I lived in Little Rock, Arkansas for a time as a child. My grandmother was born and raised there with her seven brothers and sisters. On the day my grandmother was born, her father paid the doctor with a hog. When she married my grandfather, my great-grandfather tried to convince him that he should give him a hog since that's what he paid the doctor to deliver her. My grandfather was in the air force at the time and didn't have any hogs, "So how 'bout a dollar?" A lot of time has passed since then. While Little Rock still has its rustic charm, it's grown into a very modern city. Unfortunately, this means you can't pay your doctor's bills with livestock! (If you don't own livestock, maybe that's for the best.) I'm Melissa, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Little Rock, Arkansas.

South Little Rock

Known as SoMa to the locals, this neighborhood is the perfect blend of historic charm and modern convenience. South Little Rock is an accepting and thriving neighborhood where you could spend a weekend or your whole life comfortably. It's a place that respects the arts with classic galleries such as Boswell Mourot Fine Art or if you want something quirky for the fashionista, there's the ESSE purse museum and store. Whether your guilty pleasure is billiards, ice cream or booze, you'll find it in SoMa. Forest Park Elementary was selected by U.S. News as the best elementary school in Little Rock and prides itself on high test scores and space camp for fifth graders. Older students will enjoy Central High, the only high school in the U.S. that doubles as a national park. It's easy to get around in SoMa. You could drive or take the bus, but there's also the quaint yellow METRO streetcars to consider. As stated before, SoMa reveres the arts so you will find many marvelous murals to admire. This is a diverse neighborhood where all are welcome so be sure to come with an open mind and an open heart.

Sweet Home

If ever a neighborhood lived up to its name, it's Sweet Home. Who says it has to be in Alabama? It is a small town, predominantly African American, that has quite a checkered past. Sweet Home boasts America's oldest cotton gin with Hanger Cotton Gin, dating back to the 1870's. The pillars that once marked the entrance to the Arkansas Confederate Soldier's Home still stand. Daisy Bates Elementary, named after the Civil Rights hero, is an improving school. Mills University Studies High School prides itself on preparing students for college. Sweet Home is what many would call a sleepy town with uncrowded streets. Much of the area is farms and fields pitted with blue holes from the bauxite mining in the 40's through 60's. On Highway 365 near Sweet Home Cemetary is eight acres of property purchased by Chief Elwin “Warhorse” Gillum as a home for Native Americans displaced by Hurricane Katrina. it is known as Chahta Yakni Fallama, meaning “God’s people retreating to the land” in the Choctaw language. Sweet Home is indeed sweet and a haven for those looking for peace and quiet.

Reservoir

Reservoir is a calm if dense suburban area of established family homes, some apartments and small businesses. It is diverse with a significant Pakistani minority. As the name of the neighborhood suggests, it is very close to a reservoir. Little Rock Reservoir Park is 58 acres of wooded land with courses on compass use and orienteering available. Access to the reservoir is prohibited so perhaps you might want to have some fun swimming or fishing in Foreman Lake. If you just want to get a little wet, try the splash pad at Burns Park, which was refurbished after a tornado in 2023. Central High is one of the best college prep public high schools in the state that prides itself on diversity, beautiful architecture and a number of athletic teams, as well as being the historic setting of the Little Rock Integration Crisis of 1957. Reservoir is very close to the downtown area with many residents spending less than 15 minutes commuting to work. Many find owning a car helpful. Whether you are a student, family, retiree or young professional, you are sure to find your niche in Reservoir where you have access to the charm of nature and the necessities of city living.

Mabelvale

Mabelvale is a quiet neighborhood on the southern fringe of Little Rock with a rich history. It started as a railroad town that grew thanks to farmer and business owner Amos Morehart. It was officially annexed to Little Rock in 1973. Today, it is still a small town with a lot of bucolic charm but some modern conveniences for shopping and restaurants. Barbecue fans will be especially satisfied. Shoppers will appreciate The Outlets of Little Rock, Arkansas' only outlet store. The real jewel of this neighborhood is the 43-acre Morehart Park. It is a place to hike, observe wildlife or play a variety of sports. Though the population mostly identifies as white, there are significant Hispanic and Hindu communities in the area. Most homes here are single-family with three bedrooms. Most of these families have young children, while college students prefer to spread out elsewhere. A good number of retirees appreciate the calm neighborhood. Teenagers may attend Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School, a relatively new school that prides itself on project-based learning and challenging students to always do their best.

Wakefield

Wakefield is a calm and quiet neighborhood with natural areas with trees and creeks, yet is located just ten or fifteen minutes from Downtown Little Rock for urban conveniences. The real estate market isn't exactly booming just now, but the many homes available are largely brick ranch houses dating back to the 50's and 60's with oaks and maples on the property. Most residents are renters. If you like eating out, there are a number of places that sell barbecue and TexMex. La Cueva is a popular sports bar and lounge that has great food, live music and a place to shoot some pool. If you like not just Mexican food but Latino culture in general, you may want to visit Plaza Frida where Mexican arts and music are celebrated, Wakefield Park is a great place to have a picnic and let the little ones play. There are also places to play baseball or tennis. The most notable school in this area is Wakefield Elementary which has teamed with Wakefield's Future Smiles Dental Clinic to bring better oral health to disadvantaged children. This racially diverse neighborhood may not seem to have much going on, but it is if you know what to look for.

Briarwood

Briarwood is located in central Little Rock, a subdivision where most people are families living in well-established homes that have been recently been updated with double-glazed windows and modern baths and kitchens. Much construction and redevelopment is in progress in this neighborhood. Those in need of long-term medical care can rest easily at Briarwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Inc. where, in between therapy services, patients can take part in salon services and an activity program. For local shopping, many flock to the Park Avenue Shopping Center where you can get whatever you want at Target, get lunch at Panera, get your hair done at Sport Clips and burn some calories at LA Fitness. Commuting is brief from Briarwood, but it is recommended that you use your own car. For education for children from Kindergarten to 12th grade, LISA Academy Public Charter Schools is highly recommended. This top performing school is very much into STEM with academic teams where students can take part in robotics and even drive a solar powered car. All in all, it's a good place to find just what you need.