Life in Metro Little Rock

Amy Charpentier moved to Arkansas after living in North Carolina.

When she moved to Little Rock, she discovered a vibrant community, opportunities for professional growth, and an incredible food scene. Hear from Amy on her experience relocating to Little Rock.

There’s a better future waiting for you in The Natural State!

Arkansas is well known for its spectacular views and scenic waterways, but the state offers much more with expanded career opportunities in tech, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, and beyond. For work or play, Arkansas boasts a lifetime of opportunities for residents of all ages.

With the low cost of living, easily-accessible outdoor adventures and cultural institutions, Arkansas attracts people from all over. That’s why it’s no surprise that The Natural State was named the No. 1 state with the “greatest net gains for people moving in,” according to the HireAHelper U.S. Migration Report. Data showed that 44 percent more people moved into Arkansas than moved out, with the report citing Arkansas’s lakes, rivers and hot springs as prime relocation drivers.

Come see for yourself and consider making Arkansas your new home!

According to the Tax Foundation, your dollar goes further in Arkansas than anywhere else in the country. This means that the same amount of money can buy comparatively more in Arkansas than other states. Use our cost-of-living tool to compare nationwide markets to Central Arkansas.

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Affordable Appeal in Central Arkansas

Your dollar goes further in Arkansas than anywhere else in the country. According to the Tax Foundation, Arkansas has the highest relative value of $100 at $117.23. This means that the same amount of money can buy comparatively more in Arkansas than other states.

Progressive job opportunities and a dynamic environment are part of Metro Little Rock’s attractiveness, and the low cost of living – 10.8 percent below the national average – drives the appeal home.

Metro Little Rock residents pay less than people in other areas nationwide for housing, healthcare, groceries and utilities. Housing is the biggest factor in the difference, with the median home price in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway at $162,000. It’s little wonder then that places like Conway, Benton, Bryant, Lonoke and Cabot top Niche’s list of Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Arkansas.

The Natural State’s Playground

They don’t call Arkansas the Natural State for nothing. Our abundance of clear rivers and lakes, lush green forests and curated trails are one of the reasons the state ranks consistently ranks in the Top 10 for Quality of Life in U.S. News & World Report’s Best States.

Almost 70 national, state and regional parks are woven throughout Central Arkansas. Just west of Little Rock, Pinnacle Mountain State Park welcomes kayakers, hikers, cyclists and families with 15 miles of trail, picnic sites, ponds and rivers. Choose your own adventure in the Ouachita National Forest, a 1.8 million-acre retreat in Garland that’s home to a multitude of outdoor amenities. The Arkansas River Trail is a regional gem. Big Dam Bridge, the world’s longest bridge for pedestrian and bicycle use, serves as a gateway to the 88-mile trail, which connects to 38 parks and museums.

Festivals, Fine Arts & Flavor

Metro Little Rock is a hub for food, art and culture. The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) recently celebrated its historic grand opening, following an almost four-year, $170+ million renovation and Hot Springs is a haven for artists and art lovers, with multiple galleries and an annual 10-day arts and culture festival.

The Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock is a can’t-miss. The 20,000 square feet of exhibit space houses one of the largest collections of American presidential history. The center also hosts events, including lectures highlighted by past U.S. Cabinet members and leaders from across the arts and culture spectrum.

Raise a glass to Central Arkansas’ craft beers thanks to a boom in breweries. When you’re done, feast or nosh on any of the establishments that make up the region’s foodie nation. Local produce and cheese headline the Pea Farm Bistro in Cabot, and over in Conway, the WunderHaus serves up pork poutine, bratwurst and other selections. Take in some meals on wheels at downtown Little Rock’s food trucks or plan a trip to the annual Food Truck Festival.

Stellar Education Options

Whether your family is looking for the private school experience, a large public high school with great sports teams or technical training, Metro Little Rock has no shortage of options for K-12 education. Public, private, charter, magnet and special needs schools provide options to Metro Little Rock parents and students. Multiple public-school districts host 130-plus K-12 schools where the average class size is 18, and nearly 40 private schools operate in the region.

Benton School District places among the top five in Niche’s list of best school districts in Arkansas, with recognition for its AP and gifted programs. Schools in Little Rock and Hot Springs Springs caught the attention of U.S. News & World Report, who put them on its “best of” for Arkansas high schools. Want to know more? Search for Central Arkansas schools.

A Leader in Healthcare

The Little Rock region is the center of the healthcare industry in Arkansas with more than ten medical hospitals and numerous other psychiatric and drug rehabilitation facilities. The University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS), Baptist Health Medical Center (Little Rock and North Little Rock), CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, and Arkansas Children’s are leaders in research and development activities.

Just 30 minutes from Little Rock, The National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) is the only FDA Center located outside the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The 1-million-square-foot facility plays a critical role in the missions of FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services to promote and protect public health. It trains students from UAMS, UALR, UAPB, and UAF, as well as training private scientists.

Foodie Paradise

Little Rock is known for its independent food scene. With cuisines representing all corners of the world, Little Rock has been recognized as one of America’s Hottest Foodie Destinations in the Country.

The James Beard Foundation named Little Rock’s Lassis Inn as a recipient of its America’s Classics Award and award-winning chefs serve incredible dishes of all types. Little Rock is also home to award-winning establishments such as Rock Town Distillery, which received national recognition at the largest spirits competition in the United States and Lost Forty, which was named the top mid-sized brewery in America.

Amy Charpentier moved to Arkansas after living in North Carolina.

There’s a better future waiting for you in The Natural State!

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