So, we are definitely moving to NW AR. Most likely within a month or so. When we were up there over the holidays, we were really drawn to the Fayetteville area...but we would consider any of the surrounding towns, if we found the perfect house/neighborhood. The neighborhood we liked best in Fayetteville was Mount Sequoya...we really like older neighborhoods with cottage-y type homes...neighborhoods with lots of character/front porches/big trees/etc. Can you recommend any neighborhoods like that in the surrounding towns? I am heading up next week to look for a place and would like to have a head start on areas to look outside of Fayetteville (as the Mount Sequoya area might be out of our budget and we've heard the commute to Bentonville can be pretty bad).
Thanks so much for your insight! We're totally overwhelmed with getting this house ready...but I'm excited about getting to look at new (to us) houses!
Hurray!!! I would say the downtown area surrounding the square in Bentonville would be a good place to look, there are a couple of older homes on Central that I'm in love with! A good real estate agent should be able to help you, what agency are you working with? Also, if you all need any help moving, finding your way around or just want someone to hangout with, me and the hubby are more than happy to help, I know it can be kind of hard getting adjusted to a new area
Thanks so much - you're so sweet! I can't remember what the agency's name is and don't have it in front of me...seems like it had multiple names like so and so, so and so, and so and so Realtors...(not that that description would help you, but...)
We'll definitely check out the downtown area...I've also seen some cute houses online in the downtown areas of Rogers and Springdale. I'll just have to drive around and get a feel for the neighborhoods. There is a strong chance that we'll end up renting an apt. for a few months to give us some time to get a better feel for where we want to live, but it doesn't hurt to see what's out there now...
Thanks again - once we get there and settled in, we should meet up and go shopping! :)
quote: Originally posted by: june "Thanks so much - you're so sweet! I can't remember what the agency's name is and don't have it in front of me...seems like it had multiple names like so and so, so and so, and so and so Realtors...(not that that description would help you, but...) We'll definitely check out the downtown area...I've also seen some cute houses online in the downtown areas of Rogers and Springdale. I'll just have to drive around and get a feel for the neighborhoods. There is a strong chance that we'll end up renting an apt. for a few months to give us some time to get a better feel for where we want to live, but it doesn't hurt to see what's out there now... Thanks again - once we get there and settled in, we should meet up and go shopping! :)"
I would just be careful in Rogers and especially Springdale, there can be some kind of shady areas there. Downtown Rogers is adorable, but there is a chicken plant (Tyson) nearby and sometimes the odor isn't so pleasant depending on how the wind is blowing And when you find a house that is a possiblity, I would suggest driving the commute in the mornings before you buy to get a feel for it, sometimes the drive from one end of Rogers to Bentonville can be just as bad as from Fayetteville to Bentonville. Anyway, I'm sure you'll find the perfect home and I think you'll enjoy the area, most people do. And we will definitely meet up for some shopping!!
Yikes - thanks for the heads up on the chicken plant! Not something I would have thought of...unless of course the wind was blowing in my direction during my house hunting. Blech.
Thanks also about the heads up on watching for shady areas. Is there anywhere to avoid in the Bentonville area?
Are there any real estate agencies that you recommend? Or agents in particular? I am planning on meeting with the one, but would like to visit with another to get a different perspective. Also, in case we decide on the apartment route, are there any apartment locators that you have any experience with? I've looked around a bunch online, but it's difficult to find companies that do specific apartment locating...and I'd rather work with a locator than spend hours driving from one complex to another, not knowing anything about them.
Bentonville doesn't really have many shady neighborhoods, there might be a few undesirable locations, but you'd know them if you seen them.
I do have a real estate agent I can recommend, I use to nanny for his kids and I know he'd do ya right. I'll send you a PM with his name and contact info.
As far as apartments go, I don't think there is an apartment locator in the area. Most of the apartment complexes in the area are owned by Lindsey & Associates, all of the newer ones are nice, the olders ones can be a little more run down but not ghetto. There are the Links at the Bentonville exit (the one near the community college) and the Links at the Lowell exit. Both of those are owned by Lindsey and are nice and good locations, the Lowell is nice and central between Bentonville and Fayetteville (actually may be a good place maybe look for a home). Let me know if you need contact info. I wouldn't think you'll have any trouble finding available apartments.
Well I might be joining you girls. I am looking at taking an Industrial Engineering position with JB Hunt after I graduate in May. I am going next week for the weekend to look around and meet with some more people. Any recs for a college student starting out there? Right now I have that Arkansas mentality even though I know this area is pretty nice. I still am not too excited.
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"Despite all your best intentions, sometimes, fate wins anyway."
Hi HeatherLynn - I, too, have some of the same concerns...I'm actually originally from Arkansas (not this area, though) - and only lived there as a small child - but my entire extended family lives throughout the state. Based on my experience in other parts of the state, it wasn't somewhere I was in a hurry to return to. However, I keep hearing really good things about this area. Many people I know here seem to have been there or have some experience with that area and all I hear are great things. As I've mentioned in previous posts, Fayetteville was where we felt most comfortable. The University of Arkansas is there, so there is a young feel, and it seems to have the most going on. I would definitely spend some time driving around there when you go up. I don't know where you live now, but this area will be a huge change for me. I'm just trying to keep an open mind and look at it as an adventure... :) And, I hear, if you're an outdoorsy-type person, this is a great place to be. It's really beautiful...
quote: Originally posted by: HeatherLynn "Well I might be joining you girls. I am looking at taking an Industrial Engineering position with JB Hunt after I graduate in May. I am going next week for the weekend to look around and meet with some more people. Any recs for a college student starting out there? Right now I have that Arkansas mentality even though I know this area is pretty nice. I still am not too excited."
Hurray, we can have our own little stylethread get together
NWA is not like the rest of Arkansas, a lot of people say that NWA should be a separate state There is a ton of growth here and the job market is fairly stable. It is a very nice area to live. Safe, beautiful scenery, nice central location (not far from Tulsa, Kansas City, Dallas).
For a college student starting out, there are tons of apartment complexes (assuming you won't buy a home right away). There are also a fair amount of people in their 20's, so should be easy to make friends. A lot of people aren't from here, they have moved here to work at JB Hunt, Tyson's or Walmart (or a vendor for one of the upbove) and so they are in the same situation and are open to making new friends. Even the people that are from here and usually friendly.
Fayetteville has got the U of A, but Rogers is really where most of the new growth is. At the Pinnacle exit JB Hunt and some other investors (they form the Pinnacle group) are developing a lot of shopping/retail/offices. Every time you drive thru that area is seems like something new has popped up. And they are taking care to make the new stuff attractive, more of a modern flair to the architecture. I've seen an artist rendering of what it is going to look like when it is complete and it is really nice. We'll see a lot of changes in that area and the surrounding over the next 5 years (and unfortunately a lot of constuction). Dickson Street in Fayetteville is really nice also. It's where most of the bars/clubs are and the Walton Arts Center and some little shops. It seems like there are some super cute apartments on Dickson, although probably $$$. Another thing is they are close to frat row, which may or may not be a good thing
Feel free to ask me any questions, I'm happy to help in any way!
Is that Pinnacle area where the Embassy Suites is...off the main highway? It is a really nice development...I made my husband drive us around to scout out potential shopping spots when we were there last time. Hopefully I'll get to revisit them next week...
quote: Originally posted by: june "Is that Pinnacle area where the Embassy Suites is...off the main highway? It is a really nice development...I made my husband drive us around to scout out potential shopping spots when we were there last time. Hopefully I'll get to revisit them next week..."
Yes, that is the Pinnacle area. There are some nice shops there and soon will be even more