[eisforempire]

Hello-
I'm hoping anyone who is living in or has lived in Arkansas can offer some advice! We are hoping to move to Arkansas (also considering TN or KY) within the next couple of years.

Currently we live in Midland, MI, with a population of around 41,000. It is a largely conservative city, and the headquarters of Dow Chemical Co. is located here.

Here is what I know we would like in the city we move to:
-At least around the same population -- definitely not smaller -- and bigger would be nice, although I'm not sure about living in a capital ?
-Good school systems
Also, we are more liberal than conservative, so this would be nice although definitely not necessary in a hometown for us.

We plan on opening a 'doggy day care', so a pet-friendly city is a must.

Anyone have any suggestions, cities to consider or avoid?
Greatly appreciated!!

[PurpleLove08]

Fayettville sounds right to you.
I think your doggy day care business might have a chance there.
I would suggest doing more than day care, maybe offering grooming and such.

[eisforempire]

Too funny! I've been searching around today and that is one of the ones that caught my eye. Do you know anything one way or the other about this city?

[ridicter]

Originally Posted by eisforempire

Too funny! I've been searching around today and that is one of the ones that caught my eye. Do you know anything one way or the other about this city?

Moderator cut: personal attack

Fayetteville's home to the University of Arkansas. It's the second most educated city at around 45% bachelors degree attainment. It's very progressive, and the city is planned, so it is much better organized and IMO more beautiful than the three cities to its direct north. As a college city, it's liberal.

It's in the Ozark hills, and the surrounding landscape is beautiful.

This guy takes GREAT photos of Fayetteville that you should check out: Collection: Fayetteville, Arkansas

Little Rock's good too...

Oh, and check out http://fayettevilleflyer.com for a pulse on the progressiveness of the city.

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by eisforempire

Too funny! I've been searching around today and that is one of the ones that caught my eye. Do you know anything one way or the other about this city?

I know it's a great place for starting a business and it is somewhat of a growing community. The economy is having an impact on larger companies (mainly retailers) moving in.

I'm not an expert on the Fayettville area. If you're more into Little Rock/North Little Rock/Sherwood...I'm your girl.

I'm sure if you search the Arkansas forum for Fayettville, you're sure to see a lot. Sorry I'm not a lot of help.

[nmnita]

Fayetteville would be a great place to start looking, but there are several cities between Fayetteville and the MO border that might fit your needs. Some are actually smaller than where you live and yet from Fayetteville, north cities pretty much run together giving an impression of one large city. An expample, it is hard to tell where Bentonville ends and Rogers begins except maybe which side of the highway you are on.

Fayetteville is more diversified, mainly due to the university thus is it about the only area in NWA that would be considered liberal. Well, there are a few others like Eureka Springs, but you wouldn't be moving there anyway.

As for a doggy day care, are you referring to day care like by the hour or full day or more like a doggie hotel? I ask only because doggy hotels have become the latest trend here. They are popping up everywhere. [i] am not trying to discourage you by any means, just wanted to let you know this. The prices range from $20 a day to about $25.00, again this is for over-night boarding. I only know of one that does the day care like you may be thinking about. There are also several sitters that go into homes and pet sit, feed and water plants or actually house sit.

Nita

ps: lots of people from your state have moved here, I think most of them are happy with their decision. If you have any questions, especially about the doggy day care, you can PM me.
One more possible city would be the Hot Springs area.
Good luck

[hotair2]

Fayetteville.

I know of two doggie daycares already in Little Rock,

[bagelw]

Fayetteville would be good for you. There is an extensive trail system throughtout the city that is great for walking dogs but there still aren't any real dog parks. I'm not sure of how many doggy day cares there are since I usually leave my dog with friends or family when I leave town.

[PurpleLove08]

I'm starting to agree with Hot Springs.
I wouldn't say it's a liberal town but I am sure liberals live there.
A doggy day care might do well, especially during the tourist season if people want to leave their pets with you if their hotel doesn't allow pets but they still wanted to bring their pet with them.
You could advertise online and maybe with certain hotels that don't allow pets so they can be like, "I know of a great place you can leave your pet."

They have a good school system from what I have heard.

[eisforempire]

Thanks so much to everyone.
Are there any neighborhoods that are musts/must not's in Fayetteville, does anyone know?
And how about the shopping, cost of living?

We have a doggy day care here in Midland which is $15/day, and $20 for overnights. They also offer weekend stays, obedience classes, nail trimming, etc. I'm hoping that we can goto a city where something like this would be successful. I would love nothing more than to help out people and be able to get their dogs some good exercise while they're away at work or whatnot!

I will have a bachelor's in marketing management once we arrive there - does anyone know anything about the job outlook there as well? If this would/would not be a successful 'backup plan', if my dream of the doggy day care wouldn't work out.