While Northwest Arkansas is one of the best places to live, there are some things that are a little less favorable compared to other places. However, these not-so-nice things are probably not what you’d expect. So, what should you be prepared for when visiting or moving to Northwest Arkansas?
Some not-so-nice things of Northwest Arkansas include the lack of cell phone service, a high sales tax, and limited national banks and grocery store options. Additionally, you might notice that driving is slightly different in Northwest Arkansas than in many other places in the United States.
While there are a million good things about Northwest Arkansas, it’s important to talk about some of the less favorable aspects. Therefore, the rest of this article will cover five not-so-nice things about Northwest Arkansas.
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1. The Cell Phone Service in Northwest Arkansas Isn’t Great
While this might be a little petty, I’ve noticed in certain areas of Northwest Arkansas that the cell phone service isn’t the best, or at least not quite what I’m used to.
For instance, sometimes, when I’m in Bentonville or other places in Northwest Arkansas, I just lose cell phone service. I’ll be trying to send photos, but it doesn’t work, and it’s so random. The same goes with trying to access Instagram or other social media apps — it sometimes just doesn’t load.
I can still make phone calls and send text messages (even though they’re green), but the cell service, in general, is very choppy.
However, the service seems pretty solid around Fayetteville, which is a university town and has been for a long time.
I think what’s happened in the last five to seven years is with so many people moving to Northwest Arkansas, there aren’t enough cell phone towers up around the area. Therefore, I assume it will take a little while to get the cell phone towers up and working.
I recommend checking out AT&T if you’re moving down here, as their service seems to work the best.
2. The Sales Tax in Northwest Arkansas is a Little High
Another aspect of Northwest Arkansas that’s not-so-nice is the higher sales tax. I came from the Chicago, Illinois area, so sales tax was anywhere from 9–13%. However, depending on where you live or move from, the sales tax might seem slightly higher than what you’re used to.
In Northwest Arkansas, the sales tax is usually 8–9%, depending on the county. This isn’t bad for me because my property tax in Illinois was incredibly high on top of the sales tax. So this was a net positive for me.
However, I don’t mind paying the sales tax because of the amenities that come with it. You see all the money you put back into the community, whether in recreation centers, pools, parks, or even the 500 miles of trail systems we have in Northwest Arkansas. So, with this money, they’re constantly making improvements all over Northwest Arkansas.
3. Northwest Arkansas Grocery Options Are Limited
In Northwest Arkansas, grocery options aren’t the most prolific thing around. Walmart seems to be the biggest player in the area, and they’re very nice Walmarts with a huge variety. However, there aren’t very many options aside from that.
There are some Harps and natural grocers around and some culturally specific grocery stores, but you’ll mostly find Walmarts.
However, there’s a Whole Foods in Fayetteville and a brand new Whole Foods being developed in Rogers, so it’s getting better. But, one day, I hope that a Trader Joe’s will come — that would be amazing!
Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:
https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas
4. There Are Limited National Banks in Northwest Arkansas
If you plan on moving to Northwest Arkansas and putting your money into a Chase or Wells Fargo bank, as I did, you’ll be out of luck. When I moved to Northwest Arkansas, there were no national banks around. Not a single one!
A few months ago was the first time a national bank opened in Northwest Arkansas — a Chase Bank in Fayetteville. They’re going to open up a couple of more branches as well.
For a long time, the only banks around Northwest Arkansas were local, such as Arvest Bank, which is a massive bank in this area. However, it’s not a national bank. While some people prefer to use a local bank, it makes things more difficult when traveling or moving.
So, if you plan on moving to Northwest Arkansas, I would definitely recommend banking at one of the local banks around the area, as they’re much more convenient.
5. Northwest Arkansas Drivers Treat Left Turns Differently
This last, not-so-nice aspect of Northwest Arkansas might be more specific to me, but it goes back to the drivers in Northwest Arkansas.
In most other parts of America, when you sit at a stoplight waiting to turn left, the person in the front of the line will pull ahead to the center of the intersection in preparation for the turn. So, as soon as the light turns yellow or there’s an opening, they’ll make the turn.
However, in Northwest Arkansas, drivers don’t do that. They’ll sit at the line while the light is green instead of moving to the center of the intersection, which is something that really shocked me and took me some time to get used to.
So, if you plan on visiting Northwest Arkansas, this is something to keep in mind — especially if you drive around the area.
And that about wraps up this quick look at some of the problems in NWA. But these are just minor hiccups to what’s otherwise an awesome state with great future prospects. And hey, if you’re looking for something positive about NWA, check out my article highlighting all the free things adults and kids can do in the area.
Final Thoughts
Northwest Arkansas is a wonderful place to live and visit, but it has its drawbacks. While some of the not-so-nice aspects of the area on this list were a little more specific to me and what I find annoying, it’s a good idea to take note of these things when preparing for a move or a trip.
Additionally, if you’re preparing for a trip to Northwest Arkansas, I highly recommend checking out the 3-day itinerary I put together that shows multiple areas and activities to check out with the family.
