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Listening in—I’m planning on hightailing it the hell outta New England once I finish college.
Additionally, arkansas is the only state mentioned in the Bible.
NW Arkansas is in US House District #3. That district has been dominated by Republicans for years. In 2010, two of the other 3 districts became Republican.
NWA is generally conservative. Note that Fayetteville is more liberal, with the University of Arkansas.
Arkansas was Old Democrat for decades. Wintrop Rockefeller (IIRC) was the first Republican governor since Reconstruction. Mike Huckabee was the last Republican governor, following BJ Clinton and Tucker [who was forced to resign as governor].
It’s kind of a mixed bag politically but sure beats living within smell of Chicago. Seriously, I live 5 miles from the AR state line in OK. If I didn’t already live here, I’d live in NW Arkansas.
Seems to me the nation is in such a state of flux, what used t'be, ain't and what shouldn't is.
Personally, I could listen to any southern lady talk all the time ... 'cep'm bedtime, 'course.
I think you’d be comfortable. The current governor is Dem, but Huckabee wasn’t. They gave Blanche Lincoln the boot! They didn’t go for Obama. And there are a lot of really hard working conservatives there trying to make a difference. Big contrast between there and Madison, WI
I spent a few years living in Little Rock. It is a conservative state - remember Bill Clinton was a pro-life govenor until he ran for president. Politically, beware of the good-old-boy/girl networks in the state. However, even an Illinois yankee can be very successful down there. The level of official corruption and extramarital affairs always astounded me when I lived there. People just wink and look the other way.
I lived in Arkansas (Conway) for a year for work. Was from upstate NY and it was different but traveled the state and enjoyed all parts... Had to get used to dry towns and counties and being a member of applebees but loved the experience. Did have a rough night with cajun crawdads at toad suck days :) .. Good folks and not as much of a culture shock then my college days in Amish country..but i did speak differently and took me weeks to figure out what my neighbor was saying... (best neighbor i have ever had by the way).
Country and western two types of music.. I miss the grub and real sweet tea... Good luck yall...
I lived in NW Arkansas for 2 years and had to relocate due to family illness.
I loved it there. I mean not liked it, loved it. The Ozarks are beautiful, the area has most anything you can want. You’re within half a day’s drive to Tulsa, KC and Dallas so it’s not like you’re completely isolated.
I’ve lived in 4 states, been in 38 of all those places NW Arkansas is the only place I’d want to go back to to live.
I may be a Yankee by birth but WOOOOOO PIG SOOOOIE!
All my family lives in N W Arkansas. Siloam springs, Rogers, etc. I go back there every 6 mnths and am waiting on some family matters to be settled and then we are moving there. It is a beautiful area with lots to do and very friendly people. Actually too friendly for me. Lol. When my cousin and I run to Walmart for some simple thing he winds up spending an hour in there because he sees every one he knows and they have to chat. Shrug. Perils of living in a small town I guess.
You can run up to Missouri or over into Oklahoma For breakfast or lunch.
My cousin and his wife are constantly driving somewhere to other states. We live in California so the idea that you can just run over a couple of states for a few days seems strange to me. Heck it takes us almost all day just to get out of California.
Look at the Siloam Springs, Gentry area. Not far from Bentonville and a very nice area to live.
The south is very high tech. We are not backwards at all.
I wouldn't make the decision based on politics. There will always be people who agree and who disagree with you. Of course, getting out of a State that is on the verge of bankruptcy might be a smart move.
One advantage of Madison is that you're close enough to Chicago to visit frequently. Do you have family or friends you would want to see? I also miss terribly some of the restaurants and stores from Chicago.
I interviewed with WalMart, and they botched the interview badly (the people who did my technical interviews didn't know the technology used in the job). Overall, I was glad that I didn't have to make a tough decision about accepting a job from them. Maybe it would be different for a contractor.
Keep in mind that either Madison or Bentonville is that the job opportunities won't be as plentiful or varied as they would be in Chicago. Make sure you'll be happy with the job, or you may be looking at relocating again in a short while.
Take what I say with a grain of salt. I'm currently considering a job in Montana, which will be a horrible shock (temperature-wise) after several years in Orlando! It also has the problem of limited jobs in the area, if this job doesn't work out.
Good luck!
***Arkansas despite its redneck reputation is Democrat.***
Arkansas is a divided state. The Ozark Mountain area, including Benton and Washington Counties (Walmart & University of Arkansas areas) are staunchly REPUBLICAN! The flat land plantation rice delta to the south of the state is democrat.
The three richest counties in Arkansas are Pulaski (Little Rock area) Benton (Walmart) and Washington counties.
The poorest county is Jasper County way back in the hills.
50 years ago AR was a strong D state. The NW corner has a good conservative faction now. You’ll be doing all right. Bentonville & Rogers are fairly prosperous. The Waltons are the Big Dogs here. Take a gander at Crystal Bridges while looking. Humidity may be probably higher. Pollen count may be higher. But other than that, you’re upgrading. Lower COL. Benton County is THE wettest dry county in the state (country?). If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Watch Deliverance before you decide to move. (Ya,I know the story takes place in Georgia.)
..........though I have to admit, anywhere is an improvement over Chicago.
Stay up north. You might be able to do some good there. No matter how well meaning they are, yankees always tend to eff things up when they settle in the south