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Hi: We live in Van Buren, AR, the city not the county. It is beautiful though find not much pride in keeping things nice. We now have Keep Van Buren Beautiful which is making huge strides in cleaning up and enlightening the public. Have been here 13 years and then there was no recycling here. That drove me crazy. It is a bit clannish here and you are always "not from around here, are ya?'" I enjoy being different. I would probably look to NW Arkansas for a place to move to to see more diversity and things to do. We have seen quite a lot of growth since moving here but with the economy downturn, housing is not selling and banks are slow to loan $. My husband was selling real estate until this year and the market was slow to none. There are many gorgeous homes and properties available here for purchase. Our investment is down and doubt we could sell our home right now. We really didn't have a real estate bubble and things have stayed pretty stable. Weather here is less violent and more calm than south or north of us. Cooler north but more storms. This winter is mild and lovely, so far. Last summer was hot and very oppressive. I think people have more diverse interests in NWA and more variety. Hope this helps some. I am trying to make the best of it. Am from CA and feel as if I have gone back 20 years back in time.
I understand you are entitled to your opinion but I must tell you all I read in your entry was negative negative comments. I think and hope you take some of these suggestions and you are better suited to leave AR. I like you am from California and when I visited AR for 2 1/2 weeks, stopping and talking with as many locals and store owners as possbile found from Mt. Home to Flippin and all the towns inbetween and as far over as Mt. View and Norfolk to be absolutely wonderful. I am leaving Calif. and going to where you describe as being out of your way to even go grocery shopping a wonderful thing in deed. I dream everyday what it would be like to live within a short driving distance of beautiful lakes, rivers and hiking. No huge commercial buildings, neighbors helping neighbors. I am going back to the basics to live off the land and treat my neighbors with respect and help them no matter what. I am glad for all the other posts speaking so wonderfully about AR. Now its just picking the right town for me. I visit again in June.
Sounds like another state would be good for you. They are hiring in the dakotas, Iowa and Texas right now.
A few 'good' places here to try would be Hot Springs, Fayetteville, Fort Smith or Pine Bluff. They are the more notable cities here.
Good luck.
LOL. I was looking back over this post as another poster had referred to it and I couldn't remember what it said. If Raven is suggesting Pine Bluff as a "good" place, a "notable city", then she doesn't know much about Arkansas.
(I know this thread was started in 2006, but I couldn't resist replying to the Pine Bluff remark.)
Hi: We live in Van Buren, AR, the city not the county. It is beautiful though find not much pride in keeping things nice. We now have Keep Van Buren Beautiful which is making huge strides in cleaning up and enlightening the public. Have been here 13 years and then there was no recycling here. That drove me crazy. It is a bit clannish here and you are always "not from around here, are ya?'" I enjoy being different. I would probably look to NW Arkansas for a place to move to to see more diversity and things to do. We have seen quite a lot of growth since moving here but with the economy downturn, housing is not selling and banks are slow to loan $. My husband was selling real estate until this year and the market was slow to none. There are many gorgeous homes and properties available here for purchase. Our investment is down and doubt we could sell our home right now. We really didn't have a real estate bubble and things have stayed pretty stable. Weather here is less violent and more calm than south or north of us. Cooler north but more storms. This winter is mild and lovely, so far. Last summer was hot and very oppressive. I think people have more diverse interests in NWA and more variety. Hope this helps some. I am trying to make the best of it. Am from CA and feel as if I have gone back 20 years back in time.
you have been in the area 13 years and you still think haven't totally adjusted, wow!!! You say people are clickish after 13 years? Of course you admit you like to be different, maybe this accounts for your not feeling like you fit in. I am not saying that is good or bad, it is just fact.
As for the market, if you think it is bad in the Ft Smith/Van Buren area, think about what it is like in Ca, where you are from. The whole country is having problems, but AR actually has seen an increase in sales this year. I am sorry you are having problems selling your home.
BTW, Yes, NWA from Fayetteville, north is more diverse than Van Buren or Ft Smith.
Hi I'm very new to this site and you might wonder why a guy from New Zealand wants to say anything! However, I'm surprised by some of the negative comments about Arkansas people. I've never been there so I can't comment on the weather or the climate but for some years now I have belonged to an Arkansas forum with only 2 members not from Arkansas. I can honestly say that you couldn't meet a nicer bunch. Despite differences in political, religious and social beliefs we have never had a heated argument. We go from Athiest to religious, from left to right politics, but I love them like I had met them and when I win lotto, I'm gonna visit!
i live i ca and it's so highin cost of living. So i think in Arkansas but i need more information what it's the best place any information i glad to know
Hi I'm very new to this site and you might wonder why a guy from New Zealand wants to say anything! However, I'm surprised by some of the negative comments about Arkansas people. I've never been there so I can't comment on the weather or the climate but for some years now I have belonged to an Arkansas forum with only 2 members not from Arkansas. I can honestly say that you couldn't meet a nicer bunch. Despite differences in political, religious and social beliefs we have never had a heated argument. We go from Athiest to religious, from left to right politics, but I love them like I had met them and when I win lotto, I'm gonna visit!
This is in response to you as well as the poster above me.
Honestly, the weather is funny. It can be cold enough you need to be bundled up in the morning, but by noon hot enough to wear shorts. The people are generally friendly, and I don't know where Raven has visited to meet as many unforgiving people as she has. I've lived in most areas of Arkansas minus the Ozarks, and have rarely come across people who "hate outsiders".
As for the VERY religious people, the worst I've EVER had, from Paragould, to Batesville, to El Dorado, to Hot Springs and Malvern, was a few Mormons knocking on my door, and a few door-knob things left on. Sure, it may bother you that they left it, but put up a no trespassing sign and they won't bother you. WARNING: Do not try to go out to eat around noon Sunday, as most places are PACKED with people. Alcohol is not sold on Sundays, except for Resturants and maybe bars, but I'm not 100% on the bars. You basically can not go to a retail store and buy liqour on a Sunday.
She/He is right about some businesses not getting any business, but it's not due to the fact that people don't like outsiders, it's due to the fact that Wal-Mart is right up the road, which also brings me to my other point about Arkansas. Most towns have a Wal-Mart. I don't know where she is that she has to drive 16-20 miles to get groceries, unless she was living in the boonies out on the county roads.
All in all, Arkansas is a good place to live, in my experience. Maybe Raven was stuck in a bad part of Pine Bluff or something similar (I'd rather not read 43 pages of years old discussion), but it's not as bad as she describes. Except for the chiggers. Which are rarely in the towns, mostly in the woods. But chiggers suck.
Actually they bite...
...and you're right, they suck.
Loose clothing, long pants, heavy application of insect repellant and avoidance (as much as possible) of areas they like and you can minimize your exposure.
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However, I'm surprised by some of the negative comments about Arkansas people. I've never been there so I can't comment on the weather or the climate but for some years now I have belonged to an Arkansas forum with only 2 members not from Arkansas. I can honestly say that you couldn't meet a nicer bunch. Despite differences in political, religious and social beliefs we have never had a heated argument. We go from Athiest to religious, from left to right politics, but I love them like I had met them and when I win lotto, I'm gonna visit!
