Located on the northern side of the Arkansas River, Maumelle can be spied from the sprawling estates atop vistas in Little Rock. But many of those homes aren't nearly as affordable as abodes in Maumelle with views of the same stretch of water.

Here, most homes range in price from $150,000 to around $500,000 for the substantially-sized places we're talking about. And 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 more than 30 years ago.

A New Town

In fact, Maumelle began as a master-planned community that sprouted from Jess P. Odom's vision of a "New Town." The community was one of 13 "New Towns" that sprung up across the United States in the early 1970s. In 1985, the community became an incorporated city, and since then, Maumelle has maintained the structure that set it apart.

For instance, residents still enjoy the area's natural environment by way of designated wooded greenbelts throughout the city that city planners helped to preserve. Residents can access these areas for picnics, hikes or bike riding â€" with more than 19 miles of paved trails that snake throughout the city, Maumelle has one of the state's most extensive trail systems for bicyclists. Some of the trails trace through parkland on the perimeter of Lake Willastein and Lake Valencia, both popular fishing spots.

Odom's influence is seen in more than the natural preservation. Maumelle's community center bears his name and houses a health club, walking track, basketball and volleyball courts, and rooms that can be rented for special occasions.

Retail and Dining

Several national retail, dining and grocery businesses occupy Maumelle, as do great local establishments. In fact, the city has recently experienced a boom in commercial construction, with a new Walgreen's and Kroger â€" a grocery store chain â€" just off Maumelle Boulevard. Several restaurants and retailers that are only slightly older are nearby. But if for some reason you can't find what you’re looking for, access to more options is just 15 minutes away in west Little Rock, downtown Little Rock or North Little Rock.

Proportionately, Maumelle is the state's best educated city, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More than 50 percent of residents older than 25 hold an associate degree or higher. The city also has the highest percentage of adults working in management or professional occupations.

Golf Courses

Golf is a short drive from anywhere in Maumelle. An abundance of courses throughout central Arkansas entice serious players, but they needn't travel far to hit the links â€" Maumelle has two 18-hole golf courses of its own.

Designed by Robert Miller, the semiprivate Country Club of Arkansas is the city's newest. The breathtaking, rolling terrain of the championship course extends across 6,500 yards and delivers both meticulous playing conditions as well as challenging holes certain to appeal to the most discriminating of golfers. And to accommodate beginners and serious players alike, the club keeps PGA professionals on staff for private lessons.

The club takes great pride in its tournament services, and golfers enjoy everything from personalized score cards to logo merchandise and special signage. In addition, the clubhouse and covered patio serve as great pre-outing gathering places.

Equally challenging, the private Maumelle Country Club entices golfers year round with its natural surroundings. The club hosts competitive golf monthly through the Men's and Women's Golf Association. Special events including banquets and wedding receptions are also welcome in the club's main room.