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What is Arkansas like?

What is it like to live in Arkansas?

  • Folk culture, material culture, geography, environment, smells, sights, dialect, daily life, I'm interested in knowing what the Arkansas experience is like.

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    While I have not lived there in many years, I spent 19 of my first 26 years in Arkansas, and I return at least two or three times a year to visit the many relatives I have there. My great great great grandparents settled in the Northwest Arkansas Ozarks after the American Civil War. First, many of the stereotypes of Arkansas, as with other rural states like West Virgina or South Dakota, are just that. There are certainly plenty of rural people with different life experiences and values from, say, the average New Yorker. And yet, my experience from living in New Jersey was that I ran into many more people who had never even left their home state (or their home county!) more than once or twice in their lives, while many of the most backwoods Ozarkers had traveled all over the world, whether with the military, or just out of curiousity. Indeed, I've found most Arkansawyers (and I, like many, prefer that term to Arkansan) have a better grasp of US and world geography than many cosmopolitan coastal dwellers who cannot even locate Arkansas on a map. Sometimes, too, I think people on the coasts forget that people in the "fly-over" states have access to television and the Internet, and are very much aware of the rest of the world. Also, while there are a lot of  commonalities, there is no single Arkansas experience. A sharecropper in  the delta region is going to have a very different life from a Walmart  excutive in Northwest Arkansas, or an oil and gas industry worker in  Southwest Arkansas. I will have to speak primarily from an Ozark perspective. Family roots run deep, and there is still a bit of mistrust of outsiders. It's one of those places where someone who moved in 30 years ago is still an outsider, who may be treated politely, but is not quite accepted as a local. In Northwest Arkansas, the University of Arkansas, Walmart, and Tyson have created more cosmopolitan education and business communities, but that does not extend too far from the US 71/I-540 corridor through Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville. Many of us who grew up in that area learned to participate in both communities, but in much of the region outside of that conglomeration, things remain more traditional in outlook. This does not mean that the people outside that strip are ignorant. There are plenty of very shrewd, well educated people who are happy to help anyone in need, and just as happy to play off the hillbilly image to their own advantage. Job opportunities vary widely, depending on location, and on educational level. There is extreme poverty in some parts of the state, especially in more remote parts of the Ozarks, as well as in the Delta region. Meanwhile, in the 71/540 strip, as well as the Little Rock/North Little Rock/Conway area, there is a lot of affluence. Politically, Arkansas has been traditionally Democrats, as many southern states, though the Washington and Benton counties have tended to be Republican. In more recent years, it has shifted somewhat, and, since Reagan's time, been a "red state" with respect to presidential elections, though the native son Bill Clinton did carry Arkansas. This year, the state senate is under Republican control for the first time since post-Civil War reconstruction. Religion is a very important part of the social structure, with Protestant Christianity being the dominate form in most areas. There are pockets of Catholicism dating to Italian and other immigration from past centuries, and that is increasing with immigration from Latin America. In the more urban areas, there are also other groups, including Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism, but these are rare in the smaller towns. Irreligiosity, whether atheism or apathy, is more common in places like Fayetteville. Moving on from the socio-economic side of things, Arkansas is a beautiful state with many outdoor opportunities. The climate tends to hot and humid in the summer, and cool to cold in the winter, depending on location. The Ozarks regions gets a small amount measurable snowfall most winters, while the rest of the state tends to get little or no snow most seasons. Snow sports are not common, though there is an ironic and interesting story of an attempt in the late 70s to create a ski resort that failed due to exceptionally large snowfall that year. Sports like hiking, canoing, water skiing, and hunting are all very popular. Over all, I think Arkansas is a good place to live, if you are employed. I left the state in search of employment beyond what was available there at the time, and, despite a couple of possibilities in the past, have not had a compelling reason to move back yet. But it's not impossible that I will end up back there, as many of my high school classmates already have left the state and returned.

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I was born in Arkansas and basically raised here, apart from some sojourns to Chicago, San Francisco, and Virginia. I live in the northwest part of the state, which is home to the Walmart headquarters (I live less than two miles away from the home office). Up here, most of the culture is colored by Walmart vendors and their families, an it's a fairly diverse, wealthy culture. There is also a large Hispanic population, so there will be Cinco de Mayo celebrations, quincenearas, and there are really good authentic Mexican restaurants. A little bit south of where I live is Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is a true college town, and since we're in the south and we are a member of the SEC, football is a huge deal. Alumni come from all over for home games, and now that we've finally got a decent coach in Bret Bielema, attendance is about to skyrocket. Razorback basketball is also fairly well represented, and although the glory days of Nolan Richardson are long behind us, Mike Anderson seems to have the potential to make us contenders again. My Arkansas experience is a lot different than that of many others, because Northwest Arkansas is so much different than the rest of the state. However, I do have relatives who live further south, and my dad's grandmother actually identified her heritage as "hillbilly." My dad's family has lived on the same farm and has owned much of the land around it for almost 200 years. The land out there is gorgeous- there are fields, hills, waterfalls, bluffs, creeks- it's like the modern age never existed. Truly "The Natural State". We go out there every few weekends and canoe, hike, fish, or just sit and read and enjoy the nature. My dad and brother hunt every once in a while too :). There are always your stereotypical Southerners (rednecks) with their pickup trucks and camouflage and cowboy boots. But really, the culture at least in Northwest Arkansas is surprisingly diverse. It's a great place to live that doesn't get a lot of attention,. A friend of mine, whose dad is a Walmart vendor, moved here from Chicago when she was younger and she said that when she got here she was surprised that everyone was wearing shoes. Not only were we wearing shoes, we weren't wearing all that much camouflage either.

Olivia Paschal

I have lived in Arkansas most all of my life.  My parents were what you would call transplants to this area, from Detroit, in 1978.  Quoting my Dad "Arkansas is the best kept secret in the USA. Shhhh don't tell everyone or others will show up and create mass confusion like you experience in Detroit."    Arkansas has been portrayed as a non educated state, but this is false. Even if you do see the most ridiculous person being interviewed after a tornado regarding how they escaped and almost lost their trailer.    Religion is mostly what you would consider the Baptist Bible Belt, however lots of other options depending on your choice of worship.   Economics are good and can be as great as any state.  The population is much less than most states, so if you compare on average people to jobs there is a great deal of room to do well in this state.    I have to agree with what others have written about our Natural State. We love The Razorbacks, you can find a wealth of education at U of A, Arkansas State, Hendrix and the list goes on. All great schools!   In my opinion I feel big industry is missing out by not establishing their business in Arkansas.  We have one the lowest tax brackets in the nation, industry could employ at a much lower wage than larger states/cities, the employee here would be happy with wages over minimum wage but would not expect the over paid expectations that hurt the auto industry, there in lies lower payroll tax, lower unemployment tax and keeping jobs in the USA makes for a happier nation all the way around.   The perks for setting up operations in Arkansas are really too many to mention. If you think not....well have you heard of the little 5 & 10 that an Arkie started.  It became huge and he kept the base here in Arkansas.  To this day Wal-Mart home office hub is in North West Arkansas.  Sam Walton was smart to keep his big biz here, in doing so he must of gotten more bang for the buck.  Wish other big business would consider this option.    Arkansas is home to me and my family so I know that I'm partial to this great state.  As many are to their own homes/states. Hope any who reads this will check out our beautiful area. Although my Dad would disagree.  He would say don't tell people how great Arkansas is....you'll open the floodgates. I say it oks Dad, let 'em come on in.

Anonymous

I am 65 and have lived in Arkansas all but two of those years. In fact, my bedroom now is in the same spot it was when I was born.  That is not to say I have always lived here.  I came back to my home base 17 years ago after living in other parts of the state. My family has owned the land here for four generations. I live in a rural area 20 miles from the nearest small town of about 35,000. The other answers have given a wealth of details about Arkansas. My only other comment is that Arkansas is what you make it. You can live and work here and enjoy as much local color as you choose.  Or you can move in circles which are as connected to cosmopolitan life as one could wish. And if you don't like it we will not keep you. But be prepared to hear, 'Y'all come back now!'

Barbara Carleton

I am an Arkansan, or Arkie (I don't mind), that just doesn't live in Arkansas anymore.  I spent almost all of my Arkansas life north of the diagonal line from Texarkana to Jonesboro. Arkansas made a very good change to the State Motto from "Land of Opportunity" to "The Natural State" years ago.  I'm blown away by the natural part of Arkansas, from the Ozarks to the rice flats.  While the aridification of the central US has started to alter Arkansas' landscape, it is still one of the all around best places for outdoor activities. However, the thing that strikes me the most about Arkansas is the people.  Before the meth epidemic hit (about the time I left home), you could count on just about anyone you met to help you.  Outside of a certain few cities, people trusted each other, and it was rare for people to even lock their doors.  The people were largely uneducated, extremely hardworking, and friendly.  I can't stress the friendly part enough.  My wife was even blown away by their friendliness on a trip to Little Rock. In my opinion, UA is a world-class university, and I believe that the Industrial Engineering department is one of the top 5 IE undergrad programs in the country.  The problem is that there is so little opportunity in the state for a person with a technical degree.  That's why I left.  On the other hand, the best tradesmen I have ever met are all from Arkansas.  If it weren't for each state setting their own building codes, I'm positive you'd see Arkansas tradesmen everywhere.

Brent Fraser

As a 5th generation Arkansan I believe I am qualified to elaborate on what my state is like. Our Culture: Arkansas culture is hard to explain, depending where you are in the state depends on what culture is more prevalent. The southern part of the state (south of Arkadelphia on over south of Pine bluff) has a Cajun vibe with the stereotypical Whites live around whites, Blacks live around blacks. The delta region of the state (along the Mississippi) is the most impoverished part of the state, Imagine flat rice fields with a shack that 9 people live in. (Southwestern) Arkansas around Texarkana has a Texas vibe. I have noticed that around Texarkana the southern accent is almost non-existent. The (Ouachita mountain region) north of I-30 is more isolated most locals have a strong accent, they hunt and fish year round. A Separate culture within the Ouachitas is garland county (Hot Springs) It has its own vibe, Its a liberal town with conservative laws that is enforced with 4 different law enforcement agencies with lots of corruption and everyone knows it. On over to little Rock (central Arkansas) has a Memphis vibe with all the surrounding communities about the same. North Arkansas (Ozarks) have extremely thick accents but are usually good people that will give you the shirt off their backs if you need help, they are very friendly but not the stereotype of banjo players. North Western AR  (Fort Smith to Bentonville) is very corporate fast paced and wealthy, much like Indianapolis. Our Geography Arkansas is blessed with two mountain regions that encompasses almost half of the state. We have lots of rolling hills, cliffs, caves, waterfalls and lots of lakes and rivers. The other Half of the state is farm land with flat prairies and Cyprus tree swamps. The Environment We get every type of weather here. From Snow storms to Tropical storms, Tornadoes to earthquakes Arkansas weather is extreme.  During winter It is not uncommon for the mountains to get snow while the valleys get rain. North and central AR usually gets snow while southern AR never gets any. Summers are brutal with high humidity it is not that uncommon for it to get up to 110 degrees with 85% humidity and no wind. Droughts in Ar are common. Spring time is the most dangerous time in Arkansas. Storms often produce quarter size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 MPH. Flash flooding happens frequently. Tornadoes here are very dangerous, with all of our forest the landscape makes it incredibly difficult to spot them. Straight line winds and micro bursts are the biggest threat most fatalities occur when trees fall threw houses. The Smells During the spring I can always smell honey suckles and dog woods. When im around trailer parks I can always smell meth being manufactured. I love the smell of our cedar and pine tree forests. The Sights Arkansas has it all, I have traveled across the US and nothing comes close to what we have here in the natural state. Up in the mountains Every time I turn a corner I am blown away by the scenery. If you have never been to Arkansas I cannot explain it to you. You have to come explore and see it for yourself.  Visit AETN on youtube and watch a few adventure videos to see how blessed Arkansas truly is. Arkansas Dialect Here in Arkansas we speak the Texas draw, The Ozark twang, The Ouachita/Irish everything is ambiguous dialect. Delta blues, and the funky Cajun country. So If you stay here long enough it will rub off on you. My daily life in Arkansas I wake up chug some coffee check the weather. Work until noon.... then Options, I could go to the lake and fish or I could go ride a roller coaster or gamble or I could jump on my quad and hit some trails or I could hop on my motorcycle and drive up scenic 7 or I could float the river kayak or I could go caving in the Ozarks, Hike to some waterfalls catch a tan on the beach or shoot something, Ride my horse, rock climb, hunt for Indian arrow heads, hit up the hot tube, start a fire and pass the bottle. All of these things I do regularly in the Natural state and the most beautiful thing about this is It does not cost allot of money in fact most of this recreation is totally 100% free. Summary Arkansas is Americas best kept secret and most Arkansans like it that way. We love our small towns our farms and the people that live in them. I know most people up north think of Arkansas as a white Trash mecca with little opportunities however the northerners that think that way are just closed minded idiots that see money as happiness. Who needs the NFL when you have the SEC? Who needs car insurance when you have a 4 wheeler? Why help yourself when you can help your neighbor? Our Southern Values are not for sale

Sam Tadlock

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