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Iowa has a relative lack of impoverished areas compared to most states, and certainly versus Arkansas. The southern and eastern parts of Arkansas, except for a few relatively prosperous towns like Jonesboro, are in very bad shape economically. However, the scenery in northern and western Arkansas, all the way into Little Rock is very picturesque and much more conducive to outdoor activities than just about any part of Iowa, which is reinforced by the milder climate.
I would have to say Iowa is the more successful state, just based on their much better socioeconomic status. Iowa seems to have very strong social capital in terms of residents taking pride in their communities and helping out their neighbors. They are also inevitably going to get a lot of attention from political campaigns, with their first in the nation caucuses and typically competitive general elections - which is decidedly not true of ultra-red Arkansas. It looks like a fine place to live aside from the climate but unfortunately a lot of Americans, myself included, have little tolerance for harsh winters.
Arkansas. Both are good places but at this point in my life I think I prefer scenery and privacy, like “in the woods lots of trees” privacy over anything else.
Arkansas. Both are good places but at this point in my life I think I prefer scenery and privacy, like “in the woods lots of trees” privacy over anything else.
Yeah. Arkansas definitely has more of that. Iowa isn't all corn fields but it doesn't have the same "wilderness" factor Arkansas has.
I can only speak for Arkansas and what little I know about Iowa. Arkansas has some of the ugliest areas I’ve ever seen in the southeast along with some of the most scenic, uncrowded areas (especially for the middle of the country) in the Northwest part of the state. Buffalo National River is a gem. Little Rock is a decent city, nothing great, sleepy economy but easy place to live. Northwest Arkansas is the growth engine of the state, with the best economy and closest to the scenery. It also has a cooler climate than Little Rock which can have brutal summers.
Des Moines has a stronger economy, is growing faster and doesn’t seem to have the problems that Little Rock has. Also seems to have more big city amenities than the Northwest Arkansas metro. On a national stage Iowa gets more recognition. If I had to choose a place to live in these states it would be between Northwest Arkansas and Des Moines, I could probably live happily in either place. I would choose Arkansas simply because of the outdoors.
Phil P, eddie gein, and Turnerbro: I'm from Arkansas, born and raised, lived in many other places though, so perhaps I'm just jaded. Arkansas is bottom 5-10 in nearly every category imaginable, and for good reason.
Phil P, eddie gein, and Turnerbro: I'm from Arkansas, born and raised, lived in many other places though, so perhaps I'm just jaded. Arkansas is bottom 5-10 in nearly every category imaginable, and for good reason.
In what statistics? I know it's considered by many to be poor and have a high obesity rate, but not all of the state is like that. Scenery is a big factor for me. Arkansas destroys Iowa in that category. Weather is also fairly important. IMO Arkansas has better weather. Winters are much colder in Iowa. It can also get quite toasty in Iowa in the Summer. Sometimes it can actually be cooler in Northern Arkansas than Des Moines in the Summer.
In what statistics? I know it's considered by many to be poor and have a high obesity rate, but not all of the state is like that. Scenery is a big factor for me. Arkansas destroys Iowa in that category. Weather is also fairly important. IMO Arkansas has better weather. Winters are much colder in Iowa. It can also get quite toasty in Iowa in the Summer. Sometimes it can actually be cooler in Northern Arkansas than Des Moines in the Summer.
Iowa in a landslide. Nicer cities, less abject poverty, better education, more common sense people. I know some may think Iowa is nothing but cornfields, but there actually are some very scenic areas.
In what statistics? I know it's considered by many to be poor and have a high obesity rate, but not all of the state is like that. Scenery is a big factor for me. Arkansas destroys Iowa in that category. Weather is also fairly important. IMO Arkansas has better weather. Winters are much colder in Iowa. It can also get quite toasty in Iowa in the Summer. Sometimes it can actually be cooler in Northern Arkansas than Des Moines in the Summer.
Many statistics concerning health, obesity, crime, drug abuse, wages, education, health, teen pregnancy, teen smoking, divorce rates, etc.
Look them up if you want. I lived it and grew up in it. Since I've lived in six other states, I tend to believe every stat and study that shows Arkansas ranking towards the bottom of many studies you'd want to rank highly for.
It's a cultural mess.
NWA is an overrated bubble where people seem to think those stats are generated by a couple of bad areas in the Delta region, but I know otherwise from experience and... stats can back that up.
Not every part of every city is bad. They all have their good traits, even in the Delta, but the problems often outweigh the good.
I'd take Iowa based on all that alone.
Iowa in a landslide. Nicer cities, less abject poverty, better education, more common sense people. I know some may think Iowa is nothing but cornfields, but there actually are some very scenic areas.
Half of Arkansas is the Duggar family. I'll pass.
I agree except for the Dugger part.
If half of Arkansas were like the Duggers, that might be an improvement.
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