Bill Solleder and his wife vacationed in Arkansas two decades ago. They were so charmed they decided to put down roots in The Natural State, buying an English Tudor home on a spacious lot that borders Hot Springs National Park. They each have a favorite natural spring where they fill up water jugs.
“I get to drink some of the purest water in the world,” says Solleder, who is the director of marketing for Visit Hot Springs and the founder of the Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival.
In addition to mineral-rich spring water, Solleder enjoys a variety of benefits, from a lower cost of living and friendly, easygoing neighbors to a slower pace of life and great outdoor attractions.
Read ahead to discover 10 reasons Arkansas is a great place to live.
In This Article
1. The cost of living is affordable in Arkansas.
2. The outdoors is amazing in Arkansas.
3. You can go mountain biking year-round in Arkansas.
4. You can eat diverse, divine food in Arkansas.
5. Arkansas is home to friendly, welcoming neighbors.
6. Arkansas has a booming beverage scene.
7. You’ll find a variety of housing in Arkansas.
8. You can enjoy fun festivals and events in Arkansas.
9. Arkansas offers a great nightlife.
10. Arkansas has a variety of museums and commemorative trails.
1. The cost of living is affordable in Arkansas.
Your dollars stretch further in Arkansas. The average home value is just under $200,000 compared to the nationwide average of nearly $347,000 (Zillow, November 2023).
Thinking about making a move? Crunch the numbers for yourself with Arkansas Tourism’s relocation calculator, which prompts you to input where you’re moving from to calculate how much you’ll save. Using data from the Council for Community and Economic Research, the calculator factors in costs like health care, utilities and real estate.
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2. The outdoors is amazing in Arkansas.
Arkansas is nicknamed The Natural State. Discover why at one of its 52 state parks, which includes favorites like Petit Jean in Morrilton, where you can hike the scenic trails, feel the cool mist of a 95-foot waterfall, duck into a cave with ancient pictographs and spend the night in a cute cabin.
Birdwatchers, anglers, hikers and mountain bikers all have plenty of beautiful spaces to enjoy their hobbies, as Arkansas is also home to three national forests, three mountain ranges, 17.2 million acres of forests and 13 major lakes. A major draw for tourists and residents alike is Hot Springs National Park’s creekside campsites, 26 miles of hiking trails and mineral-rich spring water.
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3. You can go mountain biking year-round in Arkansas.
With scenic trails and a moderate, four-season climate, Arkansas has made a name for itself as a premier mountain biking destination. Outside magazine even deemed Bentonville a “Disneyland for mountain bikers.” Residents can find top-notch trails throughout the state, including the 300 miles of OZ Trails in Northwest Arkansas and monument trails in state parks that are well-suited for different skill levels.
Arkansas is also home to five International Mountain Bicycling Association EPIC rides — iconic backcountry trails that adventurous types travel for but are in Arkansas locals’ backyards.
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4. You can eat diverse, divine food in Arkansas.
Arkansas’ culinary scene reflects its diverse population. Locals can sample what the state’s chefs have to offer at gatherings like the Main Street Food Truck Festival and International Greek Food Festival, both in Little Rock. Enjoy sushi, dumplings, pho, Korean barbecue, African dishes and more at restaurants throughout the state. Try pimento cheese croquettes and seasonal dishes at The Preacher’s Son, which is located in a restored historic church in Bentonville, or discover your favorite rib joint on the Arkansas BBQ Trail. Save room for something sweet – possum pie, perhaps? With layers of chocolate and cream cheese in a pecan shortbread crust, it’s practically the official state dessert.
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5. Arkansas is home to friendly, welcoming neighbors.
New residents get a friendly welcome in Arkansas. Locals are kind and genuine and many communities have seasonal events that bring neighbors together. For example, Downtown Jonesboro’s Local Fest showcases area artists, musicians and businesses. Plus, the city hosts other events throughout the year like a Mardi Gras Parade and BBQ Fest. In Conway, local families come together each spring for Toad Suck Daze, which includes concerts, carnival rides and toad races with amphibious friends. Even some of Arkansas’ smaller communities have grand events that celebrate community, like Paragould’s 12 Days of Christmas Parade and Art & Stroll.
Arkansas also celebrates its diversity with gatherings like Juneteenth, which take place in multiple communities, including a longstanding June Dinner in Wilmar that’s been happening since the late-1800s.
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6. Arkansas has a booming beverage scene.
Have you ever had a beer brewed with thermal spring water? You can order a pint at Superior Bathhouse Brewery, which, located in Hot Springs National Park, is the only brewery in a national park. From beer and hard cider to wine and moonshine, Arkansas has a dynamic craft beverage scene. Find your favorite watering hole with the Arkansas Craft Beverage Pass that grants you discounts and rewards at dozens of participating breweries, wineries and distilleries. Some notable makers include Postmaster Spirits, located in a historic post office in Newport, and River Bottom Winery, located on a farm in Roland.
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7. You’ll find a variety of housing in Arkansas.
Residents moving to Arkansas have their pick of housing. The state offers everything from urban living, like hip downtown lofts in Little Rock, to homes in rural settings, including farms and ranches. Throughout the state, new residents will find well-connected suburbs and master-planned communities with great schools, parks and open space.
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8. You can enjoy fun festivals and events in Arkansas.
Arkansas communities keep calendars full of entertaining festivals and events that celebrate everything from food and wine to music and biking. Popular festivals throughout the state include the Tontitown Grape Festival in Springdale, where festivalgoers participate in grape stomps and famous spaghetti dinners, and FORMAT music festival in Bentonville, which brings 80 musical acts to stages over the course of a weekend. The multiday Bentonville Bike Fest includes group rides, workshops, meet and greets with mountain bike stars, BMX shows and races.
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9. Arkansas offers a great nightlife.
The fun keeps going after the sun goes down in Arkansas, as there are plenty of ways for residents to spend a night out, from bar hopping and country line dancing to even trying your luck at a casino. Live music is easy to come by, whether it’s catching a big touring act at venues like Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock or seeing homegrown talent perform at local breweries and restaurants. Live entertainment options also include improv comedy, illusionists, theater performances and symphony orchestra concerts.
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10. Arkansas has a variety of museums and commemorative trails.
Residents and visitors alike can learn about Arkansas history at numerous museums and heritage sites. Sections of the Trail of Tears pass through Arkansas, commemorating the forced removal of Cherokee from their homelands. The state is also part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, with sites including the memorial for the Little Rock Nine, the first Black students enrolled at the previously white-only Central High School. The state also has dozens of museums, including the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville and the Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs.
This article was sponsored by Arkansas Tourism.