To Live In Arkansas
Written: Jan 21 '01 (Updated Jan 21 '01)
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Pros: The Natural State - it really is.
Cons: Boredom!
The Bottom Line: Great place for families, outdoor people and for vacations. Not a great place for big city people.
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| mrmazda's Full Review: Arkansas |
This is part of an Arkansas Write-off sponsored by HawgWyld. The following Epinions members are also participating in this write-off. Check out their Epinions as well:
gjacks
HawgWyld
murasaki
seracorde11
frazzledspice
Sweety Peach
arpoet
On to the Epinion...
Before making a decision to actually live in Arkansas, there are several things you may want to consider. I have grown up in Arkansas and although my plans are to transfer with my job in the next year or two, Arkansas does hold alot of things that are good in our world for people and there will be things that I miss. Here are some things, good and bad, about Arkansas....
GOOD
Arkansas is known as the Natural State and it really is. We have beautiful rolling hills, waterfalls, State Parks, mountains and scenery. Scenic 7 is a highway stretch that goes from Missouri all the way down to the middle of the state. If you ever come to Arkansas, you have to take a drive in Scenic 7, especially in the fall!
Arkansas also has a booming economy. Although we don't rank anywhere near the top of pay levels, the cost of living is considerably less than other places. An average house in Arkansas ranges around $69 a sq ft to build or buy. That is much less than the national average and makes Arkansas a good place to live. Most neighborhoods are very safe and secure and crime isn't that much of an issue in the majority of mid to upper area's.
The jobless rate in Arkansas is also one of the lowest in the nation. There are dozens of major companies who are headquartered in Arkansas and those provide thousands of good paying jobs.
Arkansas is part of the "Bible Belt" of states and as such, religion is a strong hold in this state. Every possible denomination is represented and church is a normal part of most peoples lives. With this, most people tend to act more friendly and helpful and don't possess the big city attitudes often found in places like New York or Chicago. I noticed in Chicago that people don't speak or even make eye contact when walking down the street. It's rare to go anywhere in Arkansas and not talk to someone you know or meet someone new that just strikes up a conversation with you.
Arkansas boasts some of the top colleges in the US, most found within the Central Arkansas area. This brings in a slew of college kids and increases revenues and activity in the state.
Many parts of Arkansas have dry counties where alcohol cannot be purchased or sold anywhere. This is listed under good and bad. The good is that there aren't liquor stores on every street corner, crime is lower since there aren't stores everywhere and the overall image of a town is cleaner and nicer without them. (Trust me, I don't agree with the law but it has it's good points)
BAD
Okay, so maybe, from my perspective, I have more bad than good but that is personal feelings based on my likes and disklikes.
The weather here is typically horrid. It's either extremely hot and humid or cold and dreary. From May until early October, humidity and heat are the key words. It is unbearable and often times, most people opt to stay indoors. It makes the summer months drag out and makes the phrase "Dog days of summer" a reality.
Arkansas has no nightlife. There are very few things to do after dark or after 6pm other than visit your local Wal-Mart supercenter or eat dinner out. There are some clubs in Arkansas but most don't appeal to a vast majority of people and several are only open on weekends and are so overcrowded that they are more stressful than fun to be at. There are slow progress improvements with the River Market but there needs to be much more progress in this area. With the huge amount of college kids, it has to change.
A large part of Arkansas is dry meaning that parts of the state cannot sell alcohol. I put this under good and bad. The bad is that without having alcohol in my hometown, that means I drive 15 miles to the liquor store to buy alcohol (along with thousands of college kids). Many drink on the return trip and none of the revenue from spent money is seen in our own city.
People in this state drive like retards. They constantly ride their brakes, cut people off and don't pay attention to where they are going. Driving 60 in the fast lane and talking on the cell isn't the best way to avoid an accident. Many vehicles are held together by duct tape and should be considered road hazards and tailgating seems to be a daily event for everyone. I drive from Conway to Little Rock and although I love to drive fast and epitimize road rage, I do 85 - 90 on the way to work and home and still get passed by dozens of people. It's insane (but then again I kinda like it!)
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
mrmazda
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Todd
Location: Conway, AR
Reviews written: 379
Trusted by: 126 members
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