Moving to Fayetteville from Maine (England, Portland: apartments, travel, rental)

[hinckley03]

Hi!

I am wondering if anyone would be able to give me some advice on life in Fayetteville? I may be moving from Maine this fall to start graduate school at UArk in January 09. I would like to know more about the area, the pros and cons, possibly any advice a native New Englander should know! I am still on the fence about moving, as it is pretty far from home!

I will most likely be renting if I move, so any advice on that would be helpful too! I just want to get a good sense of the area before I make further plans! I also hope to visit at some point this summer as well.

Thanks!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by hinckley03

Hi!

I am wondering if anyone would be able to give me some advice on life in Fayetteville? I may be moving from Maine this fall to start graduate school at UArk in January 09. I would like to know more about the area, the pros and cons, possibly any advice a native New Englander should know! I am still on the fence about moving, as it is pretty far from home!

I will most likely be renting if I move, so any advice on that would be helpful too! I just want to get a good sense of the area before I make further plans! I also hope to visit at some point this summer as well.

Thanks!

Well I can pretty well assure you it will be very different than living in Maine. Number 1, it won't be nearly as cold. If you go with an open mind, it should be a wonderful learning experience. Living in Fayetteville will be like any other college town; lots of diversity, lots of places to explore and lots of wonderful people. Obviously Maine is more reserved I am sure. People in the south, be it a boarder line sounthern area like NWA or further south are very friendly. You will meet people from all over the country, many from Ar and the surrounding states. What would you like to know? Rents are low, there will be an active night life if that is what you want, but you can enjoy your time without being part of the party scene. The area is very lush, there are many cultural activities but there is also a feeling of true "down home life". Oh, and one more thing, football is very important.

[GetmeoutofAR]

I've traveled extensively in Maine and the rest of New England. It will be very different than Maine in most ways...not so much in others. The # 1 way its different. THE weather!! Summers are very hot, however arent quite as damp and humid as Maine. We have lush vegetation like Maine, but the climate itself isnt nearly as wet or moist, sometimes it dries up in the summer especially in August....We have a few misquitos ...but they are NOTHING like coastal Maine....Fayetteville proper (if your going be living in Fayetteville) is quite an open-minded place and whatever views you have will most likely be accepted more readily there. We have nice fall foilage (depending on the year) but its not as vibrant as Maine and of course...no ocean..just Beaver Lake........Overall I think you'll like it as long as you stay in the Fayetteville area....and can get used to the very hot weather

[NOEM1226]

Originally Posted by hinckley03

Hi!

I am wondering if anyone would be able to give me some advice on life in Fayetteville? I may be moving from Maine this fall to start graduate school at UArk in January 09. I would like to know more about the area, the pros and cons, possibly any advice a native New Englander should know! I am still on the fence about moving, as it is pretty far from home!

I will most likely be renting if I move, so any advice on that would be helpful too! I just want to get a good sense of the area before I make further plans! I also hope to visit at some point this summer as well.

Thanks!

Well, I love Fayetteville. However, it is one the few places in the state that I personally would consider living. The pros-the cost of living is low, the people are generally quite welcoming, natural beauty, and NWA has culture to offer while still retaining a "small town feel".Cons- depending on what you are used to (I have'nt spent much time in Maine) the pace may seem very slow to you and you might find it boring. Although if you try, you will find plenty to do.

Rental wise you will have NO problem. There are so many nice places to rent and my guess is that they cost a fraction of what you are used to paying.

I would recommend visiting. Some places I would visit are Dickson St., Mount Sequoyah (check out the view) and if you are outdoorsy -check out Devil's Den State park. If you like the arts you might try a show at the Walton Arts Center. There are some very nice productions for a town of our size.

[GetmeoutofAR]

Originally Posted by NOEM1226

Well, I love Fayetteville. However, it is one the few places in the state that I personally would consider living. The pros-the cost of living is low, the people are generally quite welcoming, natural beauty, and NWA has culture to offer while still retaining a "small town feel".Cons- depending on what you are used to (I have'nt spent much time in Maine) the pace may seem very slow to you and you might find it boring. Although if you try, you will find plenty to do.

Rental wise you will have NO problem. There are so many nice places to rent and my guess is that they cost a fraction of what you are used to paying.

I would recommend visiting. Some places I would visit are Dickson St., Mount Sequoyah (check out the view) and if you are outdoorsy -check out Devil's Den State park. If you like the arts you might try a show at the Walton Arts Center. There are some very nice productions for a town of our size.

I don't think you will find the pace slow or boring....Maines biggest city is Portland with a population of what like 60,000? ........lol........You'll most likely find this area crowded and fast-paced....

[umograd83]

Well, I don't live in Arkansas, but I have visited. DH and I live in the Memphis area. One word of advice - go home for the summer! It is hot and sticky here and it starts way earlier than it does in Maine. The good news about that is that apartments have central air. The spring is fabulous here. You won't see much snow. I've seen it snow three times in five years. Don't be surprised if somebody asks you what church you attend - this is the bible belt, you know. I was really taken aback when we were asked this question - had to bite my tongue. The cost of living here is way cheaper than Maine's. The way of life here is slower than you think it would be. You better like football. You won't see hockey on TV much. People here are very friendly. There are some lakes in Arkansas that I would actually swim in - DeGray Lake for one. The lakes I've been to in Mississippi and TN are too muddy and they could have snakes in them. Ewww! It took quite some time getting used to living here, but I like it now. I do miss the Maine summers, though. I don't miss the never-ending winter - especially like the one you had this year. Snow the week of Christmas is okay, but other than that - you can have it. I don't know much about Fayetteville, but what I have seen of Arkansas, I really liked. There's a lot of nature there like there is in Maine - lots of trees and lakes, etc.

[hinckley03]

Thank you everyone for such great advice and insight! I am planning a visit to the area in July or August. I am an avid marathoner, and will definitely take advantage of the mild winters there should I decide to go! I will certainly miss the ocean, are there plenty of lakes and streams/rivers? I have a friend who lives in Kansas, and he warned me to keep my kayak home!

I do have a dog, would living in Fayetteville be difficult with a dog? I know it isn't a huge city, but certainly not rural Maine! What areas of Fayetteville seem to be the best for person in their mid-twenties who is in graduate school to live in? I have been looking online, but not sure where to start!

Thanks,
Hinckley03

[boulder]

Originally Posted by hinckley03

I have a friend who lives in Kansas, and he warned me to keep my kayak home!

Well, if moving to Kansas, yea, probably just leave it at home, but if moving to Arkansas bring your boat. Here's a link to the Arkansas Canoe Club / NWA Chapter:

ArkansasCanoeClub.com - Northwest Chapter

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by hinckley03

Thank you everyone for such great advice and insight! I am planning a visit to the area in July or August. I am an avid marathoner, and will definitely take advantage of the mild winters there should I decide to go! I will certainly miss the ocean, are there plenty of lakes and streams/rivers? I have a friend who lives in Kansas, and he warned me to keep my kayak home!

I do have a dog, would living in Fayetteville be difficult with a dog? I know it isn't a huge city, but certainly not rural Maine! What areas of Fayetteville seem to be the best for person in their mid-twenties who is in graduate school to live in? I have been looking online, but not sure where to start!

Thanks,
Hinckley03

Fayetteville is nothing like Kansas. As for your dog, our granddaughter is a senior at AR lives with her fiance in FAyetteville and her dog does just fine. I still say how well you do in NWA is up to you. Be prepared for a wonderful experience with a totally new culture from New England, not better or worse, just different. visiting in July or Aug is the best time, if you can handle the heat then, you should have no problems with the weather.

Nita