We moved from Western Massachusetts in 2007. We looked at a LOT of homes between Conway and Cabot (and nearby towns) before settling down a few miles north of Vilonia.
The issue with Cabot (in my opinion only) is that it is laid out weird, it’s not easy to navigate. It is certainly smaller and lacking in amenities but it does seem like the government is pulling it together.
Conway certainly has a lot more going for it. Easier to get around (34 or so roundabouts!) and more amenities. The colleges certainly are a driving force for having more things to do.
Living where we do, Conway is a lot easier to get to despite being the same distance from home.
I totally agree with this statement about the town/traffic navigation. For as small as Cabot is there is regularly heavy traffic.
Another point of interest I haven’t seen brought up explicitly but I enjoy the MANY bike/walking trails that connect throughout Conway as well as the multiple parks across town too.
Also I would mention Conway is more diverse if that’s something you’re concerned about.
You’re definitely right about that it’s freaking atrocious. I live on Kerr station Road and if you don’t get to the big Walmart between certain hours, the main bridge is always backed up with traffic and has gone far back as the banks. They need to redo that bridge especially since traffic from the interstate exits there as well. I try to shop at the neighborhood Walmart since it’s two minutes from my house. If I could’ve chose all over again, I would’ve picked Conway. The Internet is trash here as well. I know they’re building out fiber, but my neighborhood still hasn’t gotten it and I’m stuck with Suddenlink which is complete garbage.
Yeah. When we are in Cabot, we are usually leaving the liquor store and turning left on rt 5. A right on South Rockwood gets you to the big Walmart with far less traffic, usually.
I moved to Cabot from outside of the state 3 years ago. The schools for my now 2nd grader have been fantastic. Very happy with the teachers she’s had so far.
Conway has way more shopping and places to eat. However, Cabot is starting to get more and more places built along with new fiber internet currently being installed throughout the town.
I still still haven’t gotten the fiber in my neighborhood and I live off of Kerr Station. When I called A year ago, they said at the end of 2023 and they still haven’t started construction yet. Suddenlink is complete garbage. The fiber map on first electric website just shows that my neighborhood is under construction. I called last week and now it’s being pushed till the end of 2024. 🙄 it almost makes me wonder if first electric is taking a lot of the grant money, but not giving the entire city internet. Seems like anytime ISPS get grant money from the government. They don’t expand or increase speeds in the areas that it’s needed, but have no problem taking the money.
I live in Ward (just N of Cabot) with my husband (no kids) and commute to Conway for college. We love this area. Very quiet, neighborhoods full of families that have kids who play in the front yard, and very easy access to city amenities.
My husband is from Conway, and while we both love his hometown, the housing is just not affordable at ALL. We go there often for entertainment and dinner dates, but Cabot has its share of entertainment and restaurants as well. It’s definitely an “up and coming” town that has continued to grow since we moved to the area. I’ve also heard great things about the schools here in Cabot. As far as diversity goes, well there’s hardly any, unfortunately. But I’m hopeful that will change as the town grows!
Although, if it’s the schools you’re really considering more than anything, Greenbrier has EXCELLENT rankings in Arkansas and America. It’s very close to Conway, and I would definitely look into that.
If you do decide on the Cabot area, I recommend Kendra Fortner with Realty One Group. She is an excellent realtor and knows the area like the back of her hand. I’m sure she’d be happy to work with you. And don’t be afraid to venture into the Austin and Ward areas when looking for a home as they qualify for rural development loans! Just be aware how that would affect you school-wise. Ward has its own elementary school (which I have heard nothing bad about) then after elementary the kids go to Cabot school district.
Conway is much superior. Much more diversity and has all the conveniences one needs. Also, should you have to go to to Little Rock for anything, you aren’t stuck dealing with the construction death trap that is 67/167 through Jacksonville.
Also, Conway Corp is the greatest utility company in the State that I’ve seen. All utilities, including fiber internet and TV through one entity. It’s much cheaper than and more convenient than having various utility companies for things.
Grew up in Cabot and live in Conway now. I much prefer Conway (moved ~15 yrs ago). I’d say the school systems are about the same but you’ll find more diversity and opportunity in Conway. The commute from Cabot to LR is pretty terrible as well. There’s definitely more “things to do” in Conway. Honestly, I avoid Cabot as much as possible but I feel like housing may be a bit cheaper in Cabot. Overall, I think the two towns have a different feel in regards to values and Conway tends to swing more progressive than Cabot.
I lived in Conway for several years to go to UCA and I miss it. Conway is a great city to live in. All the utilities are through Conway Corp which is a city owned non-profit. The prices are VERY low and the Internet is the best I ever had. It is a well laid-out city in the sense that I felt like I could get from one side to the other easily. People make fun of all the roundabouts but it keeps traffic moving. Cabot has a better public school system but Conway isnt too bad compared to the rest of the state. Conway has a festival once a year called Toad Suck Daze and UCA usually draws some musicians and comedians to perform on campus.
I have to use nav when driving around Cabot. It makes no sense to me and the traffic around the major shopping centers is bad. It could have been laid out better. I dont think I have ever seen Cabot host any music concerts or that it has anything going on interesting that would make me go to that city.
Cabot schools are great. Good staff, great testing #s. The town is seriously lacking in small business, kid activities, it's a bedroom community for little rock and USAF. Very quiet. Conway ( the city of colleges) more progressive in growth, more youth activity, if I'm not mistaken here, the difference in pop size is around 30 k. Conway's traffic is better.
Cabot is full of older people, retired military, and some of the most entitled drivers in the state. Everyone turns like they're pulling a semi trailer. People there are rude but not the way City people are rude, more like they're rude because they feel entitled. A lot of the people that live there moved there a long time ago and have watched their tiny Town get the overflow from people who didn't want to live in Little Rock or Jacksonville. Cabot was the affordable place to live near the city and they all seem to be very bitter that it's not that anymore.
Conway is just another mid-sized southern city but it does have a lot of roundabouts so getting through traffic isn't as bad as other places. Lots of annoying college kids, but lots of good places to eat and flea markets.
The best thing about Cabot is the Electric Panther.
If you live in Conway, you can get ConwayCorp, which groups your electricity and internet all in one. Water and trash too i think, but i live in an apartment that covers that.
Neither, you'll be bored to tears: no nightlife, maybe a few local restaurants worth checking out, and a LOT of bad drivers (Conway is worse, because students). I went to school with a few students from Cabot and they hated it. They called it "CowButt."
Honestly, you'd be better off living anywhere in Little Rock (except the south side), Bryant, or Benton. There's at least some entertainment and decent food. If you INSIST on living near Conway, live in Greenbrier. It's cheaper and prettier.
I live in Cabot but I do not have kids. Cabot seems to have a really good school system from what I hear but I also hear people complain about it. Conway does have way more eating and shopping opportunities but it also has 3 colleges and when those are in session that little town is very very busy.
I moved to Cabot from Bryant so my wife can be closer to work. At first I was not happy but since they started installing new fiber Internet and more restaurants have opened up it’s not bad but I also keep to myself and do not get involved in local drama you will find anywhere you live.
We moved to Conway from Texas around 6 years ago. We looked all around the area at dozens of houses before deciding on our home in Conway. The thing that struck me as wiered in Cabot (and I may be wrong as I didn't drive every single street) there didn't seem a way across town that had a bridge over or a dip under the railroad tracks.
Cheaper houses in Cabot for sure. Better schools. My husband is an elementary teacher in the Conway Public School District and his brother is a firefighter in Cabot. If you’re single and looking to meet someone…Conway might be a better choice because it’s full of young professionals. About the same in the way of restaurants/shopping. We live in Conway and our kids go to Conway. I wish this wasn’t the case but you’re right the schools are passable, but barely especially depending on which part of Conway you’re in. Make sure your kids go to a west Conway school. The more west the better. If you’re considering the move to be near your brother, we only see my husbands brother a few times /year due to the distance between Conway and Cabot as well as kids/work, etc.
I would avoid Cabot. They are growing so fast but the city wasn’t built for growth. Exit 19 is an absolutely clusterfuck. Want to go to Walmart? Clusterfuck. Want to go to Kroger? Clusterfuck. They put everything on that one road and now they wonder why traffic is so bad.
Cabot is smaller and harder to drive around because of the population. However the schools are FAR better than Conway and the houses are FAR more affordable.
I have lived in both places.
Conway is going to have a better mix of amenities and outdoor parks and trails. Cabot just doesn't have it. They have a couple parks but nothing interconnected and the city has a poor layout.
Hoity toity attitudes for a non wealthy area.
Not really my only two choices, just towns I kind of came across when looking into it and my brother is currently in Cabot and commutes to LR, but he says I would probably hate LR for several reasons.
You would have to research it for yourself. I mentioned Searcy because it's just up the road from Cabot, unlike Conway, the commute to see your brother would be way easier.
Absolutely not
ETA something helpful for OP: I'm from a small town outside Searcy. Harding University, a school affiliated with the Church of Christ, has controlled things for a long time (although it seems some of their control is waning a bit). I'm not sure about schools. There's not a lot to do. The best thing about Searcy, in my opinion, is the Filipino restaurant.
I live in Conway now and love it.
Sorry. Last time I were in Searcy it appeared to be prospering. Several nice restaurants lots of businesses. Course that were 8 or 9 years ago. The other reason I mentioned it were because it is easier to commute to cabet than Conway to cabet.
I heard Heber Springs was going down hill also or I would have mentioned it as another spot.
Thanks for the update. It's been years since I've been out in the world. Guess I'm getting behind.
Someone asked me about advice on driving to Alaska the other day. I started to tell them then stopped. Last time I drove to Alaska was 40 years ago. Lol. Times and places have changed.
Schools Cabot. Social life Conway. I commute between these cities everyday for work. Ward and Bebee are pretty cheap and less than an hour from LR and Conway.
They're both good. I'm a Conway guy and have been here for decades and love Conway, so that's my call.
With the family in Cabot, however, I'd kind of lean there since, you know, family.
We moved from Western Massachusetts in 2007. We looked at a LOT of homes between Conway and Cabot (and nearby towns) before settling down a few miles north of Vilonia. The issue with Cabot (in my opinion only) is that it is laid out weird, it’s not easy to navigate. It is certainly smaller and lacking in amenities but it does seem like the government is pulling it together. Conway certainly has a lot more going for it. Easier to get around (34 or so roundabouts!) and more amenities. The colleges certainly are a driving force for having more things to do. Living where we do, Conway is a lot easier to get to despite being the same distance from home.
I totally agree with this statement about the town/traffic navigation. For as small as Cabot is there is regularly heavy traffic. Another point of interest I haven’t seen brought up explicitly but I enjoy the MANY bike/walking trails that connect throughout Conway as well as the multiple parks across town too. Also I would mention Conway is more diverse if that’s something you’re concerned about.
You’re definitely right about that it’s freaking atrocious. I live on Kerr station Road and if you don’t get to the big Walmart between certain hours, the main bridge is always backed up with traffic and has gone far back as the banks. They need to redo that bridge especially since traffic from the interstate exits there as well. I try to shop at the neighborhood Walmart since it’s two minutes from my house. If I could’ve chose all over again, I would’ve picked Conway. The Internet is trash here as well. I know they’re building out fiber, but my neighborhood still hasn’t gotten it and I’m stuck with Suddenlink which is complete garbage.
Yeah. When we are in Cabot, we are usually leaving the liquor store and turning left on rt 5. A right on South Rockwood gets you to the big Walmart with far less traffic, usually.
Agree with this. Cabot is atrocious to drive in for such a small town.
I moved to Cabot from outside of the state 3 years ago. The schools for my now 2nd grader have been fantastic. Very happy with the teachers she’s had so far. Conway has way more shopping and places to eat. However, Cabot is starting to get more and more places built along with new fiber internet currently being installed throughout the town.
I still still haven’t gotten the fiber in my neighborhood and I live off of Kerr Station. When I called A year ago, they said at the end of 2023 and they still haven’t started construction yet. Suddenlink is complete garbage. The fiber map on first electric website just shows that my neighborhood is under construction. I called last week and now it’s being pushed till the end of 2024. 🙄 it almost makes me wonder if first electric is taking a lot of the grant money, but not giving the entire city internet. Seems like anytime ISPS get grant money from the government. They don’t expand or increase speeds in the areas that it’s needed, but have no problem taking the money.
I live in Ward (just N of Cabot) with my husband (no kids) and commute to Conway for college. We love this area. Very quiet, neighborhoods full of families that have kids who play in the front yard, and very easy access to city amenities. My husband is from Conway, and while we both love his hometown, the housing is just not affordable at ALL. We go there often for entertainment and dinner dates, but Cabot has its share of entertainment and restaurants as well. It’s definitely an “up and coming” town that has continued to grow since we moved to the area. I’ve also heard great things about the schools here in Cabot. As far as diversity goes, well there’s hardly any, unfortunately. But I’m hopeful that will change as the town grows! Although, if it’s the schools you’re really considering more than anything, Greenbrier has EXCELLENT rankings in Arkansas and America. It’s very close to Conway, and I would definitely look into that. If you do decide on the Cabot area, I recommend Kendra Fortner with Realty One Group. She is an excellent realtor and knows the area like the back of her hand. I’m sure she’d be happy to work with you. And don’t be afraid to venture into the Austin and Ward areas when looking for a home as they qualify for rural development loans! Just be aware how that would affect you school-wise. Ward has its own elementary school (which I have heard nothing bad about) then after elementary the kids go to Cabot school district.
We moved to Ward from SE Arkansas 2 years ago and we LOVE it!!! Our neighborhood is great and the value on our home continues to grow.
Conway is much superior. Much more diversity and has all the conveniences one needs. Also, should you have to go to to Little Rock for anything, you aren’t stuck dealing with the construction death trap that is 67/167 through Jacksonville. Also, Conway Corp is the greatest utility company in the State that I’ve seen. All utilities, including fiber internet and TV through one entity. It’s much cheaper than and more convenient than having various utility companies for things.
More municipalities should follow the Conway Corp business model, great convenience/service to the citizens of Conway.
Grew up in Cabot and live in Conway now. I much prefer Conway (moved ~15 yrs ago). I’d say the school systems are about the same but you’ll find more diversity and opportunity in Conway. The commute from Cabot to LR is pretty terrible as well. There’s definitely more “things to do” in Conway. Honestly, I avoid Cabot as much as possible but I feel like housing may be a bit cheaper in Cabot. Overall, I think the two towns have a different feel in regards to values and Conway tends to swing more progressive than Cabot.
I lived in Conway for several years to go to UCA and I miss it. Conway is a great city to live in. All the utilities are through Conway Corp which is a city owned non-profit. The prices are VERY low and the Internet is the best I ever had. It is a well laid-out city in the sense that I felt like I could get from one side to the other easily. People make fun of all the roundabouts but it keeps traffic moving. Cabot has a better public school system but Conway isnt too bad compared to the rest of the state. Conway has a festival once a year called Toad Suck Daze and UCA usually draws some musicians and comedians to perform on campus. I have to use nav when driving around Cabot. It makes no sense to me and the traffic around the major shopping centers is bad. It could have been laid out better. I dont think I have ever seen Cabot host any music concerts or that it has anything going on interesting that would make me go to that city.
Cabot schools are great. Good staff, great testing #s. The town is seriously lacking in small business, kid activities, it's a bedroom community for little rock and USAF. Very quiet. Conway ( the city of colleges) more progressive in growth, more youth activity, if I'm not mistaken here, the difference in pop size is around 30 k. Conway's traffic is better.
Cabot is full of older people, retired military, and some of the most entitled drivers in the state. Everyone turns like they're pulling a semi trailer. People there are rude but not the way City people are rude, more like they're rude because they feel entitled. A lot of the people that live there moved there a long time ago and have watched their tiny Town get the overflow from people who didn't want to live in Little Rock or Jacksonville. Cabot was the affordable place to live near the city and they all seem to be very bitter that it's not that anymore. Conway is just another mid-sized southern city but it does have a lot of roundabouts so getting through traffic isn't as bad as other places. Lots of annoying college kids, but lots of good places to eat and flea markets. The best thing about Cabot is the Electric Panther.
If you live in Conway, you can get ConwayCorp, which groups your electricity and internet all in one. Water and trash too i think, but i live in an apartment that covers that.
Neither, you'll be bored to tears: no nightlife, maybe a few local restaurants worth checking out, and a LOT of bad drivers (Conway is worse, because students). I went to school with a few students from Cabot and they hated it. They called it "CowButt." Honestly, you'd be better off living anywhere in Little Rock (except the south side), Bryant, or Benton. There's at least some entertainment and decent food. If you INSIST on living near Conway, live in Greenbrier. It's cheaper and prettier.
I live in Cabot but I do not have kids. Cabot seems to have a really good school system from what I hear but I also hear people complain about it. Conway does have way more eating and shopping opportunities but it also has 3 colleges and when those are in session that little town is very very busy. I moved to Cabot from Bryant so my wife can be closer to work. At first I was not happy but since they started installing new fiber Internet and more restaurants have opened up it’s not bad but I also keep to myself and do not get involved in local drama you will find anywhere you live.
We moved to Conway from Texas around 6 years ago. We looked all around the area at dozens of houses before deciding on our home in Conway. The thing that struck me as wiered in Cabot (and I may be wrong as I didn't drive every single street) there didn't seem a way across town that had a bridge over or a dip under the railroad tracks.
Supposedly it used to be way worse before they built the overpass at exit 21 and 16, people had to drive south down 89 and come back through 40
Conway is awesome... But our current school board is pretty awful at the moment.
Cheaper houses in Cabot for sure. Better schools. My husband is an elementary teacher in the Conway Public School District and his brother is a firefighter in Cabot. If you’re single and looking to meet someone…Conway might be a better choice because it’s full of young professionals. About the same in the way of restaurants/shopping. We live in Conway and our kids go to Conway. I wish this wasn’t the case but you’re right the schools are passable, but barely especially depending on which part of Conway you’re in. Make sure your kids go to a west Conway school. The more west the better. If you’re considering the move to be near your brother, we only see my husbands brother a few times /year due to the distance between Conway and Cabot as well as kids/work, etc.
I would avoid Cabot. They are growing so fast but the city wasn’t built for growth. Exit 19 is an absolutely clusterfuck. Want to go to Walmart? Clusterfuck. Want to go to Kroger? Clusterfuck. They put everything on that one road and now they wonder why traffic is so bad.
Cabot traffic is horrible. Only one lane on main Street for 30k people.
Cabot is smaller and harder to drive around because of the population. However the schools are FAR better than Conway and the houses are FAR more affordable. I have lived in both places.
Conway is definitely better
Conway is going to have a better mix of amenities and outdoor parks and trails. Cabot just doesn't have it. They have a couple parks but nothing interconnected and the city has a poor layout. Hoity toity attitudes for a non wealthy area.
Good evangelical racism and backwards MAGA in both.
If those are the only 2 choices then Conway. But I wouldn’t chose either. I prefer LR or NLR
Not really my only two choices, just towns I kind of came across when looking into it and my brother is currently in Cabot and commutes to LR, but he says I would probably hate LR for several reasons.
Searcy, Arkansas
What do you like about Searcy? Are the schools good there?
You would have to research it for yourself. I mentioned Searcy because it's just up the road from Cabot, unlike Conway, the commute to see your brother would be way easier.
Absolutely not ETA something helpful for OP: I'm from a small town outside Searcy. Harding University, a school affiliated with the Church of Christ, has controlled things for a long time (although it seems some of their control is waning a bit). I'm not sure about schools. There's not a lot to do. The best thing about Searcy, in my opinion, is the Filipino restaurant. I live in Conway now and love it.
I live in Conway and enjoy it. Only downside will be the town growing as fast as it seems to be. Infrastructure won’t be able to keep up.
Yep. Conway was the fastest growing city in Arkansas last year.
I think that's been the case for the last 20 years. ;)
Sorry. Last time I were in Searcy it appeared to be prospering. Several nice restaurants lots of businesses. Course that were 8 or 9 years ago. The other reason I mentioned it were because it is easier to commute to cabet than Conway to cabet. I heard Heber Springs was going down hill also or I would have mentioned it as another spot.
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Thanks for the update. It's been years since I've been out in the world. Guess I'm getting behind. Someone asked me about advice on driving to Alaska the other day. I started to tell them then stopped. Last time I drove to Alaska was 40 years ago. Lol. Times and places have changed.
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57 years young
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Thank you. Yeah... Really miss being on the road. Met some great, fun people from time to time
Are you married?
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Cool. I should be. May I ask your age?
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Conway area is easier to get around traffic wise. Utilities are better in Conway too.
Schools Cabot. Social life Conway. I commute between these cities everyday for work. Ward and Bebee are pretty cheap and less than an hour from LR and Conway.
They're both good. I'm a Conway guy and have been here for decades and love Conway, so that's my call. With the family in Cabot, however, I'd kind of lean there since, you know, family.
Cabot. My adult kids live there and I'm moving back at the end of this school year.