Alexander, AR (Little Rock, Benton, Sherwood: home, magnet school, university)

[FAMILYMAN-MORE]

Hello:

We will be relocating to Arkansas from Washington state at the end of December and were wondering if anyone knows anything about Alexander, AR? Is it diverse? We found a nice 3 bedroom/2 bath home in a new subdivision and were told that this area is family-friendly and "developing". Our son is in fourth grade and will be attending schools in Bryant. We did a lot of research on the schools and found that the Bryant School district schools test scores are higher than average. Education is very important to us. Will this school district be a good fit for our son who is currently performing very well at his current school? Schools in Washington are extremely diverse. Also what is the commute from Alexander to Little Rock like (UAMS)? Where are the great places to eat?

Also, any suggestions for the best route to take from WA to AR? Our current plan is to drive down I-5 to Bakersfield and then cut across to I-40 heading East. We will be travelling with our two children so want the safest route. Thanks for your feedback.

[JeffAtkins]

I-40 could have some snow / ice issues in winter, but the only other option is I-10 through Phoenix to El Paso, then I-20 from El Paso to Dallas, then I-30 into Bryant / Little Rock.

Alexander is right on the Pulaski / Saline county line. I would think taxes would be lower on the Saline side. Bryant and Benton are growing fast. You can get to west Little Rock in about 10 minutes and downtown Little Rock in 15-20 minutes, all interstate. Welcome!

[FAMILYMAN-MORE]

Thanks for your feedback, Jeff. We will be on the Saline county side. We are looking forward to the move.

[FAMILYMAN-MORE]

Can I get some more opnions on this trip pls?


Thanks People

[Nitabear]

You will absolutely love Alexander. It is on Pulaski/Saline County border. Commute to Little Rock, maybe 30 min tops. Bryant has best reputation of local schools. Benton also quite good. Lots of small community type properties and subdivisions. People do not seem snooty.

[stormworthy]

I grew up in Benton-Bryant. I've also lived on Capitol Hill in Seattle. Alexander to LR is like SeaTac to Seattle roughly....30 minutes is right more or less on the commute.

Bryant schools are the better choice in Saline County. As your son gets older I personally would suggest a Little Rock Magnet School. (Maybe a science/math school or the performing arts magnet school...I'm not that familiar with them, I just know they exist and you could drop your child off on the way to work maybe).

Arkansas, excluding the "university towns", is not progressive, but very family-friendly.

Benton-Bryant, Maumelle, Sherwood are interesting LR suburbs as well.