Year after year Northwest Arkansas receives national recognition for its high quality of life, low cost of living, reduced crime rates and economic vitality.
In 2018, U.S. News & World Report ranked Fayetteville, AR in the top 5 Best Places to Live in the U.S. for the third year in a row. Forbes put Northwest Arkansas at No.2 on Best Midsize Cities for Jobs.
For some locals, it may seem as if their hometown grew into a thriving metropolis overnight. For others, it is the reward of decade-long investments coming to fruition.
Here’s a look at how NWA became a nationally recognized “Best Place To Live”:
”Fayetteville... maintained its spot at No. 5 (2018 Best Places to Live in the U.S.)... because it manages to consistently attract new residents without increasing the cost of living disproportionately with household income.
Devon Thorsby Real Estate Editor for U.S. News
Competitive Career Opportunities
Ambitious professionals can find career success without sacrificing their income to inner-city living. Northwest Arkansas is the world headquarters of three Fortune 500 giants (Walmart, Tyson Foods and J.B. Hunt), and home to more than 1500 Walmart suppliers.
NWA also has 7x the U.S. average of company headquarters and management employees in its workforce. Personal income per capita is roughly 14% higher than the national average.
Emerging Cultural Center
SmartAsset ranked the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers third in their Top 10 Places For Creatives in 2018 list.
There’s a growing number of maker spacer for artists of all mediums, several continued arts education certificates and degrees on offer from New Design School, and The University of Arkansas.
NWA is also home to the nationally recognized American art museum, Crystal Bridges and performing art center, Walton Arts Center.
Entrepreneurship Hub
Entrepreneurs of all ages and backgrounds are using local programs to grow their ideas into successful businesses. Startup founders no longer have to travel to San Francisco to pitch their business ideas – they can present to investors right here in Northwest Arkansas.
Business owners can look to Startup Junkie, Grit Studios, and many local networking meetups and groups for support.
Successful local startups include Lauren James, Collective Bias, Field Agent, RevUnit, Engine eCommerce, Acorn: The Influence Company, and many more.
Exciting Culinary Scene
The NWA food scene has grown from its humble small town roots to include an endless array of restaurants, food trucks, craft breweries and bars. Award-winning chefs offer fine-dining experiences, and authentic international cuisine showcase the region’s expanding multiculturalism. Traditional southern food is still a local favorite, with many ingredients being sourced from nearby farms and markets.
Investment in Education
From preschool through college, Northwest Arkansas has made important investments in building a quality education for its residents.
There are more than 60 public elementary schools, 15 private and several open-enrollment charter schools including Ozark Montessori Academy and Arkansas Arts Academy.
Northwest Arkansas is home to the state’s best higher education institutions including, The University of Arkansas and John Brown University.
