Been meaning to ask this. I relocated for work and Crime rate is something to consider -Blytheville sits at 809.3 per 100K. Poverty rate is 13.3%, which is around average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Any advice would be great.
0 upvotes
14 Replies
Hudson Lee
literally same
34 upvotes
Cooper
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
32 upvotes
Grace H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 54, moved here 5 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Old Town and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
29 upvotes
Allison Murphy
glad someone said it
28 upvotes
Logan Jones
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
21 upvotes
Ellie J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Austin about 13 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are pricey, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Nicholas P.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cost of living is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Isabelle Long
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
16 upvotes
Madelyn Gutierrez
haha yep pretty much
15 upvotes
Christian J.
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone about the same since then.
11 upvotes
Weston Gray
interesting, hadn't considered that
9 upvotes
Sadie Campbell
Came here for cost of living and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The pet-friendliness is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
5 upvotes
Anna Rivera
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
2 upvotes
Angel Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 43, moved here 1 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Salt Lake City, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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