Is NWA in the midwest or south? (Siloam Springs: transplants, versus)

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by The A-Team

Its very much southern. Just not "Deep South". There is a difference that anyone that has spent time in various parts of the south should be able to see. If you havent lived in NWA and spent a lot of time there, maybe your view is skewed. That being said, i've always felt as much in/a part of the south in Arkansas, Virginia, Mississippi, etc etc. Lol surely this wont be something like, "My south is more southern than yours!!" ;D The south has different layers, just like any other region.

You are exactly right! For example; I live in West Tennessee and it is MUCH more "southern" than East Tennessee. The foods we eat. The way we vote. The crops we raise. What we consider right and wrong. East Tennessee has always lived more like Northerners than West Tennessee. Including being staunch Lincoln supporters during The War of Northern Aggression. All of Tennessee is geographically Southern. But the whole state does not have a "southern" feel to it.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by bchris02

NWA doesn't feel like the rest of Arkansas. To me it feels more like a much smaller version of the northern Dallas suburbs (Plano/McKinney).

I am hoping you are not right: I don't want to be somewhere that reminds me of Plano. We left Dallas for reasons like that; too many people, too snobbist, etc. When we have visited Bella Vista area it has seemed absolutely nothing like Plano, not to mention it isn't even 1/4 as big.

Nita

[The A-Team]

I've never felt that NWA feels like the Dallas area at all. It feels like a mix between southern and mountain(ozark mountain) culture, and just the general appearance. Seeing that it is bigger than some other areas, it wont feel as small town southern(ish) as some areas, but definatly does not seem big at all. It does feel like a small town area, just not as small as other areas.

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by The A-Team

I've never felt that NWA feels like the Dallas area at all. It feels like a mix between southern and mountain(ozark mountain) culture, and just the general appearance. Seeing that it is bigger than some other areas, it wont feel as small town southern(ish) as some areas, but definatly does not seem big at all. It does feel like a small town area, just not as small as other areas.

Maybe I should restate it. There is no comparison between the Dallas area in terms of population and even cultural amenities. Plano, a far north Dallas suburb is twice the size of Little Rock. Dallas proper is 10 times Little Rock and 20 times NWA (metro). NWA cities are more comparable in size to Sherman/Dennison, TX. Where I draw my comparison is the lifestyle. While it does not resemble the city of Dallas, you can draw some comparisons between Rogers and the far north suburbs, i.e. cookie cutter housing with cul-de-sacs, Hummers, hign end shopping and dining amenities, large office complexes, etc. Rogers, AR has exclusive shopping and dining not found anywhere else in the state of Arkansas.

[GetmeoutofAR]

so NWA is affluent like the north Dallas suburbs...i see

[The A-Team]

Rogers good shopping and dining? I dont really think so. The new mall is not that great, and the dining is about the same as anywhere in NWA. I prefer the local and regional resturaunts in Fayetteville and some in Springdale. As for shopping....Not something i would seek out in Arkansas lol. Plus a lot of fayetteville is not Cookie Cutter like the suburbs of places like Dallas, that is something that is new to Fay.

[GetmeoutofAR]

lol this is interesting

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by The A-Team

Rogers good shopping and dining? I dont really think so. The new mall is not that great, and the dining is about the same as anywhere in NWA. I prefer the local and regional resturaunts in Fayetteville and some in Springdale. As for shopping....Not something i would seek out in Arkansas lol. Plus a lot of fayetteville is not Cookie Cutter like the suburbs of places like Dallas, that is something that is new to Fay.

Fayetteville is not like the cookie cutter suburbs of Dallas, but Benton County is more similar.

Being used to Seattle, I can see why you find the new mall to be not that great and the restaurants to be mediocre. However, remember that all this development is far better than anything that was in Arkansas before. It wasn't long ago that unless you were in Little Rock, going out to eat in Arkansas meant either catfish or KFC and going shopping meant Wal-Mart. Arkansas standards are far, far lower than anything on the coasts when it comes to shopping and dining, and what is upscale here may not be in cities that are used to more diverse options.

[Nameless]

I've spent a lot of time in Tulsa and NWA and while Tulsa is only an hour and a half west of NWA it feels more Midwestern and NWA feels more southern.

[The A-Team]

I dunno Bchris, i never had any trouble with great places to eat in Fayetteville, With places like Shanghai, the Dixie Cafe, Acambaro, Marketplace Grill, one of the things i really miss about Fay. Is the food! And don't even get me started on nearby Tulsa, Brownies, Jonnies.....MMM!!