Looking to make a move, Arkansas?

We have had our fill of South Florida and are considering moving to Arkansas. We have been here since the early 90s and are looking to make a change to a slower paced place. Small or smaller town is proffered.
Mena has grabbed our attention. Any of you out that way? What can you share? Positive and negative comments are welcome as well as suggestions!

 

When I lived in Arkansas, I found Mena and most of west Arkansas to be a bit too crowded for me. (plus a lot of west coasters landed there). We ended up in North Central Arkansas and loved it. (33 acres at the end of a dead end private road). I'd still be there if our house hadn't burned down while I was visiting my brother in Florida. Outside of ticks and chiggers, it wasn't bad. (I'd take them over these lousy fire ants). There was winter there, although one never knew. One Christmas, I was in shorts and a Tee shirt... next time, snowy and 3 degree's.

 

Some parts of the state you can't see out of too well.

 

north east arkansas, hot muggy and mosquitoes oh did i mention mosquitoes. and winter damp cold storms abundant. but i've been here 60 plus years

 

@drdave and @Rand Man could weigh in

 

Hot Springs Village, just north of Hot Springs. My parents retired there a long time ago, and loved it. I visited quite a few times and other than the summer humidity, I found it a great place.

 

It may be hard to find a place to buy near Mena. Its fenced in by mountains and most property is not for sale

 

Mountains are part of the attraction.

 

At least summer isn't 10 months a year! Seasons are a welcome change that we are looking forward to.

 

I would definitely rather live in Arkansas than south Florida. I’m sure you can find a nice place that suits you.

 

We're in Hope. 30 miles east of Texarkana, 1 hr southwest of Hot Springs, just over an hr north of Shreveport/Bossier. Circle track 30 mins west of us and a drag strip 30 mins east. There's some type of car within an hr drive nearly every weekend. Census population of under 10k, half a dozen banks, and at least a dozen churches. Been here my whole life. There are lots of places in Arkansas worth looking at, just steer clear of central Arkansas for the most part...Pike County = no-go. Property throughout the Ozarks is getting pricier by the day, but worth it, I'm hoping to retire up that way at some point. Mountain View, Mountain Home, Lead Hill maybe. My wife has family in Gravette, so we pay attention to property values there.

 

There are a few places near me where they coulda built a few straight roads. But nobody knew how.

 

I go out on road trips when I can, lived other places. Been here I think maybe 26 years. I get back from a trip to the real world I'm goddam glad to be here. Can be kinda hard to make a living here, but if one has skills it can be done. Actually, I hope to get down there before too long, Lake Worth, around in there. I like it there for a while, but I wouldn't trade my Arkansaw house for one of those slick places on the waterway..........even with the boat.

 

Eastern Tennessee has a lot to offer if you're retired.

 

Yep... Mt Home, Mt View are real nice. Further north you've got, Flippen, Yellville. Outskirts of Harrison area are good too.

 

I don't know why I said Pike County earlier. Tired I guess. I meant to say Pine Bluff = no go!

 

My wife is from Southwest Arkansas. I like the country down there seems nice. I don’t know much about the living conditions, can be hot and muggy. I live in the northwest part.

 

My place in Rogersville TN is on the market.
Two story, 1800 sq ft Appalachian Log home, 16+ acres, 1500 sq ft shop, surrounded by mountains, historic, small town East TN charm and friendliness. No state income or personal property tax!

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/M7523882516

 

For you guys that live in Ark. how are the state taxes?....Like on owning multiple classic cars.

 

I lived in West Palm Bch from 82-93, I can't imagine what could drag me back there. Been in southern Alabama for about seven years now. If I can help it, this is where I'll die. Very rural, but that's what I wanted. About an hour and a half from either Mobile or Pensacola, but I don't see either very often. Bought 15 mostly wooded acres with a house and a building that was easily converted into a shop, on a short dead end road, for just over 200K. Property taxes are about the lowest in the country. I just renewed the registration on four vehicles (81-97) and a trailer for $130. Summers are what you are already used to, but shorter. I like to describe it as three seasons, going from fall directly into spring.

 

Can’t tell you anything about Arkansas, but I can tell you that I made the move earlier this year from fast paced, overcrowdedness to a much more rural slower paced quiet area, and I’ve never been happier.

 

Ten years ago I saw the developing weather
patterns that have become the norm.
I was moving cars for folks relocating to
Arkansas, Tennessee, and The Carolinas
from other parts of the country that were
retiring and most were going to live
full time where they found it suitable.

I would caution anyone to look at the weather patterns over the last three years for any area that they are deciding to move to and take into consideration the increasing abnormal weather patterns that are becoming the norm.


Jim

 

The weather patterns everywhere are changing. It never got this hot in South Florida or for as long. I blame it on all of the construction, parking lots and expanded roads.

 

You might investigate Utah as an option..............I'd look at typical weather conditions year round when deciding. Not knocking Arkansas but a lack of humidity and freezing cold or excess rain would be the starting point if I ever moved. Its surprising how weather conditions affect a persons inclination to do anything.

PS: I live in Ky and its hot and humid outside, and has been that way for the last month.

 

Boy, ain't that the truth!

 

Weather is definitely a factor for us. The heat and humidity here is the majority of our weather. April to November, even November isn't a given as we have been roasting at the Turkey Rod Run in Daytona during Thanksgiving.
With having our parents in SE Texas and Maryland, Utah is just too far.
NW Georgia to north TN and out to Arkansas is our current range. We are going on an exploratory trip in October.

 

Inconsequential compared to most other states. They always raise sales taxes when they need money.

 

When ya drive thru bama, stop by and say howdy

 

You beat me to it, was thinking the same thing!

 

East Tennessee has all four seasons, and it's pretty. I'm 30 miles east of downtown Chattanooga, six miles from the Georgia line and from the hill next to my house, I can see mountains 30 miles north in Tennessee and about the same down in Georgia. The mountains of North Carolina are maybe 25 miles east. If you come exploring in East Tennessee, message me and I'll show you around.
My neighbors: