[sub]

Originally Posted by Hollynla

You never have much good to say about anything. Do you wake up on the wrong side of the bed everyday? As someone who lived in south Louisiana for 40 years, northern AR (in the ozarks) is a completely different way of life. I don't see anymore poverty here than I did in south LA. The scenery, the wildlife, the weather, the people, and the cost of living are all an improvement.

I did say it would be an improvement, but everything you mentioned is subjective.
The OP asked for pros and cons.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by sub

7 states. 20+ years off and on in Arkansas, stretching back to the '70's. That includes more than one place in Arkansas.
Poverty should have an asterisk. Regardless of where I've lived, people usually have homes, food to eat, and basic transportation at minimum. Most have cable, internet, smartphones, etc.
I tend to agree with studies that place Arkansas towards the bottom when compared to other states. That's just been my experience. There's no conspiracy to pick on Arkansas. NWA is an outlier, but even it isn't overly impressive. A lot of states have those kinds of areas. I've yet to see one that doesn't anyway.
Arkansas isn't all bad. Obviously some people like it.
For the OP, I think it's a half-step up from Louisiana no matter how you look at it. Quality of life improvement doesn't seem to be the biggest motivating factor. Scenery and lifestyle change seem to be what they're looking for, which can affect mood and then quality of life can go up in that way. If you like hills and trees, Arkansas can certainly accommodate that.

Sub, no one is saying it is a conspiracy and no one is claiming AR is heaven here on earth but it is better than a lot of states.I can not claim to have lived in 7 states. I would have to question some one who has moved that often. We have lived in 5 states but I believe we are considerably older than you. We have lived on both coasts, large cities and states, rural states, lived in areas that do have a lot of poverty. All in all, AR especially the NW region has something for everyone. Of course I guess some people are never truly happy.

[explorearkansas]

"You never have much good to say about anything."

Not sure i can agree with this statement. Sub's last post is critical, but also rather honest. In our journy''s thru the upper half of AR, we saw a bunch of poverty, but the beauty overode that for us. Wife and I were amazed how the town of Bull Shoals could be in such poor shape with the location it has. I have a sweet spot for AR. But I'm not naive about it.

[Hollynla]

Originally Posted by explorearkansas

"You never have much good to say about anything."

Not sure i can agree with this statement. Sub's last post is critical, but also rather honest. In our journy''s thru the upper half of AR, we saw a bunch of poverty, but the beauty overode that for us. Wife and I were amazed how the town of Bull Shoals could be in such poor shape with the location it has. I have a sweet spot for AR. But I'm not naive about it.

It is subjective to where you are from. Maybe you didn't catch that I"m from the same area as OP. I could offer a true comparison of the two areas.

[stiffnecked]

They always say there are lots of outdoor activities to do in Arkansas. The problem is it's so hot and humid during the summer the only thing you can do is sit inside sipping a mint julep was sitting in front of a large fan. Arkansas is plagued by heat, humidity and rattlesnakes.

[jim9251]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

They always say there are lots of outdoor activities to do in Arkansas. The problem is it's so hot and humid during the summer the only thing you can do is sit inside sipping a mint julep was sitting in front of a large fan. Arkansas is plagued by heat, humidity and rattlesnakes.

Rattlesnakes?

[explorearkansas]

Heat, humidity and rattlesnakes? I prefer longer warm weather seasons, so heat and humidity are a given. Just so happens rattlesnakes like it to. Folks who can't deal with this should move somewhere else. That is really what it is all about.

If you don't like to see poverty, move to an uninhabited island.

AR has much to offer. They call themselves the natural state and I believe AR does a good job of representing exactly that. If you can't handle natural, go somewhere else. Perhaps Detroit. No poverty there! Just close your eyes and move along.

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by jim9251

Rattlesnakes?

Copperheads too. My parents live on the golf course in Fairfield Bay and they kill at least 2 to 3 copperheads a week on their back porch. Arkansas was just too hot and humid for this Alaska boy. Plus I raised the ire of the neighbors and local police when I blasted one of those snakes with the shotgun. Apparently the accepted method is to slaughter them with the shovel. I ain't gettin' that close. We spent 8 weeks in Arkansas and that seemed to be 7 1/2 weeks too long. Maybe it'd be more agreeable in late fall or early winter.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by explorearkansas

"You never have much good to say about anything."

Not sure i can agree with this statement. Sub's last post is critical, but also rather honest. In our journy''s thru the upper half of AR, we saw a bunch of poverty, but the beauty overode that for us. Wife and I were amazed how the town of Bull Shoals could be in such poor shape with the location it has. I have a sweet spot for AR. But I'm not naive about it.

I do not think anyone is being naive. It is a fact the east part of the state and a few other parts are very poor. It is a rural state and that is exceptionally common for rural states. NM is a perfect example.
One of the years we were living there the highest income county and the lowest in the USA were in NM. We all know La and Mississippi have a lot of poverty. I could go on and on about states that have a lot to offer but have poverty issues. The point here is read his posts and see for yourself if he is more positive on issues than negative.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

They always say there are lots of outdoor activities to do in Arkansas. The problem is it's so hot and humid during the summer the only thing you can do is sit inside sipping a mint julep was sitting in front of a large fan. Arkansas is plagued by heat, humidity and rattlesnakes.

Again, that is subjective and there 4 seasons, not just summer. Yes, humidity is pretty damned bad here, but nothing compared to Texas or La. or even Florida. the summers are shorter as well, which does help. Weather is humid here people enjoy water sports. Normally the heat is not really an issue, but again, it depends on where you are comparing it to. There are snakes, and yes, copper heads as well as rattlesnakes, but we have lived here for 10 years, this will be our 11th summer and we have seen one copper head and lots of harmless snakes. They are still scary but not the same. Our daughter and son in law golf all summer, have yet to see a snake on any of the courses. I can think of lots of states, CA and AZ for 2 that have poisonous snakes. There are not a lot of rattle snakes here, more cotton mouths and a few bad guys in the water. There are a lot of alligators in Florida but people still love living there.