I'm officially moving to Arkansas

[sandj82110]

Holy crap, it's actually happening. We will be there on a 2 year assignment. It's an expat position so fortunately most of our expenses will be taken care of. It's a huge change and I'm slightly terrified but it's too good of an opportunity to pass up.

We're in the process of applying for passports (ours will expire while we're there so we need to renew early) right now and the company is working on the visas. The actual move date is still up in the air, his boss there wants May 1, his boss here wants July 1. We would actually prefer June 1 as the school year ends in May so Daniel would be able to complete his kindergarten year instead of leaving a month early. Of course that's minor as he can join in up here for almost 2 months as school here goes to the end of June.

We have to find a place to rent, I've been looking a little but I think H will ultimately fly down and find something in March. Technically I can go too but I don't think I'm ready to leave Alexander (very attached to me) just yet so instead I'll rely on H to choose. Cost of living appears to be much cheaper than here, it's bizarre to see such cheap housing.

Now on for some questions!

1. Who's the best cell/cable/internet company to go with? I realize this may vary by area but is there anyone you would stay away from? Anyone you have had good experience with?

1b. I want a new phone, I currently have a 5s, if it can be unlocked and work there would you wait and get the 7 this fall or go ahead and get the 6s right away?

2. If you could only have one credit card which one would you choose? Obviously we can have more than one card but there are approximately eleventy billion to choose from and we tend to use one card for everything and get the most rewards on one card vs a little on several. We're more interested in cash back since we may not be able to use the rewards fully otherwise.

3. Can I buy these there?

Or should I hoard ketchup seasoning to make my own ketchup chips?

4. These?


5. And these?


I'll probably have lots of random questions over the next couple of months, I'll apologize now!

[imimahoney]

Oh wow! What a change. I know nothing of Arkansas but regarding a credit card we have a chase rewards card. And I've never seen any of those products in thr store.

[sunshineluv]

Congrats!!! I hope you love it.

1. AT&T u verse has been the best cable I have had so far, but not all areas have it.

I would wait till the iPhone 7 comes out.

I have never seen the stuff in any of those pictures before.

This is exciting!

[imimahoney]

And for cell, Verizon is the most popular but that is sort of area specific. We also have Verizon fios for cable and it works fine but it's expensive. Hopefully you can get a good new client deal.

[sunshineluv]

Oh yes, credit card. I use chase rewards for everything. If you go with that one I can send you a referral, I forget the details but you get money and I do too.

[charmediamsure]

Oh that will be an exciting change!

I love Live Clean baby! I've never seen it sold in the US though.

If you are looking for a new homeopathic cough medicine I think you can get Zarbee's there.

[rainbowchip]

I think it depends on what is available in the area but I've not heard a good thing about cable. I loved directv when we had it.

[mlkgls]

Do you know approximately what area you'll be in?

1. Cell/cable/internet providers can be pretty location specific and depending on where you are, there may be limited choices.

2. I've had a Chase card for a million years and have decent rewards.

3. I've never seen any of those items either.

[sandj82110]

Feb 7, 2016 22:14:18 GMT -5 mlkgls said:

Do you know approximately what area you'll be in?

1. Cell/cable/internet providers can be pretty location specific and depending on where you are, there may be limited choices.

2. I've had a Chase card for a million years and have decent rewards.

3. I've never seen any of those items either.

We will be in Northwest Arkansas, the heart of Duggar country, lol. Fayetteville/bentonville/Springdale/Rogers are all close enough to live in for H to commute to. 

[mlkgls]

Feb 7, 2016 22:18:35 GMT -5 sandj82110 said:

Feb 7, 2016 22:14:18 GMT -5 mlkgls said:

Do you know approximately what area you'll be in?

1. Cell/cable/internet providers can be pretty location specific and depending on where you are, there may be limited choices.

2. I've had a Chase card for a million years and have decent rewards.

3. I've never seen any of those items either.

We will be in Northwest Arkansas, the heart of Duggar country, lol. Fayetteville/bentonville/Springdale/Rogers are all close enough to live in for H to commute to. 

If you like to camp, hike, rock climb, etc, you're in luck. It may be a bit of a culture shock, but there are some beautiful areas.

[sandj82110]

mlkgls, I definitely cant say I'm super outdoorsy but we do plan to make the most of our time there and explore as much as possible! And it's going to be a total culture shock!

[jg183]

Wow! Big change but a fun adventure

[thedahliharpa]

Wow that's a big change. I remember loving the houses and drooling over the prices when an ex-probie was house hunting in Little Rock. GL!

[carawestt]

Wow! I hope you like it there!

[steph196]

I know nothing about Arkansas, but I'm excited for your new adventure!

[shevacc]

Wow, yes be prepared for culture shock, but it is a really beautiful area for outdoor activities. It sounds like a great opportunity!

[ciescalove]

The only things I think I know about Arkansas is that I think Bill Clinton is from there and that I used to think It was funny to pronounce it "Are-can-sass" as a kid.

Good luck on your adventure!

We have AT&T and don't mind it (but like you said it's area specific)

I thought the first pic was popcorn seasoning. I've never heard of ketchup seasoning.

[teamhayes]

How exciting!

I follow a blog (Kelly's Korner) and have fallen in love with Arkansas over the last 7 or so years

It seems like there is a tin to do and the people are really nice

Home of Walmart too! And they love their razorback football

[sandj82110]

Feb 8, 2016 6:58:37 GMT -5 ciescalove said:

The only things I think I know about Arkansas is that I think Bill Clinton is from there and that I used to think It was funny to pronounce it "Are-can-sass" as a kid.

Good luck on your adventure!

We have AT&T and don't mind it (but like you said it's area specific)

I thought the first pic was popcorn seasoning. I've never heard of ketchup seasoning.

it is popcorn seasoning but I've sprinkled it on plain chips in a past before and it works!

[sandj82110]

Feb 8, 2016 7:08:47 GMT -5 teamhayes said:

How exciting!

I follow a blog (Kelly's Korner) and have fallen in love with Arkansas over the last 7 or so years

It seems like there is a tin to do and the people are really nice

Home of Walmart too! And they love their razorback football

I've been told not liking football isn't an option there, I need a football for dummies book because I'm totally clueless!

I'll check out that blog, thanks!

[raynes]

I've got a friend from back in the TK days that's an expat living in what I would guess is that area, as she's currently attending UofA, let me know if you want me to put you in touch with her. She used to live in Bracebridge, so she might be able to help with the culture shock part a bit, though Bracebridde isn't exactly "city", IYKWIM.

[ashleydl83]

My brother lives in Fort Smith and he and his family love it. They say it's beautiful and the cost of living is cheaper, so they've fallen in love. Good luck! How exciting!!

[dojo]

Oh my gosh! Exciting changes!

[kandrze1]

I don't know a lot of Arkansa, but that's very exciting!

[ktstorm]

That's so awesome! Good luck on your new adventure!

[laurack]

how exciting! I've never been to Arkansas but I bet it will be a big change and a fun adventure!

[breezy8407]

What an adventure! I know nothing about Arkansas. Sounds like it will be a big change!

- I don't recognize any of the items you posted, but I am not close regionally anyway
- credit cards...I think it really depends on what kind of points/miles you want. I have a Delta AmEx because I fly Delta for work, so the hope is that we will use most of those miles for Disney someday. I know a lot of people like Capital One cards. A friend recently got a U.S. Bank miles card after she researched it to be the best one. I think it's this one, but I can't be certain: www.usbank.com/credit-cards/flexperks-travel.html

[vthokie]

Culture shock for sure! But, short term things like this seem sort of cool. I like Verizon for cell phones. I had ATT and hated it after a while, but you'll have to see for the area.
I think all cable companies suck. Especially because they all seem to have a monopoly in their areas. You'll have to see if you have extra options like Uverse.
I would start hoarding all things Canadian and yummy. Especially heading to the south. And have a back up who will ship you chips and stuff. We do have ketchup chips, a few different brands.
What an adventure!!

[dbe100408]

Arkansas is beautiful! I hope you adjust quickly, and enjoy your time there.

I've never seen the items you posted for sale here.

[raynes]

Feb 8, 2016 9:48:49 GMT -5 vthokie said:

Culture shock for sure! But, short term things like this seem sort of cool. I like Verizon for cell phones. I had ATT and hated it after a while, but you'll have to see for the area.
I think all cable companies suck. Especially because they all seem to have a monopoly in their areas. You'll have to see if you have extra options like Uverse.
I would start hoarding all things Canadian and yummy. Especially heading to the south. And have a back up who will ship you chips and stuff. We do have ketchup chips, a few different brands.
What an adventure!

This is brilliant.

sandj82110, you send me all the flavoured Oreos and I'll send you Canadian goodies. I'd even make a special trip to find your Newfie stuff.