Relocating to Fayetteville? Question re: healthcare. (Rogers, Benton: new home, employment, good schools)

[tddalton]

I am a twenty-something that is considering a move to Fayetteville (along with other places around the country) from Massachusetts with my wife and 2 year old. We are looking for areas of the country with better weather, friendly culture, and outdoor activities.

I am nurse with 5 years of experience at one of the top hospitals in the nation and was wondering what the hospitals are like in the area and if there is many employment opportunities around for nurses.

I am not using this as a job search. I am just wondering what the job climate is like in the healthcare industry in Fayetteville. Any info would be of great help.

Thanks.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by tddalton

I am a twenty-something that is considering a move to Fayetteville (along with other places around the country) from Massachusetts with my wife and 2 year old. We are looking for areas of the country with better weather, friendly culture, and outdoor activities.

I am nurse with 5 years of experience at one of the top hospitals in the nation and was wondering what the hospitals are like in the area and if there is many employment opportunities around for nurses.

I am not using this as a job search. I am just wondering what the job climate is like in the healthcare industry in Fayetteville. Any info would be of great help.

Thanks.

Fayetteville has 2 outstanding hospitals: Washington Regional and the VA hospital plus the women's center. I don't know much about it. I do know my grandaughter like Washingto Regional the the hospitals in Benton County better. There are 3 hospitals in Benton County, all with good reputations. As for employment, I can't image you would have any problems getting hired at any of them. I know nurses are not as in demand as 5 or 10 years ago, but with 5 years experience, you should be just fine.

[OurGreatEscape]

Because the UofA Med School now has a satellite in F'ville, I'm sure competition for jobs will increase. Having said that, with a nursing degree you could do many things--work at a hospital, specialized clinic, senior center, etc.

Northwest Arkansas has what you're looking for--better weather, friendly culture, and lots of outdoor activities. And, let's not forget--good schools! Your 2yo will be in school before you know it.

In my opinion, it is well worth your time to research the move to NWA.

Some "negatives"--traffic--especially in F'ville which was built on seven hills and many of the oldest streets are narrow; housing costs-we didn't have the drop in prices like many parts of the country.

[necraven]

I would agree with people above. You should not have much trouble finding work anywhere as a nurse. People will definitely be friendly but I find you get more of that in Fayetteville as opposed to Bentonville/Rogers as it has a very Midwest feel. Not to say people are not friendly there but the landscape has changed quite a bit over the last 10+ years.

You will never find as good of weather as you see in Mass overall. Meaning, currently you get 3 good seasons and one bad winter. Arkansas has extremely hot and humid summers consistently. The suffocating kind that makes you want to stay indoors even if there are things to do outdoors. I read to much about people from NE heading south for the "warm" weather and a couple of years later running back because it is not what they imagined it to be. Just be sure you know what you are getting into.

You will love the amenities you get in the homes there because the "old" homes are like new homes compared to NE. If it were me and I moved back, it would be Fayetteville hands down. Don't get sucked further North especially considering you guy's age.

Good luck and Woo Pig Sooie if you end up there.

[necraven]

O'yeah. If you have allergies (ragweed mainly)...you will not have any quality of life there.

My wife went to the doctor because she is a ragweed sufferer and she has tried every medication/solution known to man. The doctor gave her one piece of advice if she wanted to relieve herself........MOVE. So we did.