Rogers is ok (especially the new Rogers) Bentonville has awful traffic, but is centered around the retail world if that is what your career is in. Bella Vista is pretty, but isolated IMO. The outlying towns are ok, but stay away from poultry farms.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by GetmeoutofAR

If you must move to NWA move to Fayetteville. The countryside of NWA is littered with chicken houses which may pose a VERY serious health risk in my opinion. Springfield, MO area may have a few poultry farms but they are sparse compared to NWA. You may find real estate prices in the areas outside of Springfield cheaper as well. If you prefer winter weather move to Springfield, but make sure and position yourself north and west of I-44. If you do move to NWA i'd highly reccomend Fayetteville, its really the gem of the area as far as culture and beauty. Springdale is awful, Rogers is ok (especially the new Rogers) Bentonville has awful traffic, but is centered around the retail world if that is what your career is in. Bella Vista is pretty, but isolated IMO. The outlying towns are ok, but stay away from poultry farms.

Guess we all see isolated in a different light: 5 to 15 minutes from bentonville doesn't seem very isolated to me.

Nita

[GetmeoutofAR]

I think BV is isolated from the entire area as a whole, its close to Bentonville though

[boulder]

Originally Posted by GetmeoutofAR

I think BV is isolated from the entire area as a whole, its close to Bentonville though

Part of the beauty of Bella Vista is 'feeling'' as though you are in a secluded area, surrounded by nature, and isolated from the rest of the world.

Reality is, your 10 minutes from Bentonville, 30 minutes from Fayetteville, less than 2 hours from Tulsa or Springfield, MO and 3 hours from Kansas City.

[Catankerous]

Originally Posted by GetmeoutofAR

If you must move to NWA move to Fayetteville. The countryside of NWA is littered with chicken houses which may pose a VERY serious health risk in my opinion. Springfield, MO area may have a few poultry farms but they are sparse compared to NWA. You may find real estate prices in the areas outside of Springfield cheaper as well. If you prefer winter weather move to Springfield, but make sure and position yourself north and west of I-44. If you do move to NWA i'd highly reccomend Fayetteville, its really the gem of the area as far as culture and beauty. Springdale is awful, Rogers is ok (especially the new Rogers) Bentonville has awful traffic, but is centered around the retail world if that is what your career is in. Bella Vista is pretty, but isolated IMO. The outlying towns are ok, but stay away from poultry farms.

I was just going over your post. I was wondering about your comment regarding Springdale. I know someone who might want to move there because someone told them that the work situation is alright there. Anyway,could you please tell me more about your experiences or knowledge of this town so I can pass it on? thank you