Magnolia is a Arkansas city where oil was discovered in 1938, making it the largest volume producing city in America. It literally helped fuel America during World War II and greatly contributed to the overall Allied victory.
Though its population isn't grand in numbers in relative terms, Magnolia has always had a surprising amount of residents. Only five years after its founding in 1853, for instance, it already had a population around 1,950. The city saw large population growth after oil was discovered in the area in 1938, but it was the annexation of 2,325 acres of land that really jumped the population up. After all, how often does a city see a population increase of 1,100 residents in a single day?
Moving to Magnolia
What can you say about a place that Lane Jean and Sidney McMath called home? Sure, lots of people have no clue who those individuals are, but they're pretty well known in Arkansas, so you should probably check out their Wikipedia page. Other than taking a history lesson, though, you'll need a little preparation before finding city apartments in Magnolia. After all, this isn't an underpass. You can't expect to just walk in and find a place in one day. Luckily for you, everything you need to get ready for this move is contained in the section below. You're welcome.
When to start looking: There are actually plenty of homes to go around in Magnolia. This is likely because it's a sort of mecca for renters. After all, right around 40% of people in the city are renters. Sure, you could look at this as a sign that only half of the residents want to establish a permanent residence here, but it could also be the fact that people want a nice place to stay in an area near El Dorado. Sure, it's not the traditional city of gold, but it's still pretty cool to be able to say you live near it. Point being, you could probably start looking for a place a little over a month before you make a move, and you should have no problem finding apartments or rental homes.
When to make the move: The areas around Magnolia aren't particularly highly populated, so you really don't have to worry about catching heavy traffic due to some week-long music festival going on nearby. Remember, though, that you'll be living in the south. Not sure if you paid attention in high school or not, but it can get awfully warm down there during the summer. Do you honestly want to move all of your stuff into your new place, especially considering that there will be stairwells in an apartment complex, in a place that reached 112 degrees during the summer of 2011? If you're answer isn't an immediate "no" preceded by any number of expletives, you're likely moving from Death Valley. Conclusion: avoid the summer time if you can.
What to bring along: Though there are a variety of housing options to choose from, and it should be easy to get another place even if you miss out on your favorite, there are still things you should bring along to increase your chances of snagging the rental that you want. Then you won't have to go to "Plan B." Start out by having references from your former landlords if you can manage. This will, of course, make you really stand out. Also, it couldn't hurt to bring along a credit and background check. After all, Magnolia's violent crime rate is lower than in the rest of Arkansas, and we're willing to bet that just about any landlord in the area is looking to keep it that way.
Magnolia Neighborhoods
With a population density lower than many small villages in the northeast, a person may think that Magnolia neighborhoods wouldn't have much to offer. Well, it's a good thing that you're a free thinker and decided to look into it on your own. Or maybe you just haven't done enough research to have a preconceived notion. Doesn't matter. Point is that each area in Magnolia has its own little perks that are going to make you ecstatic to live there.
Western Magnolia: If you're looking for a bunch of mass transit and walking trails between the most popular areas of the city, this isn't your place. If you're looking for somewhere minutes from everything, yet still offset from the hustle and bustle of the city center, this is it. It's mostly residential around here, and you can find a nice apt for rent at places like Magnolia Apartments or enjoy an overnighter at Magnolia RV Park.
South Magnolia: South of Main Street, southern Magnolia offers a host of greatness on top of numerous places to call home. You'll never guess the name of the main park in the area! Southside Park. Yeah, they're not too original. You'll also be nearby the Columbia Shopping Center, though, so you can always forget the lack of originality by spending your hard earned cash.
Central Magnolia: If you complain a lot, you might want to move to central Magnolia, and stop whining. That's because just about everything is in this area. Main Street is at its southern border, so there are tons of shops and restaurants. Also, this is the location of Magnolia Regional Medical Center, so if you do decide to move here in the summer when it's hotter than hot, you'll be well within help's reach. Since the area is largely built around Southern Arkansas University, you can also bet that the area is the best in the city for pedestrians.
Eastern Magnolia: When looking at a map of eastern Magnolia, it's easy to say that there's not much there. After all, there are only two substantial residential areas of note, and even Magnolia Memorial Park might not be enough to draw you here. Well, add that to the fact that the house rentals are gorgeous and there's a Wal-Mart Supercenter right around the corner, and you don't have much to complain about anymore. Right?
Living in Magnolia
Many smaller cities are only as good as their closest large city, but this isn't the case for Magnolia. You literally only have to walk out your front door and travel five minutes in any direction to find something great, but living in Magnolia is so much more than those simple pleasures. As you'll be able to tell from the following events and features of the city, you'll have plenty to write home about. Assuming everyone you know doesn't call Magnolia home as well. If that's the case, stop being lazy and walk over there!
Spring excitement: Remember when we said there weren't many large festivals taking place in surrounding cities? Well, that's not the case for Magnolia. During the spring, usually in May, you can join around 40,000 other people for the Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cookoff. Had you already been living here, you could have seen yourself featured on the Food Network one year. Hey, you snooze you lose.
Street art: Sure, you could always go check out an art museum like everyone else, but where's the fun in that? Magnolia is known for its downtown murals. Seriously, Google it. They are such beautiful things to see each day. That's assuming you don't have a heart of ice! Seriously, these things are so great that Charlton Heston even signed one.
Stay healthy: The Columbia County Farmers Market is here, and if you're into super healthy or organic foods, you'll likely know that this is the place you need to check out. Local farmers sell their goods here, and if you're on one of these "save the world" kicks, this is the place for you to go every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.