I just got an email and I think I could use some of you guy's feedback. A visitor asks:

I am moving to Little Rock from Nashville and I'll be attending UALR. I am looking for places to rent in the area. I've only been to Little Rock once, and we stayed downtown.

Can you give me some advice on places to rent near UALR and places to avoid while I'm in Little Rock?"

While I hate to bash the city, I normally tell my guests that the areas north of I-630 and west of I-30 are generally safe. That's not to say the other areas aren't safe, but that's about as specific as I can get. Even some "bad areas" wouldn't seem so bad to someone from another big city.

The area that UALR is located in is a bit run down. Most of the apartments there are also run down. Most people consider the University and Asher/Colonel Glenn area to be an "area to avoid," but the area is really just suffering from urban sprawl. I have never felt "fear" in the area.

When I was in school at UALR, most people got apartments in the Chenal area and commuted to UALR. That's the great thing about UALR. It's fairly easy to access from almost anywhere in town and even from Bryant and Benton.

If anyone else has any suggestions or wants to get more specific, feel free. I want everyone to be honest, but it's hard to for me to think any area of the city is "bad." If you're smart and don't go wandering around in the middle of the night alone, I think you're safe pretty much any place. However, I will admit that I am a bit biased.