FORT SMITH, Ark. — Inexpensive housing and a good job market could be putting Fort Smith on the map for people across the county who want to move.
According to a recent study from Business Insider, Fort Smith was ranked 15th out of 16 for places with hot job markets and homes $150k below average. The publication found average homes prices in these cities were significantly less than the national average of $445,000 and the unemployment rate below the current mark of 4.1%
The median home price in Fort Smith according to the article is $279,000 and the unemployment rate is 3.7%. That's $166,000 less than the national average.
"The amount of square footage, land, space, amenities that you can get in Fort Smith compared to bigger cities throughout the country," said Craig Price, an operating partner for Keller Williams Platinum Realty. "The job market compared to the cost of living. It's it has been crazy to see that transition from out of state buyers just ramping up the last couple years to what it is today."
Price said they are busier than ever at his agency with new people moving to Fort Smith.
"We get phone calls every single day from folks out of state moving into our area," Price said. "We've got the airport, we've got all the restaurants, we've got we've got the jobs. We're so close to Northwest Arkansas, Tulsa, Little Rock Oklahoma City."
He said he's pretty certain the growth the city is seeing won't slow down anytime soon, especially with this new study.
"For me to say all of a sudden that's just going to stop on a dime would be foolish because we do have that momentum. So you bet we will continue to see development. We will continue to see growth," Price explained. "It's going to open up more eyes and bring in more opportunity."
Alan and Stephinie Ulloa have lived in the area basically their whole lives. Alan and his family immigrated from Honduras to Fort Smith in 1991.
"We had to move down here to where it was a little bit more affordable, a little bit nicer, more laid back," said Alan said. "It has been a joy living here."
He said the city has definitely grown in all types of ways over the past 33 years.
"You're seeing everyone be a little bit more open minded towards all the different cultures. That's something that I wish I had when I was growing up," Alan said. "There's all the parks expanding and the Marshals Museum that opened up."
"I like the business district. I like the historical sites that are being used for local businesses, and that growth that's bringing in a lot of tourist attraction," Stephinie added. "I really, really, really want them to focus on the historical district. I want more people to see the richness of the history of Fort Smith and what they can learn from it."
Recently, the city started its "Make My Move Program," which is designed to bring remote workers into the city. They're offering things like season passes to Parrot Island and memberships for the U.S. Marshals Museum as well cash incentives of up to $10,000.
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