Living in Oak Forest means entertainment is always within reach. With the University of Arkansas - Little Rock making up its southwestern corner, this neighborhood thrives as a hub for sports fans and art enthusiasts alike. Residents get the benefit of college-town energy and eclecticism without feeling like they're in the middle of a keg party.
With the university in the neighborhood, an event is almost always going on. Locals catch soccer games and track meets at Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex or head to the Center for Performing Arts for student-run musicals and concerts. Jack Stephens Event Center is dedicated in the winter months to Trojans basketball, and Gary Hogan Field overflows with baseball fans every spring. When residents rather play than watch, Oak Forest’s namesake park awaits. The park's playset has yet to be modernized, but it's adored by residents for being quiet and safe. Fully fenced in, the space also offers a basketball court and a grassy field, ideal for group sports or picnics. For family fun, The Little Rock Zoo borders the neighborhood to the north, featuring over 700 animals and interactive exhibits.
With the university comes a flourishing food scene, too. "There is something for everyone, which is smart, as we have a wonderfully diverse population, and it is fun to explore the world over dinner," says Amy Glover Bryant, Realtor for Coldwell Banker. Many locals start their day at Doughboy Donuts, which serves traditional breakfast items like biscuits and pastries. For lunch and dinner, diners might spring for a pork roll and a bowl of pho at Mike’s Café or visit The Mighty Crab for big portions and scores of seafood. Asian grocery store Mr. Chen’s is popular for its specialty produce and meats, but most residents take the trip 1 mile north to Target at Park Avenue Shopping Center for groceries and everyday items. This plaza also brims with familiar chains like Panera Bread and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen.
Although most residential streets directly surrounding the university are filled with student housing – namely, apartment complexes – the housing stock west of campus is predominantly single-family homes built in the mid-20th century in various architectural styles. “Sure, you have a lot of students, but there’s also a lot of older families that have lived there forever,” Amber Wood, Realtor at Mid South Realty and area expert, says. Homebuyers have their pick of Craftsman homes with fenced-in backyards and mini porches, Tudor-inspired cottages with steep roofs, rustic brick and midcentury modern ranches, and small bungalows with vinyl siding and woodsy backyards. Depending on square footage and condition, houses typically cost between $70,000 and $150,000, although some listings can go as low as $18,000 and as high as $250,000. “One of the things I like most about Oak Forest is the affordability of homes for first-time homebuyers and investors," Glover Bryant says.
Public school students attend Bale Elementary School, which has a C rating on Niche and a computer-based Accelerated Reader Program. Middle schoolers attend the C-rated Dunbar Magnet Middle School, the district’s only school designated specifically for the gifted and talented, followed by Central High. The school earns an A from Niche and requires all students to complete at least 75 hours of community service to graduate. For those 18 and older, the Adult Education Center offers free classes on everything from English as a second language to agriculture, all in a self-paced environment. Oak Forest is also home to the B-rated University of Arkansas - Little Rock and the state’s only Islamic school, The Huda Academy, which remains unrated by Niche.
Residents’ needs are well accommodated in Oak Forest. Locals are within 2 miles of UAMS Medical Center and CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, and Baptist Health Community Wellness Center is nearby as well. The center serves Arkansas’ uninsured, underinsured and under-served populations through health education and risk factor screenings. The National Research Corporation has recognized it as Arkansas’ “Best Community Health Program.” For commuters, Interstate 630 and U.S. Highway 30 East run along the northern and southern border, and bus stops can be found along Asher Avenue, South University Avenue and the streets surrounding the university. Downtown is less than 4 miles east, and according to Glover Bryant, "You can get pretty much anywhere in Little Rock from there in 15 to 20 minutes." For out-of-state travel, Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport is roughly 6 miles east.
Nathan Thompson
Keller Williams Realty
(501) 777-9519
97 Total Sales
3 in Oak Forest
$135K - $160K Price Range
Elise Petro
Move Realty
(501) 443-2894
114 Total Sales
1 in Oak Forest
$230,900 Price
Lequisha URQUHART
Nash Realty
(501) 456-4429
23 Total Sales
1 in Oak Forest
$80,000 Price
Kylea Buckley
Move Realty
(501) 302-4350
25 Total Sales
1 in Oak Forest
$146,300 Price
Elisabeth Burris
ESQ. Realty Group
(870) 525-2344
36 Total Sales
1 in Oak Forest
$70,000 Price
Ashley Watters
Exp Realty
(501) 984-9523
56 Total Sales
1 in Oak Forest
$85,000 Price
On average, homes in Oak Forest, Little Rock sell after 62 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Oak Forest, Little Rock over the last 12 months is $102,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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