[cityer_525]

Hi, I just thought to let you know if you think Ark has bad roads, go to Oklahoma especially OKC area.

About the job thing, I cant argue too much about it being hard to find a decent paying job in Little Rock, in order to do so, you might just want to further your education.

There are LOTS of jobs in Little Rock that pay excellingly decent wages that within less than a year you could earn easily 40k-120k per year. If you are looking to relocate from where ever you are to Arkansas, I suggest Little Rock metro.

Little Rock's major export is jets. If you need a decent paying job to better stablize your move, you should check into the LR national airport and/or FalconJet. Entertainment here isnt the greatest but within an hours drive, you can find almost anything. If your 21+ than the river market area downtown would be your delight.

Oh, and another good thing about Little Rock is that it has just about everything a big city would have with the friendly and peacefulness of a small town. I hope you look into seeing more of "America's Newest Destination"

[nmnita]

we have traveled over much of the USA and certainly don't find the roads in AR any better or worse than other places.

Nita

[flower66]

i've lived in Arkansas for about 30 years. my husband and I are both from CA. He's always fit in better than I have (I'm White/Hispanic and more introverted than he is)...each of our high school graduating class was about 130 students; we are both college graduates and work in education. i have debated leaving Conway many times due to nepotism and 'good ole boy' syndrome and feeling friendless. Conway is a great town in many ways: 3 colleges, many churches altho no synagogues or non-christian churches, several restaurants, decent shopping, close proximity to everything. i would estimate the largest church congregations in this area are Catholic, Baptist and non denominational. there are about 9 elementary schls, 2 intermediate, 2 middle schools and one high school at the present time (this will change within 5-10 years). the area is changing culturally and i am thrilled to see it! Although crime has come with it-- our cultural diversity in this area is changing (more Hispanics). We've lived here since about 1981 and although i've thought about it a lot and talked to others too-- i am not so sure conway is any worse than any other town for politics, etc.-- what makes it difficult for me is that I KNOW/am aware of much of the 'injustices' that occur. We continue to live here although it's not perfect perfect b/c I don't know that we could beat our quality of life somewhere else! Plus, we're almost certain we couldn't make more money anywhere else (except a very few places) that would offer comparable living. Sadly, The people here do tend to be quietly prejudice against anyone not White-- however, I think if people conduct themselves in a fairly moral, pro-active style-- they do okay. Again, I think Conway, AR is mid-transition...we're changing from a town to a very bustling city so we'll have to change, which again is very welcome news to me. And if you don't know-- we're a town of about 50,000 and we're about 30 mins from Little Rock, AR. We're a 'dry' (alcohol is not sold publicly) city but there are several private clubs where one can get a drink; most drinkers travel 20 mins to the county line to stock up on there alcohol). Bottom line, if you have a dynamic personality or even a somewhat outgoing personality and can win people over-- you should be fine in Conway b/c I am really NONE of that and survived fairly well here. Also, bottom line for me is the fact that I've not moved my family.
Sorry this response is somewhat rambling but my feelings on this topic are rather mixed. Also, if you're not White-- I would suggest moving somewhere in Arkansas that is more urban

[flower66]

if I could live anywhere in Arkansas and be on one of our many lakes-- I'd seriously look at the Hot Springs area (which is fairly central AR) or possibly around Fayettville (NW corner of the state). Both these areas should offer city luxuries yet beautiful lakes too. Good luck!

[quitman]

I'm looking to relocate to Ar. but I'm not sure where my family will be best suited. My husband and I are early 30ties and our children's ages are 11,9,& 4. I would love to buy land with a spring fed creek, caves etc... We love hunting and outdoor activities such as camping, canoeing. Would like to be maybe an hour or 2 from Branson, 30 minutes to stores such as walmart, target, kols, movies, and restaurants. The school is important. My children go to a k-12 school which I like because they are together in one place. I would like a school that offers football.

I have read that some kids have not been easily accepted. I hope this isn't the case where we choose to live. My kids are kind, outgoing, and has been taught not to misstreat anyone. It would break my heart to move somewhere that my kids are not welcomed.

We are interested in finding a Baptist Church to attend. One that has couples with children around my age. It doesn't have to be a large church where I can't get to know everyone, but I would like to find one where my children look forward to going to worship the lord and meet other children.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

[nmnita]

Anyplace in the NW area or just North mid part seems to be what you are looking for. Obviously finding a nice Baptist church will not be a problem, the K-12 may be. Where are you living now? I don't personally know much about Mountain Home but have heard good things about the area.
As for kids being accepted, we moved ours several times when they were young, from big cities to little towns and visa versa, kids will be accepted if they want to and the parents have a poisitive attitude.

Nita

[mlrfo4]

I guess I am somewhat biased, but I love it here in Mtn Home. I think it's a wonderful area to raise your children. Have 4 boys from 3rd to 11th grade. Having come from a great school in California. Am not disappointed at all. You should definately take a look at the area.

[northbound74]

"nothing is worse than feeling stuck in a place you can't call home no matter how hard you try. "

That is how I felt about Arkansas.
I grew up in Arkansas.

[walkerg]

Moved here from Central New York State a few years ago. What I had heard about "Southern Hospitality" is simply not true. Outsiders, ESPECIALLY from the northeast, are discriminated against, and not made to feel welcome here. Now, this is not true for all people I have met. I have found some sweet people here. Most prejudices come from the long-time locals who don't like times to change and would rather be rude to you so that you will leave.
I love the weather, as compared to NY. And there are many new restaurants and stores developing. On the surface, the area looks fresh and promising. But, this area is lacking in cultural and arts activities, and technology too.

I don't feel very confident in the medical facilities.

Beware of Arkansas drivers......they are idiots!

The educational system is so far behind NY.

There is a large percentage of people that are not too bright, and ignorant.......and don't even know it.

I live in the Jonesboro area, so my experience relates this location. I've heard things are better in Little Rock and Fayetteville.

[northbound74]

Originally Posted by walkerg

Moved here from Central New York State a few years ago. What I had heard about "Southern Hospitality" is simply not true. Outsiders, ESPECIALLY from the northeast, are discriminated against, and not made to feel welcome here. Now, this is not true for all people I have met. I have found some sweet people here. Most prejudices come from the long-time locals who don't like times to change and would rather be rude to you so that you will leave.
I love the weather, as compared to NY. And there are many new restaurants and stores developing. On the surface, the area looks fresh and promising. But, this area is lacking in cultural and arts activities, and technology too.

I don't feel very confident in the medical facilities.

Beware of Arkansas drivers......they are idiots!

The educational system is so far behind NY.

There is a large percentage of people that are not too bright, and ignorant.......and don't even know it.

I live in the Jonesboro area, so my experience relates this location. I've heard things are better in Little Rock and Fayetteville.

yet another one hits the nail on the head.
Things are not that much better in Little Rock. The rampant crime offsets anything else...although I didn't mind living there for a short while. Jobs in Little Rock are hard to come by unless you're a doctor, lawer, politician, etc. A working class town it is not.
Fayetteville looks nicer just driving through it. You'll just have to get used to all the goofy razorback stuff. I couldn't do it. A love of Wal-Mart is another trait I could not see within myself.
The roads in Arkansas are much better now. After Billy left and Mike came in, a few things actually started to improve for the first time in my lifetime. Growing up, I used to hear stories of how truck drivers driving cross-country would by-pass the ENTIRE state of Arkansas just because the roads were so bad. They were washboards. Maybe worse.