Hi guys!
Congrats on attending the U of A! You'll like being a Razorback. I finished my MFA here in 2006 and have been a staff member in various employ ever since. Fayetteville is a great town -- lots of fun for grad students. It's sort of the ultimate college town. It's easy to find a place to live that's within walking distance, it's very cheap to live here, there are millions (well, thousands) of others just your age and looking to have fun, and the bar/downtown atmosphere is pretty fun.
Here's the low-down:
1. Yes, cost-of-living is pretty cheap. As an example, I live in a 2-bedroom house on a double lot with a fenced in backyard within walking distance to campus. Two parking spots, full basem*nt, front porch and huge kitchen. Very nice (not crappy at all). I pay about $750 a month. That's pretty high for around here. If you want to slum it, you can go as low as $300 a month. If you have income, then you can get a house and rent for $800 a month and do very well. Utilities should be about $150 a month, depending on the season and if you have gas heat.
2. Social life is pretty easy -- most departments will have some sort of social network. If not, latch on to one that does. The international student program is big here, and so are some of the other grad student programs. Dickson Street is the place to go bar hopping, restaurant skipping and all-around see and be seen. It can get tedious after a few years, but hopefully you'll enjoy it before you hate it. George's is good for live music (saw Gavin DeGraw there in October, and Merle Haggard before that), Mickey Finn's is good for a pub scene, Brewski's is more grad students and Common Grounds is a coffee shop/bar/restaurant that is open late. It can be heavy on the youngsters, but it's a nice place to go and get a coffee and study. People are really friendly here, so strike up a conversation if you are out alone. The bartenders and wait staff tend to be young and in college. Don't be afraid! One MAJOR MAJOR note: restaurants stop serving around nine pm there. There are also only about two delivery places. This can be a bummer. You need to plan when you go eat. Common Grounds is open late -- 11 at least, so there's always that. Plus, the sushi in town is great. I eat sushi in Los Angeles and I can honestly still say that Fayetteville sushi is great (not LA quality, but you see what I'm saying).
3. If you are a foodie, prepare for some difficulties. Fayetteville has the stuff you want, but you have to search for it and pay for it. We have three major grocery stores: IGA, Harp's and Wal-Mart. Embrace the Wal-Mart, love the Wal-Mart. Your snobbery will only hurt you. It really has the best selection of stuff. For better quality and somewhat better selection, try Ozark Natural Foods (grains, organic stuff, etc. -- owned by Whole Foods) and Richard's Meat Market. The Fayetteville Farmer's Market is every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning on the square from March to November. Great source of local produce, meat, flowers, crafts, plants, etc. If you ask around, you can find local people who sell all kinds of produce, cheese, meats, etc. from their farms, if you are into that kind of living.
4. When you are looking for housing, try to get something close to campus -- it's not worth trying to park on campus. There are lots of cool little houses near campus. Just plan a visit and take a look. Don't try to gauge something over the internet, though. Kinda hard around here, I think.
5. Weather: Mostly warm and mild. We just got plowed by an ice storm, which is unusual. The winters are usually around 40ish for Dec-Feb. Spring is warm -- about 60. Summers are hot! Your first 6 weeks of grad school may be over 100 degrees, so be prepared. Everything (and I mean everything) is air conditioned around here, so it's not too big of a deal, but it can be culture shock if you aren't used to it.
I'm happy to answer any questions, especailly if they are about the MFA in writing program! Good luck! Woo-pig sooie!
FAQs
Fayetteville was established as the county seat on October 17, 1828. Fayetteville has long been known for its innovative spirit, as an academic center, as the "Athens of the Ozarks" and as a "hilly area" known for the seven hills around and within it.
What is the acceptance rate for Fayetteville AR? ›
University of Arkansas admissions has an acceptance rate of 79% and an early acceptance rate of 88.4%.
Is Fayetteville, AR a good place to live? ›
Fayetteville is a town in Arkansas with a population of 95,022. Fayetteville is in Washington County and is one of the best places to live in Arkansas. Living in Fayetteville offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Fayetteville there are a lot of bars, coffee shops, and parks.
What is Fayetteville AR ranked? ›
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For the eighth year in a row, Fayetteville has been selected as one of U.S. News & World Report's top 10 Best Places to Live in the U.S. In its new rankings, Fayetteville was listed at No. 10.
What is the most expensive neighborhood in Fayetteville Arkansas? ›
Explore Fayetteville, AR
There are 33 neighborhoods in Fayetteville. Root School has a median listing home price of $750K, making it the most expensive neighborhood. Bridgeport is the most affordable neighborhood, with a median listing home price of $292K.
Why are people moving to Fayetteville? ›
The cost of living is affordable, the people are friendly and the natural scenery is stunning. Kristen Smith moved to Fayetteville in 2021 and, like more than 30% of respondents to the latest Finding Home Study, it was largely for family reasons.
What is the best part of Fayetteville to live in? ›
Hope Mills
Find your next new home locale to the southwest of Fayetteville. Hope Mills is a fast-growing suburb with proximity to excellent services, major employers, and great schools. The relaxing feel of this suburb makes it a popular choice. Hope Mills Lake provides a fun spot to swim and boat.
What is the most common job in Arkansas? ›
The most common job groups, by number of people living in Arkansas, are Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (38,583 people), Registered nurses (33,574 people), and Firstline supervisors of retail sales workers (30,203 people).
Is Fayetteville AR a walkable city? ›
Walk Score: 32
Fayetteville has plenty of amenities a resident might need well within walking distance. From the University of Arkansas to the Fayetteville Historic Square, there's something for every lifestyle. The downtown area is particularly walkable, with numerous restaurants, shops, and attractions.
Is Fayetteville, Arkansas cheap? ›
The cost of living in Fayetteville, AR is 1% higher than the state average and 7% lower than the national average. Fayetteville, AR housing is 20% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 6% less pricey.
The data shows Fayetteville had 101,680 residents last year, which is a 2% increase from the 99,688 count in 2022. However, it was Tontitown that had the highest growth rate in Northwest Arkansas with a 12.9% increase, followed by Centerton, which added 2,413 resident for an 11.2% rate of growth.
Why is Fayetteville famous for? ›
Known throughout its history for its cultural diversity and military presence, today the Fayetteville area stands as a testament to its proud past. Many structures have been painstakingly preserved to reflect this history in nine designated historic districts across the city.
What is Fayetteville State known for? ›
It is said that FSU is one of the best kept secrets in North Carolina. As a four year university, Fayetteville State's programs are consistently ranked as among the most affordable in the nation. With one of the lowest tuition rates in the state, we provide a world-class education at a fraction of the price.
What is the nickname for Fayetteville Arkansas? ›
The city of Fayetteville is colloquially known as the "Track Capital of the World" due to the success and prestige of the University of Arkansas cross country and track & field programs.
What is Arkansas best known for? ›
Arkansas is known as "The Natural State" and was the 25th state to join the U.S.A. It's also home to Hot Springs National Park and is the only state to produce diamonds. Arkansas is known for Southern Hush Puppies, Arkansas Possum Pie, and Southern Biscuits with Chocolate Gravy.
