When I moved to this area from Chicago, there were several things I had to change, including my mindset. Today’s post is about the differences between big city life and Northwest Arkansas life.
The big city issues I had to change moving to Northwest Arkansas are that the alleyways aren’t as dangerous, nor are there as many horns or the noise I experienced in Chicago. People approach me often, and there’s just a general courteousness down here.
The differences between a big city and Northwest Arkansas are immense, so stick around, and I’ll tell you what to expect if and when you move here.
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People Approach Me Here
One of the weirdest things I’ve had to get used to coming from a big city is that people approach me all the time now. Coming from Chicago, where people didn’t talk to anyone unless they wanted to mug you, I’ve found this very strange.
But here, I’ll be in line at the store or coffee shop, and people will start talking to me. Or I’ll be walking downtown, and someone will start a conversation with me.
While this might not happen all the time, it happens way more than it ever did in Chicago. When I lived up north, I was scared that if someone approached me, they were going to mug me or attack me. I find that I check my pockets from time to time after someone talks to me because that’s what I was used to. It took me a long time to stop being nervous about that.
I had to learn that people are just genuinely nice here and don’t have an ulterior motive when talking with me.
Alleyways Aren’t as Dangerous
When I lived in Chicago, the last place I wanted to be was in an alleyway. Who knows what might have happened? But in Northwest Arkansas, alleyways are safe and a way to take a shortcut to get to a better part of town.
You can go anywhere in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, or Springdale, and the alleyways are so inviting. There is really cool artwork, lights, and so much more. You can cut through them to get to restaurants.
I was at a random event in downtown Bentonville, and when the main speaker finished, he got on his bicycle and rode away–through an alley!
I was flabbergasted, as that would never happen in Chicago in a million years!
So I realized that alleys weren’t dangerous here. Like you could go anywhere and use them to cut through town. If you’re coming from a larger city, this might be difficult to get used to at first, so just be aware that alleyways aren’t as dangerous here.
General Courteousness
Another thing I needed to get used to is the general courteousness of the area compared to where I came from. An interesting thing about living in the Midwest or other points north is that when people say “Sir” or “Ma’am,” it suggests that you’re older than, say, 40 or 50.
I think it might be a Southern thing, but everyone refers to everyone else as “Sir” or “Ma’am” as a sign of respect. While several former midwesterners call Northwest Arkansas home, that general sense of respect and courteousness makes the area feel like we’re in the South.
This occurs no matter where I’m at, including restaurants.
Whether the area is part of the South or whether it’s just trendy to do that, it took a lot of getting used to. This doesn’t happen much in places like California or larger cities like Chicago. But that’s the culture here.
People Stop For Bicyclists and Pedestrians
Motorists rarely stopped for bicyclists and pedestrians in Chicago. So if you’re crossing one of the streets and a car is coming, you’re done. They don’t stop, usually, which can be quite dangerous.
However, in Northwest Arkansas, motorists often stop for pedestrians and bicyclists. I think this is part of the culture here because of all the trail systems. There are so many more people that take advantage of the trails, and since many of those trails cross main roads, there are several signs alerting motorists to stop for pedestrians and bicyclists.
We also have flashing and red lights, warning motorists to stop. Pedestrians naturally have the right of way here, and when I’m driving around, I know that when I see a crossing, I’ll most likely need to stop.
This is built into the culture because we want to create a community that’s safe for everyone, not just cars. We want runners, hikers, and those on two wheels to feel like it’s safe to leave the house. And this was just something I needed to get used to here.
No One Uses Their Car Horns
The last thing I needed to get used to was the fact that no one uses their car horns. Coming to the area from Chicago, I was surprised not to hear horns. Chicago drivers use their horns all the time, so it was something that felt strange to me.
But I got used to it quickly because I think it was about a year after moving here that I finally heard someone use their horn. I thought, “What was that horrible, horrible noise?” So if you’re moving from a larger city and are used to people using horns, just know that this just isn’t done here.
I’m at that point now where if someone uses their horn, there better be a very good reason for it. If you used to use them for some discomforts of life, be aware that there’s no one using them here.
So maybe disconnect the horn from the circuit breaker if you’re used to using your horn all the time. That’s one thing about Northwest Arkansas that I really appreciate because it keeps the noise level down a lot around here.
Conclusion
Moving to Northwest Arkansas from Chicago has been a steep learning curve, but I’m certainly grateful that I made the move. While I needed to get used to certain things, I’m better off for it. If you’re coming from a larger city and would like to know more about the area, let me know, and I can send you the information you need.