Hey everyone, I am Phillip Shepard, and today, I want to talk about Prairie Grove, Arkansas. While it’s one of the most unknown towns in Northwest Arkansas, many people are seeking it out for several reasons. So let’s talk about why that is.
The pros of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, include a great aquatic center, very affordable housing, a great investment area, and wonderful scenic views. The cons of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, include very few restaurants in the area, too far from 49, and it’s a very small town.
If you’re looking for a small-town atmosphere that’s close to a larger city, then keep reading. I’ll discuss everything you need to know about this quaint, undiscovered gem.
Prairie Grove Pros
Prairie Grove is close to Farmington on the far west side of Fayetteville, and with a population of 7,500, it’s smaller than many cities in the area. It has that small-town feel, but since it’s close to larger cities, you can access many of the urban amenities that many like and depend upon.
If you’re looking for a small town in Northwest Arkansas, pay close attention, as we’re going to first look at the pros and then look at some of the cons.
Close to Fayetteville
Like Farmington, Prairie Grove is near Fayetteville, with easy access to Highway 62. However, unlike Farmington, Prairie Grove is a bit further away from I-49, the major interstate in the area. But because Prairie Grove is so close to Fayetteville, you can leverage the distance for several things, including shopping, work, and school.
Cute Downtown Space
Another pro of Prairie Grove is that it has a very adorable downtown section. Located on the business section of Highway 62, it’s a historic space where antique and crafting vendors set up shops. There are also coffee shops, diners, and city buildings in the area.
But what makes this such an adorable space is that it feels like you’re walking in a Hallmark movie. If you want to have that small-town, Hallmark feeling, Prairie Grove might be the place for you.
An interesting side note: Dave and Jenny Mars from Fabulous Fixtures on HGTV often go to Prairie Grove to get their antiques for their store. So if you watch the show and see them go to some antique shops, chances are that the shops are in Prairie Grove.
Aquatic Center
Prairie Grove has a lovely Aquatic Center, complete with pools, water slides, and other fun things to do. And since summer gets a little warmer here than up north, it’s nice to have a place to cool down and relax.
The cool thing about the waterpark is that it’s right in the center of town, next to the park and ball field, so it’s easy to get to if you live in Prairie Grove.
Their general admission prices are quite reasonable, and, at $3-$5 per person, per session, you can take your family there often. They also have season passes of $200 for a family of 4, which means that you can go whenever you want and how often you want.
While other towns like Fayetteville and Bentonville have splash pads and pools, Prairie Grove’s aquatic center is a huge perk of the town. The only other larger aquatic center is in Rogers, which is slightly further from Prairie Grove, so it’s nice that a small town has such a nice waterpark.
Very Affordable Housing
One of the best pros about Prairie Grove is that the housing is extremely affordable, which means you can have all the perks of a large metro area with the atmosphere and cost of a small town.
However, there’s been a lot of development around Prairie Grove, and area builders are building subdivisions there. But compared to other parts of Arkansas, or specifically, Northwest Arkansas, the houses are inexpensive. If you want to get into a more affordable area with a smaller monthly payment, you should definitely check out Prairie Grove.
It’s well-known around NWA that Prairie Grove has high-quality, affordable homes, so if you want a piece of this area, you may want to act fast.
Investment Area
Taking a cue from the last point, Prairie Grove is a great investment area from an infrastructure standpoint. It has a major highway that goes around the town, and it has a true downtown section. So if you want to buy some commercial land near a major highway, it is completely possible.
Because the highway doesn’t cut through the main town, building on commercial land near the highway won’t interrupt the flow of the town. You can build affordable housing, rental properties, or anything else in the area if you’d like.
And the perk of doing this is that it promotes new growth for Prairie Grove, which can be a good thing.
Scenic Views
One of the best perks about Prairie Grove, and it’s my favorite, is the scenic views. When driving to Prairie Grove, you’ll see wonderful views of Kessler Mountain and all the other mountains that start at the base of the Boston mountain near Fayetteville.
When driving in and out of Prairie Grove, the wonderful scenes are all around you, including the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, which is the preserved area of one of the last Arkansas battlefields during the Civil War. There are several homes in that area, but they’ll never be touched or removed, as they’re part of the historical heritage of Arkansas.
To complete the scenic views of Prairie Grove, the gorgeous sunsets and sunrises are simply amazing!
Hallmark Historic Homes
This last pro might be a con for you, but I listed it under the pros. Prairie Grove has some of the best historic homes in the area, and most were built in the first half of the 1900s. Many people like to buy and restore homes to their former glory. And really, there are no teardowns in Prairie Grove, which is something truly amazing for any area.
If you spend any amount of time in Prairie Grove, you’ll notice that new homes are few and far between, and it truly feels like you’re walking around a Hallmark movie.
Prairie Grove Cons
As with every comparison list, we must address the cons of Prairie Grove. Many of the pros might seem either too good to be true or cons, depending on your viewpoint. However, some things might turn you off from living in Prairie Grove.
So let’s talk about them.
Too Much of a Small Town
If you’re more taken with an urban center and you like a lot more activity around you, Prairie Grove will be way too small for you. Some areas of the town need a little love, some maintenance, with the exception of the historic homes.
A decade ago, Prairie Grove was further away from the main area of Northwest Arkansas, but with the recent growth of NWA, it’s closer to the urban areas.
Still, as you’re driving through the area, you might notice some things that must be dealt with. But the good news is that they are preparing for growth when it happens, as they’re updating their water and sewer systems. So there’s a lot of updating, but still, it might be too small of a town for you.
Hike to 49
The next con of Prairie Grove that might persuade you to look elsewhere for a home is the fact that it’s not very close to I-49 like Farmington is. And if you work for one of the big three companies in Northwest Arkansas and need the interstate, it will take you at least an extra 10-15 minutes to get to 49.
I know several people who work at Walmart HQ who live in Prairie Grove, and they’re fine with the extra drive. However, if this is something you don’t want to deal with, then Prairie Grove might not be for you.
For example, if you live in Prairie Grove and you work at Walmart HQ, you’re going to have a total trip of 45 minutes one way. Now, that might not seem like a lot when you come from a larger city, but it’s something you should be aware of.
Not Many Restaurants
If dining out in various restaurants is your thing, you might not like Prairie Grove, as they don’t have a lot of restaurants. While they have some good places to eat, it’s not like you would find in, say, Bentonville, Fayetteville, or Rogers.
You’re definitely going to want to go elsewhere, especially if you want different cuisines. Many years down the road, this might change, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re thinking of moving to Prairie Grove.
Conclusion
That’s all I have for you about Prairie Grove. It’s definitely an unknown gem and a place you should definitely consider when you’re looking for a new place to live. If you enjoy a small-town atmosphere or you want to be away from the main urban center, it’s worth checking out.