Best place to raise a family
Nov 29th, 2005, 04:23 PM
#101
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We picked it because we had been living in west Texas and wanted trees and hills! Actually, we were familiar with the Cooper Communities Corp and knew that they did very good land development projects. We also like its general location and its four mild seasons. We live on a golf course (9 of them here), the monthly Property Owners Assoc fees are only $32 a month, we have our own water and sewer system, we keep a boat on Lake Ouachita only 11 miles from here, we have 18 churches in the Village, we have every type of organization you want from Kiwanis to a Boys and Girls Club..... Because it's gated we have practically zero crime. You get the picture--it's a great place to live! We've been here four years and I have yet to find a downside.
Oh yes, the community college in Hot Springs gives free tuition to 60+ so my husband has taken 15 hours of photography classes. I love our church (Episcopal) because of its tremendous outreach programs into the community (a lot of poor people in Arkansas). There are so many cultural activities available in HSV, HS and LR that I can't begin to count them all. The Arkansas Symphony is wonderful. I can't forget Magic Springs, an amusement park in HS. For an annual pass of $50, you also get free admission to 14 Saturday night concerts in their outdoor amphitheater. We've seen the Beach Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Patty Loveless, Diamond Rio, Three Dog Night......
We are 1 hour 15 minutes from Little Rock International Airport, which is a lot shorter drive than we lived in other larger cities. Southwest flies from LR and it's a lot cheaper than flying SW from Dallas. We often go shopping in the western part of Little Rock, which has all the "big box" stores, Sam's and Target.
This place is really growing--our neighbor works for a title company and says they can barely keep up with the workload. By the way, an existing home goes for about $65-85sf, a lot cheaper than new. So many retirees come here to build their "dream home," so the older homes are discounted. We got a fantastic deal (3400Ssf at $45sf four years ago). Those days are gone, but there still are some bargains here. I really am serious about showing you around. If you have more questions, you can email me at [email protected].
Oh yes, the community college in Hot Springs gives free tuition to 60+ so my husband has taken 15 hours of photography classes. I love our church (Episcopal) because of its tremendous outreach programs into the community (a lot of poor people in Arkansas). There are so many cultural activities available in HSV, HS and LR that I can't begin to count them all. The Arkansas Symphony is wonderful. I can't forget Magic Springs, an amusement park in HS. For an annual pass of $50, you also get free admission to 14 Saturday night concerts in their outdoor amphitheater. We've seen the Beach Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Patty Loveless, Diamond Rio, Three Dog Night......
We are 1 hour 15 minutes from Little Rock International Airport, which is a lot shorter drive than we lived in other larger cities. Southwest flies from LR and it's a lot cheaper than flying SW from Dallas. We often go shopping in the western part of Little Rock, which has all the "big box" stores, Sam's and Target.
This place is really growing--our neighbor works for a title company and says they can barely keep up with the workload. By the way, an existing home goes for about $65-85sf, a lot cheaper than new. So many retirees come here to build their "dream home," so the older homes are discounted. We got a fantastic deal (3400Ssf at $45sf four years ago). Those days are gone, but there still are some bargains here. I really am serious about showing you around. If you have more questions, you can email me at [email protected].
Nov 29th, 2005, 06:45 PM
#102
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Hi Happytourist. So glad you posted about the Hot Springs area! My daughter is moving next year to the Texarkana, where her fIance lives, and I've been checking out places where I could retire nearby--near enough to see them, but not so close as to be an interfering mother (and mother-in-law). On a recent trip to LIttle Rock last month, the kids drove to Hot Springs, at my request, to check it out.
It was a bit quiet for their young people's taste--but then, this "older folk" appreciates some relative quiet! I'm saving your email address, so don't be surprised by a response to your generous offer to show your community. Meanwhile, I'll check the internet real estate sites. Do you know the zip code, or a main street, of the gated part of HSV?
Thanks again!
It was a bit quiet for their young people's taste--but then, this "older folk" appreciates some relative quiet! I'm saving your email address, so don't be surprised by a response to your generous offer to show your community. Meanwhile, I'll check the internet real estate sites. Do you know the zip code, or a main street, of the gated part of HSV?
Thanks again!
Nov 30th, 2005, 01:57 PM
#103
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CaliNurse--I would love to show you around! We have our own zip code: 71909. The entire village is gated.
It sounds like you went to Hot Springs, but not to the Village. Since it's gated, you could not have gotten in without someone's permission, so you'll need to let me know when you're coming and I'll get you in.
This would be a perfect location for your kids in Texarkana. We're 15 miles from HS and about 130 from Texarkana. They could get up here frequently--and probably will. Our kids love to spend their vacations here because there is so much to do: tennis, golf, swimming, hiking, fishing, etc. I look forward to showing you around.
It sounds like you went to Hot Springs, but not to the Village. Since it's gated, you could not have gotten in without someone's permission, so you'll need to let me know when you're coming and I'll get you in.
This would be a perfect location for your kids in Texarkana. We're 15 miles from HS and about 130 from Texarkana. They could get up here frequently--and probably will. Our kids love to spend their vacations here because there is so much to do: tennis, golf, swimming, hiking, fishing, etc. I look forward to showing you around.
Nov 30th, 2005, 02:43 PM
#104
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Dear HappyTourist,
I'm the daughter referred to above, who's moving to Texarkana. Mom and I will probably be there together in February and she, or both of us, look forward to meeting you, and seeing your personal paradise!
I read that you used to live in Texas, Have you been to Texarkana recently, and if so, do you have any opinions about it, for the "raise a family" topic? I pray they're good, because I'll be relocating next year and will probably stay for awhile, into the "starting a fmaily" stage. Thank you for your help.
I'm the daughter referred to above, who's moving to Texarkana. Mom and I will probably be there together in February and she, or both of us, look forward to meeting you, and seeing your personal paradise!
I read that you used to live in Texas, Have you been to Texarkana recently, and if so, do you have any opinions about it, for the "raise a family" topic? I pray they're good, because I'll be relocating next year and will probably stay for awhile, into the "starting a fmaily" stage. Thank you for your help.
Nov 30th, 2005, 05:29 PM
#105
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We lived in Wichita Falls for 12 years and our son lives in Dallas, but I don't know much about Texarkana--can't even recommend which state to live in. Texas will tell you they don't have an income tax, but their property taxes are quite high, compared to Arkansas. TXKA has gotten some new big box stores lately, and we LOVE to eat at Bryce's Cafeteria (exit 222, Summerhill Road). In fact, we plan our trips to Dallas to coincide with lunch at Bryce's!
I'm really serious about showing you and your mom around Hot Springs Village, so keep my email on file: [email protected].
I'm really serious about showing you and your mom around Hot Springs Village, so keep my email on file: [email protected].
Nov 30th, 2005, 06:02 PM
#106
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Been in SoCal for 4 years...can't stand it. Would love to get out ASAP, but my daughter's mother is afraid to leave, so I'm stuck until she's smart enough to realize how stupid it is to remain here.
North Carolina is the greatest state in the country. I'd love to live in the Triangle area - great schools, good people with good values (at least the folks not from places like CA, NY, NJ, etc), and a commitment to progress and community.
I wish you all the best in your search for a new home.
North Carolina is the greatest state in the country. I'd love to live in the Triangle area - great schools, good people with good values (at least the folks not from places like CA, NY, NJ, etc), and a commitment to progress and community.
I wish you all the best in your search for a new home.
Nov 30th, 2005, 06:43 PM
#107
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Oh Margot, I am so sad for you! I am in north Louisiana (Shreveport) and I saw the thousands of evacuees that escaped and came to Shreveport because I volunteered the whole month of September at one of our shelters here. There is a Slidell family living next door to us with their in-laws. They STILL haven't gone back.
It makes me so sad that all these families may be separated. I know you said you liked a town of 50,000 but we'd love to have you stay in Louisiana and come to Shreveport!! I'll show you around!! The public schools here are fabulous--the catch is that many of them are magnet schools (some of the top in the state)so you need to be registering now to take their admission test. The high schools are not a problem (there are at least 3 with magnet programs that are not hard to get in to); it's the elementary and middle schools that are more competitive. I don't think housing here is bad...depending on what you're looking for. I've lived here my whole life and know the place like the back of my hand. I live in an historic home that you'd swear was on St. Charles(huge white columns, painted pink, circa 1908) with about 3200 sf and I bet it's worth about $275,000 or so. The catch is...we're in a "historic" neighborhood so some people are scared of that city-feel but the real estate is less expensive. Bossier City (our sister city) has about 50,000 people, I think, and their housing and public schools are BOOMING. Lots of new gated communities going up with young families. The great thing is we're only 3 hours away from Dallas via I-20 so that's an easy drive that can be a day trip.
Shreveport is a great place to raise a family. I have some dear friends who moved here with Barksdale and lived for 5 years, got transferred out of state to a big city and they can't wait to retire in 5 years and come back...we'd love to have ya!
Let me know if you have any questions
[email protected]
It makes me so sad that all these families may be separated. I know you said you liked a town of 50,000 but we'd love to have you stay in Louisiana and come to Shreveport!! I'll show you around!! The public schools here are fabulous--the catch is that many of them are magnet schools (some of the top in the state)so you need to be registering now to take their admission test. The high schools are not a problem (there are at least 3 with magnet programs that are not hard to get in to); it's the elementary and middle schools that are more competitive. I don't think housing here is bad...depending on what you're looking for. I've lived here my whole life and know the place like the back of my hand. I live in an historic home that you'd swear was on St. Charles(huge white columns, painted pink, circa 1908) with about 3200 sf and I bet it's worth about $275,000 or so. The catch is...we're in a "historic" neighborhood so some people are scared of that city-feel but the real estate is less expensive. Bossier City (our sister city) has about 50,000 people, I think, and their housing and public schools are BOOMING. Lots of new gated communities going up with young families. The great thing is we're only 3 hours away from Dallas via I-20 so that's an easy drive that can be a day trip.
Shreveport is a great place to raise a family. I have some dear friends who moved here with Barksdale and lived for 5 years, got transferred out of state to a big city and they can't wait to retire in 5 years and come back...we'd love to have ya!
Let me know if you have any questions
[email protected]
Nov 30th, 2005, 07:29 PM
#108
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i noticed that kalamazoo was mentioned early on and i'll give a resounding second to the idea of a midwestern college town. you can have the best of both worlds: midwestern prices and pretty decent diversity and culture. the abundance of professor's kids in the schools tends to put pressure on them to be really good. the fact that the university is there means plenty of free concerts, plays and famous speakers as well as a lot more immigrants and diverse world views than your average midwestern suburb. i grew up in kent, OH if your interested. good luck w/ your move!
Dec 1st, 2005, 07:16 AM
#110
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I'm not aware of it because I've never looked into it but there are lots of sailboats, including some huge ones, moored at Lake Ouachita State Park, where we keep a boat. The lake is huge and exceptionally clean--considered second only to Lake Tahoe--as it is in a national forest with no urban or industrial runoff. Beautiful place to sail!
Dec 1st, 2005, 09:45 AM
#111
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HappyTourist-- Thank you for writing back!
Polly--Shreveport is only about1.5 hours form Texarkana i think?? You might see us too. Texarkana's location is sounding better and better for proximity to other interesting places.
PisP--heeheehee.
Margot--GOOD LUCK with finding the perfect place for you, your husband, and little daughter. Have you seen the "Top 100 Finalists" from the CCC/Money web site for more ideas?
Polly--Shreveport is only about1.5 hours form Texarkana i think?? You might see us too. Texarkana's location is sounding better and better for proximity to other interesting places.
PisP--heeheehee.
Margot--GOOD LUCK with finding the perfect place for you, your husband, and little daughter. Have you seen the "Top 100 Finalists" from the CCC/Money web site for more ideas?
Dec 24th, 2005, 07:50 PM
#112
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Hi all! Thanks for the wonderful information and opinions... twas the night before Christmas and I sit here waiting for the family to fall asleep -- visions of sugar plumbs, etc. I've got stocking to stuff!!!
As my screen name implies I am reading along with interest, trying to find our family home as well. A few folks recommended CA as an option... uhhhh...hmmmm... I (as well as most people I know) am trying to find a nice place out of CA to raise my family. The politics are crazy, the schools struggle, and the housing is insane (300-400/ft for average to below homes in my neighborhood near Sacramento). Of course, I was outside in shirtsleeves and flip-flops grilling for the family tonight and a dip in the hot tub a while later...weather is an advantage here.
However...
I am looking and some others are still reading -- I would love for this thread to continue. I value your input -- I love first person info.
Any more thoughts on great places to raise a family?
As my screen name implies I am reading along with interest, trying to find our family home as well. A few folks recommended CA as an option... uhhhh...hmmmm... I (as well as most people I know) am trying to find a nice place out of CA to raise my family. The politics are crazy, the schools struggle, and the housing is insane (300-400/ft for average to below homes in my neighborhood near Sacramento). Of course, I was outside in shirtsleeves and flip-flops grilling for the family tonight and a dip in the hot tub a while later...weather is an advantage here.
However...
I am looking and some others are still reading -- I would love for this thread to continue. I value your input -- I love first person info.
Any more thoughts on great places to raise a family?
Dec 24th, 2005, 07:55 PM
#113
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Oops -- point of correction...my last post implied that OTHER people are looking to raise MY family outside of CA…now, you know that's not what I meant! ;-) I meant that nearly everyone I know is trying to get out of CA (with their OWN families). Thank you for not correcting me any further... HA!
