If you’re looking for a young, professional crowd, Conway is the place â€" the average age for the city is 28.6, according to Money magazine’s "Best Places to Live 2008" report.

This could have a lot to do with the fact that Conway is home to college students who live in Conway during the academic year attending one of the city’s three institutions of higher learning: the University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College and Central Baptist College. These institutions provide a thriving arts scene with programs for the general public, including music, art exhibits, special speakers and drama.

Major Employers

An educated population is great for employers as well. Major players in Faulkner County include information technology giant Acxiom, whose corporate office is in Little Rock; the University of Central Arkansas; and Conway Regional Medical Center. Each employs more than 1,000 workers.

Other major corporations include American Transportation, Frigidaire, Virco Manufacturing and Kimberly-Clark. The employment scope will be expanding soon with the addition of a Hewlett-Packard customer service and technical support center, a $28 million effort that will bring some 1,200 jobs to the city.

The discovery of the Fayetteville Shale Play, an underground natural gas formation that spreads through the country and much of north-central Arkansas, adds another dimension to the area’s economic growth. Residents are excited by the financial potential, as mineral rights and property are in hot demand.

Luxury Living, Retail

A growing population also makes for a strong housing market. Money magazine reports that the median home price in Conway for 2008 was $128,000, which is far below the reported national average of $291,949. But if you're looking for luxury living, two popular areas include Centennial Valley, where homes average $250,000 to $700,000, and Paddington Estates, with houses priced from $300,000 to $400,000.

Conway’s location â€" 30 miles north of Little Rock on Interstate 40 â€" also makes it the central gateway to the Ozarks. Many tourists stop off in Conway on their way to such places as Branson, Mo., Eureka Springs, and Mountain View, which allows for a thriving shopping market.

Conway has numerous local specialized boutiques downtown, and the 600,000-square-foot outdoor mall Conway Commons boasts stores such as Old Navy, Target, Kohl’s, Belk, Pier One Imports and T.J. Maxx.

For those searching for vintage clothing, home furnishings and accessories, the numerous antique stores in Conway are not to be missed. Thrifty shoppers can find antiquated gems in the form of paintings, good china, old records and more. For more fun shopping finds, try Dazzle Daze, an annual shopping event sponsored by the Conway Regional Women’s Council.

Dining, Festivals

Conway offers up a unique palette of local restaurants, providing residents with a wide variety of dining options. Most require patrons to buy an annual membership so that alcohol may be served, but all are worth the money. It’s not hard to find cuisine that hails from all corners of the globe right down the street. For Italian food, try college crowd favorite Due Amiche or upscale Michaelangelos. Fuji’s Japanese Steakhouse has some of the best sushi in town, complete with a full bar â€" a rarity in a dry county.

Family-friendly Toad Suck Daze is one of the state’s largest festivals and dominates downtown Conway the first weekend in May. Residents and visitors alike enjoy funnel cakes and roasted corn on the cob, rides, arts and crafts, and the world-famous toad races in the Toad Dome.

For a low-key night out that the whole family can enjoy, head downtown to the Silver Moon Cinema. Held on alternating weekends throughout the spring, summer and fall, the Silver Moon Cinema reintroduces a whole new generation to the outdoor movie with fun, family friendly movies, concessions and more.

A strong public school system serves the families in Conway, and there are several private school choices including Conway Christian School and St. Joseph School. The district also serves students and adults of Conway and surrounding districts through an area Vocational Educational Center located at the senior high complex.