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 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.

On the downside, the education system is just fair, and there are poverty and opioid problems, as in any city or region these days. The state lacks diversity, and May-October, by all accounts, is rough in the muggy department.

LookyLOO Review of Little Rock

For many, their lifestyle consists of 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 zip codes -- one filled with 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).

We highly recommend visiting Little Rock and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.

Lifestyle 

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


Small Town With Benefits

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**SayNo2pHARMa**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

The beauty of Arkansas is hard to beat. TBH, I'm from SA although I haven't lived there in 30+ years. I can't imagine where you live for that rent!!! That being said, rent here is similar but in LR city limits, it's the (lack of) traffic for me! We don't have rush hour! If you leave to go to or return from work at just the wrong time, you'll hit "rush 10 minutes" as I call it. If you stick to surface roads, that's reduced to waiting for a couple of light changes. I used to live in Windcrest and work on 281N. I spent 1.5 - 2 hours in traffic every day. Not here! Also, we have better than you'd expect dining options, very good museum/recreational opportunities, and the crime isn't nearly as bad as some folks might claim, based on my experiences here vs. SA.

For more reviews of what living in Little Rock is like from locals, check out [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/little-rock/reviews).

Reviews of Little Rock from Locals

**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

BestTyming
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I think it depends heavily on what you want to do and things you enjoy. Frankly, Little Rock in itself isn’t a bad place to live. But there is nothing to do and not much to see. Very day to day living. Not much excitement and not much to offer.

It is true that Arkansas in general has some of the prettiest places in the country. The nature side of Little Rock is unbeatable.

So yea it’s not the worst place but it’s very boring and not too many opportunities compared to other places. Fairly simple and straight forward living. I always say “Little Rock is a great place to retire or build a family home”. A good place to retreat too. And if you are into that then by all means !

Crime is statistically bad but most of it is property crime. Other areas are way worse than others(like every city dang near) but you shouldn’t really run into any issues. I come from Memphis. Live there 14 years and Little Rock 8. Little Rock is nowhere near as bad as Memphis.

Personally, As a 22 year old trying to start out in life I do not enjoy living here almost at all. Someone more established may enjoy it more.

**samyo22**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

I’ve lived here in LR for 7 years, and I’m a big fan! It has 90% of what you need with a fraction of the traffic and cost of living of most cities. If you like outdoor activities, we have three huge beautiful lakes about an hour away in every direction. 2 hrs to the Buffalo National river which is an absolute treasure. For closer activities, rattlesnake ridge and pinnacle mountain are within 15 minutes. Ouachita National Forest is an hour away, Hot Springs an hour away. There is also countless other outdoor stuff about 2-3 hrs out in the Ozark National Forest as well. Hard to beat for the price and traffic if you like outdoor activities. The crime is not near as bad as people act like it is. I’ve lived in downtown the whole time and walk around all the time, even at night, without issue.

**SayNo2pHARMa**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

The beauty of Arkansas is hard to beat. TBH, I'm from SA although I haven't lived there in 30+ years. I can't imagine where you live for that rent!!! That being said, rent here is similar but in LR city limits, it's the (lack of) traffic for me! We don't have rush hour! If you leave to go to or return from work at just the wrong time, you'll hit "rush 10 minutes" as I call it. If you stick to surface roads, that's reduced to waiting for a couple of light changes. I used to live in Windcrest and work on 281N. I spent 1.5 - 2 hours in traffic every day. Not here! Also, we have better than you'd expect dining options, very good museum/recreational opportunities, and the crime isn't nearly as bad as some folks might claim, based on my experiences here vs. SA.

**Natural-Stranger-409**
7mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

Congratulations on the job offer! Downtown Little Rock is this beautiful gem that mixes historic charm with a livewire, contemporary feel. You'll love the River Market District for its beauty, farmers' markets, excellent shops, and live music. There's no traffic, and getting around town is very easy and affordable. While it does sizzle, there are plenty of parks and the Arkansas River to cool off. The community is friendly and welcoming; the attempts that persist in being made to reduce crime are noticeable. The prospect of moving so far from home is an intimidating one, but Little Rock's warm, inviting nature and its happening downtown will have you settled in before you know it. Just remember to visit the library soon to catch up on the Razorbacks! Lol

Little Rock, Arkansas

Tweener Town

Looklyloo Score: 78

Reviews

What's it like to live in Little Rock?