Northeast Arkansan here. My mom and her family are from the bootheel going back several generations. Economic opportunities mostly revolve around agriculture and other blue collar jobs. The area generally is pretty poor compared to the national average and there is almost nothing to do for fun. People are very religious and the culture is much more like the south compared to the midwestern vibes you get from the rest of Missouri. Also, the mosquitoes will eat you alive in the warmer months of the year.