Residents of Greenwood celebrate the Bell Park Fall Festival every year, which includes food and beverages, arts and crafts and vendors of all stripes. Enjoy live music, DJs, pony rides and face painting with your new neighbors at this beloved local event.
Bordered by the state of Oklahoma on the left, the charming city of Greenwood, AR boasts a plethora of quaint small town amenities alongside some big city attractions, including friendly neighbors, mom and pop antique shops and a sophisticated city website. It's hard not to fall in love with a place that allocates serious resources to honoring the past while embracing the future in equal proportion, and that's what Greenwood does. The famous "Patriot's Walk" in the Town Square recognizes the sacrifice of soldiers in remembrance of their duties, while the city government focuses on eco-friendly policies that ensure a long, bright future for the town. If that's still not enough to satisfy your high bar for living accommodations, get out of town, literally. There are camping sites, hiking trails, biking trails, fishing spots and more where any grump can't help but find joy in Mother Nature's warm embrace.
Getting Settled in Greenwood
Moving to a new place always calls for a roundup of all the usuals, and Greenwood is no different. Besides remembering to pack your precious china in newspaper (pro tip: plastic shopping bags work well too) and finding a trustworthy moving truck company, you also have to juggle the vagaries of each new location's distinctive requirements. Don't worry. Everything will go easily with a little forethought. Here's some quick knowledge to get you started.
Prove Yourself
The first task in finding a new place to live is proving 1. that you exist, and 2. that you're responsible enough to rent a home. So gather up your ID, pay stubs, credit history (make sure you check to see it's all accurate) and wish list of amenities for your new place. Wherever you end up you'll likely need to pay a security deposit, which can be first month's rent or less. The prepared mover will grab a cashier's check in advance for such a purpose.
Housing Styles
Consider in advance what kind of place you'd like to live in; for instance, are you more of a one bedroom apartment kind of person, or do you prefer the luxury of townhouse rental? Greenwood places for rent cover a variety of options, from studios to detached homes, so your biggest difficulty may be in narrowing down your options. It is worth noting that most folks opt to own here, but there's a sizable market for renters too, so don't despair. Still, plan a few months to find the perfect accommodations. If you love older homes with character, you're in luck. Greenwood boasts a number of cool, charming builds from 1940 through the 1970s. If you're more of a fan of the modern movement, you're covered too. The older homes, predictably, have a smaller square footage, but you're never going to be hurting for space in Arkansas.
Two more recommendations: Invest in renter's insurance and invest in tornado insurance. Greenwood has slightly higher crime than the Arkansas average, though it's much lower than the national average, and the area is known to see tornado activity during twister season, which is usually in the spring.
Neighborhoods in Greenwood
Though Greenwood doesn't have any traditional neighborhoods like big cities often do, that doesn't mean there aren't benefits to living in individual areas. Each sector has its charms, so consider them carefully before settling into your favorite one. Since Greenwood has so many amazing natural resources, here are the sections based on their closest asset.
Bell Park Area: Located on the northwest side of Greenwood is Bell Park, as well as Shadow and Williamson Lake. This is also the area where the city center lies, including the Town Square with the "Patriot's Walk." There are lots of single-family homes with big backyards, as well as Greenwood Apartments.
Greenwood Lake Area: Centrally located on the Greenwood map is Greenwood Lake, where there are lots of tidy planned neighborhoods with neat lawns. Forest Oaks Apartment Complex is here, and you'll have easy access to Vache Grasse Country Club, which has golf, swimming and a clubhouse.
Jack Nolen Lake Area: Situated on the eastern side of Greenwood is this lovely area with wide open spaces, plenty of homes with big backyards and more quiet than either of the other two spots. There are far fewer homes, but they're bigger and almost all are sitting pretty by the lake. Want a boat you can park at home? This is your new spot.
Live Like a Local
Don't worry about fitting into Greenwood. This is a friendly, welcoming town that offers an abundance of activities for every type of person. Whether you love getting bruised and dirty out in the wilds of the woods or relaxing with friends at a coffee shop or bar, you're covered. This city loves its Old West heritage, but they definitely embrace the joys of a modern lifestyle. Intellectuals, cowboys (and girls), playboys (and girls) and couch potatoes all have a place here. Go on, explore.
Outdoor Excursions
Naturalists and nature lovers will be spoiled immediately. Camping, biking, hiking, fishing, boating and just about any other external activity is immensely popular in Greenwood. Any newbie should head to the Ouachita National Forest as soon as they get a free weekend. Lush, gorgeous and filled to bursting with opportunities to experience nature, it's the ideal retreat for anyone hungry for more fresh air and wild living. Closer to home, there's the Jack Nolen Lake, Greenwood Lake and Shadow Lake. If one is too full, try your luck at another. Even if you can't escape for a weekend, dip your toes in Heart Still Creek or Hester Creek at the end of a long day. Seriously, this place is a paradise for landscape fanatics.
Cultural Excursions
It's not all creeks, lakes and trees. Fans of more intellectual pursuits aren't left out in the cold. Concerts are commonplace for music lovers, whether you're into country (and this is Arkansas, you better be into country), rock or classical. Nearby city Fort Smith has great music halls to catch the big bands, and it also boasts great dining and bars for before or after the show. Of course there are movie theaters, historical museums and performance venues of all types. You'll never have time to get bored. You'll love that Greenwood has a lower cost of living than the national average. It makes it possible to enjoy all those special extras without checking your bank account.
Seasonal Commitments
The south is known for its lovely weather for most seasons. Spring and fall are gorgeous, and all that access to nature's loveliness doesn't get overlooked with all the great weather. Winters are relatively mild here, but don't go thinking you won't need a sweater. This isn't Florida. The flurries will fall some in December and January, and the summers can be pretty wickedly humid. Bugs are the main issue in summertime, so stock up on Citronella. The only real concern, as mentioned above, is tornadoes. These things are no joke, and paying attention to emergency signals during twister season is imperative. For the most part they die out quickly with little damage, but always be prepared.
Transportation Options
Most of America isn't built for walking or bussing from place to place, and Greenwood is no exception to this rule. You'll definitely need a car to get around. As much fun as it is to explore the wilderness by foot or bike, there isn't a lot you can accomplish on either in this area beyond recreational fulfillment, as the walk score is a middling 52. Trails are very popular and lovely, but they just don't' take you to work every morning. As for highways, you have a few options. Highway 10 (Center Street) runs right through the city. Highway 96 heads east. Route 71 connects with Highway 10 and takes you to Fort Smith and beyond. You're never very far from anything in Greenwood, but you're far enough that heading to the theater or dinner at night will mean firing up the engine.
