197,371
Population
Sunny Days: 217
42100 Affordability
80100 Schools
46100 Diversity
36100 Safety
Heaven: Arkansas without the heat and mosquitoes.
-Jimmy Peacock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Tweener Town
The Good, the Bad and The Ugly
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.)
The Best Thing About Little Rock?
Punching Above Your Weight
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.
The Worst Thing About Little Rock?
It's Got Some Troubles
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.
Lifestyle Of Little Rock
In a single-family home on a tree-lined, rolling hills street. West Little Rock is where the Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are and it consists of three zipcodes -- one is suburban tract style housing in a wooded setting (trail adjacent) a second, that's most affordable -- Point West (fewer gated communities and smaller, single-family homes) and the third, Pleasant Valley, consists of larger homes around golf courses and The Pleasant Valley Country Club.
SoMa stands for Southside Main Street and it’s a Historic Urban Neighborhood that is undergoing a revitalization. This is where the hip brunch spots are popping up.
If you're curious what locals get up to in Little Rock check out the calendar of events: https://www.littlerock.com/eventcalendar
Why You Should Move Here Now?
Small Town With Benefits
You like small town life with benefits, catfish and homemade ice cream
Living in Little Rock
Neighborhoods in Little Rock
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The Area
Little Rock is not only the capital of Arkansas, but the state’s most populous city as well. Its name is derived from one of the area’s most popular features, a rock formation along the Arkansas River that runs just north of downtown. Little Rock is located smack dab in the middle of Arkansas and is relatively isolated from other major metropolitan areas, with Memphis being the closest a few hours to the east. Apart from the beautiful river that the city lies on the south bank of, the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains that pervade throughout the western side of the city are the dominant geographical features of the area.
Oak Forest
College Students
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is the largest public research university in the area, with University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas's largest basic and applied research institution. Arkansas Baptist College and Philander Smith College are two smaller historically black colleges that are also located in town. Oak Forest is a neighborhood that borders UALR on most sides and is where a decent number of off campus students call home. Oak Forest contains lots of restaurants and parks, and while it’s not the type of college town neighborhood that some other southern schools might boast, one could do a lot worse in regards to nightlife and pricing.
- Oak Forest
Downtown
Young Professionals
Right on the river, Little Rock’s downtown is probably the best place to be a young professional. With proximity to both places of occupation and the social scene, downtown Little Rock has a relatively urban feel and is a bit more expensive than the rest of town, but the amenities that come with it make rent worth it for young people looking for a place to fit in. For those trying to avoid the dense urban feel while still being close to the action, Hillcrest is just a bit northwest of downtown and is suitable for both young professionals and families alike.
- Downtown
- Hillcrest
- Capital View
Midtown
DINKs/SINKs
For those working without kids, Midtown is a great neighborhood to move to for those new to Little Rock. With many large businesses in the area, one can find a solid selection of jobs in close proximity while living in more contemporary homes than other parts of the city. The neighborhood’s location is also perfect for those working at the St. Vincent Medical Center and is extremely popular with young doctors and nurses.
- Midtown
- Hillcrest
- Riverdale
Heights
Families
Located in close proximity to the Country Club of Little Rock, the Heights is a boujie neighborhood for larger families. With its larger single family homes and mansions in addition to amenities such as high-end shopping centers and highly rated organic-eateries, The Heights is an ideal location for families that can afford it. Rock Creek is another neighborhood that provides residents with solid single family housing options and solid public schools for a relatively more palatable price tag.
- Heights
- Rock Creek
- Capital View