Once you get outside of the K-12 system, the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State are some of the best institutions in the country. In the last several years, the city and people in it have worked very hard to make Fort Smith a fun place to live. This open-air market is an excellent way to start and get to know the city. Seniorly can help you understand common terms for this type of . " Until a few years ago, the mascot & theme for Southside was The Rebels., & the girls drill team is the Dixie Belles. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 1. See cost of living, internet speed, weather and other metrics about United States as a place to work remotely for digital nomads. Razorbacks football is a popular event, and going to a Travelers baseball game is surprisingly cheap. If youre thinking about a move in the future, then there are several pros and cons of living in Arkansas that are worth considering. I wish there were more trails and nicer parks. Larry Wesley Pearce. However, Arkansass job market isnt precisely tailored to older folks, and the general outlook for employment in the state is relatively grim. The folk music of the Ozark has left a deep impact on the genre, leading to the formation of Rockabilly and Bluegrass. There are numerous recreational opportunities to enjoy in Arkansas. You can mine your own diamonds in Arkansas. The winters are mild, and the summers can get very hot. . In 1898, Miss Laura Ziegler went to a local bank and borrowed $3,000 to renovate the former Riverfront Inn, a commercial hotel that had opened in 1896. Though there are positives, such as lower living costs and such, I would prefer to live somewhere more "busy.". 2. Foreclosure help is offered to single moms in the state of Arkansas by the numerous non-profit, HUD approved agencies, which were certified by the federal government. Continue with Recommended Cookies. However, Arkansas also has relatively high crime rates, few healthcare facilities, and sparse job opportunities. In 1903 she reopened as Miss Laura's - an upscale bordello. Approximately 10% of Arkansas residents do not have health insurance. In the 1960s, the average home might have cost around $12,000 (just about $100,000 when adjusted for inflation). Having personally grown up as one of the few white kids on the Northside, I have learned so much about myself and other cultures. But with the course of time, Arkansas has effectively modernized and adapted itself with a diversified and robust economy. But I am not you. Fort Smith is a melting pot and that is something special. As with anything in life, there are Pros and Cons and my goal with this video is to give you a true sense of what it's like living in Fort Myers, Florida.. It is chronically underfunded to the point that teachers in the state struggle to make ends meet because of their low salaries. The Sparks Health System and the Mercy Hospital Fort Smith employ over 4,000 workers making up the bulk of Healthcare workers in the city. Many retirees choose to retire in warm, sunny locations like Florida, California, and Hawaii. Violent crime is somewhat common in Arkansas, and it is a trend that is continuing to climb. You can even find a one-bedroom apartment in Little Rock for less than $800 per month. The unemployment rate is usually about 0.5% to 1% above the median as well, so finding an opportunity first is almost essential. Reviews, photos, and costs for Methodist Nursing Home of Fort Smith. 8. There are events on a regular basis, lots of options for eating, and many activities for adults and children. The housing rates in Indiana state are comparatively affordable. When winter arrives, you might need a jacket to fight the occasional wind chill, but you wont be slaving over an icy driveway or a snowed-in house. The infamous KKK and other similar white supremacist groups are at large in the state, especially in the Ozark region. Low cost of living. When determining what cities are good for your personality, life situation, and personal preferences, there are many factors to consider including climate, cost of living, community, job opportunities, population makeup, activities, and things to do. There are many additional borrowing options available. Others may struggle to make ends meet on their retirement pension or savings plan. The cost of living in Kansas is much lower than you'd expect it to be. Arkansas is well connected by roads, air, rails, and water. Youll have access to some taxis, a metro, and Uber is active. Its the perfect place for people who want to leave the fast pace of the overly urban world and settle down in a smaller community with their family. Your chances of experiencing that issue are about 1 in 32. If you are looking for a new place to stay, you might want to look into the job market. Thats assuming you can pull yourself away from the fried catfish or farm-fresh foods that are available in many local restaurants. The name of the state comes from the Osage language, representing a diverse geography and group of people that stretch from the Ozarks to the Ouachita Mountains. Of course, these numbers will be greatly affected by where in the city you choose to live. Using this information, you can decide if Arkansas is the right destination for your retirement dreams and goals. It can also be the cause of an expanding waistline if you dont take care of yourself afterward. On that note, here are our top picks. But the biggest consideration is that whats good for others might not be so bad. The housing is fine but the neighborhoods look confusing. It consists of endless seas and beaches that make it an excellent place for a vacation. The Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro area's population has increased by 24.2 percent since 2010, according to new U.S. Census data. Fort Smith is alright, though there aren't many activities to do here anymore. These Three Words Describe Me in The Best Way. The housing costs are highly impressive here - $1, 37,000, which is much lower than the national median cost of $231,200. Calculated annually per 100,000 residents. While the Natural State is home to more than 100 hospitals, these facilities may be in poor condition, requiring repairs and upgrades. Some of the notable things to do include: Fort Smith National Historic Site, Fort Smith Trolley Museum, and Miss Laura's Social Club. Dont forget to bring your favorite adult beverage and some sunscreen to make it an enjoyable day. Your list can be divided up like this: Writing all these down can make keeping on track easier, and an organised move is important to stop you from accidentally looking over some things. No State Income Tax on Military Retirement Pay. Should you move to Fort Smith, Arkansas? 1. In Fort Smith, the home price to income ratio is 3.2, which is 18.5% higher than the Arkansas average. Poor quality of education. Methodist Nursing Home of Fort Smith is a senior living provider in Fort Smith, Arkansas that offers residents Nursing . Through the middle of the town, there is a road that divides the rich from the poor. Fort Smith has a very humid and subtropical climate. Plenty of history and food service establishments! Natural gas, oil, crushed stone, bromine, and vanadium is commercially mined in Arkansas. Arkansas is the ideal destination for family trips, adventures, and to have a hearty life post-retirement. You wont find many public transportation options in the state. Arkansas has a relatively high mortality rate. Gorgeous natural attractions. Arkansas football defensive lineman John Ridgeway was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round, No. The cost of living might be cheaper but you also don't have renter's. Read More. The climate in Fort Smith is referred to as a humid subtropical climate. There might be occasional rain in the springtime, and in the summer, temperatures and humidity tend to rise. Sponsored Mortgage Options for Fort Smith. do not have health insurance. Its also a bit disappointing the inequality I see at the different schools in Fort Smith. Read our article on Little Rock. Our mission is to inspire you to do the same. Dwellics instantly analyzes thousands of relevant data points and your selected preferences like lifestyle, weather, community and more to find the perfect place for you to live. Although my 90,000 person town is considered behind the times, there is something special about Fort Smith. Against a national index of 100, Arkansas ranks 16 points cheaper than the national average with a cost of living index of 84. The average home in Arkansas costs between about $120,000 and $150,000. Absolutely! Based on a study, Fort Smith has an overall living index of 75 out of a 100 baseline score for the USA. The state sales tax rate is 6.5%, and local counties can add taxes on top of that. Sports in Arkansas, especially team sports like American Football and Baseball draw huge support within the state. Some, even originating from the 1930s, like its signature Ferris Wheel. Automatically get personalized recommendations on where to move. You will be sure to encounter these pros and cons. Half the fun is tasting how each city puts their own unique spin on it! One big advantage of living in Fort Smith is the reasonable commute times to work. There are also 600,000 acres of lakes to enjoy. I haven't visited downtown often but the times I have I see there are great places to eat and hangout there. Youll also want to use common sense when traveling to ensure that you can remain safe. This advantage is one of the primary reasons why retirees look to this state as one of their top destinations when there isnt a need to go to work every day. . The housing market in Indiana. Of course, we like to keep that action all to ourselves. We lived there 5 years before people seemed to accept us at our church. Assisted Living Memory Care Independent Living. It also boasts a low cost of living, competitive property prices, mild weather, and a wide range of retirement communities. I love the opportunities that I have been offered here, and the connections that I have made. It has pretty much everything that you need within the town. When youve settled down in your new place and have time to wander around, here are the top Fort Smith staples you should try! Though its small populace, it is the third-largest city in the state and the principal city of the Fort Smith, ArkansasOklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. The cost of living is good, but there is very little to do. Pros and Cons of living in Fort Smith, Arkansas in reviews from users in their own words: Pros Cons " Nature & laws on schooling children & non-mandated vaccines "" Not many opportunities, not a large vegan community or options, looking to connect with more nature involved people " Arkansas is home to some beautiful parks and wild spaces. Today it's 10C with very good air quality (5 g/m3). You may call or email Sanelo using the info on the website, and a representative will be glad to assist you through the process and requirements. Very affordable. Arkansas offers over 9,700 miles of streams and rivers to explore. Fort Smith is a quiet town. in Murfreesboro or just take a stroll around the lovely little community of Eureka Springs, where time itself seems to stand still. I like how clean they try to keep our parks and our town. I am a current high school resident in Fort Smith Arkansas. Before modern transportation, people used to travel in locomotives and railways, and thats what you can explore in the Fort Smith Trolley Museum. Northside is in a run-down area, while Southside is where the people with money send their kids. 7. I now feel happier than ever and hope to inspire you to do the same, no matter how old you are. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Weve mentioned that the population of Fort Smith isnt that large, and that might have had a say on your decision to move. Competitive property prices. have experienced property crime, including trespassing, vandalization, burglary, or arson. 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