Mom Relocating to Bentonville, AR (Little Rock, Nashville: transplants, work, hospital)

[Toonces]

Hello! I am a 36 year-old mom of one three year-old girl and am pregnant with our second child. My husband has been offered a nice position in Bentonville and I am wondering what this move might be like for our family. We are from the San Francisco Bay Area in California. I am wondering how it would be to adjust to meeting other moms and their children in the area and how friendly others would be to newcomers like ourselves. I am very excited at the prospect of a change and have heard great things about Northwest Arkansas. Thanks!

[Mulerider93]

Welcome! Your family is probably smack-dab in the middle of the typical transplant to the area. You shouldn't have any problem finding folks like you to connect with. I'm sure others will have more specific information on Mom's groups, etc., but there are several along with churches of all flavors, civic groups, and the requisite ballet/gymnastics and kids sports programs.

There are obviously a lot of Arkansas and Missouri people here, but there are a LOT of folks from the West Coast. In general, people are nice, but with the mixing pot we have, I wouldn't say it is typical of "the South" in terms of hospitality.

All in all, it is a great place to raise kids, not to mention four distinct weather seasons.

--jcd

[Stormcrow73]

One thing I'd like to point out is that while NWA is a great place to live IMO, you will have to be proactive to find things to do. There's plenty out there but for whatever reason, be it unreceptive media or a preference on word of mouth, it can be hard to find groups and activities that aren't golf or soccer.

[USAwanderer]

Lived here for a little over 16 months, and I agree with Stormcrow73.

[nmnita]

like anyplace you will have to find out what fits your interest and needs, but I am sure you will find plenty to do and your little one will make friends quickly. As for will you fit in, from what we have read and been told, NWA has more transplants than other parts of the state so this should be a positive move. As long as you are prepared for a little different life than in the bay area and you make the most of the opportunity you should love your new home. Our granddaughter left the BIG city 4 years ago to go to University of AR. I don't think she would even move away. She has loved it since the day she arrived.

Nita

[Toonces]

Thank you so much to everyone who has replied. I figured it would take some real planning to get involved with others but it is good to be warned ahead of time with the need to be proactive in getting out there and meeting folks... Any ideas on how to be proactive in doing this? I figured I'd look on-line to join playgroups and mom groups but any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[BroncoFan]

We were in the same boat, as is most of the vendor community here that was relocated to work on the WM account. Our neighborhood is a melting pot of folks from all over. Baltimore, San Antonio, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Nashville, Indianapolis, Chicago, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Dallas, and New Orleans and that's just on my street. Because of that, everyone pretty well gets along. My wife and several of the stay at home moms do lunch out or breakfast together once a week and there's a million kids here. You could do a lot worse than NWA and moving from Norcal you're likely to find a pretty nice place at about 1/3 the cost of what you're paying now. Welcome home!

[Stormcrow73]

I'd recommend going to the library for the read and play times. That's almost always a great way to meet other people. Don't be shy about meeting your neighbors and be nice and vocal about your interests, i.e. network, network, network. Eventually you'll meet up with others who share your hobbies. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has a section called Active Style on Mondays that has a good community calender. Check it out. Other than the Dem-Gaz, all the other media outlets don't seem too concerned about community unless someone is making a buck off of it.

[Mulerider93]

One thing I observed growing up in Arkansas and since we've come back, you may have to be the one to make the move to meet your neighbors. We're not especially outgoing, thinking that we are intruding or something. But, I haven't met very many people that weren't just as nice, friendly, and helpful.

Just one Arkansas native's observation.

--jcd

[nmnita]

Because you are moving to an area with many "foreigners" (spelling) or maybe I should say transplants, it might be earier to make friends than if you were the only one from the outside. Yes, your neighbors will be an automatic draw, with this being an election year you may want to get involved in your party politics, and church, if you are so inclined, is a great way to meet others. You may even want to think about putting your little girl into dance classes or something like that. There are so many ways to meet people if you put out the effort which is sounds like you will.

Happy moving