Fayetteville vs. Surrounding Areas... (Fort Smith, Springdale: low income, unemployment, neighborhoods)

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by bagelw

There is nothing neccessarily wrong with Springdale but Fayetteville and Bentonville are just nicer cities overall. West Springdale would be an alright area.

Siloam Springs is a much smaller town 20 minutes west of Springdale. It would be an alright area depending on what you're looking for. There's not really any shopping, restaurants, or entertainment there other than the casino.

There seems to be some restaurants, or at least when we have driven through we have seen some. No entertainment, that you are probably right about. Compared to Fayetteville, Siloam Springs would seem pretty dull, I would think, compared to some other small towns around here, it would be about the norm.

Nita

[sdwalker]

We are just looking for a cool place to live... Our main concern with Fayetteville is that so many of the new neighborhoods are soo "cookie cutter" I am from a very historic town with really cool houses that have lots of personality and character... The houses in fayetteville that are unique are extremely expensive... We've found some cool things in springdale and siloam springs that are more in our price range, but know nothing of the areas...

Any thoughts on Farminton??

[Jimmy Phillips 1961]

My girlfriend and I are leaving for Fayetville and Springdale area partly for work but would like to take sometime off and enjoy a day or two. We will be in area for 3 days (one for buisness, one for visiting, and the rest of the time trying to look at realestate around lake area. Could anyone in the area help us out in finding a very comfrortable lodge or hotel type?
thank you Jimmy

[ladybug35]

If either of you are going to U of A, don't live in Springdale. I worked in Fayetteville but lived in Springdale (in the scariest place I've ever lived, and I live in Memphis now) and if/when it snows, you CAN NOT get to work. Springdale doesn't do anything with the streets, the town is scary, and there is nothing to do. Also, there are a lot of cute areas in Fayetteville that aren't super expensive. I hated Springdale...I actually moved out of my apartment before my lease was up because there were 12 people living in the 2 bedroom next door and I drove to Fayetteville for everything anyway.

That said, Farmington is super close to U of A, and it's probably a little more affordable. You're still going to be driving a lot, and traffic in NWA is not fun, but it's a nice area.

I just think you should avoid Springdale at all costs, especially if you have to go to the University. Live someplace close to a bus line in Fayetteville...I bought a parking permit and still had to take the bus when I went there. If you want specific apartment recommendations or area info, let me know!

[thewizard16]

I don't think Springdale is scary by any means. There are areas that aren't fantastic, but a quick comparison of crime stats per capita to Memphis, Little Rock, or even Hot Springs will show it's really not dangerous overall.

That said, Springdale isn't where I'd stay if I were visiting the area. Fayetteville is a lot more interesting (and has more shopping/dining/etc) in the evenings if you want to head down Dickson Street, and Rogers has more shopping/dining/etc. than Springdale too. What kind of hotel are you looking for? Estimated price range? I'm most familiar with chain hotels in the area, but my favorite is a small private owned place (fantastic place, but not cheap). Anyway- let us know what you're looking for any maybe we can help you out.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by thewizard16

I don't think Springdale is scary by any means. There are areas that aren't fantastic, but a quick comparison of crime stats per capita to Memphis, Little Rock, or even Hot Springs will show it's really not dangerous overall.

That said, Springdale isn't where I'd stay if I were visiting the area. Fayetteville is a lot more interesting (and has more shopping/dining/etc) in the evenings if you want to head down Dickson Street, and Rogers has more shopping/dining/etc. than Springdale too. What kind of hotel are you looking for? Estimated price range? I'm most familiar with chain hotels in the area, but my favorite is a small private owned place (fantastic place, but not cheap). Anyway- let us know what you're looking for any maybe we can help you out.

Yes, Fayetteville is much nicer with the college influence and the old homes in and around the downtown area as well as the square, but, like you, I can't believe anyone would call Spingdale scary!!! It is a little lower income with more racial mixture than some places in NWA but I wouldn't feel unsafe there. Now stick me in parts of Little Rock, Tulsa, and a few other cities and I would feel uncomfortable.

Nita

[ladybug35]

My neighbors (all 12 of them in the same apartment, again) used to try to look in my windows at me, would yell at me in Spanish every time I opened my door, and literally made drug deals in the parking lot. In an apartment complex right across the street from an elementary school. Where my car also got broken into and hit at least twice. Yeah, it was scary.

I never had any problems in Fayetteville though, which is why I would recommend it. The worst thing that ever happened to me in Fayetteville was a kid accidentally hit my car with a soccer ball, and then walked over and apologized and asked if there was any damage or if he could do anything. (Unlike the kid who ran into me at a stop sign on his bike, while texting...when I told his mom what happened, she, in all her un-bra-wearing glory, told me not to worry, he was always pulling bikes out of the trash and running into people. This was in Springdale.)

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by ladybug35

My neighbors (all 12 of them in the same apartment, again) used to try to look in my windows at me, would yell at me in Spanish every time I opened my door, and literally made drug deals in the parking lot. In an apartment complex right across the street from an elementary school. Where my car also got broken into and hit at least twice. Yeah, it was scary.

I never had any problems in Fayetteville though, which is why I would recommend it. The worst thing that ever happened to me in Fayetteville was a kid accidentally hit my car with a soccer ball, and then walked over and apologized and asked if there was any damage or if he could do anything. (Unlike the kid who ran into me at a stop sign on his bike, while texting...when I told his mom what happened, she, in all her un-bra-wearing glory, told me not to worry, he was always pulling bikes out of the trash and running into people. This was in Springdale.)

From your post, it sounds as if you lived in a very bad apartment complex. This doesn't sound like a community problem, but one specific to your complex. As for the anecdotes about the kids, you'll find flaky parents all over the world - hardly unique to Springdale, believe me.

[FaubNation]

Fayetteville and Rogers/Bentonville has more shopping than Springdale. Springdale is located between bith of these areas so neither is a far drive. Springdale is more affordable than both of these areas. I guess if living in an appartment complex that that has a bad tennant(s) is scary, most cities would be scary. Springdale is located in the center of NWA, so it is not far from anything. Springdale has a great school system. Springdale probably has a higher hispanic population. (I say probably b/c I don't have the numbers to prove or disprove but I'm pretty sure it does) Springdale has Arvest Ballpark, the only minor league ball team in the area. Springdale has the Rodeo of the Ozarks, largest rodeo in the area. Springdale has a lot to offer, it depends on your wants and needs.

[gobrien]

I have rented a few non-cookie cutter houses in Fayetteville, but you don't see them advertised as much as the high dollar rentals. Check out the ads in the Northwest Arkansas Times and call lesser known realtors if you want a unique but affordable place. Will you be able to visit before you move? I would suggest driving around some of the older neighborhoods in town and look for signs. Good luck!