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 Good, the Bad and The Ugly

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.*

Punching Above Your Weight

The Best Thing About Little Rock?

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.*

It's Got Some Troubles

The Worst Thing About 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

Lifestyle Of Little Rock 

You like small town life with benefits, catfish and homemade ice cream


Small Town With Benefits

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**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?** 

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

**The Worst Thing About Little Rock?**

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. 

**How You Living?** 

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. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

You like small town life with benefits, catfish and homemade ice cream


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.


The Area

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


College Students

Oak Forest

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


Young Professionals

Downtown

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


DINKs/SINKs

Midtown

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


Families

Heights

Little Rock

**What strikes first time visitors as special or unusual when they arrive in Little Rock, AR?**

Well if they arrive via the airport, which was renamed Clinton Intl. Airport some years ago, there’s a sign literally just stuck on the front of the Clinton Intl. Airport name that says Bill and Hillary like it had to be made clear it wasn’t JUST about Bill. It looks weird.

Everyone thinks that the “little rock” is behind the Capitol. There are some boulders back there, but we got our name from a rock outcrop on the Arkansas River La Petite Roche. But check out our Capitol, go to the 2nd floor rotunda and look around. It’s really pretty. There are some nice monuments on the grounds too. Vietnam Memorial for Arkansans, Medal of Honor awardees,awesome memorial to Firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty and soon the The Ten Commandments will be back up. It was smashed by a crazy guy in a car less than 24 hours after it went up. Won’t be so easy in the future! Not that I am challenging anyone.

We are the foot hills of the Ozarks so you will have some nice, lush hills and great views, especially if you are on top of one of our hotels or buildings or take a drive north and west. The Arkansas River runs RIGHT THROUGH TOWN. It’s super great down on the River Walk, which is very near the Clinton Library. At least they haven’t tacked up some wooden sign that says Bill AND Hillary Library yet. Mostly because it’s a PRESIDENTIAL Library. We have a bridge we call the BIG DAM BRIDGE. It’s for foot and bicycle traffic the connects us to N. Little Rock, which is a separate city. If you take 430 across the Arkansas River during sunrise or sunset you will be blessed with not only a beautiful nature scene but bridges on your left and right are lit up in colors, depending on the holiday.

When I first arrived in Little Rock from Texas in 1991 I thought it was so much like Austin was back in the ‘80’s. College town, Capitol town, many small bars with live music scattered around, about 12 cars at a stop light max. Legislators all had cocktails at The Capitol Bar downtown. We’re bigger now, like Austin got bigger, but not all in bad ways. The River Market is packed with great bars, live music and restaurants, that same area now has lots of condo options if you like the downtown living scene. We have maintained much of our old architecture and are continuing to preserve old areas of downtown. If you like architecture and history check out CENTRAL HIGH. One of the most beautiful high schools you will ever see and of course, home to the Little Rock 9 history. You can see a bronze statue of them on the Capitol grounds too. Also look at some of our beautiful churches downtown.

Speaking of churches, we have them every where. We are God and Country. You won’t have to go far to find a church that will suit you.

It’s spring right now. You won’t believe our ornamental trees in bloom! And bulbs of daffodils, tulips and lilies will be coming up all spring. Y’all better hurry!

**What is your favorite neighborhood in Little Rock?**

I can’t get enough of Hillcrest. It’s everything: the people, the older houses (fewer of which have been torn down than in some other neighborhoods), the shops and restaurants. It’s very walkable and there are the great Allsopp Park trails literally a few feet away. I consider it the most livable neighborhood in the city.

For a business, downtown is growing into something special. I expect when everything is said and done it will be more of a spot for young people, single people, childless couples, etc., since currently there aren’t a lot of places to play. There’s a great dog park though and this area is in a state of rapid revival!

**What’s the best thing about living in Little Rock, AR?**

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.

**What's it like living in Arkansas?**

Moved to Arkansas from Miami, FL about 6-years ago. I was amazed how cheap everything is… the cost of living is crazy good. The other thing that blew my mind was the ability to get my oil changed or other car repairs within a couple hours. Also doctors, dentist, and eye appointments can happen very easily. I live in Little Rock and I’ve been impressed with what this small capital city has to offer. Great food and drink options. It is a beautiful state that has much to offer in the way of parks, outdoor activities, and just beauty. I do miss the beaches, population, culture, and diversity that Miami offered.

Little Rock, Arkansas

Tweener Town

Looklyloo Score: 70