Little Rock, Arkansas

If you like rural living you will be miserable. If you like a real urban experience there are only a few blocks of downtown that almost provide that but just don’t. If you don’t want to live in the city but you don’t want to live in the country and you’re not a big fan of suburban sprawl, you might like Little Rock. The state capital status provides some amenities that one wouldn’t otherwise find in a small town but without the hassle and while still providing that small town feeling.
There’s plenty of lovely scenery to be had, there’s biking and hiking and a river (with a bridge, of course) and short trips to the Ozarks and very special wilderness sites (Horseshoe Canyon, Lost Valley, and the Buffalo River.) The Rivermarket pretty much is Downtown. It caters to local vendors, artists and crafters -- It's a food hall that hosts local events and farmer’s markets. If you like minor league baseball, you can get a cheap seat to a Travs game.
That cute little yellow trolley is probably not going to get you anywhere, You definitely need a car (or a bike.)

It punches above its low cost of living weight if you know where to look and you like that small town feeling.

Here's a local with a review of what they like about Little Rock:
It’s centralized location. It’s an easy jaunt to all four corners of the state. You want to mountain climb? 30 minutes, canoe? 15 minutes, bike? 5 minutes, museums, book stores, shopping (no not Rodeo quality), it’s all within easy reach. The food scene is dynamic and varied. The job market is growing, housing is affordable. Neighborhoods are eclectic. Want something a little more va-va-voom it’s a short flight to Dallas or a drive to a Memphis. Even Nashville is a great weekend get away.

Despite the Clintons being local royalty (is everything named after them?) it’s pretty back woodsy. The education system is poor, and there are very significant poverty and opioid problems. It can be dangerous. The whole state lacks diversity and, there’s quite a bit of redneck nut jobbery among the population. Also, May-October, by all accounts, rough in the muggy department.

Here's a local on what's not so hot in Little Rock:
Job market can be a mix depending on your industry, but it sounds like you have that lined up. Financial, some tech, advanced manufacturing, and government are probably the bulk outside of warehouse, food, and hospitality gigs.

Schools are still a minefield in LR, and the politics of it have seemed to escalate the past few years (even without Covid). Definitely something to look into (and plan accordingly) if kids are in your outlook.