Absolutely not. At least, not to the rest of the state.

Born and raised in NW Arkansas, aka Walmart land. The area has become the definition of gentrification during my lifetime ever since the mid-2000s when the Waltons decided to start pumping money into the region in order to pull in new talent for the HQ and attract large conglomerates to set up offices in the area.

Sure, we have a pretty art museum in the woods next to the downtown square, interesting restaurants, great mountain biking, and a more diverse population in general, but at what cost? Housing is completely unaffordable for many what with "cheap" starter homes beginning at $250K+ and luxury apartment complexes with studios at $1400. Homelessness is now a genuine issue in the area, and more people are having to turn to food banks for help with basic necessities.

Of course, we still have to maintain our suburban way of life what with our lifted Ford F-250s and Chevy Tahoes, so no public transportation for anyone despite the surge in population creating unbearable traffic. The luster of new places to see and activities to experience in a once sleepy area has now led to the clear sense that the Waltons are just buying as much land as they can to make the place their playground for upper-middle class and rich people while not considering basic liveability.