[trauma2005]

I am 32 years old married with one daughter who is 3 and another one on the way. I am finishing up my medical residency and currently looking at two possible practice opportunities one of which is in Fort Smith AR and the other in North Carolina. I am having a difficult time deciding if Fort Smith would be a good place to raise a family or not. Any input or advice would greatly appreciated. Thanks

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by trauma2005

I am 32 years old married with one daughter who is 3 and another one on the way. I am finishing up my medical residency and currently looking at two possible practice opportunities one of which is in Fort Smith AR and the other in North Carolina. I am having a difficult time deciding if Fort Smith would be a good place to raise a family or not. Any input or advice would greatly appreciated. Thanks

Where at in North Carolina might you be moving. Are you rural-minded or urban-minded. What are your political views?

Fort Smith is a very religious, conservative, and politically Republican town. It is known for its conservatism and family values culture. That said, it is a very rural culture that can be somewhat difficult to assimilate into if you weren't born and raised there. Life centers around family, church, and high school football. There also isn't a lot else for the kids to do, especially as they become teenagers. Overall, you can do worse than Fort Smith, but you can do much better as well.

[PurpleLove08]

Why not some place like Conway?
It is a growing community and it seems like a great place to raise a kid.
Sherwood is also another great option but it all depends on if you want rural or a more urban environment that you can choose a lot of activities for your daughter to participate in.

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by LiveTodayLez08

Why not some place like Conway?
It is a growing community and it seems like a great place to raise a kid.
Sherwood is also another great option but it all depends on if you want rural or a more urban environment that you can choose a lot of activities for your daughter to participate in.

Agree. The LR area suburbs are much better than Fort Smith in terms of raising kids because there are so many more activities for them. You can't go wrong in NWA either.

Remember, bored kids generally get into things they shouldn't.

[Capt. Dan]

I would assume the OP has only a certain # of places where they can do the residency. Apparently the only 2 choices were FS and NC.

[Luvvarkansas]

You could always live right across the river in Van Buren. I think it's a nice town, and more hilly and picturesque than Ft. Smith to me. But of course, as far as schools, politics, etc., I don't know about any of that because I don't live there.

[trauma2005]

I dont mind the conservative values. The job opportunities I have are in Fort Smith and in Winston Salem NC. The practice opportunity is better in Fort Smith but I have just seen so much negative feedback on these forums regarding Fort Smith it makes me worry about it being a decent place to raise my family.

[PurpleLove08]

My only concern if I had to live in Fort Smith , if I were you, would be the lack of activities. For some this wouldn't be a problem but I like having a lot of opportunities to get out and do something, even if I don't go out and do them all. It's just nice to have that option without having to get in my car and drive for miles and miles just to have some sort of fun.
If I had to choose between Fort Smith and the town in NC, I would move to the town in NC. Isn't NC a growing state?

Fort Smith would be pretty low on my list of places to live since it is so conservative.

[Houston3]

I haven't been to Ft. Smith for about four years but it's a nice place. Small town life.

I also did basic training at Fort Chaffee when it was open.

Don't let others scare you off just because they are liberals.

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by Houston3

I haven't been to Ft. Smith for about four years but it's a nice place. Small town life.

I also did basic training at Fort Chaffee when it was open.

Don't let others scare you off just because they are liberals.

I'm not trying to scare her off and liberal is not a bad word.
BChris02 [I only brought him up because he brought up conservative values first] is a conservative, if you'd look at his posts.
I guess you should have just said, don't let LiveTodayLez08 try to scare you off.
As I said before, my concern, if I were the OP, would be the lack of activities but for some that may not be an issue.