Maintaining good health is essential in deciding where to live nowadays. Fortunately, Northwest Arkansas effortlessly offers such a lifestyle in various ways.
People in Northwest Arkansas are so healthy because they can be outdoors whenever they want. The climate is comfortable year-round, and outdoor activities are very accessible. Moreover, healthy food varieties are ever-present in markets and restaurants, focusing on organic produce for everyone.
Read this article to learn more about why people in NWA are so healthy and all the outdoor activities and food that help people stay that way.
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The Weather is Great Year-Round
Since moving here from Chicago, this has been the most crucial reason people maintain good health in Northwest Arkansas – you can be outdoors all year long.
Suppose you are from a place with colder weather; you’ll be used to 0°C (-32°F), -10°C (-14°F), -20°C (-4°F). Hence, you cannot be outside in those temperatures.
However, Northwest Arkansas is a perfect sweet spot where you get all four seasons.
You can still be outdoors during the daytime, even in the dead of winter, because it’s always sunny here. The average temperatures here are suitable in winter but excellent in the spring, summer, and fall.
In some areas, there are times when that bitter cold hits one’s lungs, and residents may wonder why they have to endure such conditions – not in northwest Arkansas.
Usually, in the Northern section of America, the winters are horrible because they’re usually bitter cold and very humid, piercing one’s soul. However, it gets chilly once in a while in Northwest Arkansas, but not nearly as in the north.
Therefore, the climate allows you to be outdoors all year long, enjoying whatever activity you desire.
If you still need more info about the four seasons in Northwest Arkansas, check out this detailed article about the weather in the area.
Easily Accessible Outdoor Activities in NWA
The area’s perfect weather conditions, as discussed, allow residents to enjoy several outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and running year-round.
I’m sure you know that Northwest Arkansas is the world’s mountain & biking capital, specifically Bentonville. Regardless, the area has trail systems and hiking systems galore.
So if you want to be out in the outskirts a little bit or you’re an avid hiker, you want to go up mountains, down mountains, or walk along creeks – Northwest Arkansas is the place for you.
Part of why I moved to Northwest Arkansas compared to Colorado and other places is because it takes a one-two hour drive if you want to go hiking in a trail system. I don’t want to do that every day.
I would rather live where I can walk out of my backyard and hit a trail system. The courses are close by whether I want to bike, hike, or run.
Hence, it’s much easier than living in Colorado because it just takes forever to get anywhere in certain states with “mountains” and other trail systems. You can enjoy all the activities on the trail systems right here in Northwest Arkansas.
Moving to Northwest Arkansas? Here are a few tips
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
Healthy Food Options are Easy To Find
Northwest Arkansas has many more healthy food options than a typical southern city despite being in the south.
As you may already know, there’s been a massive influx of Americans in the last decade for several reasons. Among these are the investments from the Walton family, the Tyson family, the JB Hunts, and all the different businesses moving here.
Hence, it comes with many new restaurants, natural grocery stores, and other establishments focused on organics.
Interestingly, you don’t need to go far for proper meals here. You can walk down the road and find healthy restaurants and grocery stores for food options.
Therefore, that shouldn’t be a cause for worry if you’re contemplating moving here. Whether you’re vegan, have dietary restrictions, want meat, or are avoiding fried foods for fruits and vegetables; many restaurants are available for your needs.
A good example is The Preacher’s Sun in Bentonville, NWA. The owner has celiac disease, so all the food on the menu is gluten-free. Others will remove dairy products from menus if you demand them.
Some restaurants only serve meals from organic ingredients around Northwest Arkansas because the region is ag-centric. Hence, there are many farmers’ markets and other places to get fresh products.
Just know that restaurants in North Arkansas tend to be very healthy.
NWA Residents Encourage Healthy-Living
Piggybacking down the previous point is that a healthy lifestyle is generally encouraged here.
The territory fosters healthy living whether you are focused on the outdoors or with a higher exercise community. Hence it is nice to go out with friends or join a group around you with people that encourage the lifestyle, which is a perk.
Some parts of America don’t encourage that, sometimes going crazy on some food.
Here in Northwest Arkansas, it’s encouraged to have your gardens, shop from farmer’s markets, cook your stuff, etc.
With the favorable environment for outdoor activities, people want to be swimming, on kayaks, in pools, on the beach, on boats, etc., which generally promotes health. Even indoors, people want to rock climb, play basketball, and do other indoor activities.
Planning a trip to Northwest Arkansas? We got you!
NWA Communities Are Active
As I’ve discussed, the community you engage with around Northwest Arkansas will likely be very healthy-focused and, fortunately, active.
If you aren’t into trail systems, there’s no problem. Suppose you aren’t into biking; not a problem.
Bentonville just announced that they’re building a massive pickleball court around the Osage park area, while there’s already one in Fayetteville. There’s also Ultimate Frisbee and Frisbee golf.
There are so many outdoor and indoor activities in Arkansas that the community you’ll be part of will likely be activity-focused. Therefore, if you’re in a position where you want to be active, you can come down here for that lifestyle to live, work, and play in NWA.
Furthermore, the whole area is centric on being healthy and active. The place invests in parks, recreation, baseball fields, football fields, and basketball courts.
Hence, always remember that it’s not just people doing this but the entities around the area. Whether it’s nonprofits or governments, everyone is trying to encourage people to get outside to do stuff or stay indoors and be active.
Conclusion
People in Northwest Arkansas are so healthy because the weather is ideal, and outdoor activities are easily accessible. There is a lot of healthy food available in NWA for everyone, and the community invests in parks and recreational activities. If you move here, you’ll likely find company for just about any activity you want to undertake — from walking to hiking, so you can also live a healthy, active lifestyle.
Sources
- Thrillist: Every State, Ranked by How Miserable Its Winters Are
- Everything NWA: What Is Northwest Arkansas Weather Like? – All 4 Seasons!
- 40/29: Tyson to move all corporate workers to Northwest Arkansas, and build new campus
- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Outdoor pickleball complex added at new Creekside Park in Bentonville