Opportunity in NW Arkansas (Fayetteville, Rogers: sales, real estate, houses)

[Bigdave1]

I have a job opportunity in NW Arkansas. I would be working south of Bentonville, but not as far south as Fayetteville (around the town of Highfill). The housing prices look fine on the internet, but I'm not sure about the neighborhoods. Can anyone fill me in on that area. The AR tax structure also concerns me. I know there is an income tax and high sales tax, do residents find the low property tax makes up for that?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Bigdave1

I have a job opportunity in NW Arkansas. I would be working south of Bentonville, but not as far south as Fayetteville (around the town of Highfill). The housing prices look fine on the internet, but I'm not sure about the neighborhoods. Can anyone fill me in on that area. The AR tax structure also concerns me. I know there is an income tax and high sales tax, do residents find the low property tax makes up for that?

WE are trying to decide between NW AR and NE Ok or maybe a little further south in AR. We too are concerned about the high taxes, but being retired it isn't as big an issue as for a family. I don't know where you are living now. to us property tax is probably the biggest item, followed by sales tax. We lived in TX with no income tax for 13 years, I would have rather paid income tax than the property taxes we paid.

As for areas, others will be able to help you more than me, but I think any area around Bentonville, Bella Vista, Fayetteville, etc should work pretty well.

Nita

[rehabgradstudent]

Originally Posted by Bigdave1

I have a job opportunity in NW Arkansas. I would be working south of Bentonville, but not as far south as Fayetteville (around the town of Highfill). The housing prices look fine on the internet, but I'm not sure about the neighborhoods. Can anyone fill me in on that area. The AR tax structure also concerns me. I know there is an income tax and high sales tax, do residents find the low property tax makes up for that?

Greetings,

Well, low property taxes really depend on where you are coming from. Historically, Arkansas has a low property tax burden simply because land is fairly plentiful, the population is modest, and it is one of the poorest states in the Union. So, depending on where you're coming from, it could be great. The sales tax isn't really all that bad (9.25% for Fayetteville), but again it all depends on where you are coming from. Relatively speaking, Arkansas has a lower tax burden. Hope this helps!

[Bigdave1]

Originally Posted by rehabgradstudent

Greetings,

Well, low property taxes really depend on where you are coming from. Historically, Arkansas has a low property tax burden simply because land is fairly plentiful, the population is modest, and it is one of the poorest states in the Union. So, depending on where you're coming from, it could be great. The sales tax isn't really all that bad (9.25% for Fayetteville), but again it all depends on where you are coming from. Relatively speaking, Arkansas has a lower tax burden. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the information...we pay 3000 per year in property taxes, a 6 percent sales tax, but no income tax. I've been looking at homes off Route 12 south of Bentonville (according to the Google map). Anyone know about these developments and what that area is like?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by rehabgradstudent

Greetings,

Well, low property taxes really depend on where you are coming from. Historically, Arkansas has a low property tax burden simply because land is fairly plentiful, the population is modest, and it is one of the poorest states in the Union. So, depending on where you're coming from, it could be great. The sales tax isn't really all that bad (9.25% for Fayetteville), but again it all depends on where you are coming from. Relatively speaking, Arkansas has a lower tax burden. Hope this helps!

Actually, I hate to break this to you, but AR is in the top 10 states for overall taxation. Of course for each of us taxes are differenct. This is taking into consideration things like business taxes etc. 9.25% sales tax especially when it is on food as well as everything else is very high. Will this stop us? Probably not, but it is much higher than the national average.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Bigdave1

Thanks for the information...we pay 3000 per year in property taxes, a 6 percent sales tax, but no income tax. I've been looking at homes off Route 12 south of Bentonville (according to the Google map). Anyone know about these developments and what that area is like?

$3,000 per year can be high, depending on the valuation of your home, but 6 percent sales tax is super low.

Nita

[Meg Lesher]

Route 12 is a nice country stretch of highway, with rolling hills and several small communities lacing through what is otherwise farm-ranch country. Highfill is the location of the regional airport, put there no doubt courtesy of WalMart dollars. I can't tell you about the real estate costs there, but certainly it is a prime area for future development that just hasn't gotten there yet. The State sales tax is 6.25 percent, with cities able to tack onto that as they choose with a city sales tax. Milage rates are by county; Benton, in this case. What you pay in state income tax can be written off your federal return in kind.

[5fosters]

We live in the Rogers area but our kids are zoned for Bentonville schools. Which we want them to go to Bentonvillle schools. Just a little advice about houses here, they are built fast and really check out the builder. They do have nice neighborhoods.