The Natural State is home to over 52 state parks featuring an abundance of rivers, lakes, mountains, and trails. Arkansas can be the perfect home state for any outdoorsy type of person.

While Arkansas is best known for its small-town feel, there are a few larger cities that are popular places to move to in the state. Fayetteville is the 2nd largest city in the state and is home to the University of Arkansas.

Just half an hour north of Fayetteville is Bentonville, Arkansas, best known as the birthplace of Wal-Mart. Bentonville is not the sleepy town it once was, experiencing a boom in population over the past several decades.

The State of Arkansas is growing with an abundance of natural beauty, from the Ozarks in Northwest Arkansas to the Hot Springs in Central Arkansas.

If you’re planning to make the move to Arkansas, the professional movers at Mayflower have compiled some great tips to get you accustomed to your new home. 

Weather in The Natural State

Arkansas has a moderate climate, with hot, humid summers, and mild winters. The spring and fall are beautiful and comfortable, making it a perfect time to visit or move in. 

If snowy and icy winters aren’t your thing, Arkansas is for you. 

Arkansas doesn’t typically experience very harsh winters, or extensive periods of rain. If you’re planning a trip or move to Arkansas, the fall can get crowded with people exploring trails and parks to see the leaves changing color. 

No matter when you move, do take the weather into consideration before planning your move. 

Education in Arkansas

Arkansas has the 33rd largest public school system in the US, providing education to over 494,000 students. Top rankings of Arkansas’ education system include 47% of students reaching math proficiency and 45% reaching reading proficiency. 

The top performing schools and districts include Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville, Greenwood School District, Bentonville Public Schools, and Fayetteville School District. 

Woo. Pig. Sooie!

The recognizable “Woo Pig Sooie” chant is often heard during University of Arkansas Razorback football games. 

The University of Arkansas, in Fayetteville, is an esteemed university and ranks as one of the best public universities in the United States. The U of A Engineering school and business school are some of the best programs in the country.

The campus life in Fayetteville provides a fun experience for many who call Fayetteville home. After catching a game, you can explore the college town and experience game day traditions.  

Fayetteville also has more than just the Razorbacks. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy the Fayetteville Farmers Market, the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, or the Arkansas Air & Military Museum. For foodies, Fayetteville has food truck courts throughout the city, so you can sample some of the city’s best food! Food trucks can frequently be found on Dickson Street, the Yacht Club, Quick Town, and North Street.

Living in Bentonville

According to the Census Bureau, Bentonville was the country’s 5th fastest-growing city, with population growing 7.4% from 2018 to 2019.  

Bentonville is best known as the birthplace and headquarters of Wal-Mart. This is also one of the biggest reasons for its population growth. 

The town has plenty of attractions, including Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, an art museum with over five miles of sculpture and walking trails. Another claim to fame of Bentonville is the mountain biking it offers. The city has been gaining popularity as the “Mountain Biking Capital of the World™,” with over 130 miles of trails.

Life in Arkansas

Arkansas’ low cost of living* makes it the 14th most affordable state to live in. On a national index of 100, Arkansas falls at 91.2, with groceries, real estate, transportation, and health costs also falling below the national average. 

With a low cost of living, there’s more opportunity to explore the state and enjoy life in Arkansas. 

With a nickname of the Natural State, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities. Arkansas is home to Mount Magazine State Park which takes you over 2,700 above sea level for breathtaking views. At Washington State Park you can take a step back in time, exploring the Courthouse built in 1874. 

Besides exploring nature’s playground, you can check out the annual Documentary Film Festival in Hot Springs, attend the Rodeo of the Ozarks in Springdale, or listen to music along the River Market District in Little Rock. 

For a real taste of Arkansas, you can sample some of the state’s signature foods. The Natural State is known for reuben sandwiches, chocolate gravy, and fried pickles.

Moving to Arkansas Soon? Let Mayflower Get You There

If you’re planning on living in Arkansas, you can trust Mayflower’s professional Arkansas movers to get you there. 

Our long-distance movers provide full-service moves including packing and unpacking  to help with moves across the country. If you move just across the town in Arkansas, these agents can independently provide the same moving services under their own businesses and brands.

Mayflower offers everything you need to complete your move, including packing services, storage & more! When you’re ready to move to Arkansas, complete an online quote and find a Mayflower agent near you.

MyMayflower Move Portal

Mayflower makes it easy to coordinate your move to Arkansas and stay organized along the way. The MyMayflower Move Portal can be personalized and streamlines your moving experience. Use customized tools to keep track of all major moving milestones, organize contacts, and book your move online.


(*) The data made available here has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. It is understood that the information contained in the Web feed is being used at one’s own risk.

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