Little Rock Underrated? (bike, places, cheap)

[TropicalCrystal]

Am new to the forum and have been reading this whole post. Think it's great that everyone is having legitimate intellectual conversation about LR.

As for some of the comments about wanting the college to change to dorms and wanting LR to become much larger of a city. I totally agree with:

Originally Posted by northbound74

but for the most part, that will just turn the region into a sprawling mess of suburbs.

which you can find in anytown, usa.

I grew up in Baton Rouge, LA, which is based around the chemical industries...Exxon and Dow. Was very ill most of my life because of it but I learned to enjoy spending time outdoors especially in more rural and wooded "camp" areas away from the city. Never liked New Orleans because it was always too crowded and dirty.

So when I was old enough I moved to a suburb of St. Louis, since I have family here too. My health has gotten better and I like the area because there are nice lakes a couple of hours away. But almost no trees and wooden areas for public use for a very long ways. Plus, St. Louis is always having FREE stuff like concerts and plays. It offers many more cultural opportunities than Baton Rouge did. However, living here has also given me the opportunity to realize that I like living in a smaller city and being able to spend more time in nature. Especially taking my dog for walks/hikes and swims.

In recent months I have decided that Little Rock is sounding better and better. It's a half way point between my families but what I really like is that it seems like a mid point between cultures as well. It's a small city with southern hospitality that offers at least some cultural learning and gathering opportunities. It also offers many lakes and the natural forest areas nearby.

One question that I have; however, was brought up earlier in the discussion I think by Purple???? (Sorry forgot your screen name), anyway, I am a 28 year old female who is single. I think your comment was something like "LR is for already married couples and there's not a big singles scene." First of all, I don't drink, don't smoke and have never enjoyed going to bars and clubs except on the rare occasion a great band is playing. I more enjoy getting back to nature with my friends and dog. Any ideas of groups or clubs that offer opportunities to meet similar outdoorsy people. Not a dating service but just groups that you can join to get out with. I've tried sierra club locally and it looks like a much older crowd in Little Rock. P.S. I don't know if that came out right but think you know what I'm saying. Not looking for a husband tomorrow just some friends when I move to town, hopefully in February. Sorry for the long post, just think a little history helps.

[Barbara J. McIntosh]

Originally Posted by InLondon

I recently visited Little Rock and I was really surprised. The city is really nice and it's really underrated. Why is that? The western area of Little Rock is especially nice. There's a lot of large beautiful homes.

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by TropicalCrystal

One question that I have; however, was brought up earlier in the discussion I think by Purple???? (Sorry forgot your screen name), anyway, I am a 28 year old female who is single. I think your comment was something like "LR is for already married couples and there's not a big singles scene." First of all, I don't drink, don't smoke and have never enjoyed going to bars and clubs except on the rare occasion a great band is playing. I more enjoy getting back to nature with my friends and dog. Any ideas of groups or clubs that offer opportunities to meet similar outdoorsy people. Not a dating service but just groups that you can join to get out with. I've tried sierra club locally and it looks like a much older crowd in Little Rock. P.S. I don't know if that came out right but think you know what I'm saying. Not looking for a husband tomorrow just some friends when I move to town, hopefully in February. Sorry for the long post, just think a little history helps.

Hey, I am 23 and single, and moved to Little Rock in December of 2007. Little Rock is a scenic, quaint town that has a lot of potential and plenty of outdoor recreation nearby. That said, If you are single and in your late twenties, you might want to consider Fayetteville instead. Its more socially progressive and young single-friendly than Little Rock in my opinion. Ive only lived in Little Rock a year and a half but to me it seems like this is a "get married out of high school" kind of town and its very socially conservative. If you are non-religious, it will be difficult to meet other singles, and even in large churches there aren't many in their twenties. In Fayetteville, there are probably more in the way of (non religious) special interest groups with people your age you might be interested in. Plus Fayetteville is a college town, Little Rock seems to cater more to older people (with families). If somebody else has better insight, please post.

[jenni-b]

Well, she is 28, not college-aged.

Off the top of my head, I know there's disc golf at Burns Park, and a kickball league, bicycling clubs and so on. Someone was trying to start a lacrosse league, was that on this forum?

I don't have any particulars, though, sorry. Maybe check with Burns Park and see what they can tell you? Also check the events calendars in the Arkansas Times and Sync. They list events that might help you discover some of these groups.

[strumpeace]

LR's Sierra Club has plenty of members your age. So does the Canoe Club. So does Audubon. So does The Nature Conservancy.

You might also check out the Arkansas Young Professionals Network (LR) or the Next Generation Young Professionals (NLR) or the LR Metro Rotary (for young professionals).

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by strumpeace

LR's Sierra Club has plenty of members your age. So does the Canoe Club. So does Audubon. So does The Nature Conservancy.

You might also check out the Arkansas Young Professionals Network (LR) or the Next Generation Young Professionals (NLR) or the LR Metro Rotary (for young professionals).

I agree with strumpeace. The Young Professionals Network would be GREAT!

There is also the Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas, just search BACA on Google or Yahoo. I am sure some of their members are into hiking and things of that nature.

I hope you find a group of like minded people.
I'm 18 and don't really like the outdoors much (it's really the bugs that bother me).

[jenni-b]

Yeah, I'm not real outdoorsy myself. So my suggestions should perhaps be taken with a grain of salt.

strumpeace, those are good ones. I was going down the sporty track but I think yours may be more what she had in mind!

[TropicalCrystal]

Those are some great ideas. I'll research those a little more. But in the meantime if anyone else has more suggestions...I'm open.

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by PurpleLove08

I agree with strumpeace. The Young Professionals Network would be GREAT!

There is also the Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas, just search BACA on Google or Yahoo. I am sure some of their members are into hiking and things of that nature.

I hope you find a group of like minded people.
I'm 18 and don't really like the outdoors much (it's really the bugs that bother me).

I have to look into the AYPN myself. I used to be a bicyclist but I had a neck injury last summer and will likely never be able to ride again, so since then I have been bored out of my mind.

[jenni-b]

aw, that's too bad, bchris.