I was born and raised in Pennsylvania and my entire knowledge of Southern living as a youth was formed on drives down Interstate 95 to Disney World. I thought South Carolina was the mecca of fireworks — really impressive, since fireworks were wholly illegal in Pennsylvania. I was also impressed with central Florida: You could buy beer and wine in a grocery store, which was also wholly illegal in Pennsylvania. 

After graduating college in Pennsylvania with a master’s degree in engineering, I decided to move more than 500 miles away from my relatives, to Nashville, so I could “make it on my own.” (I arrived at 500 miles because it equated to an approximately 10-hour drive each way for my parents and relatives, which ruled out weekend visits for both of us.) 

Fifteen years ago, I moved to West Little Rock, and then six years ago to the Argenta neighborhood of North Little Rock. This was before Dickey-Stephens Park, before the River Rail Trolley, and before most of the current restaurants were open on Main Street, but I could recognize the value of a small downtown neighborhood where we could walk to almost everything. I like to paraphrase Tip O’Neill’s slogan “All politics is local” as “All quality of life is local.” 

My wife and I walk to our bank and we walk to our post office box every day. Two or three times a week we walk to a local neighborhood restaurant for lunch together or with clients. My wife and I occasionally walk to Ristorante Capeo in the late evening for dessert and a drink. My daughter walks to the Argenta branch library to check out books and videos and to participate in many of their children’s events. We walk to Alltel Arena and our season ticket seats at Dickey-Stephens Park. Sometimes I don’t get in my car for two or three days at a time, and I have gone as long as three weeks without filling up my gas tank. My wife walks the neighborhood as late as 11 p.m., and I can’t remember the last car break-in or assault in our neighborhood. We know our neighbors two or three blocks away and we stop and chat when we walk past each other’s houses. We ride the trolley to events at the Statehouse Convention Center and walk to Benihana’s for all-you-can-eat sushi nights. Recently we rode the trolley to the THEA Foundation Chalk Art event at the Clinton Presidential Library with our daughter, who met friends and had a great time playing on the great lawn in front of the library. 

This is an area where you if want to be involved with government, serve on a commission, work with a neighborhood group it is easy. Southern living is great because of the friendliness of the people; urban Southern living is exceptional because of its small-town feel with big-town opportunities literally available within walking distance or a trolley ride.   

The people in the South and in Central Arkansas are not only accepting but are friendly, courteous and gracious. I do have to put up with the occasional Yankee criticism, but that is deserved. 

— Scott Miller