Malvern, Arkansas has the nickname of "The Brick Capital of the World," due to the local clay used to produce--what else--bricks. Every summer, the town hosts the Brickfest, an annual event of food, music and games like a brick toss and a best dressed brick contest. Get ready to use some local bricks to build on in this town.
With a population of just over 10,300 as of the 2010 census, Malvern is a small Arkansas city that also serves as the county seat of Hot Spring County, Arkansas. Once a mountain railroad stop, agriculture and minerals are the economic engines behind this community now.
Moving to Malvern
If you're interested in renting an apartment in Malvern, you should start by perusing the "Malvern Daily Record" classifieds. Look online, too, and of course, stroll through the downtown streets and drive around town to find the best place for you to live, perhaps off busy Ridge Road, or around Main Street in the heart of town.
Vacancies Available
Whether you're looking for 2 bedroom apartments for rent or 3 bedroom houses for rent, there are usually some vacancies to be found in the downtown area, no matter what time of year you are looking to rent. However, give yourself at least three weeks to check out the community and get the feel of the town.
What to Bring
And when you find the apartment for rent that you want to call home, be sure to have the necessary information ready for your landlord to be. That means identification, proof of employment, past rental information and more than likely, bank statements or W2s.
Neighborhoods in Malvern
Hot and humid in the summertime, but offering mild winters, Malvern is located in the pretty Ouachita Mountains.
Malvern City Center: Suburban in density, you'll find single family homes and mobile homes here, occupied by a mix of both renters and owners. Properties range in age, with construction dates primarily between 1940 and 1999. Pretty Chatman Creek runs through this area.
Perla: This is a suburban neighborhood based on population density, with a mix of single family homes and small apartment buildings occupied by both renters and owners. Malvern Municipal Airport is located here in the southern part of this neighborhood, and Town Creek flows through the northern section of this community.
Living in Malvern
This a town that's ideal for families and outdoor adventurers, with plenty of community activities, the pretty Ouachita River and many lakes and forests surrounding the town.
The Hot Springs Railroad, a narrow gauge founded by a Chicago businessman in 1874 was used to connect travelers to the hot springs resort located in, where else?, Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Bricks are serious business in this town with perfect clay as a resource. In fact, there are three brick plants and several manufacturing companies located here, as is Grapette International, which manufactures Grapette soda. Do you like purple?
There's plenty of fun year-round in Malvern. Besides its well known June Brickfest, there's also the Hot Springs County Fair and Rodeo each fall. Ride 'em, cowboys and girls. The Arkansas Canoe Club and Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters both frequently host events like kayaking exhibitions at the only whitewater park in Arkansas, located on the Ouachita. An annual Halloween Haunted house also scares up the fun. You'll find sports programs and senior programs available in Malvern, too.
The Ouachita River Park itself is known for its great hiking, canoeing and kayaking. There's a trail and picnic areas as well as a boat ramp. Class 1 rapids at River Park draws kayak adventure enthusiasts. And the park has big plans for expansion, including a 20 acre lake and entertainment amphitheater, and the construction of a Class 3 rapids on the river.
Downtown Malvern holds a slice of history -- this is where you'll find The Hot Spring County Museum with its extensive display of Caddo Native American pottery, a working antique pump organ, and a First Lady Doll Collection among other exhibits, spread out between three historic structures, one of them a log cabin donated to the city.
Although commuting time averages under 15 minutes here in Malvern, there's little public transportation, so most commuters drive their own vehicles or carpool. You'll want wheels when you live in this pretty mountainside community.