Arshia Khan
The Guthrie family — Chase, Jacey and Ella Frances (3) — love to stroll along Kavanaugh Boulevard in The Heights with their dogs Sammy (left) and Addie (right).

When Dr. Jacey Guthrie moved to Little Rock for her residency program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), she says she saw the four years as an exciting adventure but not a permanent move. However, that soon changed.

“After a couple of years, we started to feel a strong connection to this city and to the community,” Guthrie says.

Both Guthrie and her husband Chase grew up in south Louisiana in the towns of Houma and Thibodaux, and after stints in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, they chose to settle permanently in Little Rock in 2014. She now practices as a board certified dermatologist at Gibson Dermatology, and Chase is a software developer at Vestcom.

Guthrie says that she loves how Little Rock is small enough to get to know her peers professionally and community members socially. “It is easy to network with other physicians within your referral base and other colleagues in your work field,” she says. “It is also small enough to get to know families within your community to where you truly feel at home. It is hard to go anywhere now without running into someone we know.”

Guthrie and her family enjoy the outdoor activities that Little Rock has to offer, such as hiking and going to the park. She said she also enjoys all the dog-friendly activities.

“We knew that this would be our home."

Neighborhood Recommendations

Originally from: Louisiana
Years in the metro: 6
Neighborhood: The Heights

Hair salon: Carter Miller in The Heights
Go-to gyms: Little Rock Racquet Club and Core Concept Fitness in Midtown
Doctors we trust: Dr. Joshua O'Neil at Little Rock Pediatric Clinic (pediatrician), Dr. Caitlin Reid at Reid Family Dentistry (dentist), Dr. Lindsay Osleber (OBGYN)
Family dinner out: U.S. Pizza in The Heights
Happy hour hot spot: Hill Station in Hillcrest and Boulevard Bread Co. & Bistro in The Heights
Go-to recreation: Tennis and hiking
Fave annual event: Chili Fights in The Heights
Guilty-pleasure stores: Tulips, Domestic Domestic and The Toggery in The Heights