Northwest Arkansas is a hidden gem we discovered during our exploratory journeys during the pandemic. We looked around at several areas and settled here for many reasons. We’re Diane and Louie, and we just moved here from California, but why did we make such a bold move?
We left California and moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas because we were nearing retirement, bought an RV, and wanted to move on with the next part of our lives. Our kids were in junior high and high school, and since the schools here are great, this became our focus.
Our journey is just one story in the symphony of stories from people who have relocated here from other areas. Stick around and learn why we left sunny California and came to this area.
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Our Journey
We are from Beaumont, California, and are nearing retirement. Covid hit around the time we bought an RV, so we started traveling and exploring several areas around California and saw several things that we liked. Since we were both at the point in our careers where we didn’t have to work anymore, we thought it was a good time to relocate.
We were comfortable and wanted the next part of our life to be simpler and quieter than where we were. Since our kids are older and starting the last part of their childhood journeys, we needed a place with great schools.
Our son just joined the marching band, and he loves Junior High. He’s going to high school next year, and our daughter is going to be a senior next year. So that was our number one criterion of why we moved here.
So we looked at the schools in several areas, but it seemed that Northwest Arkansas schools were the best.
Why We Moved Here
The main reason we moved here is the robust school system in the area.
Bentonville High School and Washington Junior High are top-rated schools, and our kids absolutely love their schools. Because our move would affect them, we had them help research areas, and Northwest Arkansas was in the top 10, so that’s why we chose the area.
The next reason why we moved here is because I love nature and trees, and Bella Vista has an overabundance of each one. I have to be in nature, and because of the trail systems, and the lakes, I fell in love with the area. It’s just beautiful here.
We also wanted affordable housing. In several other areas we looked at, the housing was outrageously expensive, and even where we came from in California, house prices were way too inflated. For example, the house we left was older but the same size as what we have now. However, we bought this house for at least $200,000 less than what we sold our California house for.
Every day is just an adventure here. I’m a huge planner, and I love planning vacations. I wake up daily thinking, “Okay, what can we do today?”
They invest in the community, so you know where your tax dollars go. That’s another selling point of this area. The tax dollars are invested in the kids and in the community, which we can see all around us.
And it’s so great–the kids are just super active now compared to where we came from. They’ve already been kayaking, rock climbing, and fly fishing.
How We Moved Here
So before we moved here, we bought a 15-foot tandem axle enclosed trailer and told the kids that whatever fits in the trailer was all we were taking. Everything else needed to be sold. We had maybe 4-yard sales before we moved. And what we could sell, we donated to charity.
Of course, we kept our photos and newer furnishings. The clothing we loved, of course, and our personal items were packed into the trailer. But really, we didn’t keep many things because of how big of a move we completed.
We stayed in two different cities overnight on our way here, and we had our dog and two kids, and everything went fine. We also brought our two cars.
Upon arrival, we bought new furniture and brought it home ourselves to avoid the delivery charges. We also stocked our kitchen with food and supplies so that we wouldn’t need to go out to eat all the time.
Once we were done with that, we traded our larger trailer for a travel trailer to go camping with it later.
We took a lot of advice and read up on where to live, how to get here, and what to do once we got here. Others’ experiences really helped us to plan it out and make the entire process smooth and uneventful.
What I Would Say About NWA
Northwest Arkansas is just a great place all around where adventures are commonplace. And there’s just a great sense of community that’s family-oriented here. When we lived in California, with the exception of one of our neighbors, we didn’t know anyone even though we had lived there for several years.
But the first day we were here, we met three people who were out walking their dogs like we were. And they were so friendly. Everyone is out doing things, and they feel safe doing things. We go out for a walk every single morning, two to three miles, and it’s just safe and beautiful.
Our dog is much happier too.
The cost of living is also cheaper here. Our utilities are much less expensive, including our electricity and trash. Everything else here is much more reasonably priced, including groceries, gas, and entertainment.
Conclusion
Overall, Northwest Arkansas is just a hidden gem. At least compared with the other areas we explored. And we explored several areas, especially during Covid. We have definitely found the area where we want to stay.
If you’re looking for a new place to relocate to, we definitely recommend this area. You won’t regret it because we surely haven’t.
