I guess Little Rock, AR is considered southeast?
So when hubby comes home we go back to where we were :smitten , but he has "been requested" for movement to Little Rock on his movement date in the near future. IDK jack about AR?
Anyone?
What are the people like? Are the schools really as bad as the national average indicates? Is that just a testing result flukey phenomenon or should we budget for private school?
What is the recreation like? We like boating, and camping.... and camping on our boat. :lol We like caverns, and hiking. We LOVE biking trails.
Is it a big city? The Internet says the population of Little Rock metro is only 500,000ish, but my sister is telling me it has all the big city elements. :dunno We like the convenience of the city.... anything we want at our fingertips type thing.
What is the job market like? Are there lots of companies and big corporations that need finance managers/dept. employees?
Most important is WHAT are the people like? It could be a town of 200 with a corner grocery, and I would love it if the people were warm and friendly.

ive lived in arkansas ALL of my life except for the past two years b/c me and df moved around with the army!

im back in arkansas now while he is gone!! i live about an hour from little rock and of course since arkansas is tiny we go to LR alll the time!!

no the school aren't horrible :) but you will have lots to choose from since you will be living in LR, i would suggest north little rock schools.

recreation: there are lots of lakes in arkansas... we go to greers ferry almost everyday in the summer! there are plenty of beautiful places to hike and bike!

job market.. i can't really help you out there, sorry. little rock should have plenty to offer though!

the people in arkansas are great! i dont know where you have lived before but honestly, people here are so nice ane welcoming! its the south :0)

little rock is pretty big, it def. has all the "big city" elements... downtown is a lot of fun, you should def. check that out!!

what else do you want to know? i could go on forever :):)

i just saw that your dh is in the army, im surprised they are sending you to LR since it is an af base, we are actually trying to figure out how we could get df stationed there.

if you dont mind me asking what is your dh's job??

Not to be negative but I spent my teen years and college years in Arkansas. I've never been more miserable in my life. lol But I will say, I also lived in a teeny tiny town smack dab in the middle of nowhere. I remember when we got our first fast food restaurant. Subway!!! lol And our first stop light. Little Rock isn't so bad. We always had to venture that way for shopping. The base isn't too bad either, small, but not too bad. I never really cared for many Arky people but that is just me. There are two big malls in LR. It's a pretty nice sized city. I agree with a PP, stick to N. LR schools. I know they also have a few pretty good private schools in that area as well. There are a lot of lakes and rivers and state parks in Arkansas. That is where most people migrate to during the summer. The school systems aren't very good so I would definetaly search for the best you can find.

Not to be negative but I spent my teen years and college years in Arkansas. I've never been more miserable in my life. lol But I will say, I also lived in a teeny tiny town smack dab in the middle of nowhere. I remember when we got our first fast food restaurant. Subway!!! lol And our first stop light. Little Rock isn't so bad. We always had to venture that way for shopping. The base isn't too bad either, small, but not too bad. I never really cared for many Arky people but that is just me. There are two big malls in LR. It's a pretty nice sized city. I agree with a PP, stick to N. LR schools. I know they also have a few pretty good private schools in that area as well. There are a lot of lakes and rivers and state parks in Arkansas. That is where most people migrate to during the summer. The school systems aren't very good so I would definetaly search for the best you can find.

where in arkansas did you live?

where in arkansas did you live?

Cave City *cringes*

My parents moved to Jonesboro about 2 years ago. Quite a bit better. lol I don't mind visiting so much anymore.

Cave City *cringes*

My parents moved to Jonesboro about 2 years ago. Quite a bit better. lol I don't mind visiting so much anymore.

i live in batesville :):) yes cavecity sucks!! haha thats a hicktown :giggle
i really love arkansas, like it kinda sucks that its smaller and you have to drive an hour just to go to the mall! but i really like it here!!


ETA: i know soo many ppl from there, how long ago did you move?? what year did your graduate?

i live in batesville :):) yes cavecity sucks!! haha thats a hicktown :giggle
i really love arkansas, like it kinda sucks that its smaller and you have to drive an hour just to go to the mall! but i really like it here!!

PM'ing you. lol

PM'ing you. lol

ok :)

its a small world!! we might know eachother ;) seeing as we lived 15 minutes away from eachother :D

i just saw that your dh is in the army, im surprised they are sending you to LR since it is an af base, we are actually trying to figure out how we could get df stationed there.

if you dont mind me asking what is your dh's job??
He's been offered a SAAWWWEET job. :lol Since I'm scared of the Internets... :lol I will PM you the specifics.

So your post makes me optimistic. I have been given negative reviews up till now, but not by people who LIVED there so you rule out!! :)
We are actually going to be living in North Little Rock so the schools are better there? Do you know about private school opportunities? I was educated in a lower ranking state, and I'm concerned about my boy being left behind the way I felt when I entered college. Do you have any idea of the communities and what neighborhoods are best? It's always hard to move into a housing market you don't understand. I was checking out the MLS for North Little Rock, and Sherwood. Is Sherwood better than Park Hill? The property taxes are higher in Park Hill.

He's been offered a SAAWWWEET job. :lol Since I'm scared of the Internets... :lol I will PM you the specifics.

So your post makes me optimistic. I have been given negative reviews up till now, but not by people who LIVED there so you rule out!! :)
We are actually going to be living in North Little Rock so the schools are better there? Do you know about private school opportunities? I was educated in a lower ranking state, and I'm concerned about my boy being left behind the way I felt when I entered college. Do you have any idea of the communities and what neighborhoods are best? It's always hard to move into a housing market you don't understand. I was checking out the MLS for North Little Rock, and Sherwood. Is Sherwood better than Park Hill? The property taxes are higher in Park Hill.

i really do love it here :giggle we will so have to get together once you move down here! there are a few other girls at lrafb, mb we can all get lunch sometime!
i would def. stay in north little rock :) i will ask some of my friends about the better parts of housing.
sherwood is a GREAT community!! i love it there, its right outside of little rock but close enough where it isn't a pain, kwim? im not sure about park hill :dunno
im not sure about private schools either, i can ask my friends who live there though :0)

:cp

my bf is stationed at little rock and we live about 10-15 mins north of the base which the town has alot of military families living here.

my bf is stationed at little rock and we live about 10-15 mins north of the base which the town has alot of military families living here.

you live in arkansas too :D
we should all get together!

We lived on base and the only real negative thing I have to say is about the schools. Pulaski County schools (the ones by the base) were awful... we ended up home schooling ods until we moved. If by some twist of fate we were to go back there (unlikely, now that we are in spec ops) we wouldn't live on base or Jacksonville. We'd more than likely move to Cabot.

how have all the Arkansas ladies been lately?

im doing great :D how are you?

Glad to know that I am not the lone Arkansan on here.

I'm still here too!! I live about 1 hr. from LR...

I live about 2 hours from LR.

I'm here too!! hehehe!:P We live about 15 min north of the AFB here, and we're about the same distance from Little Rock as well, so we're really well located. From what I've been told, the North Little Rock schools are about mediocre, but I know the schools in Cabot and Vilonia are really good, and they're smaller as well. We're close to Vilonia, and it's small, but everyone is really nice and we are kinda centrally located:P It is really oudoorsey here too. And our property taxes are way low because we live outside of the city limits.

I'm still here too!! I live about 1 hr. from LR... where?!

I live about 2 hours from LR.
where?!

I live in Ashdown, which is about 15 minutes north of Texarkana. It's in the SW corner.

yay for more Arkansas girls. i live in Cabot.

:woot Arkansas! I live just north of Cabot. (1-hr ish north of Little Rock)

Little Rock is awesome!
I say that all the stereotypes and southern/Arkansas labels don't apply IN THE CITY (including North Little Rock, Jacksonville)

But when you head out of town and come up my way the classic "redneck/cowpoke" might apply :D
So does racism - but only out my way. I didn't see or hear it much in the city.

We lived in the city for about 7 years - We are familiar with just 2 schools. Terry Elementary was pretty good.
David Dodd Elementary is odd. Not BAD - but an odd layout and classroom setup. They don't have real classrooms - it's a very "new-age via era of the 60's" style building which, I felt, caused an issue with our special-needs kids.

There's quite a lot of shopping places - but everything is very spread out in "spots" - and the River Market is awesome and I might set up shop next year there, in fact.

I don't know how it is for the "club hopping" lifestyle - bars and so on and other such entertainment. But for me is was great. Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Target, Home Depot and Gymboree and the Gap.
What more can you ask for? :lol

Oh - yes - they do have one of the very few Children's hospitals in the US - so your kids are ALWAYS in the best hands!

And I'm sure others have mentioned the nature - nature is everywhere. Afterall we're hte natural state. There's a wonderful "Big damn bridge" and river-side walks that have opened up and are worth the exercise and effort just to see the view. It's very refreshing to be in the city - but away from it all.

MUST visit places - Eureka Springs (north arkansas) a quaint and adorable hill-side town geared for tourism and it's wonderful!
Hot Springs (south of Little rock) if you can get away for a few days I'd say to check into a hotel/spa! Wonderful shopping and hiking, too.

Haye!

I've lived in the Little Rock area my whole life (about 20 minutes away) and I'm in Little Rock a LOT.

About the schools... Yea, we've got a bad rep. You can thank our former governor, who I'm sure you've heard of... Mike Huckabee. He didn't do crap for our school systems. Luckily, we have a new and AWESOME governor Mike Beebe. He's amazing and he really is doing a lot for our state and our schools. So, things are looking up.

Not all the schools are bad though. I graduated high school in Central Arkansas and I turned out just fine i think. We have a really good college in central arkansas, called the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. They offer a lot of online classes for moms and things like that. The campus is pretty big and it's nice. They have some very wonderful professors there. I just graduated with my BA from there, now I'm over at the law school which is only about 15 minutes from the AF base.

The River Market area is really nice and it always has a lot of action on the weekends. It's a nice place to go have drinks and listen to music. You can have a nice romantic night out on the town in that area..or party like a rock star in that area too, depending on what mood you're in! lol McCain mall is located only minutes south of the AF Base there. There are TONS of restaurants in that area too.

The people here for the most part are pretty decent..lol But, then again I've lived here my whole life so I don't have much to compare them to, do I? haha You'd have to ask my DB about that. He's in the AF and he's been like.. every freaking where. haha

Feel free to PM me! I'm new to this site and to trying to figure out what goes into being a significant other of someone in the military. I'm trying to learn from others and to find friends who will understand what I'm going through emotionally with his upcoming deployment in September.

Welcome to the area. I think you'll love it.

Thank you guys... especially the last two posts. Apparently we won't end up there until June/July of 09. Love the military and it's schedule.... ok in fairness it would be March, but I'm forcing them to let my child have one complete school year for freaking once!

I'm from Arkansas! I have lived here all my life, it's all I know. I live about and hour & 1/2 south of Little Rock...close to Hot Springs. Now that my hubby is in the Army though, I'm sure we will be moving before the end of the year when he finishes AIT.
I didn't know there were so many AR ladies on here!

do we have anymore new Arkansas girls?

Im from AR. Malvern actually. There isnt alot to do, but people are usually friendly. If ya get a chance, go to Magic Springs in Hot springs for a day. and also tour thru Hot Springs. Then of course there are the Razorback games in Fayettville.have fun.. tell home i miss it lol

Hey!!! I'm so glad to find more Arkansas people! I'm a little north of Vilonia, but I end up in Cabot and Ward at least once every couple of weeks.

I just wanted to drop back in and say haye to all my Arkansas ladies!! How is everyone doing? Any of you going through a deployment right now too?

Hey!!! I'm so glad to find more Arkansas people! I'm a little north of Vilonia, but I end up in Cabot and Ward at least once every couple of weeks.

OMG!! LLLLOOOOVVVVEEEEEEEEE your siggy! I just laughed my butt off when I read that. I suppose I should raise my glass! *cheers*

OMG!! LLLLOOOOVVVVEEEEEEEEE your siggy! I just laughed my butt off when I read that. I suppose I should raise my glass! *cheers*

HAHAHA! Thanks! My best friend made it for me. We're about 4 weeks until the end of this deployment and I'm soooooo ready for it to be over. It sucks, but I'm used to it. They keep changing my dates for basic, so I am hoping that we'll have a few days together in between. :pray:pray:pray

:hi my arkansas girls!

HAHAHA! Thanks! My best friend made it for me. We're about 4 weeks until the end of this deployment and I'm soooooo ready for it to be over. It sucks, but I'm used to it. They keep changing my dates for basic, so I am hoping that we'll have a few days together in between. :pray:pray:pray

So, you're joining the AF? And your SO is in the AF? Where is your SO stationed? How long was his deployment? Sorry for all of the questions... I just don't know any other local AF ladies.

:hi my arkansas girls!

:hi Are you here now? I see that your ticker states that you're moving soon. Excited?

I'm going Air Guard. I can't do AF as a single parent. I'll be at LRAFB or Camp Robinson or jumping between the two depending on the jobs. J is stationed here now, but he's up for orders when he gets back. He just changed the dream sheet to all overseas except for Elmendorf (Alaska, so it might as well be overseas). I'm not too happy about it, but we're going to have to cross that bridge eventually. :vent:vent

:heythere my db is a month into his deployment..im ready for him to come back home.he is stationed at little rock but we live in cabot.

Thanks! It's really nice to meet you too!

nice to meet everyone..what does ur men do as jobs.

J is hydro. I have no idea what he does. He keeps trying to explain it and I can't ever figure it out. He's thinking about retraining to Flight Engineer though.

I'm going Air Guard. I can't do AF as a single parent. I'll be at LRAFB or Camp Robinson or jumping between the two depending on the jobs. J is stationed here now, but he's up for orders when he gets back. He just changed the dream sheet to all overseas except for Elmendorf (Alaska, so it might as well be overseas). I'm not too happy about it, but we're going to have to cross that bridge eventually. :vent:vent

I didn't think they could change their dream sheet to all overseas places. Hmm... I'm still really new to the military life though, so I'm not sure how it all works. I thought you had to pick like 6 places in the US and 6 places overseas. IDK though, seriously.. I don't.

:heythere my db is a month into his deployment..im ready for him to come back home.he is stationed at little rock but we live in cabot.

nice to meet everyone..what does ur men do as jobs.

Haye! What day did he leave on? I'm wondering if they left at the same time. And he works on the planes. That's about all I know! Ha. BTW, DF lived in Cabot until August and it's a really nice community. I've lived in AR my whole life, but I'd never really been through Cabot a lot until we started dating. I really liked it.

I didn't think they could change their dream sheet to all overseas places. Hmm... I'm still really new to the military life though, so I'm not sure how it all works. I thought you had to pick like 6 places in the US and 6 places overseas. IDK though, seriously.. I don't.

Sorry. :blush I'd written it completely wrong. I mean that he redid his dream sheet on all of the overseas places and then threw in AK on the stateside ones. It's actually 8 overseas and 8 stateside.

I grew up in Northwest Arkansas. I loved it there. Little Rock itself isn't bad to visit. I graduated from Springdale High. I had no idea there where other people from the area!

I grew up in Northwest Arkansas. I loved it there. Little Rock itself isn't bad to visit. I graduated from Springdale High. I had no idea there where other people from the area!

One of my friends graduated from Springdale. Do you know a guy with the last name Silvius? He's about to turn 27, so I don't know if you'd know him or not. Oh and that's awesome that you're at dyess. My ex is there now.

Sorry. :blush I'd written it completely wrong. I mean that he redid his dream sheet on all of the overseas places and then threw in AK on the stateside ones. It's actually 8 overseas and 8 stateside.

I don't know WHAT I'll do if DF gets stationed overseas once his time here is up. I'll completely freak out. Seriously. Even thinking of moving out of central Arkansas is a lot for me to wrap my mind around since I've lived here my whole life. But, I suppose there's no way we'll end up staying here, is there? lol So, I might as well get used to the idea now. :sigh

You get used to the moving..thank god for cell phones though..i wouldnt know what to do if my bf got stationed overseas .Jackee, when is ur man set to return home.im wondering if our men left together .

One of my friends graduated from Springdale. Do you know a guy with the last name Silvius? He's about to turn 27, so I don't know if you'd know him or not. Oh and that's awesome that you're at dyess. My ex is there now.

Hmm I'm not sure. But I'd have to see a photo. He would have graduated in 1999 with my high school sweetheart. So I probably do. Just don't recognize the name