If it weren’t for the river, the line between North Little Rock and the capital city would be blurrier. Both have major health care facilities, restaurants and retailers. One noticeable difference: the downtown areas. Little Rock’s has a more urban, business feel, while North Little Rock’s, known as Argenta, has a charming, small-town vibe.

Live
Like Little Rock, downtown condos and townhomes have been on the rise. The Enclave gives renters a nicer riverside option, while those in the market to buy have options like City Grove townhomes, an eco-friendly development, and condos above retail space on Main Street. Outside of Argenta, there are the newer, stately homes of Timber Creek and Calico Creek. And Lakewood, known for the Old Mill, a “Gone with the Wind,” movie landmark, is a subdivision sought after for its manmade lakes and recreational facilities.

Work
Many of the largest employers in North Little Rock are industrial. For example, Tyson Foods, the Arkansas-based frozen poultry giant, has operations here, as does L’Oreal USA, the cosmetic goods manufacturer. Audio International makes audio and video entertainment and control systems for corporate aircraft. There’s also the smaller but sweeter employer, Brent & Sam’s Cookies. Part of the reason the city appeals to these type of employers is its accessibility to shipping routes: Interstate 30 and Interstate 40 intersect in the city, which also has access to the Arkansas River.

Play
The past decade marked the city’s emergence as a premier entertainment venue, anchored by the 370,000-square-foot Verizon Arena, which frequently hosts star-studded acts. Minor league baseball’s Arkansas Travelers play nearby in Dickey-Stephens Park, a hot spot for summer-evening socializing and catching a skyline view. If a stolen base doesn’t thrill you, maybe the shopping opportunities will. The city is home to several big-box retailers and one of central Arkansas’ two Sam’s Clubs, a warehouse membership outlet.

Experience
Take your pick: Stellar views of the Little Rock cityscape from homes in the historic Park Hill neighborhood; soccer games at Burns Park, one of the nation’s largest city parks at 1,600-acres; or Friday night strolls through more than 20 art galleries in Argenta. Whatever your taste, the state’s third largest city offers exceptional living.

Above & Beyond North Little Rock has city services many other cities in central Arkansas don’t – weekly large item pickup at your curbside, no sanitation fee and a leaf sucker that comes by to pick up the leaves you rake onto the curb.