No one really knows precisely where the name for Arkadelphia came from. Up until 1839 the city was known as Blakely Town, and one theory suggests that the new name came from the combination of 'Ark' from the state name of Arkansas, and 'adelphia', which means place/brother in Greek. Another theory is slightly more simple -- the city was named after a place of the same name in Alabama, which kinda makes sense since a lot of early settlers in Arkansas came from there, and back then it was commonplace for people to name a new settlement after the place they'd come from. So, probably the latter then.
Whatever the etymology of the name, Arkadelphia is home to 10,714 people as of the 2010 census, and is found in Clark County where it's the county seat. There are a couple of universities there -- Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University -- and the city itself is found in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains in an area covering about 7.5 square miles. Arkadelphia is pretty centrally located in Arkansas, and is relatively remote and not really close to any major urban areas. There are a few similarly sized settlements nearby, such as Malvern and Hotsprings, with the state capital of Little Rock about 60 miles to the northeast along Interstate 30, which runs straight through the city.
Moving to Arkadelphia
Being remote, you're not likely to be commuting to any nearby city for work, unless you want to spend your life on the interstate, that is. So, it's important that you find work before you move to the area. Perhaps you're moving from a nearby town and are already working? If so, that's great, you're good to go. If not, however, you're going to have to find that paid work, or at the very least lineup a few options, before moving. Remember, any landlord needs to know that you're able to pay your rent, so it will be harder to find a property if you're not in work.
Easy to find a place?
So, is it going to be easy for you to find somewhere in the city? Well, renter occupied homes account for more than 50 percent of accommodation, which is obviously great whether you're looking at renting an apartment or finding a house rental. In addition to this, the vacancy rate is almost double the national average, so you're sure to find plenty of homes available. All in all, it will probably be simple enough to find somewhere, regardless as to what sort of property you're looking for.
Housing options
Right, so what sort of housing is actually available? Well, as with most places, detached housing is most prominent, and accounts for about 60 percent of homes in the city. Larger places to rent in Arkadelphia, therefore, often with 3+ bedrooms, are readily available. If you're conducting an apartment search, you'll also be happy to know that about a quarter of the properties are in high rise apartment complexes. More good news is that rent isn't too high in the city, but that's no surprise for Arkansas, where rent prices simply don't compare to states like New York and California.
Moving day
Moving day will probably be stressful, but it should be happy. By this point, you'll have ticked all the boxes and done everything you need to do. So long as you've passed your credit checks and referencing, and have put down your deposit, the place will be yours and you can get your hands on your keys. An inventory will usually be done, and you'll have to get on and sort out your new utilities and all those bits and pieces. Other than that, though, enjoy your new home!
Neighborhoods in Arkadelphia
There are just two neighborhoods in Arkadelphia, and the city as a whole has a pretty good walk score of 80. That's great if you don't have a car, because you might not need one, at least for errands around town anyway. If you need to get out onto the interstate, it's probably best you don't do this on foot! For anyone who works outside of the city, or for anyone who lives slightly further out onto the plains, you'll probably need a car to get around, as the city doesn't run a transit service.
City Center: Arkadelphia Amtrak is here for quick rail travel southwest and northeast, while in the center of town you'll find a host of shops and restaurants including Slim and Shorty's and El Parian Mexican.
Henderson State U / Pine Street: Here you'll find both of the universities in the city -- Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University -- and plenty of apartments in the nearby area. Rosa's Mexican Kitchen and Arby's are both good for a spot of food.
Living in Arkadelphia
One of the most popular pastimes in Arkadelphia is hiking through the Ouachita National Forest. You can also enjoy golf, water sports, camping, and more at DeGray Lake Resort Skate Park. Fishing is popular in the region as well, while the Iron Mountain Trail System is a great 26 mile trail for bikers to enjoy. There's also an Arts Center, opened in 2011, and several historic points of interest, including the Clark County Historical Museum and James E M Barkman House. The Arkadelphia Aquatic Park is great for both kids and adults alike, and there's also a planetarium. A lot of this, especially that in the downtown area, is walkable, while for anything further afield and for travel beyond the city, the Amtrak line and Interstate 30 offer easy transport.
