Which is the better town to live in Camden, El Dorado or Magnolia?

[moving from missouri]

My family is going to be relocating to this area and I have to say this: If the native population of this area is so against a "yank", where's the southern hospitality we hear so much about? We'll stick out like a sore thumb because of our "accent" and people will know that we're not originally from the area. If my kids are going to be treated this way at school, I don't relish moving them. I liked the idea of moving...but now it scares me. Thanks for showing a slightly northerner how it works down there.

[Nostalgic]

Is there a community called Junction City near El Dorado? I have heard it is a nice area.

[Sam I Am]

Originally Posted by moving from missouri

My family is going to be relocating to this area and I have to say this: If the native population of this area is so against a "yank", where's the southern hospitality we hear so much about? We'll stick out like a sore thumb because of our "accent" and people will know that we're not originally from the area. If my kids are going to be treated this way at school, I don't relish moving them. I liked the idea of moving...but now it scares me. Thanks for showing a slightly northerner how it works down there.

Unfortunately, you have run into Those That Walk Among Us. Don't pay any attention to the naysayers and come see for yourself....there are so many people relocating to Arkansas that it can't be all bad! I think you will be pleased with what you find - anyway, we don't consider Missouri as The North!

Arkansas is quite diverse in many, many regions, and not so much in others. South Arkansas historically has declined somewhat with the decline and/or mechanization of the farming industry. For some people, south Arkansas is just what they are looking for. The NW corner has experienced a huge growth, but if you don't need all of the amenities of a larger city or boom area, you just may find your niche.

[anynabiddle]

Originally Posted by HermanandMichelle

My wife and I currently live in Euless, TX, neither of us are native to Texas moving from St. Louis and Ft. Myers, FL (by way of Denver) respectively to attend college here. My wife wants to move to her mother's hometown of Stamps, because she insists that TX "ain't" the south and she doesn't understand the people here. I tend to agree that TX is a whole nother country in regards to the rest of the US, but I'm troubled by the fact that I'm degreed in computer systems management and see little opportunity for me to feed and house my family devoided of a mid to large city for job opportunities. I would consider Magnolia since my wife said that is close enough to Stamps to satisify her. My question is are there opportunities in that area?

Signed...... GOTTA LEAVE TEXAS
Need to see the Stars and the Moon....too many people too much blues.

Herman and Michelle

Magnolia has been slowly growing as of late. Magnolia is a business jewel that hasnt been discovered yet. Its in between DFW, Little Rock, Memphis, OKC, Houston, Austin and Shreveport is right down the road. The State and National Parks are all just a few hours away. Theres job opportunites there especially with Albermarle, the Oil, Timber, and Educational industries. I think with all the new highways being built near by I think the transportation industry will pick up also. What supprises me is that I think there is alot of money that could be made in tourism in Magnolia such as building a sportsplex or a very large water theme park in the city. With all those cities near by and the parks near by I think Magnolia could be gold mine for anyone who decides to build a very large water park or sportsplex in the city

[anynabiddle]

Originally Posted by cbussey

What was your point in posting? Why would anybody moving to arkansas ON PURPOSE be interested in the opinion of somebody that hates arkansas for the very shallow reasons mentioned by you?

No difference if I were to say I hate "the north" and never go there because it's frozen and full of damn yankees, who would give a rat's behind my opinion of a particular northern city? Oh, let me guess; "he hates it".

I strongly suspect the op was looking for the opinion of somebody that actually had something constructive to say.

To the OP I would say; you may have noticed that all 3 cities are quite close to each other and similar in size. There's little difference geographically. My advice would be to move down there NOT having picked one over the other by long distance. Visit them, it won't be difficult since they are all so close together.

It would help if we knew things like WHY your friend selected specifically these 3 towns. What are they looking for? What criteria were they using to narrow their search to these three cities?

As to the other guy calling el dorado "the armpit of arkansas"; I don't know where this yank comes up with that. I live in Texas (Texarkana), which is approximately a 1hr to 1 1/2hr drive from any of them, I have friends and occasional business in all 3 of the mentioned cities and I've never in my life heard anybody refer to el dorado as the armpit of arkansas.

Im from Magnolia and been to both Texarkana and El Dorado. I must admit El dorado is pretty damn close to the armpit of Southern Arkansas
the three worst cities of any size in southern Arkansas are Crossett, Camden, and El Dorado.
the Three best cities in southern Arkansas in my opinion are
Texarkana, Magnolia, and Arkadelphia.

[anynabiddle]

Originally Posted by stuckinarut

Hey, anjoe i know it is a bit late but here is something to consider as well... The El Dorado Promise! Honey, if your friend has children or is planning to have children Murphy Oil, I believe, is awarding scholarships to graduates of the El Dorado school district. So because of the closeness of the three, El Dorado has a flashing dollar sign as an icon for its city right now, in my opinion. El Dorado's promise could possibly save you thousands of dollars in the future. Heck, I am strongly considering relocating myself. I don't know what other factors she has to consider but a free college education is a major positive.

The El Dorado Promise only applies to students who went to El Dorado School District throughout all the school years. Its a very very sad attempt that at trying to get people to move to El Dorado. Here's something you dont know about El Dorado. El Dorado is a dangerous city for its size even in its schools, and has one of the most stagering STD rates in the state of Arkansas. According to Sterling's Best Places El Dorado has had a sharp economic loss and is only predicted to grow only 7% with in the next 10 yrs. 8% unemployment rate the national average is about 4.7%. and has a negative job recent job growth
Magnolia has better schools and a better job growth rate recent job growth according Sterlings Best Places of 1.8% and 5% over the past 5 years and a 22% future job growth rate. Altho Magnolia too has had its rought times its pulling out of it now. Crime is up a little bit but its minor crime and still very safe. no gang activity.

[anynabiddle]

Originally Posted by bettyzirbel

Does anyone know about Warren, Dumas, Crossett, Monticello, Pine Bluff???
My fiance got a job in Foresty near Monitcello, and we would like a place that is kind of between there and a larger city, so I could possilby work in my field of Graphic Design. Thanks

Of those cities Monticello is a better pick. Pine Bluff's crime is Staggering, Dumas and Crossett has no job growth and dont plan on any in the near future. Warren theres some job growth very little but with the future I69 coming thru things could change

[anynabiddle]

Originally Posted by Trapped In ElDorado

Magnolia has lost some of it's businesses in the recent past. The only thing keeping that town alive is the 4-year college which is pretty respectable, I'll have to admit. But again, it's declining as well. Without the college that town would be a one-stop-light town. (Well, they don't have that many as there is, but you should get the picture.)

The recent job growth of magnolia last year was 1.7% and 5.8% during the last five years. and future job growth is 22%. As for Southern Arkansas Univ. Its up and gaining widespread popularitry in Texas especially in Austin and Dallas. Magnolia too has oil fields, Albermarle and the strongest school district academically of the major towns in southern arkansas for public schools. Banking is big business in Magnolia for some strange reason. Magnolia sits on large amounts of money which is no secret for those who lived in the region for many years. Other than Texarkana at 21%, Magnolia at 5% is the only city with over 10000 people that has experienced job growth, and is one of three cities in southern Arkansas that is forcasted to grow by double digits, the other two cities are Texarkana at 23% and Arkadelphia at 22%. Magnolia's forecast growth is 22%. El Dorado is forecasted at 7% and Camden is forecasted for 12% growth. According to Sterling's Best Places