Arkansas is the 10th best state to retire to in our opinion, and one reason outside the low cost of living and somewhat temperate climate is the number of retirement communities (active adult or age restricted) available to retirees! We decided to look at cities from ONLY that perspective to select our best cities to retire to if you want to live in a retirement community. From the small town charm of Eureka Springs to the bustling energy of Little Rock, there’s something here for everyone looking for a retirement destination.
Hot Springs
Located at the base of Hot Springs Mountain, the city’s top attractions include Garvan Woodland Gardens, full of scenic woodlands, gardens and ponds; Bathhouse Row on Central Avenue, where visitors can experience traditional bathing practices from days gone by; and Lake Hamilton, which offers year-round water sports activities.
Hot Springs Village, a gated, master-planned active lifestyle community of 9,500 homes, with over 26,000 acres in the Ouachita Mountains in Central Arkansas. While not an exclusively an age-restricted community, Hot Springs Village does have options or sections that cater more for residents that want to live away from the hustle of family life. To sweeten the pot, retirees have access to 9 golf course on the property… yes, 9! With this many homes, it’s about as close to Florida’s massive retirement villages as you can get without moving.
Bella Vista
Bella Vista, located in Northwest Arkansas, is known for its breathtaking lake views and outdoor lifestyle. This city has a 36,000-home master planned community with some areas dedicated to retirees. With miles of shorelines along the streams and rivers of the Ozarks, Bella Vista is anchored by seven golf courses with over 117 holes, fishing opportunities in one of seven lakes and plenty of outdoor activities year-round.
Visitors should be sure to check out all the natural landmarks such as Lake Windsor Dam and Whiteley Creek Swimming Hole both perfect for a picturesque afternoon stroll or fishing excursion. On top of all these amenities, one of the greatest assets to Bella Vista is its vibrant culture offering many shops and local eateries for retirees to explore. There are plenty of things to do ranging from shopping downtown at their monthly farmers market or sampling some delicious BBQ from their renowned Smokehouse restaurants and pubs. Not only are there plenty of interesting activities like shooting sports but also unique attractions like the Gateway Bike Park built on the grounds formerly used by the Arkansas State Fair back to 1890s! All these things make Bella Vista a great place to retire too!
Mena
Mena is the county seat of Polk County Arkansas, and while Mena doesn’t have any massive “villages” it deserves to be on this list as a go-to destination for retirees looking for a small-town atmosphere when retiring in Arkansas. The town also boasts excellent healthcare services at Mena Regional Health System hospital, featuring an inpatient hospice program, rehabilitation programs and 24/7 emergency services. With plenty of nearby parks and natural scenery, retirees can take advantage of scenic hiking trails, lakeside beaches, bird watching spots and more to get in some quality outdoor activities.
When it comes to things to do in Mena the possibilities are nearly endless. For those with more artistic interests there is the Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge which offers spectacular view of Rich Mountain from its impressive lookout tower as well as art galleries available for exploration inside the building itself. Other landmarks include East Light Theater owned by local actor and teacher Simon Svegelsky showcasing renowned plays and musicals dating years back or biker events such as The Big Nasty Hillclimbs held every April in Hatfield or The Pig Trail Grand Prix which happens every September at Sportsman’s RV Park & Campground located on Historic Highway 7 nearby.
Bentonville
As the birthplace of Walmart, Bentonville has grown into an intriguing mix of modern amenities and southern hospitality. In addition to its bustling downtown area, Bentonville also offers three distinct retirement communities, and none of them are named Del Webb designed around each person’s personal style. In particular, Arbors At Deer Crossing and Elington Village are both active adult communities that offer resale homes and smaller neighborhoods. The Parks At Brighton is currenlty selling new homes and offers a variety of amenities aimed at +55 Residents.
Moreover, there’s plenty for retirees in Bentonville to explore! Popular landmarks include The Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens as well as Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. And there’s always something happening along the downtown Square—concerts any time of year plus art shows, farmers’ markets and seasonal festivals! If outdoor recreation is more your speed head over to one of two nearby parks: Compton Gardens or Lawrence Plaza Park—both have picnic sites with plenty of activities like basketball courts, playground areas and walking trails geared toward retirees.
Holiday Island
Holiday Island is currently building more retirement communities that offer all the amenities you expect in a modern retirement community. Holiday Island itself is a 5,000 home master planned village, aimed at catering to active retirees. The community has a little bit of everything, from something with 2 bedrooms to a full sized family home with garage and 3 bathrooms. There are multiple builders in the community including, Rockwood Homes, B-Squared Construction, and Ozark Mountain & Lake Log Homes.
As with other “villages’ in Arkansas, you can’t have this many homes without shopping and amenities. From excellent athletic facilities to sightseeing opportunities such as Lake Wedington or local landmarks such as Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, there’s always something new and exciting to do here.It also has great health care facilities and ranks as one of the safest places to live in Arkansas.
From the Annual Music and Art Festivals, arts and theater classes at Beehive Corner Arts Center, or hikes throughout Hogan National Park – there are plenty of things to do outdoors!
