2 and a half days in NWA? (Fayetteville, Springdale: house, neighborhoods, to buy)

[AugustRN]

Hi,

We are on a “where to move next” quick tour. We thought we had it hammered down to TN or VA but we have a friend who moved to Fayetteville...Bentonville I think...and love it. So we thought we should check it out also.
I’m a registered nurse and my husband is a retired disabled Veteran. We have three small rescue dogs. We are a pretty chill “mature” couple. We like farmers markets, bars with local live music, a nice church and places to go for walks with green grass. I wouldH say we are fiscally conservative and socially moderate-liberal “live and let live.”

We will be in the area for 2 and a half days in August.

Are there neighborhoods that are a bit more rural (vs planned communities) that would be within about a 30min or less drive to Fayetteville? I think that is where I would work.

Just looking for drives to do while there. Homes with a porch and backyard. Neighbors, but may be not close enough to see what book they are reading from the porch.

Also, a name of a good local breakfast place and a not fancy dinner place would be great too.

Thanks so much for your time!! Take care

[duke944]

I can drive to Fayetteville from Bella Vista in 35 minutes. In my opinion Bella Vista is one of the best bang for your buck places to buy a home in the country if you favor "neighborhoods that are a bit more rural."

[nmnita]

I agree with Duke on this one: another nice place is Pea Ridge. Almost all of the towns will have some of what you want, but Fayetterville, Rogers, Bentonville and Centerton are going to be much more like the typical suburban sub divisions we lived in when our kids were growing up. Oh another possibility gong the other direction would be West Fork or Farmington. But I think I would start with Bella Vista. West Fork is really small with almost no amenities. BV has decent shopping, a few restaurants, doctors are there or if you need a specialist is needed they are within 20 minutes most of the time. The area is thick with vets and lots of activities for them. You would not have any trouble finding a job as an RN. In fact you might not want to do the RN thing in Fayetteville; there are 2 good hospitals if you are thinking about working at a hospital: Mercy is in Rogers and has a couple of clinics and urgent care in Bentonville and
bella Vista: NW has a nice hospital in Betonville and several doctors and urgent care though out the area as well as a hospital in Springdale.

Churches: no shortage on them. Depending on your religion you will be able to find one that works for you, from non denominational to as traditional as they come. The entire area is either conservative or as you say, conservative fiscally and moderate socially. That is what we are.

To eat: any number of good places for breakfast: We love Hard Luck cafe in Gravette but it is a typical hole in the wall. Also there are several in Bentonville and Rogers as well as a couple of good ones in Pea Ridge.
For dinner, again, it depends on what you want and your price range. Of course there are the basic chains everywhere. In Rogers on Walnut is Mr. Ts; very good but a little pricey. Also in Bella Vista is the Lake Point right on the water. It is open for dinner Thursday through Sat and brunch on Sundays only. Lake Point, because it is on the water is not particularly fancy and we do not think expensive but that depends on what you call expensive. There are also several ethnic dining places throughout Washington and Benton county.

If you want to take a drive, head to Beaver Lake, pretty drive or almost anywhere around one of the lakes. This time of the year it is beautiful with all the trees and our cool, wet summer has left everything really green. We enjoy the drive from Pea Ridge toward SW Mo. There are also some cool, not fancy places to eat as you drive north.

Hope this helps you some. No I do not work for the Chamber of Commerce but some think I should.

[DC at the Ridge]

Breakfast

in Fayetteville I would recommend Rick's Iron Skillet, or The Farmer's Table.

In Springdale I would recommend Neal's Cafe. There's a place I've heard is excellent, but I haven't been, called Susan's.

In Bentonville I would recommend The Buttered Biscuit. It's one of my favorite breakfast places.

There are so many restaurants for dinner in Northwest Arkansas, that really, it depends on what you like. I have to recommend the Hive in Bentonville, but it IS pricey. The chef there has been nominated for the James Beard Award, and he stresses local food sources. So fresh and delicious.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by DC at the Ridge

Breakfast

in Fayetteville I would recommend Rick's Iron Skillet, or The Farmer's Table.

In Springdale I would recommend Neal's Cafe. There's a place I've heard is excellent, but I haven't been, called Susan's.

In Bentonville I would recommend The Buttered Biscuit. It's one of my favorite breakfast places.

There are so many restaurants for dinner in Northwest Arkansas, that really, it depends on what you like. I have to recommend the Hive in Bentonville, but it IS pricey. The chef there has been nominated for the James Beard Award, and he stresses local food sources. So fresh and delicious.

I agree about the HIVE, but as you say: pretty darn pricey. Actually there are several in Bentonville we enjoy on rare occasions because of the price.

[AugustRN]

Thank you all so much! Great information
I’ll start doing some research on all these tips this weekend.

[Rock Climber]

In addition to Bella Vista, you might consider West Fork. It's in the hills and just outside of Fayetteville by 10 minutes. It hasn't quite become a "bedroom community" yet, because the bigger job centers are in the northern end of the metro. It has some pretty country, and I think it is a deal.

We both work in Fayetteville and have been eyeing West Fork for a bit now.

[Loveswater_outdoors]

Originally Posted by Rock Climber

In addition to Bella Vista, you might consider West Fork. It's in the hills and just outside of Fayetteville by 10 minutes. It hasn't quite become a "bedroom community" yet, because the bigger job centers are in the northern end of the metro. It has some pretty country, and I think it is a deal.

We both work in Fayetteville and have been eyeing West Fork for a bit now.

I would think they would be happier in BV just based on the quality of living, and possibly more close choices for her to work at. Also maybe it's just my imagination, but working in any of the three major cities there would be an easier commute from BV than West Fork. Even to Springdale it seems it would take a while longer from West Fork. Either way you guys have lived here longer than me that's just my two cents.

P.S. I can second the Buttered Biscuit, but it is a little higher price and the waits can be atrocious. Susan's is the best in Springdale probably, and Neal's is good. My fiancee loves it a lot more than me.

[explorearkansas]

Did someone say BREAKFAST?

[AugustRN]

Susan’s is in the lead right now....but the reviews of the strawberry cheesecake pancakes at Buttered Biscuit are calling to me too. I see there is a Waffle House too. It’s a tradition to eat at WH at least once anywhere we go where this is one...so that’s on the list too. Thanks y’all ��.