[coasttocoast]

My wife and I are going to be checking out both the Rogers and Bentonville areas of NWA. We have 3 adventure loving kids, love sports and enjoy being part of a community. I am a custom home builder and would look to either start up after moving or partnering with a quality builder. We would appreciate any initial feedback and/or information in reference to the following questions of either areas: a) quality of schools, b) shopping and restaurants, c) sports venues, d) recreational opportunities. Thank you in advance for any and all responses.

[cobblelane]

NW Arkansas is a great place to live. There are plaenty of outdoor activities and entertainment around. Housing construction has slowed recently, but is seeing some rebound. I am an electrical contractor and have not slowed at all. I think it is a check fro over priced underperforming contractors. Commercial construction is still strong. I ahve been here for 2 years and had been in Denver CO the prior twenty. We really enjoy it here. God bless.

[Stormcrow73]

Sports - Razorbacks rule the roost but Springdale is currently building a minor league baseball facility for the relocating Wichita Wranglers of the Texas League. The team will be named the Naturals and should start playing in 2008 I think. There is also talk of a small arena in the area and the developers have been hyping a WNBA and an ECHL (minor league hockey) franchises.

Recreation - Beaver Lake, LOTS of hiking!! In Springdale, you have the Jones Center for Families with one of the ONLY FREE ice skating venues in the country. If you or your kids have any interest in hockey, you will never find a cheaper place to play than the Jones Center in the US. Playing organized hockey there does cost but it's extremely cheap compared to anywhere else. I believe their pickup hockey is free.