My friend, I've been all through Arkansas, and for that matter, since you mention the Ozarks, southern Missouri as well (was stationed there at U.S.Army Engineer School for 6 months). Trust me when I say that there was NOTHING there that would make me choose it over Baton Rouge as a place to live. For that matter, there isn't much there that would ever make me want to go back. I wouldn't make such a comment unless I too had some frame of reference to judge by.

sigh... this will be an argument neither of us can win. however, to correct a few things, NW Ark is growing really fast:

www.govspot.com/lists/fastestgrowing.htm

regarding crime, your supposition than arkansas and louisiana even compares is laughable:

http://brgov.com/dept/brpd/csr/ (baton rouge crime)

vs

http://fayettevillear.areaconnect.com/crime1.htm (fayetteville crime)

the hbo video was filmed in inner city little rock 10 years ago. comparing fayetteville to LR crime is apples and oranges.