Considering a move to NWA (Fayetteville, Rogers: transplants, homes, neighborhood)

[Dsnail]

We are considering moving to NWA. Currently we live in a small Texas town (under 4K), but have discovered that a small town is really not our family's cup of tea. We are an hour away from legitimate services. I guess my question is this...

What is the general vibe of the population. Friendly, welcoming, etc? Are there areas that are not open to receiving new residents? Upon moving to a small town, we found that not all areas actually welcome new citizens. We'd like to not make that mistake again.

Thanks!

[Rock Climber]

We find the area to be friendly. There are lots of transplants here, many from Texas. The whole "small town vs outsiders" metality doesn't really exist here in my experience. It is a string of "big towns" but functions like a mid-sized metro.

It probably depends on the town you choose. Even the smaller outlying towns like Prairie Grove and Farmington and Gravette have experienced a steady growth of new residents, so you wouldn't be alone in being "new".

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Dsnail

We are considering moving to NWA. Currently we live in a small Texas town (under 4K), but have discovered that a small town is really not our family's cup of tea. We are an hour away from legitimate services. I guess my question is this...

What is the general vibe of the population. Friendly, welcoming, etc? Are there areas that are not open to receiving new residents? Upon moving to a small town, we found that not all areas actually welcome new citizens. We'd like to not make that mistake again.

Thanks!

ok, you asked and I will tell: at least my version, others will have different opinions: I think you are right about very small towns: they are not as welcoming as some might think. When we were considering Tenn for retirement we were looking at towns under 5 or 10 thousand and sensed the same thing. Someone here on CD mentioned moving to Gravette recently and found it not friendly. They were sorry they didn't choose Bentonville.

Now, the good news:most of the small towns here are very welcoming and friendly. We have the best of both worlds in our view: all the urban life most people like: good medical care, lots of shopping, good dining with plenty of ethnic choices and lots of diversity, but if you choose a town under 30,000 you have that friendly small town atmosphere so many of us think about when we think middle America. Depending on your age and interests there are lots of really wonderful small towns here. Of course the secret is to get involved in your community, be it church, kids activities, interest groups, etc. Here in Bella Vista there are so many choices, like photography clubs, fishing and golfing activities, social groups for people from 55 to 70 years old, card clubs, regardless of what kind of cards you play, exercise classes including water walking and water aerobics, and on and on. Now, if you expect someone to bring you a cake and throw you a huge welcome party, that probably will not happen. I will add, we lived in Texas for 13 years and find NWA much friendlier.

[Rock Climber]

I second the "get involved" thing. I started attending a church here recently, something new for me in my life, and pretty much everybody is new. If they aren't new to town, they are new to "faith". The support and friendliness I've found there has been something that I never realized was missing from my life.

[Dsnail]

Thank you both! I was leaning more north, and I love the Bentonville/Bella Vista area. We have goats/ chickens/(noisy) geese/ducks and the usual collection of dogs and cats, so I know a neighborhood is out of the question. We for sure need an acreage. We also considered a quick jump over the border into MO, but not sure of the real driving time from Pineville into Rogers or XNA.

We have two introverts and two extroverts in the house. We homeschool right now (we aren't weird or anything), but when we move, I know that one will attend high school. We are hoping for some outdoor activities/clubs, too.

[Rock Climber]

Originally Posted by Dsnail

Thank you both! I was leaning more north, and I love the Bentonville/Bella Vista area. We have goats/ chickens/(noisy) geese/ducks and the usual collection of dogs and cats, so I know a neighborhood is out of the question. We for sure need an acreage. We also considered a quick jump over the border into MO, but not sure of the real driving time from Pineville into Rogers or XNA.

We have two introverts and two extroverts in the house. We homeschool right now (we aren't weird or anything), but when we move, I know that one will attend high school. We are hoping for some outdoor activities/clubs, too.

I don't think homeschooling is weird at all, especially these days.

For larger lots and the ability to have animals, consider areas around Farmington and Prairie Grove, too. Convenient to Fayetteville and all of its amenities, but still "small town" and some larger lots and acreage available. Tontitown and the Elm Springs areas also come to mind. Convenient to I-49 and it seems like larger lots are available around there. You might even consider something closer to Siloam Springs.

[Dsnail]

We get told we don't "look like homeschoolers." Haven't figured out if it is an insult or compliment just yet. =)

We will look in those areas! Thank you!

Of course, the perfect lot would be a low-priced lot of about 45 acres, in the middle of Rogers, on a mountain, on the lake, with a running creek, cave, 15 minutes from a farmer's market and a grocery store...and a welcoming committee, but I'll settle for decent acreage. I'm adaptable like that.

[DC at the Ridge]

Originally Posted by Dsnail

We get told we don't "look like homeschoolers." Haven't figured out if it is an insult or compliment just yet. =)

We will look in those areas! Thank you!

Of course, the perfect lot would be a low-priced lot of about 45 acres, in the middle of Rogers, on a mountain, on the lake, with a running creek, cave, 15 minutes from a farmer's market and a grocery store...and a welcoming committee, but I'll settle for decent acreage. I'm adaptable like that.

Except for being in the middle of Rogers and having a grocery store, sounds like Garfield.

[nmnita]

My guess would be you might want to consider Pea Ridge. They have a good high school, lots of small farms and open fields and are relatively close to both Bella Vista and Rogers, depending on where in the city you buy. Home schooling is just fine and not strange at all, but the secret is still "get involved" Pineville would be another possibility but if you do end up working in Rogers or Bentonville, during normal work hours the commute, especially in the mornings can be a bit of a drag, probably 45 minutes to an hour. I am also not sure you will get that friendly small town atmosphere there. I could be wrong.

[Luvvarkansas]

Originally Posted by nmnita

if you do end up working in Rogers or Bentonville, during normal work hours the commute, especially in the mornings can be a bit of a drag, probably 45 minutes to an hour.

Yeah, JWG was just on here the other day complaining about traffic....he is around Garfield, I believe. Can't remember what town he works in.