Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, is a vibrant metropolis within the southern United States.
With over 201,000 inhabitants, it’s the largest metropolis within the state. Little Rock is thought for its wealthy historical past, cultural heritage and pure magnificence.
Town provides a wide range of points of interest together with the Clinton Presidential Library, the Arkansas Museum of Discovery and Riverfront Park. Its various neighborhoods and inexpensive housing choices make it a sexy place for individuals from all walks of life.
Nevertheless, like every other place, residing in Little Rock has its professionals and cons. Earlier than relocating to this Southern gem, there are numerous components to contemplate similar to price of residing, employment alternatives, schooling, well being care and safety.
MORE: 10 professionals and cons of residing in Knoxville, TN
Perks of residing in Little Rock
Residing in Little Rock, Arkansas provides myriad advantages, together with:
Low price of residing
Residing in Little Rock, Arkansas provides 4% decrease prices than the nationwide common.
The price of housing within the metropolis is 17% beneath the nationwide common, making town an inexpensive place to discover a home or lease an condo.
Transportation prices similar to bus and gasoline costs are 8% decrease than the nationwide common, saving residents cash on their day by day commute.
Low property taxes
Town has one of many lowest property tax charges within the nation at round 0.75% to 1.40%, permitting owners to maintain extra of their hard-earned cash.
This makes it a sexy vacation spot for people trying to spend money on actual property or to calm down and purchase a house.
High public universities
Little Rock is house to some wonderful public universities that supply residents a top quality schooling.
The College of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) and the College of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) are famend academic establishments that supply various educational applications, analysis {and professional} growth alternatives.
Good climate and many out of doors actions
Little Rock enjoys a pleasing local weather all 12 months spherical, making it a really perfect place for out of doors lovers. Town experiences 4 distinct seasons with delicate winters and heat summers.
On this climate, residents can get pleasure from varied out of doors actions similar to mountaineering, biking, fishing and tenting. The abundance of inexperienced areas, parks and lakes in and across the metropolis provides ample alternatives for recreation and leisure.
Small city attraction or huge metropolis aptitude
Little Rock provides the most effective of each worlds, combining small city attraction with huge metropolis facilities.
Though town has round 200,000 residents, there’s a tight sense of neighborhood that encourages a powerful sense of belonging.
Residents can get pleasure from a slower tempo of life and a pleasant ambiance whereas nonetheless gaining access to varied cultural, culinary and leisure choices which are often present in bigger city facilities.
Distinctive neighborhoods
Little Rock options distinctive neighborhoods with persona and attraction.
From the historic neighborhoods of Downtown and Hillcrest to the fashionable and eclectic neighborhoods of Riverdale and The Heights, everybody has a spot to name house.
The various structure, native companies, and welcoming communities add to town’s vibrancy and attraction.
Many mountaineering alternatives
For out of doors lovers, Little Rock provides many mountaineering alternatives. Simply outdoors of city, Pinnacle Mountain State Park provides scenic mountaineering trails for hikers of all talent ranges.
The park’s foremost attraction, Pinnacle Mountain, provides two routes to the summit, a mountaineering path and a rock climb, and rewards hikers with breathtaking views on the summit.
Mount Journal, simply hours away, options the best peak in Arkansas and provides a wide range of mountaineering trails with breathtaking views.
SEE: 12 Execs and Cons of Residing in Springdale, AR
Disadvantages of residing in Little Rock
Whereas town has its charms and positives, there are just a few downsides that potential residents ought to concentrate on.
Excessive gross sales taxes
The mixed gross sales tax charge within the metropolis is roughly 8.625% and contains state gross sales tax, county gross sales tax and metropolis gross sales tax.
This could have a major influence on the affordability and value of residing within the space, particularly for these on a decent price range.
Excessive crime charges
Sadly, Little Rock has gained a popularity for a high crime charge. In response to current statistics, Little Rock’s crime charge is 217% higher than the nationwide common.
Violent crime specifically is a serious drawback, with the speed being 432% above the nationwide common. Probably the most harmful areas are south of Broadway and east of the Capitol, and even crossing I-630 doesn’t assure security.
Though violent crime isn’t quite common within the River Market space, incidents of violent crime have been broadly reported within the media.
Restricted public transport
Little Rock has a restricted public transit system, which generally is a vital inconvenience for many who depend on it for his or her day by day commute or journey.
Town has a bus system operated by the Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CATA). Nonetheless, routes and timetables might not be as complete and handy as in bigger cities.
Excessive twister threat
It may well get intense throughout twister season. Though tornadoes sometimes move by way of particular areas similar to Vilonia and Mayflower, they’ll happen unpredictably all through the area.
So in the event you resolve to calm down in Little Rock, be sure that your own home has a secure haven when the climate takes a flip. In any case, it is all the time finest to be ready!
Climate with scorching extremes
Summers in Little Rock are characterised by scorching and humid situations, with temperatures typically exceeding 32 levels Celsius.
The high humidity could make it uncomfortable to be outside for lengthy intervals of time.
Winters may be comparatively delicate, however occasional ice storms and sub-zero temperatures could make driving and out of doors actions harmful.
Much less good flying days
Little Rock additionally suffers from poor air high quality. In response to the American Lung Affiliation, town acquired an F grade for short-term and year-round particulate air pollution in its State of the Air report.
One other factor to consider is agricultural air pollution. Runoff from the farm can typically make the water look cloudy and trigger an excessive amount of algae development within the hotter months.
This could typically even end in native lakes being closed for bathing when it will get actually scorching
Diploma
Because the state capital and largest metropolis in Arkansas, Little Rock is an effective place to dwell.
From the attractive pure surroundings and out of doors actions to the varied delicacies and dwell music scene, there’s something for everybody in Little Rock.
Then again, like several metropolis, Little Rock additionally has disadvantages similar to high crime charges and unhealthy climate.