[Midwest Gent]

I couldn't be more proud to call myself a Razorback and I'd love to live here after graduation.

Nothing bothers me more than when people visit one part of the state and make generalizations. I hear people say things like 'I lived in xxxx and it was...'. There are parts I don't want to live in every state and I try to realize that whenever I drive through somewhere. You might be in a part of the state that isn't very good, but that doesn't mean the entire state is that way.

I think every state has amazing areas and people need to realize that and not conclude that because they've been to one area, everywhere in the state is the same.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Midwest Gent

I couldn't be more proud to call myself a Razorback and I'd love to live here after graduation.

Nothing bothers me more than when people visit one part of the state and make generalizations. I hear people say things like 'I lived in xxxx and it was...'. There are parts I don't want to live in every state and I try to realize that whenever I drive through somewhere. You might be in a part of the state that isn't very good, but that doesn't mean the entire state is that way.

I think every state has amazing areas and people need to realize that and not conclude that because they've been to one area, everywhere in the state is the same.

It was our youngest granddaughter who choose to attend UA that got us to move to AR. She is now married, a mother of a darling 2 year old and is still proud to call herself a razorback. yes, every state has regions or cities/towns that wouldn't be considered a dream area, but some people, living in those states are not willing to accept that. They think only the south has problems. They think we all have kids at 16, marry our cousins and quit high school.

[Robert_J]

Originally Posted by Midwest Gent

I couldn't be more proud to call myself a Razorback and I'd love to live here after graduation.

I said the same thing and less than 60 days later I was working in Little Rock. Most of the time, the job will take you where you need to go. I'm at the point now since I telecommute, I could live anywhere with a decent internet connection.

But I'm not alone here. I just drove up to Lowes and was behind a car with a U of A sticker on it. According to my alumni directory, there are a few thousand of us living in the greater Memphis area.

[ArkansasTgirl]

Originally Posted by Midwest Gent

Going to Arkansas, I realize that many of the students here come from Texas, Missouri and Louisiana, so I'm not entirely indulged in Arkansas culture all around me. However, the students that I know from Arkansas (which are quite a few) are some of the coolest people I've ever met and very much contradictory to the stereotypes. The average ACT Score for Univ. of Arkansas students is a 26. That puts it above 90% of colleges in the country.

Is that the whole UA system or just Fayettville?

[thewizard16]

Originally Posted by FriendlyFeller

Is that the whole UA system or just Fayettville?

Just Fayetteville. The ACT average varies a lot among the UA System campuses.

[fezzador]

Having passed through Northwest Arkansas several years ago, it truly does defy the "Arkansas rube" stereotype people are all too quick to affix. Unlike its eastern neighbor Mississippi, it's trying very hard to shed its rural, backwater image (which is a stark contrast to Mississippi, who is resisting because it's fighting very hard to maintain its identity, for good or bad). It's home to some of the most industrious and highly educated people in the country, and is only attracting more of the same.

Little Rock isn't a bad city, either. I don't think it's as nice as the greater Fayetteville area, but honestly, few metros are.

[Rock Climber]

Having traveled all over the country, I have found the same. There are good and smart people everywhere. There are also closed-minded and uneducated people everywhere. I recall a trip to western New York state, and finding that area to be heavily what some people call "redneck", which I think contrasts to most people's general impression of NY from afar.

Fayetteville and NWA in general have a very positive vibe. I can't really pin it down, but its similar to what Austin has, and I'd say I feel that way about parts of Colorado, too. People are optimistic and friendly and it contrasts lots of the negativity you'll encounter in some other areas. It feels young and energetic and open and everybody seems to be expecting something great right around the corner.

Real estate seems really hot in Fayetteville right now, too. Rents are getting higher and we've been approached by people who were looking for a home in our neighborhood and willing to make a cash offer. We aren't looking to sell, these folks just came by. Friends of ours got a note left in their mailbox from a couple looking for a home in their historic neighborhood just a month or so ago.

[Midwest Gent]

Originally Posted by fezzador

Having passed through Northwest Arkansas several years ago, it truly does defy the "Arkansas rube" stereotype people are all too quick to affix. Unlike its eastern neighbor Mississippi, it's trying very hard to shed its rural, backwater image (which is a stark contrast to Mississippi, who is resisting because it's fighting very hard to maintain its identity, for good or bad). It's home to some of the most industrious and highly educated people in the country, and is only attracting more of the same.

Little Rock isn't a bad city, either. I don't think it's as nice as the greater Fayetteville area, but honestly, few metros are.

You know, I've honestly fallen in love with southern culture. I've been to virtually every southern state and it generally feels like a country of it's own in terms of cultural differences. People down here really value dressing classy (a lot more formal wear), hard work, treating women with respect, good manners, food, conservative values, their small towns, football, and greek life is much bigger down here. There are so many differences between the North and the South and that's what makes this region so charming -- it's unique to anywhere else in the world.

I appreciate seeing states make strides to shed a poor image, but I don't want them to take that too far and lose sight of the culture here in the process. Don't give up the beautiful southern culture because some parts of the country can't appreciate it.

[btoverdrive]

Gent, if you get lonely for some Wisconsin folk come on down to Hot Springs Village. There are probably more people here from Wisconsin than Arkansas!! Most I have met or played golf with are pretty nice except they make fun of the way I tawlk.

[Midwest Gent]

Originally Posted by btoverdrive

Gent, if you get lonely for some Wisconsin folk come on down to Hot Springs Village. There are probably more people here from Wisconsin than Arkansas!! Most I have met or played golf with are pretty nice except they make fun of the way I tawlk.

That's interesting -- I wonder why so many migrated down there!

I actually met a couple Wisconsin people here at Arkansas. The top gymnast for the Razorbacks, Katherine Gable, was born and raised in Oshkosh (WI) and was ranked the #1 gymnast in the country. I met her on campus once and she said she knew a few others from Wisconsin too!