Fayetteville, Arkansas

[masons_dad1]

Nothing against poor folks in general, because I grew up extremely poor and my parents are still extremely poor, but my problem is with the criminal element that seems so deeply-rooted in the lower class around here.

The fact that cities don't provide affordable housing and economic equality for these poor people is the root of the problem. If poor people weren't forced to live in slums or run down trailer parks and spend most of their time in unemployment lines and taking their kids to the fealth department when they're sick then these poor people probably would be less likely to resort to criminal. I don't think poor people want to be criminals, but when your choice is to live on the street and watch your children starve to death or make an easy buck robbing someone or selling drugs what do you think they'll choose?

[masons_dad1]

I guess you need to look at the development as a whole. That is just one part of it. You can consider this as a "discernible center. This is often a square or a green and sometimes a busy or memorable street corner." This picture, if I remember correctly, is the "center" of the development. You are going to find some of the most expensive homes in this area.

But those are far from expensive looking homes. They look like 2 bedroom cottage homes that shouldn't sell for more than $100,000.

[dimebag1980]

The fact that cities don't provide affordable housing and economic equality for these poor people is the root of the problem. If poor people weren't forced to live in slums or run down trailer parks and spend most of their time in unemployment lines and taking their kids to the fealth department when they're sick then these poor people probably would be less likely to resort to criminal. I don't think poor people want to be criminals, but when your choice is to live on the street and watch your children starve to death or make an easy buck robbing someone or selling drugs what do you think they'll choose?

No doubt, I do agree with that. It's hard sometimes to look at the big picture. The path of least resistance is to just see criminals as criminals and move on. But taking a deeper look at the situation, one would see exactly what you've said here.

As I've stated on a forum for another American city (not on UP) about casino gambling here, once the casinos began to employ people from the slums in this area - not to mention the fact that their starting wages are miles above the competition - the crime rate dropped quickly. Why? Because these people were suddenly making money - and not the minimum wage, but many dollars per hour over the minimum wage - and were able to move out of the ghettos in many cases. More income typically leads to a better quality of life and less desparation. Less desparation and more income together typically will lead to a drop in crime.

[strmchsr77]

But those are far from expensive looking homes. They look like 2 bedroom cottage homes that shouldn't sell for more than $100,000.

$100,000 homes in NWA??? They are a thing of the past, believe me. Especially in certain areas. New Urbanism includes somewhat lower income housing as well as higher income. It is about diversity. These are some of the higher class homes in the development, that is why they don't go for 100K anymore (mainly because of location in the development and the amount of homes like them). You CAN'T find good housing for under 100K anymore in NWA, (especially Fayetteville).

[dimebag1980]

But those are far from expensive looking homes. They look like 2 bedroom cottage homes that shouldn't sell for more than $100,000.

I don't know. You really can't tell the depth of those houses, and they may be pretty deep. One of the ones on the left looks pretty deep actually. These could very well have a remote master suite downstairs with at least 2 bedrooms upstairs.

Even still, 2 bedroom homes these days, in many areas, can sell for $125,000 and up. As much as I hate to think that, because I absolutely hate any home with less than 3 bedrooms, and if I were a mortgage lender it would be hard for me to want to loan that kind of money for a 2-bedroom home.

[masons_dad1]

$100,000 homes in NWA??? They are a thing of the past, believe me. Especially in certain areas. New Urbanism includes somewhat lower income housing as well as higher income. It is about diversity. These are some of the higher class homes in the development, that is why they don't go for 100K anymore (mainly because of location in the development and the amount of homes like them). You CAN'T find good housing for under 100K anymore in NWA, (especially Fayetteville).

Somehow a co-worker of mine was able to not only buy a 2 or 3(?) bedroom house in Bentonville for $89,000 but she also custom built the house and it's in a cul-de-sac near downtown. It's a very nice house with brick and stone exterior and lots of tile inside. She even has a nice small backyard. I don't know if hers was a unique case, but there's about a dozen of those houses on the cul-de-sac that cost the same. Not having starter homes for under $100,000 is just going to create more problems when more and more people that move here for the jobs are going to rent instead of buy and guess what rentals do to property values... that's right they go down. So let them keep building expensive homes because they're only burying themselves when it comes time to sell. There was a time when a house was as much an investment as a place to live. The houses selling for $200,000 today won't be worth quite as much in ten years, especially when there's a "moderate" income apartment community right across the street.

[masons_dad1]

I don't know. You really can't tell the depth of those houses, and they may be pretty deep. One of the ones on the left looks pretty deep actually. These could very well have a remote master suite downstairs with at least 2 bedrooms upstairs.

Even still, 2 bedroom homes these days, in many areas, can sell for $125,000 and up. As much as I hate to think that, because I absolutely hate any home with less than 3 bedrooms, and if I were a mortgage lender it would be hard for me to want to loan that kind of money for a 2-bedroom home.

These are typical New England style homes usually seen in more urban areas. They may be 3 bedroom homes but they are skinny and feel more like a townhouse. They just aren't needed in a metro that just isn't nearly urban enough. It's just another scheme developers are using to squeeze the most house into a miniature lot.

[Mith242]

Personally I like the idea of smaller lots. More density, you won't use up as much land. As the area continues to grow I think we're going to see more and more houses being built closer together like you see in other larger metros.

[dimebag1980]

Personally I like the idea of smaller lots. More density, you won't use up as much land. As the area continues to grow I think we're going to see more and more houses being built closer together like you see in other larger metros.

Yeah, but honestly, I think it's more like what masons_dad1 is saying... squeezing as much house into a tiny lot as possible. It's all about profit, I guarantee it. My wife is working on plans for a new TND right now, and they are really going as small as possible on the lots so they can maximize their profits in order to move right into phase II and make even more profit.

[Mith242]

Yeah, but honestly, I think it's more like what masons_dad1 is saying... squeezing as much house into a tiny lot as possible. It's all about profit, I guarantee it. My wife is working on plans for a new TND right now, and they are really going as small as possible on the lots so they can maximize their profits in order to move right into phase II and make even more profit.

Oh yeah I'm sure they're doing it for profit and not because they are trying to conserve space. But for my perspective it works out because I want more density.

[dimebag1980]

Oh yeah I'm sure they're doing it for profit and not because they are trying to conserve space. But for my perspective it works out because I want more density.

Hey, I completely understand your feelings there!! NOTHING wrong with density. Look how gorgeous New Orleans is from the sky with its densely-packed older areas.

[mcheiss]

^

Is it true that New Orleans is one of the most densly populated areas in the U.S.?

[dimebag1980]

^

Is it true that New Orleans is one of the most densly populated areas in the U.S.?

Oh yes sir, so very true. I absolutely love the aerial photos of that city because they show just how dense it is. I can definitely see someone wanting their area to be built up more dense, not only because it's typically more neat and orderly, but also because it is a good alternative to sprawl.

[Mith242]

^

Is it true that New Orleans is one of the most densly populated areas in the U.S.?

I've already discussed this a little over on the Louisiana forum. I can't speak for some parts of the northeast but yeah areas of New Orleans are certainly the most dense in the south. Of course I doubt there's any place out west that could compare either. Parts of Charleston are pretty dense, but don't quite match New Orleans density.

[dimebag1980]

I've already discussed this a little over on the Louisiana forum.

Yep, that's Rod, our Arkansas brother, looking out for Louisiana too!

[Mith242]

Yep, that's Rod, our Arkansas brother, looking out for Louisiana too!

Funny because I've really only been to Louisiana once. But there are some great gusy over there so it's fun to hang out over there as well.

[dimebag1980]

Funny because I've really only been to Louisiana once. But there are some great gusy over there so it's fun to hang out over there as well.

Well, you know you're welcome in Louisiana anytime... especially my area, because it's ony 6-7 hours from where you live. And I don't know if I'm one of those "great guys," but I hope I'm at least a decent guy!!

I'll be back up in Arkansas for a few days, beginning on May 21. I've got my annual Hot Springs vacation scheduled for then. Man am I looking forward to it!! If it weren't for the free corporate stay in Hot Springs, I'd change that to NWA sometime. My wife and I still would like to make it up there sometime in the near future.

Edited May 10, 2006 by SBCmetroguy

[Mith242]

Well, you know you're welcome in Louisiana anytime... especially my area, because it's ony 6-7 hours from where you live. And I don't know if I'm one of those "great guys," but I hope I'm at least a decent guy!!

I'll be back up in Arkansas for a few days, beginning on May 21. I've got my annual Hot Springs vacation scheduled for then. Man am I looking forward to it!! If it weren't for the free corporate stay in Hot Springs, I'd change that to NWA sometime. My wife and I still would like to make it up there sometime in the near future.

I'd like to head over to Hot Springs again sometime myself. If you ever do make it up here let me know.

[dimebag1980]

I'd like to head over to Hot Springs again sometime myself. If you ever do make it up here let me know.

To me, Hot Spings is a timeless place and I just can't tired of visiting. I can do the exact same thing there year in and year out and still have tons of fun. Still see the same theater shows, still walk up and down Central and visit the same shops, still drive to the top of the downtown mountain and visit the observation tower, etc, and enjoy it all every single time.

But I'll definitely let you know if I'm ever able to make it up that way. For starters, I could use a good tour guide!!

[Mith242]

To me, Hot Spings is a timeless place and I just can't tired of visiting. I can do the exact same thing there year in and year out and still have tons of fun. Still see the same theater shows, still walk up and down Central and visit the same shops, still drive to the top of the downtown mountain and visit the observation tower, etc, and enjoy it all every single time.

But I'll definitely let you know if I'm ever able to make it up that way. For starters, I could use a good tour guide!!

I've been told I make a good one. When I was hiking a few weeks ago at the Buffalo National River I came across a family from Texarkana who ended up following me around as I gave them a tour of Lost Valley.

[dimebag1980]

I've been told I make a good one. When I was hiking a few weeks ago at the Buffalo National River I came across a family from Texarkana who ended up following me around as I gave them a tour of Lost Valley.

I have a coworker who likes to go up to the Buffalo. I've never been there but would love to go. He says it's a cool place. I believe he likes to canoe there.

[Mith242]

I have a coworker who likes to go up to the Buffalo. I've never been there but would love to go. He says it's a cool place. I believe he likes to canoe there.

Yeah canoeing is probably what it's mainly known for. But there's some nice hiking to be done there as well.

[dimebag1980]

Yeah canoeing is probably what it's mainly known for. But there's some nice hiking to be done there as well.

I've never been canoeing, but I used to love hiking. I enjoyed hiking at Petit Jean State Park, which is about an hour and a half north of Hot Springs, near Russellville. I just haven't done it in a few years because I've gotten so out of shape.

[Mith242]

I've never been canoeing, but I used to love hiking. I enjoyed hiking at Petit Jean State Park, which is about an hour and a half north of Hot Springs, near Russellville. I just haven't done it in a few years because I've gotten so out of shape.

Yeah Petit Jean is a great spot. The model for the rest of the Arkansas State Park system. Wish it was a little closer to me up here.

[dimebag1980]

Yeah Petit Jean is a great spot. The model for the rest of the Arkansas State Park system. Wish it was a little closer to me up here.

Wow, I didn't know it was the model for the entire system. That's pretty cool!