Moving to Little Rock AFB: What a Local Realtor Wants Military Families to Know
Updated: Oct 25
If you are PCSing to Little Rock Air Force Base, there are some things a Google search can tell you and some things you really only learn from someone who knows the area. I asked local Realtor Nikki Hynes what she wishes military families knew before moving here, what tends to surprise buyers, and what she does to make buying from a distance easier. Nikki works with families moving in and out of the Little Rock Air Force Base area, so I wanted her perspective included here alongside the mortgage side of planning a PCS.
What do you wish someone had told you before your first PCS to this area?
Locals' idea of “busy traffic” is nothing compared to the rest of the world. Lonoke is a dry county. Tornadoes happen here. And humidity is only something you understand once you get here.
What should families know when deciding between Cabot, Jacksonville, Sherwood, or another nearby community?
My basic breakdown is north of base is “country/small town” and south of base is “city life/faster pace.” Schools are the deciding factor for most families.
That is one of the reasons I think it is worth looking beyond just a house you like. Your commute, school preferences, shopping, activities, and the pace you want day to day can make one community feel like a much better fit than another.
What surprises military families when they start house hunting around LRAFB?
This area is more affordable than most of the country. Our soil is awful, and that means no basements even though we get tornadoes. We are right by the Ozarks and “rolling plains,” but the hills and lack of level lots still shock most.
Affordability is one of the reasons buyers relocating here sometimes have more options than they expected. On the mortgage side, I also like to run the numbers early so you know what a comfortable payment looks like before you start comparing homes and communities.
If someone has to buy before arriving in Arkansas, what can you do to make that easier?
I always say with me you will actually probably see more than would matter to you in person. I want to ensure that even the condition of baseboards is highlighted when I am getting videos for my clients. I always video within a few minutes of the area and PREACH that Google Maps is your best friend. Street View will eliminate many properties. Mapping your commute and local shopping allows you to really get an idea of what everyday life will be like. Honestly, even shopping locally, DO THAT!
I love this advice because buying before you arrive is not just about seeing the kitchen and bedrooms. You need enough information to picture what normal life will actually look like there.
What is your biggest piece of advice for a family moving to LRAFB?
BREATHE! We have done this so many times. Whether you need a house in 30 days or you are a lucky family with 6 months to iron out details, we know how to make it as seamless as possible. This is one of the best military communities. It may not be on many dream sheets, but I have MANY more clients sad to leave here than you would ever imagine. You can find your tribe here very easily if you are open to it, coming from someone who HATES change.
Planning a move to Little Rock Air Force Base?
A PCS already comes with enough moving pieces. The homebuying part should not feel like one more thing you have to figure out alone. Nikki can help you understand the area and what daily life looks like around base, and I can help you build the financing plan, especially if you are using your VA loan benefit or buying before you arrive in Arkansas. If you have questions about the mortgage side of a PCS to Little Rock Air Force Base, you can ask me a question anytime. I would rather help you work through the numbers early than have you guessing while you are trying to plan an entire move.
Connect with Nikki
If you are moving to the Little Rock Air Force Base area and want someone who knows the communities around base, you can find Nikki here:
For the mortgage and VA loan side of a PCS, read my full Little Rock AFB homebuying and VA loan guide.
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You do not have to have everything figured out before asking for help. We can talk through your situation and make a plan that fits you.
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