Little Rock White Collar Job Market (Jonesboro, Conway: real estate, crime rate, house)

[Bhaalspawn]

I saw Little Rock mentioned on the Forbes list and was intrigued for various reasons and now I'd like to learn more about Little Rock and Arkansas. I know almost nothing about the state nor the city and my preconceived notion is that Arkansas is a backwoods hick state loaded with hillbillies and few economic opportunities. Of course, states can evolve and shed their old stereotypes over time.

So, how are things in Arkansas and Little Rock? Is the city booming like the Forbes list suggests? Other than Walmart, what drives the state's and the city's economy? What does the white collar job market look like? Is Little Rock's population expanding? Are businesses relocating to Little Rock?

[Stormcrow73]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

I saw Little Rock mentioned on the Forbes list and was intrigued for various reasons and now I'd like to learn more about Little Rock and Arkansas. I know almost nothing about the state nor the city and my preconceived notion is that Arkansas is a backwoods hick state loaded with hillbillies and few economic opportunities. Of course, states can evolve and shed their old stereotypes over time.

So, how are things in Arkansas and Little Rock? Is the city booming like the Forbes list suggests? Other than Walmart, what drives the state's and the city's economy? What does the white collar job market look like? Is Little Rock's population expanding? Are businesses relocating to Little Rock?

Bhaal, want to know some of the things that are going on around Arkansas economically speaking? Watch the videos on this site: http://www.asta.ar.gov/Arkansas_Brighter_Future_Part%20Six.htm (broken link)

[CorpITGuy]

The City of Little Rock is stagnant, but surrounding suburbs are experiencing tremendous growth.

Northwest Arkansas has a much better economy, but it isn't as big and won't be for quite a few years. Wal-Mart is up there in Northwest Arkansas, in Bentonville.

Little Rock has a healthy, vibrant and small economy. It's a city where you can get a good job, keep it (there aren't just tons of skilled workers around) and make an EXCELLENT life. However, if you ever do lose your job, you're likely to be forced to move; Little Rock's economy is good but small.

[susie22]

To be perfectly honest, LR is not the best place to live. I live here now--but the jobs are scarce, pay is not so good and there is a lot of crime.

Other places in the state are booming a lot more.

[LawyerTom]

Originally Posted by susie22

To be perfectly honest, LR is not the best place to live. I live here now--but the jobs are scarce, pay is not so good and there is a lot of crime.

Other places in the state are booming a lot more.

To offer a different perspective:

Little Rock's crime rate is greatly skewed by certain parts of town that, if you avoid, you'll likely have no problem.

Also, I disagree about other parts of the state booming a lot more. NW Arkansas has grown rapidly over the past several years, but that growth's slowing down quite a lot.

Outside NWA, central Arkansas, and the Jonesboro-Paragould area, there's just not a lot of growth anywhere in the state.

[hotair2]

Everything is relative; however, pay is pretty bad in most areas. Don't be pulled in by the cost of living is lower crap. The only thing that is really cheaper is the real estate, which is well below the national average. The good side is that you may be able to afford the house that you want, but the bad side is that the house is not going to appreciate very rapidly.

Generally speaking, the lower cost of real estate is not usually going to make up for the lower salary and the market is very small so there are not as many varied types of positions as with a big market.

If the only reason that you want to move to Little Rock is because of white collar employment, I would say look elsewhere unless you already have a solid offer in Little Rock!

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

I saw Little Rock mentioned on the Forbes list and was intrigued for various reasons and now I'd like to learn more about Little Rock and Arkansas. I know almost nothing about the state nor the city and my preconceived notion is that Arkansas is a backwoods hick state loaded with hillbillies and few economic opportunities. Of course, states can evolve and shed their old stereotypes over time.

So, how are things in Arkansas and Little Rock? Is the city booming like the Forbes list suggests? Other than Walmart, what drives the state's and the city's economy? What does the white collar job market look like? Is Little Rock's population expanding? Are businesses relocating to Little Rock?

I've lived in Little Rock for a year in a half, and my opinion is that Little Rock is (overall) really not a great place to live, but keep in mind I am 23, male, and single. To me, it seems to have a lot of the problems of "city life" i.e. sprawl, traffic, excessively long commutes, high crime, but very, very few of the benefits i.e. culture, nightlife, attractions, restaurants, retail, etc. The city itself is seeing decline inside the I-30/I-430 loop but major growth in West Little Rock and in suburbs like Benton/Bryant, Cabot, and Conway. If you are used to big cities, you will quickly discover that Little Rock is incredibly lacking for its size in terms of amenities the city offers. You will be making frequent trips to Memphis or Dallas go shopping or in general to find "things to do" if you will as there isn't really a lot in Little Rock.

That said, I think Little Rock can be a fine place to live if you are a family looking for a quiet suburban town with fresh air and plenty of outdoor recreation. Life in the Little Rock area is very suburban and conservative and social life revolves around church and family. The scenery is amazing and the city blends well with its natural surroundings. If you are a young single however, I would highly recommend looking elsewhere unless you have an absolutely killer offer in Little Rock. There isn't a lot around here for the young single crowd period (other than church) and it can get excessively boring.

As for job opportunities, healthcare and the state government are the two big ones. There are also plenty of IT and telecom jobs but with the way the economy is right now you really can't be sure on any of those.

As for redneck/hillbillies, the Little Rock area is somewhat "citified" so you are generally sheltered from that around here but keep in mind people commute into Little Rock from all over the rural parts of the state so you will run into them sometimes.

Please ask if you have any more questions.

[RogMar]

Originally Posted by bchris02

You will be making frequent trips to Memphis or Dallas go shopping or in general to find "things to do" if you will as there isn't really a lot in Little Rock.

I am not 23, but in the later 50's, and can afford to do the things in Little Rock.

I have never had a problem finding anything I needed/wanted in Little Rock, and have certainly not stood still for long.

Here's a drop in the bucket:


The Best Attractions and Location in Little Rock, AR

http://littlerock.about.com/od/night...anightlife.htm

You night also want to check out a magazine called "Celebrate Arkansas", which has numerous listings of more upscale places to eat/drink/buy stuff.

Celebrate Magazine

I've gotta say, though, you gave me a chuckle posting from Mississippi and saying that you think of Arkansas as Hillbillys.

I've been to your state a number of times, and I like it, but I wouldn't go chucking rocks this way, hoss.

You should know why MS is often referred to as, "Arkansas' best friend".

[Sneezyone]

I'd agree that for mid-level management and senior exec jobs, the pickings are slim and the pay underwhelming. The mgr positions I've been looking at (40-50K range) would pay 60K-70K in Port Orchard, WA for example (a small community about an hour outside metro Seattle-Tacoma).

The cost of real estate hasn't been that big of an offset either. Single level ranch homes (3/2, 1500 sq. ft) are cheap and readily available but larger two stories (4/3, 3000 sq. ft.+) will cost about as much here as other mid-size metro suburbs because the home building projects are so small; the economies of scale don't work in your favor.

I'm a mil/spouse and have moved often enough to anticipate a 4-6 month job search (from move to first day of work) but here I'm looking at 6-8 months.