“The location is convenient. Maumelle has a good mix of people because of the location. It’s not your typical Arkansas town—about half of the population moved here from out of state.”

Maumelle’s growth — the population is about 13,000 — doesn’t mean the city has lost its original goal of being a comfortable and safe community with easy access to the capital city.

Amenities include a bustling community center and active youth sports league, which is a hit with families like Peter and Diana Markatos, who transferred here from New Jersey.

“We had very little knowledge of the area before we moved. We thought it was mostly farmland.”

But the parents of two children, Sophia and Gerry, quickly acclimated to the area and have plenty to enjoy about living here.

“Going to Lake Willastein to enjoy the view and play at the playground, weekly trips to the River Market to buy produce, and having our kids play with other kids on our street while we get to chat with our neighbors” make Maumelle enjoyable.

Homes here are quite spacious, and in light of escalating real estate prices, a good buy. Cost range from $150,000 to $500,000 for large custom-built homes. Because of the newness of the entire area, the closest you’ll come to a historic district would be acquiring a home or condominium built during the initial development of the city a little over 30 years ago.

Personal needs are no problem; everything you need is right off Maumelle Boulevard, the primary way to home, shopping and dining. The Markatoses concur: “Everything we need, or anywhere we need to go, is relatively close to home.” Restaurants such as Cock of The Walk have been feeding the locals for as long as the city has been in existence. The good food draws diners from all over. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for in Maumelle, access to more options is just a bridge away for quick trips to west Little Rock, downtown Little Rock or North Little Rock, all accessible in less than 15 minutes.

Maumelle has beautiful park areas that include more than 13 miles of paved trails enjoyed for walks and biking. Residents also have access to wooded greenbelts throughout the city. Picnicking and fishing are also available at Lake Valencia and Lake Willastein.

Golf is a short drive from anywhere in Maumelle. The Country Club of Arkansas and the Maumelle Country Club offer 18 holes each with PGA pros on staff ready to help you improve your game.

The semiprivate Country Club of Arkansas features custom homes with a course designed by Robert Miller. A breathtaking, rolling terrain championship course of 6,500 yards keeps players’ attention on the game. The clubhouse has been expanded and the covered patio is a great gathering place.

Maumelle Country Club’s private course challenges the most experienced golfer. Eighteen holes surrounded by nature are available for play all year with rare exception. The club’s swimming pool and tennis courts provide a variety of options for fun with a workout.