Relocated to another state (Little Rock, Fayetteville: rent , work, hospital)

[Wennifer]

My husband and I are trying to relocate from SoCal. We are looking for a place that’s nice, safe, has good schools, and affordable. I have an at home daycare and my husband is an auto mechanic. What cities and states would you recommend? We are thinking about Henderson Nevada, Austin Texas, Little Rock Arkansa, or Utah. Which do you think will suite are needs?

[Stormcrow73]

Well, I know nothing of Nevada and I've only been to Utah once. Austin has gotten a bit expensive in recent years but coming from SoCal I'd expect it to seem very cheap. Utah can be pricey too and I just thought it was weird there. I know, that's totally a subjective opinion. I'd love to go back to visit again some time but you'd never get me living there. Little Rock's a great small city. Very easy to get around in and pretty darn cheap. It has rough parts but it's still very tame compared to real cities. Schools are actually very good in many parts of the city and county but lots of people have some type of weird aversion to the LR school system. Both LRSD and Pulaski County Schools bus kids around so all racial populations are well represented in all schools. I think the concept is admirable but I'm not sure it works well in the manner in which it's implemented. But, the schools here seem much less inclined to teach to standardized tests than I've seen elsewhere in school systems on the east coast that are supposedly MUCH more highly rated. Those other schools systems get noted in national rankings but the school my son is in now is further advanced and has more opportunities for him than those schools that appear superior on paper! You might also want to consider Fayetteville, Arkansas. I love Little Rock but I'd rather live up there personally. School systems up there are probably about as good as here and the overall crime level is lower. Plus, Fayetteville just has something about it. As they say, "Keep Fayetteville Funky!"

[bungalowbob]

Go to Fayetteville.

[paramour]

If you're interested in public education, I wouldn't recommend moving to LR unless you can guarantee which school(s) your child(ren) will be in. There are a few good ones but getting into them for most people is a crapshoot. We opted to send our child to a private school over gambling with his education, and you'll find that there are others who do the same. And, no, they're not all upper class individuals who think they *have* to go to private institutions. As others have already suggested, Fayetteville would probably be better.

G'luck!

[Magnolia Fan]

Take a few minutes to google Magnolia, Arkansas. Check out the Chamber of Commerce web site. There you will find links to the public schools, the local university, complete demographic info and much more.
Major near by cities are Shreveport, LA and Texarkana, AR. Not too far from Little Rock and Monroe LA. Good links to Interstate 30 and Interstate 20 nearby.
Great University, New Hospital under construction, Amazing home prices compaired to California.
Post what you are looking for in a home town. Moderator cut: edit

[North Pulaski Player]

Originally Posted by bungalowbob

Go to Fayetteville.

No, go to Little Rock or one of its suburbs like Cabot, Bryant, Sherwood, or Conway.

[boulder]

Originally Posted by Wennifer

My husband and I are trying to relocate from SoCal. We are looking for a place that’s nice, safe, has good schools, and affordable. I have an at home daycare and my husband is an auto mechanic. What cities and states would you recommend? We are thinking about Henderson Nevada, Austin Texas, Little Rock Arkansa, or Utah. Which do you think will suite are needs?

Look at Fayetteville in Northwest Arkansas. If your considering Austin, then you will more than likely be drawn to the Fayetteville area as well. Both towns are homes to state universities and look and feel alive with a unique vibe. Fayetteville is almost always included in published "Best Places To Live" lists ... and this includes all of NWA (Bentonville, Rogers, et al).

Little Rock is not typically defined as "safe" or having "good schools".

Just remember - 'Keep Fayetteville Funky' - if you elect to relocate here.

[docmommaCA]

Another poster talked about busing -- do kids not attend neighborhood schools? If we live in a neighborhood with a good school, does that guarantee that the child attends that school? Or is there a lottery of some sort? I know there are magnet schools, how do they work?

Originally Posted by paramour

If you're interested in public education, I wouldn't recommend moving to LR unless you can guarantee which school(s) your child(ren) will be in. There are a few good ones but getting into them for most people is a crapshoot. We opted to send our child to a private school over gambling with his education, and you'll find that there are others who do the same. And, no, they're not all upper class individuals who think they *have* to go to private institutions. As others have already suggested, Fayetteville would probably be better.

G'luck!

[Sam I Am]

Originally Posted by docmommaCA

Another poster talked about busing -- do kids not attend neighborhood schools? If we live in a neighborhood with a good school, does that guarantee that the child attends that school? Or is there a lottery of some sort? I know there are magnet schools, how do they work?

No, you do not necessarily attend the school in your neighborhood. LR has a screwed up system for sure. If you're in a really good area, like Forest Park for elementary, there are a gazillion others lined up for those spots too...everyone is in the "good" neighborhoods and there aren't enough slots for everyone. If you get in, stay in...you'll never get that spot again.

Having had a child in LRSD, I wouldn't recommend it. At all.

Another funky place that is wonderful that may welcome you with open arms is Eureka Springs. The schools are good, the atmosphere is a little of this and a little of that, and it's very laid back. Just a thought.

[Wennifer]

Thanks for the advise! We are looking for a 2-3 bed house with a big yard for 3 dogs and must have a 2 car garage. And we are trying to find one for about $1000 a month. We want to rent for a while because we want to make sure we will like it there. How about living cost? How much would the water, electric, and gas be for a house that size? And how are the taxes out there?