[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Rock Climber

Indoor plumbing is so 20th century. Here's to composting toilets and peeing in the backyard.

and you can save on your water bill by using the backyard or the wooded area next to your house, but remember, if that wooded area is owned by your neighbor you had better get permission.

[Midwest Gent]

NW Arkansas actually has some of the lowest rates of obesity in the entire country. Just saying.

I always hate these figures because they try to group an entire state together and say 'this state sucks' or 'that state is great'. No. I'm pretty sure there are parts of Maryland you wouldn't be caught dead in and there are parts of Arkansas you'd never want to leave (that one I know for a fact).

I hate these types of studies because everyone automatically assumes the entire state reflects such statistics. I see less obese people here in NWA then I did anywhere else I've ever visited apart from Denver. There is very little poverty in this region and the education rates are well above the national averages.

I shouldn't let these studies bother me, but they do. So few people actually visit Arkansas and simply read this crap and think it's a bad state. It's annoying. I love Arkansas.

[Midwest Gent]

Furthermore, I'm always bothered when people use college degrees as a measure of a states intelligence. I know many people who are extremely successful without them -- and I'm talking top 10% incomes or more. Just because you don't go to college doesn't make you less educated or stupid.

Some people might be surprised to learn that Arkansas wasn't even in the bottom 10 in average ACT/SAT scores for graduating seniors last year. They were actually in the top half in reading comprehension and scored better than almost any other dixie state.

Look it up.

[Luvvarkansas]

Oh yeah, Arkansas is a very miserable place to live....everyone stay away! More room for me!

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by Luvvarkansas

Oh yeah, Arkansas is a very miserable place to live....everyone stay away! More room for me!

Southern Missouri is just as bad as Arkansas, so don't come here either, Califoreigners and big city folks looking for land that is cheaper than where you are from and a cost of living that is way below what you are used to. We don't have much night life, except for bluegrass jam sessions and gospel singings. We don't have a Whole Foods or a Trader Joe's or a Starbucks. Arkansas and Missouri are really no place for Califoreigners.

[necraven]

Originally Posted by Midwest Gent

Furthermore, I'm always bothered when people use college degrees as a measure of a states intelligence. I know many people who are extremely successful without them -- and I'm talking top 10% incomes or more. Just because you don't go to college doesn't make you less educated or stupid.

Some people might be surprised to learn that Arkansas wasn't even in the bottom 10 in average ACT/SAT scores for graduating seniors last year. They were actually in the top half in reading comprehension and scored better than almost any other dixie state.

Look it up.

What is tough too is keeping the Arkansans that get college degrees. So many people get their degrees and then leave the state. When I finished my CISQ degree the state had a program that gave me loan forgiveness if I took a job in my field and stayed in the state of Arkansas. I think I had to stay for 6 years or something but I stayed 10 before I realized the $$$ in my field was so much better elsewhere. Not sure if it is like that for most degrees/fields but technology is far behind the skills they pay other places.

[jgn2013]

As a Texan, take these state rankings with a grain of salt.

"Top states" usually have similar characteristics: mostly white, socially liberal but fiscally moderate, summers that aren't hot, little religion (any religion), no good BBQ or Soul Food and great scenery...typically some variation of these metrics.

Southern states won't generally fare well on any survey like this. Usually it'll be Colorado, perhaps VT, NH or CT. Maybe Maine or Utah etc.

[thegreenflute334]

Originally Posted by necraven

What is tough too is keeping the Arkansans that get college degrees. So many people get their degrees and then leave the state. When I finished my CISQ degree the state had a program that gave me loan forgiveness if I took a job in my field and stayed in the state of Arkansas. I think I had to stay for 6 years or something but I stayed 10 before I realized the $$$ in my field was so much better elsewhere. Not sure if it is like that for most degrees/fields but technology is far behind the skills they pay other places.

Loan forgiveness and now you work for more money but are paying higher taxes and property taxes. You still came from Arkansas. The two don't exactly cancel out each other. If people want to live in a colder climate that is nicer.. they will have to pay for it. I personally hate cold weather and despise high property taxes. Mainly because ( for instance) Chicago's property taxes are freaking ridiculous. I have had two roommates in the past from Chicago and Maine.. so Arkansas isn't that impractical when it comes to living everyday, in a common lifestyle. The guy from Maine could only work 4 months out of the year.

Hell, I couldn't stay home for 8 months out of the year. I wouldn't want to stay home for 8 months out of the year. I'll take BBQ over snow any day of the year.

This thread is three years old by the way. I am certainly not defending Arkansas but I am not a good window shopper or ice skater. I am not a "dreamer" but more practical. A nicer park isn't worth a whole lot if you dont live that lifestyle. A park is something I can do once every 2 or 3 months on a weekend.

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by Rock Climber

Indoor plumbing is so 20th century. Here's to composting toilets and peeing in the backyard.

Sometimes I pee off my front porch.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by jgn2013

As a Texan, take these state rankings with a grain of salt.

"Top states" usually have similar characteristics: mostly white, socially liberal but fiscally moderate, summers that aren't hot, little religion (any religion), no good BBQ or Soul Food and great scenery...typically some variation of these metrics.

Southern states won't generally fare well on any survey like this. Usually it'll be Colorado, perhaps VT, NH or CT. Maybe Maine or Utah etc.

this is so true, not to mention these studies and surveys can change yearly or daily as a matter of fact. People who bring this to outers attention, either have an axe to grind or want bragging rights. Have any of us, looked at the date this thread was started btw?