Life in Northwest Arkansas
Located in Northwest Arkansas, Bentonville—the site of Wal-Mart’s Home Office—is one of the fastest-growing regions of the country. Despite its rapid growth, Bentonville is still known by visitors for its friendly, hometown atmosphere. People love the region’s natural beauty, quality of life and easy access to sports and activities. Whether you enjoy swimming, camping, boating or canoeing at our local state parks, or taking in a University of Arkansas Razorbacks game, there is always something for everyone in Northwest Arkansas. In addition to recreational activities, the area offers a large airport—Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA)—only 20 minutes from our Home Office. We are also a short driving distance to a number of metropolitan areas, including Tulsa, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Dallas, Memphis and St. Louis. Geography- Surrounded by the Ozark Mountains, Northwest Arkansas sports beautiful rolling hills. Our weather is mild, but we still experience the splendor of the four seasons.
- Many of our associates live in the surrounding communities of Rogers, Bella Vista, Lowell, Springdale and Fayetteville.
- Northwest Arkansas is the sixth-fastest growing region in the country with more than 300,000 residents in Benton and Washington counties.
Education- The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville is the flagship campus of the UA system with more than 17,000 students.
- Bentonville is home to Northwest Arkansas Community College, the state’s second-largest community college.
- The area also offers several smaller colleges and technical schools.
- Younger students have many choices, too, including several private schools, three charter schools and multiple public school districts.
Sports and Culture- Locally produced live theater shows perform at the historic Rogers Little Theater. You can also catch touring Broadway shows at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville.
- The Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville and the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale hold rock, classical and alternative music concerts.
- The Arkansas Razorbacks maintain a strong following in Northwest Arkansas. Best known for football and men's basketball, the university also fields strong teams in baseball, cross-country, golf, tennis and track. The Lady Razorbacks compete in basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and volleyball.
- Starting in 2008, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals will play baseball at the new 6,500-seat stadium in Springdale. The Naturals, a Class AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, completed their final season as the Wichita (Kansas) Wranglers in 2007.
- Bella Vista, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Bentonville are all near golf courses. In 2007, Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers hosted the area’s first LPGA tour event.
Cost of Living- The cost of living index for northwest Arkansas is 96 percent, compared to the national average of 99.98 percent.
|