As an Arkansas native, I can honestly say that Little Rock is one of the worst places that you can move to. The crime is very high. Do not move to Little Rock.
I stay in the Little Rock area and the crime is not as bad as people say it is. There are some good neighborhoods in Little Rock (Chenal, Hillcrest, etc) that are a nice community for families or adults. I pray for her recovery.
3/5 of the recommendations are in the Benton County, and I 100% agree with that. Little Rock is not a safe/good places to live in, unless you are a city person. I definitely recommend living in a smaller city in Arkansas, it is more calm, and the communities are normally better. I live in Siloam Springs, AR, which is between Springdale and Bella Vista’s size. It’s really nice here, and I have lived here my entire life. The biking and other activities around here are wonderful, and it’s a really calm and beautiful city. If you have read through all of this, I really hope that you have a good day.
Hi I have a question if you don't mind For a new immigrant (single guy, no family ) do you think small cities in Arkansas can be a good place to start your new life in U.S ?
@@asty8686 Yes, small towns in Arkansas would be an amazing place to start. The scenery and the people are amazing, then you can move on to Springdale, or Bentonville.
Hot Springs is the best place to live in Arkansas. We have lakes, mountains, race track with casino, live concerts and wonderful restaurants. Always something going on
@@jacquelinerobinson3736 houses and rent are pretty cheap all over the state (albeit natives are learning that big city folk are used to large prices and will now charge more to make a profit) and it seems pretty diverse to me, it still is mostly white people but there is plenty of poc and immigrants here (moreso black and Mexican people than Asian and Middle eastern)
I live up near Chicago, visited the Ouachitas /Hot Springs for the first time this February for crystals. Had no idea how beautiful the area was. Mountains, lakes, creeks. Ive been back 5 times and have spent a total of about 6 weeks in the area. Hoping to move down there
@@JimHerbertOutdoors you may know already but the summer months are miserably hot and humid with lots of mosquitoes. I love it there in the fall and spring.
Rogers, Bentonville. Bella Vista and Fayetteville should be considered 1 destination...known as the northwest corridor. Little Rock is high crime...hot springs is a great retirement city.
NWA (Fayetteville/Rogers/Springdale/Bentonville) is really the only place in Arkansas worth living in. no crime, 100% employment, safe, clean, nice....
I was born in "De Queen ARKANSAS". I get "S.S.I + R.S.D.I", So how easy would it be to retire there. Because I'm sick + tired of being insulted just because I was born in ARKANSAS (come to Texas and you find out the hard way like I did). Is it any safer, And can a person afford it with him being on "S.S.I+R.S.D.I"? IF SO LET ME KNOW. 😥 HILLBILLY IN TEXACO.
@@keithknott8307 rent is high here in NWA bc it's a crime free clean area...1 bedroom apartment $800/month... unless you can get into lower income section 8.... We use to have lots of trailer parks that were affordable, but they are all getting torn down because they look like poor people live in them and might cause future crime.... It is expensive to live in NWA, but I'd consider living in the outskirts like Elkins, Lincoln, Durham, etc... much more affordable
@@cc3775 yes, virtually all the crime is domestic... we still have only had 1 car jacking and it was a guy from California running from the cops.. All murders and violent crimes are domestic(BF to GF) or people at a party, etc... random violent crime doesn't exist here yet... no bars on windows yet and no razor wire fences yet... used car lots keep all the keys hanging on the wall inside the office and most cars are unlocked at night.. No one locks doors really here yet.. I leave my cars unlocked with the keys in the ignition and never had an issue... I left one car at the hospital here for 1 month unlocked with the key in the ignition and no one bothered it... everyone here mostly still works and it's clean...
I live in NWA, and it has greatly change over the few years we have been here, and the cost of living has drastically gone up. We moved from Pennsylvania because of the taxes and high cost of living there. When we arrived in Arkansas at the end of 2020 my rent was 875.00 for 2 bedrooms, it is now over 1100 for same place. Another apt we had considered was 800 as well at that time, I checked that same place the other day and it was over 1700 for 2 bedrooms plus utilities. NWA is rapidly growing (crowded) and there is a huge drug/meth problem here as well as a lot of transplants and building up everywhere (so sad). It doesn't feel as safe as when we first moved here. A lot of sketchy people here now especially Rogers. We know people are going to move where they want to move but just providing information that I thought we be good to know since I live here. We moved from a big city to be in a smaller place but looks like NWA is on a lot of peoples list and we are looking to move but not sure where, praying really hard about it and you should as well. You don't want to be in a bad situation with you and your family.
Conway has 4 colleges and 3 high schools. It's growing rapidly, but it doesn't have a small town feel. Maumelle feels like a nice retirement community with pretty good wealth in the residential area.
As an AR native, central AR and NWA are the places to live. South AR and eastern AR don't have much of anything. However, Magnolia just got a Whataburger and El Dorado will get one in the near future. As someone who went to college at the #1 place listed, I highly recommend #1. If not for personal circumstances, I would've stayed there after college.
@@roundmaster2418 True, but there's less to see and do. Unless you're the small town-type, you're gonna get bored pretty quickly. And in El Dorado and Camden, you're gonna see a lot of drama and dysfunction. El Dorado is notorious for its rumor mill. Last month, we had a rumor go around about gang violence in the town square and some businesses closed out of precaution and one school postponed its prom a month. And back in 2018, we made the news (made national news in a few places after someone told Shaun King) over a false rumor about inmates supposedly being make to wear Nike shirts in their mugshot photos. It was after the Nike-Kaepernick deal. It was only a small number of inmates and some of their mugshots were taken before the Nike deal. We've also had some crime in El Dorado too. Maybe not to the level of LR or PB, but we've had some shootings and drug cases pop up. We had one of each last month involving teens.
I live in Arkansas let me tell you the cost of living is not what you are hearing on this video it's high as hell of a lot higher don't forget sales tax personnel property tax even if you owned it for 100 years you still have to pay a tax on it end if you don't make a minimum of 40 thousand a year you will be in the poverty level so do your self a favor if you want to live in Arkansas make sure you are a retired doctor lawyer or an engineer if you are a labor or factory worker you will work your fingers to the bone and still have nothing
List lost all credibility with "Number 1, Conway" lol Basically if you aren't in NWA, it's not worth living in. It's the only part of the state worth being in.
Conway and much of central AR is just as good as NWA. It could be worse. It's not like you're dealing with crime (LR and PB) or staving off boredom, decline and dysfunction (El Dorado).
Little Rock no thanks high in crime Rogers nice hot springs no thanks lived there lots of crime women end up missing all the time I remember that but it's beautiful to visit Bentonville is nice too. Conway is wonderful I lived there but too congestive lots of traffic backed up traffic
Obviously they did not consult any list of crime statistics before making this list...LR is almost always in the top 10 most dangerous cities in America. You'd think that would kind of matter to people looking to move somewhere new.
I keep hearing NWA region is bigger than Little Rock...it is. Little Rock is a portion of the Central AR region which dwarfs NWA. In development and population. More diverse in employment, living and entertainment options. I would advise renting and getting a feel for NWA before buying. I've lived in Houston, I couldn't live in NWA bc of its size and limited options. Central is no Houston but I still have room to roam with far more options for my day.
You're absolutely right that Central Arkansas region is larger than the Northwest Arkansas region, but just comparing MSA's the difference isn't as big as you're suggesting. Census results from 2020 have the Little Rock MSA at 750,936, having grown 0.39% since 2010. The Northwest Arkansas numbers are 560,708 growing 2.56% over the last decade. If those growth numbers continue--and they have been similar for quite some time--Northwest Arkansas likely will eventually exceed the size of Central Arkansas. Probably not in my lifetime, though (I'm in my 50's).
@@bobbun9630 Wasn't comparing size of MSA's, was comparing development of both MSA's. Can't compare entire region to a portion of another. All I'm saying.
Don't move to Little Rock it is on the Arkansas River not the Mississippi River but the crime rate is super high. Several homasides already this year passing last years.
If you are making super money? AR is great, but if you live on fixed income, struggle to survive. Arkansas is not good to older people. The government is not doing anything for the low income senior housing authority. State had 6 Millon surplus. Tax money Who have no voice. Gov Asa & crew voted them self's a RAISE. ARKANSAS has some of the strictest rule's for SNAP in country. Tourist not job's the main money. Think it over ❓
I searched for this video because I'm looking to move to a city with a combination of affordable housing, good public schools and less crime. Is Conway, AR really worth it?
One of the things y'all left out is that you need to make sure you aren't moving to a dry county. Also this music is way too intense y'all lol this isn't the dark knight
I agree you I mean I’ve been to Little look for 2 years Little Rock I mean it is bad at night time I heard a lot of Gun shooting I mean I would not go to Little Rock Little Rock Is the dangerous city in Arkansas but other city’s in Arkansas are much safer then the Little Rock Am I right.
A year late but gonna add my 2 cents worth. Crime is an issue in Little Rock but it is nowhere near as bad as some make it out to be. Crime isn't as bad as it is in Pine Bluff and nowhere near as bad as it is in Memphis. You CAN walk around the streets at night in Little Rock as long as you stay in the areas that aren't considered low income or the slums. And they have some good places to go for night life activities in Little Rock and in NLR in the Argenta District. Personally I would recommend Sherwood, AR as a good, and safe city to raise a family in. It is 8 miles or so just northeast of the LR/NLR area.
Born in LR grew up in NE Arkansas and the best place other than the ones I mentioned is Tennessee and stay out of the big cities in any state, they are all crime riddled.
Interesting If I were to move to Arkansas it would be either Conway or Rogers. I live 2 hours north of Sacramento California. It's like living in the south but minus the churches and the friendly southern hospitality. Where i live its mostly good, white, Christians, conservative republicans that tend to be more corporate republican than evangelical republican. I mean we have those too because of Bethel Ministries. All of this makes me want to move. I am single, no kids, and with no debt and live on social security. i don't do bars and not huge on religion. What area of Arkansas sounds right for me?
I live in Fort smith and have friends that live here from Little Rock. They moved for a reason! Fort Smith is best for good real estate, crime levels, school choices, job ops, and retirement! Not to mention equal with blue and red supporters. These others on thisnl lsit cant saybthe same. Kinda sad my town didnt make it but its cool lol
Why Smackover? There's like 1,600 people. I wouldn't recommend South Arkansas. The population is declining and there's little to offer regarding activities and jobs.
@@finchborat yeah ur not wrong. But this was a year ago 😭I was just speaking out my ass. I mean im only just finna b 17 😂 but we need better ppl here to push out the a holes
@@howeboy07 I do agree about the last part. The ignorant people who love to start trouble and create drama need to go. They're one of the reasons why people are leaving (at least leaving El Dorado).
Oh My God.....!! This is such B.S. OK. FIRST....Three towns in Benton County. Rogers, Bentonville and the other one. Benton County is the Wettest Dry County in Arkansas. The Lowest Paying Jobs in Arkansas are ALL in Benton County. To include Walmart Home Office, a Chicken Factory and a Pork Factory. The Highest Rents are in Benton County. Next Little Rock. PLEAZZZZE!! Try to get to the VAMC in the Afternoon on Any Day. From 5th Street East West to Fifteenth Street East West, there are GANGS who have Regular Shootouts over drug turfs. Rents are so Different you have to look up the Crime Stats before you sign a lease. Conway?? Again ..WHY?? If you come East of Conway about Twenty Miles, You can find Cabot Arkansas. Home to The Former Girlfriend of a Former President. Who By the way, Lives in his Library in Little Rock.
What? Conway! sorry, I have to disagree with this. Its ok but certainly not number one in the state. I call it "roundabout city'" which I despise. I lived in Little Rock for most of my life and loved it but it has gone down in recent years. Crime is a problem here and its a shame but that's the way with most metropolitan cities in the U.S. I have lived in North Little Rock (just across the Arkansas River from Little Rock) for the past 15 years and I like it but no place that I know of is without some problems. I don't think you can rank the best places to live unless you've lived there for a while. Let me say about the weather in Central Arkansas, that it gets over 100 degrees for several days in the summer and can drop below zero in the winter. Just 2-3 years age it dropped to minus 4 degrees so the only water sport I can think of in those conditions is a hot shower in the comfort of my bathroom. I love Arkansas though so give it a try!
This is a very strange list of Arkansas best places to live... Where is beautiful Fayetteville, 5 times named the "Best city for living" several years at a time ?! Little Rock is "famous" by it's massive population exodus in 90s because of untamed gang activities... Bella Vista used to be an EXCLUSIVELY RETIRED COMMUNITY, which probably shouldn't even be mentioned for randomly moving in...
Lived in Arkansas on and off. The only areas of the state I like is N Central and NW. I actually think N Central areas are amazingly pretty with relatively low crime (minus meth heads west of yellville) Little Rock yuk (unless u can afford a wealthy neighborhood). Fort Smith yuk. Pine bluff yuk. Hot springs visit only. Jonesboro yuk. Eldorado Springs yuk
Hi Mike, Coming from California with good attitude and easy going life. Looking for country living with 30 min commute to work; preferably the warmest weather year around. What city would you recommend? Love outdoor and nature
@@cesarr5006 I know you didn't ask me, but I'm a life long Arkansas resident. I live in Bella Vista on an affordable lake front home. The video certainly got this place right. It's one of the safest in The United States. I have also lived in Hot Springs, which I am surprised didn't make the list. As far as country living, you can certainly find something here in Northwest Arkansas. Flat land, farms, hills, lakes, whatever. It's all here in this area and with a great economy. 3 of the 5 cities listed in this video are right here. Plus, I don't know if they're still doing it, but Bentonviille was offering $10,000 to move here.
NWA is predom white and some towns are high Hispanics due to chicken plant. Only 5% of the NorthWest AR is black. I live in L.R. The black pop is in Central AR:Conway, Little Rock , North Little Rock, Jacksonville , Sherwood, Bryant, Alexander, Benton, etc. I hope that helps. Southwest Little Rock is predom Black and Hispanic (Mexican) 2nd largest populated area. West Little Rock is better for people with higher income and my fav area is the Heights / Hillcrest also a high income area to live. The crime is mainly gangs and drugs but they are killing each other not the mind your business citizens. Recently A big bust and arrests of 80 people across AR was made that contributed to the high crime. Little Rock population is now 203,000.
You forgot to include PB along with the other central AR cities. Also, El Dorado and Camden have black majorities. At the same time, they and most of South Arkansas are experiencing population declines. Those 2 have lost the most population in the last 10+ yrs. So far in this decade, Camden has lost over 300 people and El Dorado has lost over 700.