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re: Article about Eureka Springs, AR "The gayest small town in America".
Posted on 5/11/14 at 12:58 am to wmr
Posted on 5/11/14 at 12:58 am to wmr
quote:
There are no doubt some freeloaders, but you can't be poor and afford one of the old victorian homes in the city proper.
It's a poor town with a few old, wealthier people living there. Most tourism towns fit that mold because tourism doesn't pay shite to the grunts who do the work.
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Posted on 5/11/14 at 1:10 am to RogerTheShrubber
Ok, but a few posts ago, you wanted to make a case that Eureka isn't "wealthy" because it is liberal.
The homes there are more valuable than in its conservative neighboring towns, and the jobs there are just different. Artists, waiters, shopkeepers vs Chicken plant and electric plant workers in neighboring "republican" Berryville for example.
Quality of life in Eureka is pretty outstanding. Small town, great restaurants, entertainment, cool architecture. Its like the best parts of living in a historic city without any of the crime or bullshite.
The homes there are more valuable than in its conservative neighboring towns, and the jobs there are just different. Artists, waiters, shopkeepers vs Chicken plant and electric plant workers in neighboring "republican" Berryville for example.
Quality of life in Eureka is pretty outstanding. Small town, great restaurants, entertainment, cool architecture. Its like the best parts of living in a historic city without any of the crime or bullshite.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 1:15 am to wmr
quote:
Ok, but a few posts ago, you wanted to make a case that Eureka isn't "wealthy" because it is liberal.
No. Liberals and conservatives like to pretend they have some moral high ground but there is very little difference in business practice. THey make lots of money, pay the help little but some complain because the other guy isn't doing anything for the poor. Eureka springs has a few wealthy people who make their living off the back of the working poor.
quote:
The homes there are more valuable than in its conservative neighboring towns, and the jobs there are just different. Artists, waiters, shopkeepers vs Chicken plant and electric plant workers in neighboring "republican" Berryville for example.
The average selling price is around 160k. There are a few, very few high end homes there and a bunch of low end.
quote:
Quality of life in Eureka is pretty outstanding. Small town, great restaurants, entertainment, cool architecture. Its like the best parts of living in a historic city without any of the crime or bullshite.
I'm sure it is. Quality of life has far more to do with income but it's far from a wealthy enclave. It's a few wealthy and a bunch of working poor.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 4:59 am to RogerTheShrubber
I wasn't talking down about it just stating the facts. RogerTheShrubber pretty much stated everything I was talking about without myself posting links/references.
I didn't need to because I just had this discussion with a few important people out in Eureka last month. The town is awesome but the fact is it's failing. Just like you mentioned WMR, passion play is barely staying afloat. Somthing that has been there for a long time and has drawn ppl in. It still isn't even a guarantee that it will remain if I remeber correctly. That was one of the things I was referring to.
One thing that I didn't mention is ES Public Schools. Yes they have a beautiful new high school and Academics are realitivly good. But failing support from the community has lead to 3 superintendents in the last 3 years. One huge issue from the people who come into town or the "liberal" attitude of the community.
Lastly, those beautiful houses that cost a lot of money that you mentioned are way over inflated and empty. Either from a lot of ppl who can't afford them or for vacation rentals.
If you think Eureka isn't going down hill and has remained as strong economically as it used to be, that is your opinion. At the same time look at Eurekas neighbor to the north Branson, Branson is in a worse situation than Eureka and it has more assets/touristic pull to make it more of a destination. It was my 2 cents wasn't trying to cause any arguments but it is what it is.
I didn't need to because I just had this discussion with a few important people out in Eureka last month. The town is awesome but the fact is it's failing. Just like you mentioned WMR, passion play is barely staying afloat. Somthing that has been there for a long time and has drawn ppl in. It still isn't even a guarantee that it will remain if I remeber correctly. That was one of the things I was referring to.
One thing that I didn't mention is ES Public Schools. Yes they have a beautiful new high school and Academics are realitivly good. But failing support from the community has lead to 3 superintendents in the last 3 years. One huge issue from the people who come into town or the "liberal" attitude of the community.
Lastly, those beautiful houses that cost a lot of money that you mentioned are way over inflated and empty. Either from a lot of ppl who can't afford them or for vacation rentals.
If you think Eureka isn't going down hill and has remained as strong economically as it used to be, that is your opinion. At the same time look at Eurekas neighbor to the north Branson, Branson is in a worse situation than Eureka and it has more assets/touristic pull to make it more of a destination. It was my 2 cents wasn't trying to cause any arguments but it is what it is.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 10:16 am to momentoftruth87
Eureka's economy isn't doing as well as it used to because people aren't going to things like the Passion Play anymore.
It has had a heavy gay influence for as long as I can recall (the past 20 years or so). It is a small town, with few mainstream "attractions".
Hell, Vegas is struggling economically, too. People aren't traveling and spending like they used to.
I just responded to the silly notion that liberalism (and I'm pretty critical of liberalism myself) is somehow "destroying" the town.
Eureka Springs sits an hour east of a rapidly growing metropolitan area. They haven't kept pace with what families like to do or provided any new reasons to visit. I visit now and then, just to go to the bars and eat at a few different restaurants over there. Apart from that, there isn't much to "do" there but walk around and shop for chotskis.
Price those homes online and you won't find any deals or steals there. It is becoming less of a "hey come visit" tourist place and more of its own gay/hippie enclave where people move to get away from busy life. I could just as easily argue that without the gays, hippies, and liberals, Eureka would have dried up and blown away 20 years ago. The "liberals" are actually keeping it afloat, IMO. I doubt many folks who actually live there would miss them if some of the crappier roadside properties went under and went away. Most folks there don't want a lot of "growth".
It has had a heavy gay influence for as long as I can recall (the past 20 years or so). It is a small town, with few mainstream "attractions".
Hell, Vegas is struggling economically, too. People aren't traveling and spending like they used to.
I just responded to the silly notion that liberalism (and I'm pretty critical of liberalism myself) is somehow "destroying" the town.
Eureka Springs sits an hour east of a rapidly growing metropolitan area. They haven't kept pace with what families like to do or provided any new reasons to visit. I visit now and then, just to go to the bars and eat at a few different restaurants over there. Apart from that, there isn't much to "do" there but walk around and shop for chotskis.
Price those homes online and you won't find any deals or steals there. It is becoming less of a "hey come visit" tourist place and more of its own gay/hippie enclave where people move to get away from busy life. I could just as easily argue that without the gays, hippies, and liberals, Eureka would have dried up and blown away 20 years ago. The "liberals" are actually keeping it afloat, IMO. I doubt many folks who actually live there would miss them if some of the crappier roadside properties went under and went away. Most folks there don't want a lot of "growth".
Posted on 5/11/14 at 10:22 am to momentoftruth87
Eureka schools are their own little thing, too. They don't give a shite about sports. I don't think they've had a football team there for 30 years. They would be similar in size to Green Forest if they wanted to do all of that stuff.
They're different. Honestly, people looking for a "more conservative" school district are five minutes away from the Berryville district.
Caroll County is just a rural county. Find me some cheap land along the Kings River or a steal on a historic home in Eureka and I'll believe that the town is in danger of "failing" in some way. I've priced both and I know its still not cheap. You want cheap, you buy in Berryville or GF, both solidly Republican.
They're different. Honestly, people looking for a "more conservative" school district are five minutes away from the Berryville district.
Caroll County is just a rural county. Find me some cheap land along the Kings River or a steal on a historic home in Eureka and I'll believe that the town is in danger of "failing" in some way. I've priced both and I know its still not cheap. You want cheap, you buy in Berryville or GF, both solidly Republican.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 10:36 am to wmr
I've only ever driven through Eureka, never actually stopped and did anything, no homo.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 10:37 am to the808bass
quote:
They built it.
Liberals don't build towns. They ruin towns entrepreneurs build.
I hope you find some joy in your life someday. I mean that.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 10:46 am to Stonehog
Eureka Springs grew as the "healing value" of the springs were marketed to outsiders. Entrepreneurs. So the first half of my statement stands correct.
The reason that Eureka Springs will keep chugging along for a while is that there simply isn't the tax base to initiate liberal city policies.
And my joy cup is pretty full. Thanks for your concern.
The reason that Eureka Springs will keep chugging along for a while is that there simply isn't the tax base to initiate liberal city policies.
And my joy cup is pretty full. Thanks for your concern.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 11:24 am to wmr
quote:
The "liberals" are actually keeping it afloat, IMO
Goes to show you people can spin things in any direction they want, even if the stats don't line up. The town would exist and still be "afloat" regardless of the makeup of it's citizenry.
It's got a relatively high poverty rate, low per capita income and old population. It will need an economic infusion to stay "afloat" in the future.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 12:24 pm to RogerTheShrubber
You can spin things to fit your agendga. In fact, that spinning is the basis for the continuing conversation we are having. You've never been to Eureka Springs as far as I can tell.
Here's the deal. A lot of people move to Eureka because of the quality of life they find there, not for economic opportunity. I expect you'd find the same higher rates of poverty among kids in Colorado ski towns, for example. I am in Crested Butte every single year, and it is filled with 20-somethings who are willing to live in literal shacks so that they can experience the lifestyle a mountain town like that affords them.
Eureka is similar on a smaller scale. It doesn't have much of the extreme high end, but lots of people move there and just make it work because they want to live there.
You can keep on being dumb and claiming "LIBERALISM' (god dammit, I can't believe I am defending liberals) is killing the town. I have heard that from a local as well. She was a neurotic little Baptist side piece from near there who said "the gays are killing Eureka". There are folks who will claim that 'good Christians Americans' aren't going to things like the Passion Play anymore due to "all the gayness" in the city.
But in my view, they mainly aren't going because Christianity-based tourism is boring, and it doesn't really work anywhere anymore.
And there are many examples of cities and neighborhoods that were being neglected and rundown that were "saved by the gays". There are books about the phenomenon of how gays spark gentrification, because they are willing to move into historic yet neglected areas first because they aren't as concerned about things like school districts.
Here's the deal. A lot of people move to Eureka because of the quality of life they find there, not for economic opportunity. I expect you'd find the same higher rates of poverty among kids in Colorado ski towns, for example. I am in Crested Butte every single year, and it is filled with 20-somethings who are willing to live in literal shacks so that they can experience the lifestyle a mountain town like that affords them.
Eureka is similar on a smaller scale. It doesn't have much of the extreme high end, but lots of people move there and just make it work because they want to live there.
You can keep on being dumb and claiming "LIBERALISM' (god dammit, I can't believe I am defending liberals) is killing the town. I have heard that from a local as well. She was a neurotic little Baptist side piece from near there who said "the gays are killing Eureka". There are folks who will claim that 'good Christians Americans' aren't going to things like the Passion Play anymore due to "all the gayness" in the city.
But in my view, they mainly aren't going because Christianity-based tourism is boring, and it doesn't really work anywhere anymore.
And there are many examples of cities and neighborhoods that were being neglected and rundown that were "saved by the gays". There are books about the phenomenon of how gays spark gentrification, because they are willing to move into historic yet neglected areas first because they aren't as concerned about things like school districts.
This post was edited on 5/11/14 at 12:26 pm
Posted on 5/11/14 at 12:37 pm to wmr
quote:
A lot of people move to Eureka because of the quality of life they find there, not for economic opportunity.
There's not "a lot" of people moving there. There's barely 2,000 people in the town.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 12:41 pm to the808bass
quote:
There's not "a lot" of people moving there. There's barely 2,000 people in the town.
Ok. I meant "a lot of the people who move there".
Its not a growth town. It has more people than it did 20 years ago, but the population peaked in the 1880s. In fact, one could say Eureka has been dying for 130 years.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 12:42 pm to wmr
quote:
You can spin things to fit your agendga.
I have no agenda. You're the one blatantly ignoring facts to spin E.S. as some liberal holyland.
quote:
In fact, that spinning is the basis for the continuing conversation we are having. You've never been to Eureka Springs as far as I can tell.
Been there many times. Used to stay at the Crescent Springs, and have an uncle who sells real estate in the area.
quote:
Here's the deal. A lot of people move to Eureka because of the quality of life they find there, not for economic opportunity. I expect you'd find the same higher rates of poverty among kids in Colorado ski towns,
You may want to review this.. LINK
Eureka Springs is nothing like a Colorado ski town. Ski towns attract young,seasonal residents and have a highly educated population. E.S. is the opposite in every way.
quote:
for example. I am in Crested Butte every single year, and it is filled with 20-somethings who are willing to live in literal shacks so that they can experience the lifestyle a mountain town like that affords them.
Here. LINK
Per capita ncome of Crested Butte is double Eureka Springs.
Comparing E.S. to a ski town.. Median household income in E.S. is less than 25k a year. That's extremely poor. That's 13k less than the Arkansas average You're obviously lying about visiting C.S. every year. Or ever.
quote:
Eureka is similar on a smaller scale
quote:
. It doesn't have much of the extreme high end, but lots of people move there and just make it work because they want to live there.
Good for them. Money isn't everything.
quote:
You can keep on being dumb and claiming "LIBERALISM' (god dammit, I can't believe I am defending liberals) is killing the town
Never said that, Forrest.
quote:
And there are many examples of cities and neighborhoods that were being neglected and rundown that were "saved by the gays". There are books about the phenomenon of how gays spark gentrification, because they are willing to move into historic yet neglected areas first because they aren't as concerned about things like school districts.
But Eureka Springs isn't one.
This post was edited on 5/11/14 at 12:51 pm
Posted on 5/11/14 at 12:52 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Yes, you did claim liberalism was causing Eureka Springs' alleged economic problems. You did it in a silly little "breakdown" post like this one.
I never claimed Eureka Springs was some liberal holy land. I simply posted an article about its queerness, and responded when derp derps like yourself claimed Eureka's liberalism was causing it economic problems. You don't know anything about the town or the surrounding area.
They don't really even build new homes in Eureka Springs proper. They have restrictive building codes because of a desire to preserve the Victorian architectural heritage, and strict codes because most of the city limits are very steep hillsides. Growth is occuring in Holiday Island, which is the adjacent unicorporated master planned community.
I actually visit CB every year at least once. I didn't compare Eureka straight up to a ski town, I pointed out that there is a similar "poverty" underclass in tourist towns like that. There is. I go to CB every year and I'm an attractive, young-ish guy so I am able to 'socialize' with the "underclass" working kids there. I hooked up with a bartender from Tulsa who literally lived in what was mostly a shed. CB doesn't allow any new builds in the historic area, so any "new" buildings are hauled in from other sites and repurposed.
Anyway, the whole reason we had this drawn out stupid conversation is that you and a couple of others asserted that "liberals" were destroying or stifling the economic prosperity of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
You don't know what you're talking about.
I'm sure you moved to Juneau because of your open mind and enjoyment of diversity, though.
I never claimed Eureka Springs was some liberal holy land. I simply posted an article about its queerness, and responded when derp derps like yourself claimed Eureka's liberalism was causing it economic problems. You don't know anything about the town or the surrounding area.
They don't really even build new homes in Eureka Springs proper. They have restrictive building codes because of a desire to preserve the Victorian architectural heritage, and strict codes because most of the city limits are very steep hillsides. Growth is occuring in Holiday Island, which is the adjacent unicorporated master planned community.
I actually visit CB every year at least once. I didn't compare Eureka straight up to a ski town, I pointed out that there is a similar "poverty" underclass in tourist towns like that. There is. I go to CB every year and I'm an attractive, young-ish guy so I am able to 'socialize' with the "underclass" working kids there. I hooked up with a bartender from Tulsa who literally lived in what was mostly a shed. CB doesn't allow any new builds in the historic area, so any "new" buildings are hauled in from other sites and repurposed.
Anyway, the whole reason we had this drawn out stupid conversation is that you and a couple of others asserted that "liberals" were destroying or stifling the economic prosperity of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
You don't know what you're talking about.
I'm sure you moved to Juneau because of your open mind and enjoyment of diversity, though.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 12:56 pm to wmr
Also, thanks for bumping this thread so much. If I didn't want people to view the article, I never would have posted it. 
Posted on 5/11/14 at 1:02 pm to wmr
quote:
I never claimed Eureka Springs was some liberal holy land. I simply posted an article about its queerness, and responded when derp derps like yourself claimed Eureka's liberalism was causing it economic problems. You don't know anything about the town or the surrounding area.
You have reading comp issues.
quote:
I actually visit CB every year at least once. I didn't compare Eureka straight up to a ski town, I pointed out that there is a similar "poverty"
You have absolutely no clue what you are talking about. Similar poverty...
quote:
There is. I go to CB every year and I'm an attractive, young-ish guy so I am able to 'socialize' with the "underclass" working kids there.
The rate of college grads in C.B. is over 60%. It's in the low twenties in E.S.
quote:
Anyway, the whole reason we had this drawn out stupid conversation is that you and a couple of others asserted that "liberals" were destroying or stifling the economic prosperity of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Again, you have reading comp issues. Never claimed they were destroying anything. Link this for me. I've got an hour or so.
quote:
You don't know what you're talking about.
Right. Silly statistics. Probably some vast right wing conspiracy to undermine the liberal utopia of E.S.
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I'm sure you moved to Juneau because of your open mind and enjoyment of diversity, though.
It's far more diverse, far more affluent and far more gay thank N.W. Arkansas. Juneau is more like the town you created in your mind for E.S. in this thread.
I know you are having problems with stats, but here..
LINK
This post was edited on 5/11/14 at 1:05 pm
Posted on 5/11/14 at 1:04 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Thanks Shrub.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 1:54 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Sidebar, I know two people who moved to AK. One was legit into adventure, hunting, etc. He moved back within three years. The other was just a really mediocre, personality-deficient person who needed an identity and so he highly identified with everything "ALASKA" from that point forward.
I didn't need to "create" anything about Eureka Springs. I just posted an article, one that obviously got you upset for some reason. I'm fine not knowing or giving a shite about Juneau. I've been all over Alaska and it mostly sucks.
I didn't need to "create" anything about Eureka Springs. I just posted an article, one that obviously got you upset for some reason. I'm fine not knowing or giving a shite about Juneau. I've been all over Alaska and it mostly sucks.
Posted on 5/11/14 at 2:33 pm to wmr
quote:
Sidebar, I know two people who moved to AK. One was legit into adventure, hunting, etc. He moved back within three years. The other was just a really mediocre, personality-deficient person who needed an identity and so he highly identified with everything "ALASKA" from that point forward.
I didn't need to "create" anything about Eureka Springs. I just posted an article, one that obviously got you upset for some reason. I'm fine not knowing or giving a shite about Juneau. I've been all over Alaska and it mostly sucks.
Alaska >>> Arkansas. LINK
Even folks who live in Arkansas agree it sucks
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