Looking for info on Arkansas and TN areas

[Max Steel]

Hi I have accepted a federal job and I am looking for info on Arkansas, Ft. Smith/Fort Chaffe area in particular. I was wondering what can I expect from that area in Aug, weather wise? What is there to do, is it a big city, small city, or a town? I would like to hear from anyone that lives or has been in that area.

Second question I currently live in Wa state, but after Arkansas I am permanently moving to TN, I have gathered a lot of info off the net, and if there are any officers out there that are in TN I would love to hear from you. I think that I have settled on North Knox County, any reason that would be a bad choice that I should know about?

Thanks for any insight you may offer

J.

[shooter1201]

If contemplating moving to either Arkansas or Tennessee, I advise you to look up the word HUMID and become very acquainted with its meaning.

I've lived in both Arkansas and Tennessee. The only bad thing about Arkansas is the fact Clinton is from that beautiful state.....coupled with a state income tax....something Tennessee DOESN'T have....yet. However, Tennessee is somewhat less than friendly when it comes to investment earnings.

As for Knox county.....my wife is from the Knoxville area. In the past 20 years, Knoxville and the surrounding area has almost doubled in size(houses, businesses, freeways, etc). If you like fighting urban sprawl, you will be happy.

[Max Steel]

Thanks for the reply shooter1201. I don't have a choice which state I am going to. I have to go to Arkansas first for 5 months, and then on to my duty location TN. I am going to be working in Oak Ridge, and looked into Blount CO. and Clinton also as places to live. I plan to go looking for houses in TN in the next few months. I have never been there so just looking for any good ideas.

Thanks again for the help.

J.

[Watchman]

Sorry to take so long,been busy.

Fort Smith is a great place to live. Beautiful scenery and lots of opportunity. I go there occasionally to shop. My dept also goes up there to transfer prisoners. Its right smack in the middle of the Ozark mountain range. If you like to hunt or fish, its great.

Weathwise, today it started out at 75 and made it up 92, a typical summer day. The humidity can be a killer.

Fort Smith is the focal point for all of Northewst Arkansas. Its not a big town as far as big goes, but it the biggest thing Ark. has in the part of the state. It is a great place to raise a family, not much in the way of crime, all of the popular resturants and shopping outlets. Where I live,(about 70 miles south) lots of people that previously shopped in Little Rock have made the switch to Fort Smith due to less traffic and gang activity. I used toplay in a lot of softball tournament up there, I always looked forward to going up there.

[Max Steel]

Hi Watchman thanks for the info. I sure appreciate it. I am curious about how easy it is to get around down there? I am leaving my car back in Wa state, I am not sure exactly where the academy I am going to is located just know Ft.Chaffee/Ft.Smith area. Is there a pretty good public transportation system in place, or are the shops ie.(restraunts,entertainment)within walking distance? Is it a rural, sprawling city or clumped together making it easier to get around? You might know more about where I am going then I do, if so I am going to a Federal Academy in Ft.Chaffee/Ft.Smith if that makes it easier to determine how easy it is to get about.
I sure appreciate the help

Thanks again

J.

[Watchman]

I could be wrong, but I dont beleive they have any public transportation system, it just dosent have the population to support it.

Its more of a sprawling kind of town. There are some main streets that goes for a few miles in each direction. They do have a nice mall that has some eating places and stores that are close to each other. Fort Chaffee is located several miles away from town, I dont know much about it. I went deer hunting there a few years ago, they have alot of acerage and an overpopulation of deer that they take care of with special permits.

I beleive that Fort Smith is in a dry county,no bars or places to buy alcohol. If you are so inclined, you are out of luck there.

[Max Steel]

Thank you Watchman I appreciate the info, I worried needlessly about the transportation issue, We will have vehicles that we can use I found out today. A dry county huh, well just as well I don't drink then What kind bug spray works the best down there? What should I be putting on me that will keep me from being treated like a prison b*%ch from the millions of biting bugs they got down there?

Thanks again

J.

[Watchman]

Dont worry...the bug problem that the state is noted for mostly takes place down south in the rice fields.

Fort Smith is not so buggy, unless you happen to spend alot of time on the Arkansas river.

In the event that you do run into bloodthirsty critters, use something strong, like 100 percent DEET.

Actually, we have alot more of a problem with chiggers and ticks than mosquitos.

[Turner]

quote:

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Originally posted by shooter1201:
If contemplating moving to either Arkansas or Tennessee, I advise you to look up the word HUMID and become very acquainted with its meaning.

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Amen to that lol.

[Max Steel]

Thanks Watchman I appreciate the info, if I think of anything else I will pick your brain thanks alot.

J