Why Russellville, Arkansas Should Be on the Money Magazine "Best Places to Live" List

Russellville, Arkansas has been my home for the last 16 years. I transplanted here in the early 90's and haven't had any desire to leave since.

Russellville is what I call just about perfect. With a population hovering somewhere around 26,000, it has a small town atmosphere, but plenty of shopping, both in big chains and small boutiques. People still stop and talk in Russellville. I like to say you can't just rush in and out of Wal Mart here...you'll run into at least 3 people you know!

The area is just beautiful...in the Arkansas River Valley you can find lakes and hills, mountains and waterfalls. Russellville is home to state parks and more fishing tournaments than you can shake a cane pole at. Hunters, rejoice. There are plenty of things to shoot at here including deer, squirrel, ducks, and turkeys. If you're really adventurous, you can hang glide or rock climb, or take flying lessons at the municipal airport.

We have a thriving medical community which includes many clinics and specialists, and St. Mary's Regional Hospital. Arkansas Tech University is a mecca for students from all over the world, as well as a great place to go for fun activities like concerts and plays. You can get the best hamburgers in the state across the street from the campus at our well-known Feltner's Whattaburger.

For families with children there are lots of activities to enjoy. Sports leagues include basketball, volleyball, softball, football, soccer, and others. Boys' and Girls' Club offers many activities and there is a children's fishing derby every year. Two movie theaters, a skating rink, and other gathering places are favorite activities.

There are lots of job opportunities in Russellville including at least 10 divisions of Fortune 500 companies like Tyson Foods. Nearly 50 manufacturing plants employ almost 9000 people.

Russellville actually did make the Money "Where Homes Are Affordable" Top 25 list, coming in at number 11. Put that together with the low property taxes for our town, and that's a winning combination.