[Bayrat]

Wife and I have lived primarily in NYS all our lives. We have land in a rural area that is dominated by right-wing ideologies, which we like. Unfortunately, we are being squeezed out by the downstate and city liberal voters which, like some other states, has caused a degrading of values and a huge tax burden to support their government programs.

We want to move where the people appreciate God and the US Constitution. A state with morality and values. The wife likes Arkansas, I have never lived there.

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Would appreciate some advise as to where property might be reasonable and the lifestyle fit for us. Of course, she likes to be within an hour's drive of a decent shopping facility.

[RTTNFAM]

As I was reading your post I was thinking that a small town close to a larger one would fit your needs... until I got to the within an hours drive to decent shopping part. Many on here will debate that there is no such thing as decent shopping in our state, I don't agree, but I think decent shopping being a prerequisite is going to limit you. What is considered decent shopping in your wife's opinion? I think Fort Smith has decent shopping and it is only 1 1/2 hours away from me... others on here complain that it has nothing to offer when it comes to shopping.

That being said though... I would recommend the NWA are over any other part of the state. Bella is a great place within minutes of great shopping (IMO). You can also take a few hours drive to Branson from there and shop til you drop! There are many smaller communities around the bigger Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville areas that are great places to live and give you all the advantages of a small town within reach of a big city.

Second runner up would be around the Hot Springs area. From there you are not more than 1 1/2 hours to Little Rock for shopping. The surrounding areas of Hot Springs have some great small towns.

I hope this helps.

PS- Remember you are going to be getting opinions from all sides here... don't take them all to heart! Make a trip down here and see for yourself what we have to offer, this is after all a great state. I know some people on this baord will work hard to scare you off, there are always a few who MUST go against the grain! In the end, make a decison based on your fuirst hand knowledge, and you won't be disappointed.

[Bayrat]

Thanks for this, really, some useful information! By decent shopping she means a place where she can browse the stores, she rally does not spend much doing it. We actually like the smaller stores found on "Main St. America" to be honest.

[todd00]

i think id start by doing some research on states you might like. how is their money spent, not all states give entitlements at the same rate. if you are moving because of your distaste for how ny state is becoming id call a congressman or senators office in arkansas or another state you might fancy and ask some questions on what govenrnment programs are highest on the priority list. while its certainly a good idea to do some visiting, you may not get all your questions answered with just a tourist type visit. arkansas is a very pretty state and the areas the previous poster mentioned are nice. remember too, the climate will be much different than your current home. warm humid summers, and spring storms, are the norm for the region. generally mild winters compared to snowy upstate ny, but there is the occasional ice storm, which can cause a great deal of damage.

i thought upstate ny was a mostly conservative area. if you like the area, id contact my own representatives and espress your frustration. its hard to accurately paint all the pple of a state with either conservative or liberal label, as areas can vary greatly. generally the midwest is pretty conservative, the larger cities and college towns having more of a mixed flavor as a rule. in the end its who you choose to have as friends and associate with that seem the most important to me. if i liked the area where i lived, and upstate ny is beautiful, i wouldnt let anyone run me out of it, period. good luck.

[Bayrat]

It's not necessarily the people around me, they are my friends for the most part. Our state senators and some of our representatives are pretty much in lock step with the current administration. I don't think we will be able to afford to live here when we stop working. Believe me, I am heavily involved in politics but calling these people to voice your opinion and being reprimanded by a "staff" member and told in no uncertain terms how MY representative is going to vote, does not set well.

As far as the weather is concerned, I am somewhat familiar with it. Most of my family is in Florida or the Carolinas. Many of my friends now have places in those states for the reasons I mentioned. Your idea about calling local representatives in Arkansas is a good one, I had not thought of that.

[Dr. Foosball]

Originally Posted by Bayrat

We actually like the smaller stores found on "Main St. America" to be honest.

Something like this:

[Van Buren, AR]


[Eureka Springs, AR]


FWIW, Eureka Springs is probably more liberal than where you live now.

[Bayrat]

That is a beautiful town Dr.! It's not so much living with the left, it's living under the policies that they push through the legislature.

[Bayrat]

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We need to work another few years yet but given the housing market, we considered purchasing a place in an area we like and renting it out until we can retire.

[bluenoter]

If your life revolves around politics, Arkansas may not be the place. Maybe you should stay in the Northeast.

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Originally Posted by Bayrat

Wife and I have lived primarily in NYS all our lives. We have land in a rural area that is dominated by right-wing ideologies, which we like. Unfortunately, we are being squeezed out by the downstate and city liberal voters which, like some other states, has caused a degrading of values and a huge tax burden to support their government programs.

We want to move where the people appreciate God and the US Constitution. A state with morality and values. The wife likes Arkansas, I have never lived there.

We are both educated, like shine from a good still on occasion and can back up a fiddle and spoons fairly well with guitar and gut bucket. We appreciate the old southern lifestyle and values.

Would appreciate some advise as to where property might be reasonable and the lifestyle fit for us. Of course, she likes to be within an hour's drive of a decent shopping facility.

[Capt. Dan]

1- there are at least some liberal Democrats in Arkansas
2- there are people who collect welfare in Arkansas
3- there are women who get abortions in Arkansas
4- there are people who despise Rush Limbaugh in Arkansas
5- there are public education supporters in Arkansas
6- there are gays and lesbians in Arkansas

Please dont think that any part of Arkansas is a right wing,conservative Utopia. It has all the political,social and economic foibles as New York.
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