[findinghome1]

Yesterday I returned from a short weekend trip to Fayetteville with my 3 year old. I found the town easy to navigate. We enjoyed Wilson Park especially (going there 5 times!) and took several trips to Ozarks Natural Foods.

What I noticed most of all in my short stay was the people I spoke with genuinely loved the town and seemed so content, friendly and helpful. I got a sense of a family-friendly community and healthful living among the places I visited and people I spoke with.

I had planned to move in January, and I liked it so well, I will do my best to get there sooner. I found some apartment that seem a nice place to start near Wilson Park called Maple Street Apartments, but apparently they have a waiting list and I'll continue to keep my eye on craigslist. It's hard to co-ordinate things from a distance but I know it can be done. I hope to move by Dec. 1.

My main concern is child care expense. The Montessori that is the talk of town, I was told, has the rate of $650/mo--- wow! Does anyone know of a good quality preschool to recommend that isn't so pricey near the downtown area?

[bagelw]

Glad you enjoyed your visit. The Wilson Park area is "the" area to live in right now. Unfortunately since school just started I would think a lot of the apartments would be hard to get in. There are a few smaller apartment buildings in that area that you might check out. I don't know much about them other than the fact that I've driven by them and they looked decent. There are some apartments on the corner of Lafayette and Gregg. There are also some others on Molly Ct at the corner of Gregg and North. However, I have heard to avoid Sweetser Properties at all costs. Sweetser owns several complexes around the university.

I probably can't help much with the preschool but I know there is La Petit Academy but it's not near downtown. Also, Central United Methodist Church on Dickson has a preschool I believe.

[findinghome1]

Thank you for your helpful insights. I spoke with La Petite Academy yesterday and do think they have a good program.