Calling all you southerners (mrstjohnson) - Updated -

Arkansas eh?

I couldn't do it...but I'm from California. LOL. Texas is a bit more cosmopolitan than AR, I would say...I have someone in AR I could ask. I'll letcha know!

Those fundie people with all the kids live down there, so we threw out all the job ads for Arkansas.  Sorry that's not the slightest bit helpful!

Cheaper housing than MI, eh?

I can't speak for AR since I don't live there, but like most places, there's a greater variation of race, ethnicity, etc. in the larger cities than you'd find in rural areas. I know some folks who've lived in AR, and their towns were gorgeous...mountains, an actual fall season, snow in the winter...none of which we have in south Louisiana lol.

Every region in the south is different. No state is like the other, and various parts of the state are different. I've lived in LA most of my life, except for the 3 or so years I lived in north MS...major culture shock...and that was only a 5 hour drive distance. Even north and south MS are much different. The northern part is much more conservative, and the southern part is a little more like south LA since it's closer to New Orleans, with our drive-thru daiquari shops and our Walmart liquor sections.

I was born and raised in Chicago, lived in the suburbs from early teens on. We moved to Louisville in 2002.

The first year was a cultural shock. Why I don't find the people different than any other town USA, the traditions, food (and it's availability), and priorities can throw you for a loop.

There is tradition and then there is SOUTHERN tradition. Mama's rule in the south. Be prepared to be called Ma'am, alot.

Decide how attached you are to your food. I almost had decent chicago style pizza withdrawel, not to mention a good burger, hot dog, gyros or italian beef (wait,there are NO stands here, its all fast food and resturants). Finding specialty foods or shops is hit and miss.

No Snow. or very little and a more mild fall like winter.

A small weather event there could be major here. 1 inch of snow could cripple a city.

You have hot summers, they are really not any hotter in the south it only sounds worse when you say southern heat.

Be prepared to say all y'all.

If it is what you want then go for it.

ETA: I have to agree with the regional and directional differences in cultures. It's true here too. I missed over your question on housing. The homes in the south are nice, most are old and have aged well. But there are new homes, to be honest, would be like any other ABC town USA.

Liesje

Cheaper housing than MI, eh?

Well, to rent at least.  We would rent for the 1st year until we got to know the area, make sure it was a secure job etc.  Seriously, corporate housing which is a 3-4 bedroom brand new brick, huge house like $700 - $800 a month.  We could easily rent our MI condo which is only two bedrooms for at least $1050/mo in like a week.  Check out Craig's List for Fayetteville, AR.  I was shocked.

We would live near Walmart's Corporate HQ so it isn't like in the woods, etc.  I told my mom and all she could think of was deliverance so she was no help!!

Truley

Decide how attached you are to your food. I almost had decent chicago style pizza withdrawel, not to mention a good burger, hot dog, gyros or italian beef (wait,there are NO stands here, its all fast food and resturants). Finding specialty foods or shops is hit and miss.

Honestly, that is what I am most worried about, except for the fact we would be moving away from my family.  We are very attached to our food.  I don't even really shop at regular grocery stores...most Italian fruit markets (not gourmet, just total everyone speaks italian markets with the no necks sitting outside drinking coffee and pretending they are the Sopranos).  I really missed that in WI.  If I can't have/get good salami I will ship it in, I swear!

wow..it's the WALMART HQ!!!

My friend said it'd likely be pretty rural...and Walmart would be the main employer...

rwbeagles

and Walmart would be the main employer...

Yep

Oh lol...duh. *cackles*

She's still working on other info. I'll pass along what I get!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentonville,_Arkansas

 You might have to trade in your salami for fried chicken, but it's great!  I live in a military town, and the only specialty stores are Oriental.  I'm a transplanted Yankee, but I really do like it here.  School systems will vary...ours is very good, and much better than it was 25 years ago when we moved here.  Overall cost of living is low, which accounts for low home prices.  Our town has very nice new homes...again, from the explosion of military and military related jobs.  People are generally very friendly, but not to be prejudiced on my part, but there seems to be more of it from the black population.  Overall, I considered it a great place to raise my children, but now that they are gone, there isn't a whole lot to do here.  If the housing market were better, I might move to the Tampa area where my daughter is.

Wow, good luck!  I am a Yankee from way back.  I know I could not live there.  Grady came from a Little Rock shelter which, according to the rescue group, has a HORRID kill rate.  I did go to Little Rock prior to getting Grady & the vibe was too strange for me.  That's just me though.

I've not lived in AR, just FL, GA and MS so this is gonna be real general.

GENERALLY you will find folks friendlier in the South, more laid back.  Again, GENERALLY, you'll find attitudes towards animals different so don't expect everyone to understand that your dog is family.

Food, well, is different, but variety is the spice of life.  I LOVE southern cooking and you might be more likely to find Cajun cooking in AR.

Yep, get ready for lots of ma'am ing, and you'll be MISS whatever to just about everyone.  I'm either ma'am or Miss Glenda.  And don't even think of telling a youngster that s/he doesn't need to call you ma'am or Miss whatever....his momma would whoop him good for the lack of respect.

I don't think you'll find much more ethnic diversity in the South than you've got in Detroit.  You probably WILL find all people to be more respectful.

Everything Glenda said. 

I'm a Southerner by birth (NC, now GA), but lived in New England for a couple years, so I've experienced both sides.

Don't you worry about missing food.  You're going to find a whole new array of delicious stuff you never knew you couldn't live without. 

People in the South are much more polite.  We joke down here that if a man doesn't hold a door open for a lady, then he's a Yankee, lol.

Diversity...tons of it.  Everywhere in the South I've lived, anyway.  Lots of people from all different backgrounds.

If Bentonville is a rural area, then you might just like the open, relaxed atmosphere.  There's something to be said for having your neighbor live a few acres away from you....