Why Bentonville & Northwest Arkansas Are Thriving

by Bethany Stephens

Those of us who live here get it, but year after year the rest of the U.S. (and the world) are caught off guard about why Northwest Arkansas is such a hotspot.

Our area boasts the 5th fastest growing economic market in the U.S., primarily driven by the jobs created by the world's largest retailer (Walmart) being based here... but there's also a thriving tech scene, and it's a great place for entrepreneurs or launching a career.

People are moving here rapidly (our top non-neighboring feeder states are Texas, California and Florida)... probably because we're one of the ten best places to live in the South.

The Wall Street Journal calls us "the new capital of cool."

The Washington Post says our Crystal Bridges is one of the top 20 art museums in America (we agree... it's phenomenal) and an art lover's dream destination with public art at every turnrn.

There's a culinary school and a thriving food scene, and the region boasts James Beard chef and restaurant award nominees year after year. We've got an array of innovative bars, taverns and craft cocktail hotspots and for pick-me-ups: we're also one of the best coffee cities in the world (and home base for a world barista champion).

The New York Post calls Bentonville "America's next real estate hot spot," and Mansion Global says we're a "true luxury home destination" and that Northwest Arkansas is a "booming real estate market."

With 70 miles of city trails and more than 400 miles of trails across the region, it's no wonder we're known as the Mountain Biking Capital of the World. We're also the second best small town for adventure and one of the top 10 places in the world to ride.

Need another nudge? Let this love letter convince you: