The Best Places to Retire in Arkansas

Many retirees love Arkansas because it has many of the things that are important to them. It has a low cost of living, excellent climate and beautiful natural areas. Read on to explore some of the best places to retire in Arkansas.

We used several factors to decide which were the nicest neighborhoods in Arkansas for retirement. We looked at:

• How many retirees live there
• Median home value
• Number of crimes over the past year
• Proximity to healthcare
• Walkability and things to do

Here are our top picks for the nicest areas in Arkansas for retirement.

If an over-55 retirement community is your idea of the perfect lifestyle, The Parks at Brighton in Bentonville is an excellent choice. The community offers a range of single-family homes with a variety of floor plans. The community of Bentonville sponsors many events every year, and you are close to the area's gorgeous outdoor trails and park system. The best part is that you can have someone else take care of the lawn care and landscaping so that you have more time to enjoy life.

If your dreams of retirement include living in one of the many Arkansas resort towns, then Hot Springs is one of the favorite picks. It is one of the best-known Arkansas resort towns that is filled with spas, museums, racing and gaming.

It has surprisingly affordable housing with a median price of around​ $135,900​. It also has a lower cost of living than you might expect. It is close to some of the best medical facilities in the state.

If you like the idea of one of the many Arkansas resort towns, but do not necessarily want to spend your time with visitors and tourists, Bella Vista near Rogers was specially designed for retirees. The community began in ​1965​ and has grown to ​36,000​ acres that include six golf courses and a practice facility. There are seven lakes and more than ​40​ miles of scenic trails that are perfect for hiking and biking. You also have access to pools, tennis courts and fitness centers.

If a resort town or a retirement community is not what you were looking for, and you want something a little more away from the crowd, then Mena along Highway 71 offers beautiful views of Rich Mountain and the Ouachita Mountains. The town has a population of under ​6,000​ and has a small-town feel.

The breathtaking views and low median home cost make it a desirable location for retirees. It is somewhat isolated, but you won't mind it because of its miles of beautiful scenery. The town also has a lively arts community, plenty of boutique shopping and art galleries.

If you like water activities, Mountain Home might be your perfect spot. It is located between Blue Shoals Lake and Norfolk Lake. It is often called the “Twin Lakes region.” Close to one-third of its population are retirees.

The town itself has around ​12,000​ residents and has a Regional Hospital. It is an excellent place for fishing, boating and hiking. There are also plenty of annual festivals and community events.

Now you have our pick of some of the nicest places in Arkansas. When it comes to the best places to retire in Arkansas, you have choices from planned retirement communities to resorts and quaint small towns. Arkansas is a nature lover's paradise and also one of the most affordable places to live in the United States for retirees.