About 12 miles north of the capital city, Sherwood is a bedroom community of almost 30,000 residents who enjoy a small-town atmosphere with quick and convenient access to nearby larger cities — factors that contributed at one point to the city being named to the Wall Street Journal’s list of country’s 10 best cities to live.

The Wall Street Journal also ranked Metro Little Rock, which includes Sherwood, as the sixth-best real estate market in the country. Its stable housing market is thanks in part to the city’s low crime level; Sherwood has the lowest level of crime of any community in central Arkansas. And while home prices vary, you typically get more house for your money here than in some other local areas. Near the north end of Brockington Road, Miller’s Crossing, Stonehill and Gap Creek are all excellent options for new, spacious homes with top-notch amenities. Nearby Austin Lakes is also a desirable neighborhood.

The Pulaski County Special School District, Sam’s/Walmart stores, The Heritage Companies, St. Vincent’s medical facilities and Delta Dental are among the key employers in Sherwood, but there are many more opportunities, as well as a short commute into downtown Little Rock and the rest of the metro area.

For fun, the locals head to one of Sherwood’s 17 parks, walking trails and to the Bill Harmon Recreation Center, which has a gym, basketball court and swimming pool, and offers several exercise classes throughout the day. If you like to golf, the Robert Trent Jones-designed Greens at North Hills Golf Course is a must. Once a members-only course, it was recently re-opened for public use.