Just Got a Job in Little Rock, Where Should I Live?? (North Little Rock: apartment complexes, rental)

[txdave35]

Hi Folks,

After being laid off, and almost 3 months of unemployment, I am so happy to have been offered a job in Little Rock working for the state government.

Now comes the hard part. I have exactly one month to move from East Texas to Little Rock. I don't have a clue about the city, nor do I know anyone there.

I would appreciate some advice on where to look for apartments. With my salary, I can't really afford a 1 bedroom over $600 a month rent. My workplace will be right downtown so I'm thinking it would be better to find a place south of the river.

I am worried about crime so please tell me what areas to avoid. Or is there any safe apartments at all in this city? Would I be better off moving to one of the outlining towns and commuting to work? Does Little Rock have a strong Christian community with lots of Baptist churches?

So far, everyone I've met there has been really friendly so I am probably worrying for nothing. Crime is everywhere these days.

[ridicter]

I would consider looking into the Riverdale area: it's right by some great parks along the river, and on the north side of the river are stunning bluffs. The area has a suburban feel, but it's real close to downtown.

It's also along the Arkansas River Trail, which is a top notch bike trail along the river with incredible views. If you live in the area, you'll see dozens of bikers, joggers, and other healthy and active types. Some even ride their bikes to work.

You can read more about the trail at Big Dam Bridge - Pulaski County Arkansas, which is named after the Big Dam Bridge--the largest pedestrian only bridge in the US specifically constructed for that purpose. It connects the north and south sides of the river trail.

Distance from Riverdale to downtown: 2-3 miles
from: 200 markham little rock to: riverdale little rock arkansas - Google Maps

I don't know how much the rents are in the area, but I know that when I stayed in the core of downtown Little Rock, the rent was around $750, so it should be considerably cheaper a few miles out.

edit:// As for a Christian community--of course there's an active one, just like anywhere else in the south. It should be noted that Little Rock is probably more liberal than East Texas, and the Riverdale area probably moreso.

[bchris02]

Riverdale apartments are on the pricey side - you'll be paying $800 for a 1 bedroom there. Maybe look at the Foothills apartments in North Little Rock or some of the apartments along Cantrell west of University. North Little Rock is the north side of the river but its a quick and easy commute to downtown - about 15 minutes.

Churches - this is the Bible belt so you shouldn't have a problem finding somewhere you'll feel comfortable.

[txdave35]

Yea, I can only afford like $500- 600 range. I'm only going to be making 37K.

My search is not going well at all. I've found some apartments to check out, but I was told yesterday that there is a chance I could be rejected from any apartment application. The problem is my credit report shows an incident with an old apartment where they tried to gouge me for damages that I didn't cause, and I refused to pay it.

Looks like I have three options now:

Pay off the debt and clear the report which is $198 bucks

Pay a full lease in advance - who has that kind of money??

Rent a hotel room from Value Inn at 189 a week.


Looks like Value Inn is my best option. What do you guys think? This is just a scary situation for me. I can't believe that I will have a good job with the state and can't find a place to live there!

[northbound74]

Originally Posted by txdave35

Yea, I can only afford like $500- 600 range. I'm only going to be making 37K.

My search is not going well at all. I've found some apartments to check out, but I was told yesterday that there is a chance I could be rejected from any apartment application. The problem is my credit report shows an incident with an old apartment where they tried to gouge me for damages that I didn't cause, and I refused to pay it.

Looks like I have three options now:

Pay off the debt and clear the report which is $198 bucks

Pay a full lease in advance - who has that kind of money??

Rent a hotel room from Value Inn at 189 a week.


Looks like Value Inn is my best option. What do you guys think? This is just a scary situation for me. I can't believe that I will have a good job with the state and can't find a place to live there!

If $198 is the total of damages and report, I'd pay the 198, and clear my name. That way, I could live where I wanted.
189 a week is quite a bit pricier than an average apartment.
The river can be a pain to cross, but getting to downtown from anywhere on a freeway is like that. If you live in North Little Rock, there's a couple of side street bridges that are okay to cross. If you live on the west side of Little Rock, 630 can be just as bad as crossing the river.
If you live closer-in to downtown, you have to be more careful of the neighborhoods, if you want to avoid crime as much as possible.

Little Rock is sort-of liberal, but mildly so.
There's lot's of really big Baptist churches there. I'm sure there's small one's, too.

[txdave35]

Originally Posted by northbound74

If $198 is the total of damages and report, I'd pay the 198, and clear my name. That way, I could live where I wanted.
189 a week is quite a bit pricier than an average apartment.
The river can be a pain to cross, but getting to downtown from anywhere on a freeway is like that. If you live in North Little Rock, there's a couple of side street bridges that are okay to cross. If you live on the west side of Little Rock, 630 can be just as bad as crossing the river.
If you live closer-in to downtown, you have to be more careful of the neighborhoods, if you want to avoid crime as much as possible.

Little Rock is sort-of liberal, but mildly so.
There's lot's of really big Baptist churches there. I'm sure there's small one's, too.

Opps, the place is called Value Place, not Value Inn. It's looks nice on the website, but I read a review that said it was nasty. The cost is about the same as an apartment when you consider that I don't have to pay any utilities, cable or internet.

The bad thing with Little Rock apartments is just the outragerous up front costs. First, I would have to pay off the bad debt. Then an application fee of $50 - 100 bucks. Then a $100 - 200 processing fee. Then a $300 dollar deposit. I'm out a thousand bucks and not even started on the moving costs.

Still ,the thought of living day by day out of a hotel is unnerving to me.

[northbound74]

Originally Posted by txdave35

Opps, the place is called Value Place, not Value Inn. It's looks nice on the website, but I read a review that said it was nasty. The cost is about the same as an apartment when you consider that I don't have to pay any utilities, cable or internet.

The bad thing with Little Rock apartments is just the outragerous up front costs. First, I would have to pay off the bad debt. Then an application fee of $50 - 100 bucks. Then a $100 - 200 processing fee. Then a $300 dollar deposit. I'm out a thousand bucks and not even started on the moving costs.

Still ,the thought of living day by day out of a hotel is unnerving to me.

I don't ever recall having to pay those extra fees, just a deposit+ first month's rent. I rented from three different apartment complexes there.

I guess you could try one of the hotel places until you get a feel for the area. You do have to be careful, because those can be seedy.
Once you get there, you might try to find a place that's run by an individual person. A small duplex, or something like that. I know places like that won't have a bunch of fees, and they may even overlook you're past issues.

[Aporkalypse]

Originally Posted by northbound74

I don't ever recall having to pay those extra fees, just a deposit+ first month's rent. I rented from three different apartment complexes there.

I guess you could try one of the hotel places until you get a feel for the area. You do have to be careful, because those can be seedy.
Once you get there, you might try to find a place that's run by an individual person. A small duplex, or something like that. I know places like that won't have a bunch of fees, and they may even overlook you're past issues.

I agree, that's very rare. He needs to shop around.

Some places used to give you 1-2 mos of free rent but that's stopped lately as rental vacancy rates have dropped.

[RogMar]

Originally Posted by txdave35

Opps, the place is called Value Place, not Value Inn. It's looks nice on the website, but I read a review that said it was nasty. The cost is about the same as an apartment when you consider that I don't have to pay any utilities, cable or internet.

The bad thing with Little Rock apartments is just the outragerous up front costs. First, I would have to pay off the bad debt. Then an application fee of $50 - 100 bucks. Then a $100 - 200 processing fee. Then a $300 dollar deposit. I'm out a thousand bucks and not even started on the moving costs.

Still ,the thought of living day by day out of a hotel is unnerving to me.

Don't burn the long-term for the short term.

You have choices, as I see it.

Your up front costs....you tacked it at a cool grand to get an apt. That's a one time cost. Seriously, refusing to work that damage thing out is going to haunt you, but hey.......this ain't my first rodeo neither.

I would do the up front costs. Maybe get a little help from the family. Get into a decent apartment. Struggle for a little bit. It develops *character* ya know.

Nothing good ever comes easy........voice of experience. I've never been in that situation, but lets just say that I have a whole lot more experience with it than a lot of folks.

Your second choice...the flea trap.

These are aimed at transients, temp workers coming in, truck drivers, and folks that have screwed up their life to the point that the church is paying for their room so they won't be in there begging anymore.

You'll be rooming with everything from the guy from a construction company out of Louisiana that just came in to work, to the crackhead couple that have regular fights at 3:00 A.M.

Set your watch to it.

Lack of sleep, fear of getting your room ripped off, personal security, credibility with the police when it *does* happen.............

Your peace of mind and establishment of a new job is worth a whole lot more than a lousy grand.

Just my opinion.....and there's a lot of them here....but that's why you came and asked.

[txdave35]

Originally Posted by RogMar

Don't burn the long-term for the short term.

You have choices, as I see it.

Your up front costs....you tacked it at a cool grand to get an apt. That's a one time cost. Seriously, refusing to work that damage thing out is going to haunt you, but hey.......this ain't my first rodeo neither.

I would do the up front costs. Maybe get a little help from the family. Get into a decent apartment. Struggle for a little bit. It develops *character* ya know.

Nothing good ever comes easy........voice of experience. I've never been in that situation, but lets just say that I have a whole lot more experience with it than a lot of folks.

Your second choice...the flea trap.

These are aimed at transients, temp workers coming in, truck drivers, and folks that have screwed up their life to the point that the church is paying for their room so they won't be in there begging anymore.

You'll be rooming with everything from the guy from a construction company out of Louisiana that just came in to work, to the crackhead couple that have regular fights at 3:00 A.M.

Set your watch to it.

Lack of sleep, fear of getting your room ripped off, personal security, credibility with the police when it *does* happen.............

Your peace of mind and establishment of a new job is worth a whole lot more than a lousy grand.

Just my opinion.....and there's a lot of them here....but that's why you came and asked.

Well, that's an interesting perspective. I drove up there last week to take a look at the place, and it looked clean and new to me. It is located off Colonel Glenn Rd in a nice area. I was a bit concerned when the guy at the front told me that he didn't have a room that I could see.

I decided to stay there until I get a feel for the area and more time to scout for a good apartment. I hope it's not as bad as you described where I am desperate to get the heck out of there.