[sgrpcpw]

My daughter is considering going to school at ATU, however we don't know too much other than the universities web-site about the school or area. She is a So. Cal. girl (Orange County) so we expect a "culture shock" but is ATU the type of school and in an area that you would want to go? Is it a place you'd send your daughter? Is it a good college town, what is there to do socially? etc. I'd love to hear from parents, students and anyone who lives around or knows the area. She is a student-athlete and ATU appears as a school that may be a good fit academically and athletically. Thanks!

[undertheironsea]

As I said in the other thread, I don't know why you would want tomove from this area from Southern California. Something about that doesn't process in my mind.

The University of Arkansas wouldn't be much of a culture shock for you. There are normal people there.

You're talking to someone that was born and raised in Southwestern Mississippi, and even I think this area is hick hell. If you want to send her here, knock yourself out, but get ready for some stuff you've never seen before.

[dixieheart]

I was born and raised in SW Miss. also. Could you elaborate on what a hick is? If it is gonna make people mad, please PM me. I've only seen ordinary country folks there on my visits so I need to know what a hick is. Hey, since I'm pretty much a redneck, maybe I'm somewhat of a hick and just don't know it.

[sgrpcpw]

Thanks for the info - My daughter is a student-athlete and has received several interests from schools where she can play on scholarship, some however are out of state & though we'd rather she stay in So. Cal. her best opportunity may be out of state. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the areas where she would have to go to school and live so getting a local feel is helpful before we look to invest in a trip to check out the school, program, etc. - I knew AR was more "country" than she was used to here in the OC/LA area but I've lived in other areas of the country (FL, Dallas,Chicago,Buffalo & CA) and I know every area has it's good & bad about it. Knowing if ATU is in a good area or bad area and if there are things a college student would enjoy doing in and around the area is important before we make decisions on what areas we should visit or not.

[terrabeth]

Wow, OC/LA... I'd predict that Russellville would be culture shock, extraordinaire. Did you see the episodes of the Paris Hilton/Nicole Ritchie Simple Life that were set in Altus, AR? Altus is not far from Russellville. That may give you some idea of the area culture.

I'm not saying it is necessarily bad, there are some very down to earth, kind people here... and your daughter would probably be pretty safe here, but it is a galaxy apart from the OC, I'm sure. There won't be many comparable entertainment opportunities. Little Rock, the state capitol is about an hour away, so there will be some pop culture stuff there, like clubs, shopping, concerts, etc. But the local area is rural, not at all urban-metro. Have you checked out the local newspaper online (read the articles, the editorials, the events), the chamber of commerce, and the school stats for sports? That may be helpful to getting some local perspective on your options. Before committing her to the area, although it's quite a trip, it's also quite a difference, so you and she may want to consider paying a personal visit first to determine if it's right for her.

You may also try [CUT] to compare city crime statistics, demographics, income and education levels, environmental factors, etc:

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That link should go to a page for Russellville's details. I've used it many times to compare relocation options. Best of luck!

[terrabeth]

I'm not sure why the personal recommendation for a city stats/comparison resource was cut out of my post. It's been so helpful to me, so if anyone would like the name and URL, please feel welcome to PM me for it. If you have any problems PM'ing me (I think I have my account settings for no private emails), post a request and I'll try to PM you.

Maybe it's just a temporary fluke? If not, apologies to the mods if that was some sort of violation. It's not spam; I don't work for Sperling's... I live in Arkansas and just dug it out of the web myself and found it useful when trying to answer the same Arkansas relocation questions for my own family that this thread is concerned with. Could you please let me know the specific rules or guidelines that indicated the name and link should be censored from my post?

Thanks in advance for more insight!

[sgrpcpw]

Thanks so much Terrabeth for the great detail and insight, all your points are excellent and the decision for us is probably the biggest she's going to make at this point in her life and could shape her life. I will look to the local news papers and get info from the chamber of commerce etc. - you can send me the links to cwlc123@sbcglobal.net, I really appreciate it! Right now my daughter is looking at several schools ( in CA, WA, AL, NC, MA & ME) that have all showed interest in addition to ATU - finding the right fit academically, athletically and socially will be important. Thanks for your personal insight and for you time. Chuck from the OC! (dude) haha, couldn't resist.

[Been There]

Hi. I just wanted to say that the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado is a great university to attend. You will find all sorts of info just google University of Colorado at Boulder and you'll find plenty of info. It would not be a culture shock for your daughter to go there and it is beautiful! Just a suggestion!

[healthecircle]

Hello hello....well I live in a little town called Hector, about a 30 minute drive North from ATU. We are located at the base of the Boston Mountains (known to others as the Ozarks)....and the last town before the Oark National Forest. National Scenic Hwy 7 is just West of us. The Buffalo River is North of us (great for rafting). The Illinois Bayou, better as a floating river is just North of us.

My father's family came here from the Georgia Mountains in about 1898 and settled. Now we are on the 5th generation of that same family...and after retiring I have returned (home). Very much like the area in GA from whence they came (around Athens).

If you like country music, Gretchen Wilson's "Redneck Woman", and the natural world that God has created you'll love it here. We are about an hour from LIttle Rock (big city!!), and hour from Ft. Smith, and the OK border (more native population than any state in the Union). We are also about 1-2 hours from Rogers and Fayetteville, if you're looking for something a bit more cosmopolitan. Oh and if you're a gambler not to far to Tunica, MS....as well as the Nations in OK all have casinos.

About a two hour drive North and West, to Eureka Springs (big tourist haven for the therapuetic springs in the 1800's), a bit further and you're in Branson, and the same from Hot Springs, where the horse track is located. Also, to get to Hot Springs you have to drive through the Quachitas (sp??)....another beautiful mountain range.

Spring is gorgeous with the redbuds and dogwoods....and fall with the colors!!

Russellville is a growing community. But go up in the mountains, and things aren't too much different than they were a long time ago; except, folks are retiring here by the droves, as the cost of living is soooo low.

Big gas drilling boom is going off in 10 counties in central AR...which should have an effect on all of AR. Hope it's a good one.

If you like quaint....and the natuaral beauty that God created. Come to AR the natural state!! If you're looking for Paris Hilton and the girls! Don't!!

[luvarabhorses]

Hi, We looked at a property for sale in Hector and we are thinking about making an offer on it. Can I expect some nice cool mountain breezes in Hector? I would be right near Bayou Bluff. thanks for any info, Lisa