Relocating...SWA or NWA info needed (Fayetteville, Texarkana: how much, home, job market)

[WhereInAR?]

DH is currently up for two positions. One is in the Fayetteville area, and the other is in the Hope (SWA) area. I loved the F'ville area while we were there, but right now that's looking like the less likely move b/c the pay is a little lower for that position and the COL is higher than SWA (naturally). Comparatively, it doesn't seem like the wisest move given that I am giving up my career for this move if we do it.

Howevever, I was not throroughly impressed with the Hope area. The COL was amazing, and we could do VERY well on a single income there. However, we witnessed a few things of the illegal/narcotic sort that make us both question whether we really want to live there, especially with children. The ruralness isn't an issue really as we are both from very rural areas and prefer small schools, but I worry about the other issues that come along with what seems to be a relatively economically depressed area such as what we saw while we were there.

NWA:
Are there lower COL areas, particularly housing, that are decent to live in and commutable to the F'ville area?

SWA:
Are there areas in SWA that are better for raising kids than Hope but still commutable to that area?

[hope9]

Hope AR is a great place to raise children and you are 25 miles from Texarkana. Hope is much safer than most of Boston, DC, or Phil. And Ark median home price is 89 to 155k. There is lots of work for talented people of all types in Texarkana and for young people looking for a trade or medical field training.
Good Luck

[Stormcrow73]

Originally Posted by WhereInAR?

DH is currently up for two positions. One is in the Fayetteville area, and the other is in the Hope (SWA) area. I loved the F'ville area while we were there, but right now that's looking like the less likely move b/c the pay is a little lower for that position and the COL is higher than SWA (naturally). Comparatively, it doesn't seem like the wisest move given that I am giving up my career for this move if we do it.

Howevever, I was not throroughly impressed with the Hope area. The COL was amazing, and we could do VERY well on a single income there. However, we witnessed a few things of the illegal/narcotic sort that make us both question whether we really want to live there, especially with children. The ruralness isn't an issue really as we are both from very rural areas and prefer small schools, but I worry about the other issues that come along with what seems to be a relatively economically depressed area such as what we saw while we were there.

NWA:
Are there lower COL areas, particularly housing, that are decent to live in and commutable to the F'ville area?

SWA:
Are there areas in SWA that are better for raising kids than Hope but still commutable to that area?

NWA: Yes! Prairie Grove, Elkins, and even Farmington are all a bit lower in terms of housing costs than Fayetteville proper. All of those are easily commutable.

I'd definitely choose NWA over SWA, in a heartbeat.

[SwinerBock]

You could try about 15 miles down I-40 and get into the Texarkana school district. However, I'm not sure how much different it would be from Hope. I've never heard of there being a large drug problem in Hope, so maybe you were just (un)lucky to observe it when you were there..?

[WhereInAR?]

It really could be just a chance happening that we observed what we did. It just really concerned me given that we have young children. I do also realize that there are such issues everywhere. I think the part that shocked me so greatly was that the individuals involved were so out in the open with no intent to cover their actions, and it was near a school.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by WhereInAR?

It really could be just a chance happening that we observed what we did. It just really concerned me given that we have young children. I do also realize that there are such issues everywhere. I think the part that shocked me so greatly was that the individuals involved were so out in the open with no intent to cover their actions, and it was near a school.

As you said, it could just be a chance happening and yes, drugs are everywhere today. The best we can do is teach our kids values and hope like hell they listen.....

I too, would choose NWA, lots of small towns within 15 or 20 miles from Fayetteville, maybe a little further. The offer country living, small town atmosphere and yet, you are close to the urban scene. Good schools are probably important to you: my feeling on this, if your kids want to learn and excell they will regardless of the schools. to me, safe schools the important thing.

Good luck, keep us posted.....and enjoy being a Stay at Home mom, at least for awhile..

Nita

[bagelw]

As Storm has said, Elkins, Prairie Grove, Lincoln, Farmington, or Greenland are minutes from Fayetteville and have lower priced housing. You could even check out Tontitown, Cave Springs, Elm Springs, or Lowell and not have a bad commute. Most of the traffic would be going the opposite direction since more people tend to live in Fayetteville and drive to Benton county for work.

Not sure what line of work you're talking about but I would think the job market in NWA would be much better incase you were ever forced to find a new job (laid off or decided to quit).

[WhereInAR?]

Originally Posted by bagelw

Not sure what line of work you're talking about but I would think the job market in NWA would be much better incase you were ever forced to find a new job (laid off or decided to quit).

Given that we'd be relocating to either area for DH's career and I would then be leaving mine, we would probably plan to leave the area if there ever was a need for him to find a different position. It's pretty common in his field to have to relocate to find work, and there doesn't appear to be much else for him in either area, which we're ok with as this would still be a growth position for him professionally. We hope to be involved in whatever community that we live in, but we don't have family or other ties to keep us in AR beyond his current position should he decide to accept either of them.

I would definitely feel differently if I were trying to find a position though. It's hard to do a dual job search, although we've done it before.

[Stormcrow73]

Originally Posted by WhereInAR?

Given that we'd be relocating to either area for DH's career and I would then be leaving mine, we would probably plan to leave the area if there ever was a need for him to find a different position. It's pretty common in his field to have to relocate to find work, and there doesn't appear to be much else for him in either area, which we're ok with as this would still be a growth position for him professionally. We hope to be involved in whatever community that we live in, but we don't have family or other ties to keep us in AR beyond his current position should he decide to accept either of them.

I would definitely feel differently if I were trying to find a position though. It's hard to do a dual job search, although we've done it before.

Lots of people say that and then wind up never leaving!

[leabee43]

I would like to hear more impressions about n versus s too. I want to find the best mix of living near mountains, lakes and rivers. My husband and I are both in construction. I am a cabinet designer and building supply salesperson, he is a carpenter. So we need to find right area for that sort of work. What do y'all think?