L ittle Rock, the capital city of Arkansas, is a breathtakingly beautiful city located near the center of the state at the junction of Interstate Highways 30 and 40, and on the south bank of the Arkansas River. Also located near the geographical center of the United States, Little Rock and Arkansas are in the center of what is commonly referred to as the Sunbelt.

Little Rock is a vibrant southern city rich in historic sites, modern amenities and surrounded by scenic beauty. Within the city limits is a population of 184,053 residents and the Greater Little Rock Metropolitan area enjoys 513,117 residents. Preserving the past is important to Little Rock, but it also has an keen eye on the future. The last decade has seen a number of revitalization projects in the city, the largest of which is new River Market District. Previously a row of abandoned warehouses along the Arkansas River, it's now a bustling entertainment district featuring live music hotspots.

Little Rock is home to several national companies including Dillard's, Alltel, TCBY, and Stephens, Inc. Manufacturing centers for companies like Maybelline, Dassault Falcon Jet, Lucent Technologies, Southwest Airlines, and Timex are also here. The government, including local, state and federal offices, is the region's largest employer. Little Rock serves as the center of the Arkansas medical industry, with a number of excellent hospitals, including a top VA hospital as well as Arkansas Children's Hospital. The median household income in Little Rock is $37,138, and the median income for a family is $65,642.

The Clinton Presidential Center and Park is located on the banks of the Arkansas River in the River Market District of downtown Little Rock. This $160-million-dollar structure contains 20,000 square feet of library and museum space, including an authentic replica of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room. Exhibits in the museum are designed by Ralph Appelbaum and Associates of New York. Among its numerous notable achievements, Appelbaum and Associates created the powerful exhibits at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. The Clinton library contains the largest collection of presidential papers and artifacts in U.S. history.

This community is made up of many quaint and charming neighborhoods. Pleasant Valley is the classic high-end Little Rock neighborhood. Here, you'll find both old and new money and modern houses. Hickory Creek is located near Pleasant Valley and has the same kind of housing and feel. West Little Rock has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years and Chenal is one of the areas that have seen enormous growth. Located near the Chenal Country Club, Chenal Valley has golf courses and beautiful new houses. Located in West Little Rock, Otter Creek is a planned recreational community. They have gated security, a racquet club, swimming pools, nature trails, playgrounds, an elementary school and more.

In addition to River Market District, the downtown area is bustling with energy. Hillcrest is the area west of downtown along Markham Street. The Hillcrest neighborhood dates back to the 1890s and is said to be Little Rock's oldest neighborhood. Many striking turn of the century homes and cottages abound. The Heights has a unique ambiance all its own and is north of Hillcrest. The Heights area dates from the 1920s and 1930s and boasts lush, manicured lawns, small cottages, interesting shops and peaceful streets. Riverdale is a community filled with apartments, condos and luxurious modern housing. It's on the river so it has beautiful views and is just a few miles west of downtown. There's a lovely harbor here as well in which to launch boats. The Quapaw Quarter is a section of restored 19th-century homes around MacArthur Park and the Governor's Mansion. Some of the homes are open for tours, but most are owned and lived in. This site is noted for the preservation of these historic homes. University Park is another wonderful area of really nice houses near the major shopping malls.

Just outside of downtown near McCain Mall within the area called North Little Rock is the community of Lakewood. It was constructed around several man-made lakes and has some of the city's nicest homes. Park Hill is located between downtown North Little Rock and the city's outer edges with many tree-shaded sidewalks. It's a modern neighborhood with new houses. The Little Rock metropolitan area has a plenitude of quality, low-cost housing. Houses may range from as low as $50,000 to as high as $1,000,000 and up in more prestigious areas. According to the Central Arkansas Regional Multiple Listing Service, the average sales price for a 3-bedroom home in Pulaski County is $160,000 (including both new and pre-owned homes) and the average time on the market is 120 days.

Residents are delighted and take advantage of Little Rock's proximity to Arkansas' beautiful state parks, which offer year-round opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, swimming, fishing and more. A popular spot with the locals is Pinnacle Mountain State Park, just a few miles west of the city. The recreation area features picnic spots and a playground. Those willing to hike to the mountain's top are rewarded by a panoramic view of the region's lush forests. Lake Ouachita State Park is situated on the state's largest lake and offers sailing and scuba diving in addition to camping and hiking.

There are four symbols that define the city visually and reflect the history of Little Rock. The State Capitol communicates Little Rock's distinction as one of the nation's 50 capitol cities. Completed in 1915, it is a striking Neoclassical building in downtown and was modeled after the United States Capitol building in Washington DC. The Old State House, which became known worldwide as the site of victory celebrations for Bill Clinton during the 1992 and 1996 presidential elections, reminds audiences of Little Rock's most recent role in the nation's history. The River Market represents the cultural and entertainment renaissance in downtown Little Rock, while the Central High School depicts a landmark in the nation's civil rights movement.

Recognized as one of America's Top 100 Festivals, Riverfest takes over downtown Little Rock every Memorial Day Weekend. This three-day long festival features arts and crafts shows, displays of a wide variety of food from area merchants, and an array of local and national musicians. Riverfest ends each year with a massive fireworks display that lights up the surrounding area. In October, the Arkansas State Fairgrounds in Little Rock come alive with the sounds of the Arkansas State Fair. The fair brings a carnival atmosphere to Little Rock including exciting midway booths, Ferris wheels and other rides, a livestock show, and the annual rodeo.

The Little Rock School District has a fine reputation and operates 35 elementary schools, eight junior high schools, and five senior high schools. Total enrollment is around 25,000 students each year. LRSD offers a stimulating and progressive educational environment in which community children are prepared to be successful contributing members of society. For higher education choices, Hendrix College, Philander Smith College, Pulaski Technical College, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Central Arkansas, Webster University, Shorter College and Central Baptist College are all within the Little Rock community.

Little Rock truly is a sophisticated city with small town charm. Gracious, politically savvy and forward thinking, the future looks bright for Little Rock and is the perfect place to live, work, retire or raise a family. If you are considering moving to Little Rock, or would like more information, please feel free to request a "free relocation package" today!