Van Buren, Arkansas, is named after Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States. Van Buren began as a port and trade center on the Arkansas River and served as a major starting point for prospectors of the 1849 gold rush.Van Buren is the city that has it all: history that started since time immemorial as well as a location that will have you right next to the action in Fort Smith, right on top of the Arkansas River and on the junction of I-40 and 540. And, oh yeah, expect to be dodging some tornadoes that are quite the party poopers. But heythis is Van Buren. And this is where tornadoes are treated like an unwelcome guest. And this is where people take everything (yes, even tornadoes) in stride.
If you live in this city, you won't hate it when winter comes. You'll probably welcome the season as the perfect excuse to go and get acquainted with different species of birds. That is, if there's no winter storm warning to ruin everything. If you manage not to get all holed up in a storm cellar, there are many things you can do in this city. But before we get to that, let's find an apartment for you, shall we?
The Basics of Renting an Apartment in Van Buren
Looking for an ideal apartment in Van Buren should not take you forever. At most, you'll need 6 to 8 weeks to find a suitable place to call home in this part of Arkansas. A breath of fresh air if you're from New York or San Francisco, huh? The rental process is pretty smooth as well, provided you have sparkling clean record with your previous landlords since this ain't the Wild West anymore. You will need some basics to get a rental application rollingW2, ID, and credit check, in most cases.
Getting Acquainted with Van Buren Neighborhoods
We know you'd want to live somewhere that suits your personality. If you're quite hip and trendy, you'd be like a fish out of the water if you have to live in the middle of nowhere. If enjoy a more relaxing atmosphere, you'd feel tormented if you have to live with all the action and bustle of the city; so to make sure that doesn't happen, we make your life easy by getting you acquainted with the different areas of Van Buren.
City Center: If you're going to hunt for a dwelling place right in the middle, Van Buren sees the most action, a mix of small apartments and single detached homes will be waiting for you here. Convenience, historic landmarks and recreation are right within the neighborhood with King Opera House, Summit Medical Center, Pointers' Athletic Fields and Cloverleaf Plaza around.
Rena/Dora: Half of this neighborhood is made up of, well, space. So if the thought of shouting your frustration without the risk of anyone hearing you sounds good, consider living here. But don't get the idea that this is the middle of nowhere. Nope, you couldn't be far more wrong; I-40 courses through the boundary of this area, near where the homes are so modern civilization and all its insanity is a short distance away. This kind of explains the short average drive time of most residents here.
Greenwood Junction: This is a community mostly made up of 3 or 4-bedroom homes or small-sized 1 or 2 bedroom apartments for rent. Located right on the northern banks of the Arkansas River, you can imagine how the Union and Confederate armies clashed along the same banks. Well, enough of the past -- history that's unfolding right now could be what's running in your mind and if it's telling you to settle here, you could be frolicking in Lee Creek Park sometime in the near future.
Furry/Figure Five: Does the thought of not having any next-door neighbor make you grin like you've just won the lottery jackpot? Check out this neighborhood that's mostly made up of large homes and larger yards. You've got so much space, you can probably hide a pet ogre there and your neighbor would be none the wiser. But before you go mulling on becoming a hermit, freeways are nearby in case your modern-day responsibilities beckon.
Oak Grove/Wright Town: If houses that looked like ghosts live there turn you off like a bitter gourd, have a look at this neighborhood. This area is a place of newer houses, so haunted homes and fixer uppers are very rare here. If this sounds like an ideal neighborhood, prepare yourself for battle since this is also an industrial area and you're in for some competition if you're eyeing one of those 3- to 4- bedroom apartment rentals in this community.
E Pointer Trl/N 11th St: Residents of this neighborhood will give you a blank stare when you rant about traffic and the ills of long trek, since most of them don't experience it firsthand. With many establishments in the area, everyone's idea of long drive here is walking down the block to get around town. Of course, there are always exception to this norm and if you fancy making the drive to Fort Smith, this neighborhood's stock of detached houses to rent will make an excellent dwelling for you. North Hills Plaza Shopping Center and Van Buren Municipal Park are some of the landmarks in this community.
Traipsing around Town
If you take the time playing tourist around town, you'll find that Van Buren is sort of a mecca for Ozark whosits and whatsits galore, one-of-a-kind antiques and arts, as well as all kinds of eclectic items. If you're wary of wearing out that plastic with a lot of shopping, you can head over to The Old Frisco Station, where you'll be whisked away to the spectacular Ozark Mountains for an excursion down the memory lane with the staff's anecdotes of the area's rich history. As you pass along trestles, tunnels, and river valleys, it'll be like having a window seat to yesteryear. If a window seat isn't enough, you can always take the Arkansas Heritage Trail System where you'll be walking in the footsteps of Civil War soldiers, Native Americans and merchants of long ago.
If shopping and lessons on history is too sedate for your taste, you can always go boating and fishing in the Arkansas River or take part of the action in the surrounding parks. But if you're too urban for those sort of things, get on the car and make the short drive to Fort Smith where your fellow party people are waiting for you to jazz things up with your own brand of insanity.
You don't want to keep them waiting, do you? Come and get your own place here!
