If you’re looking for a truly scenic state to retire in, consider Arkansas. With its mountains, caverns and forests, Arkansas is a treasure trove of natural beauty. The state offers a number of easygoing communities with no shortage of activities and good food — plus you can enjoy the famed Hot Springs National Park, known for its 47 natural hot springs. An added bonus, there are plenty of affordable cities in Arkansas!
Ready to call the Natural State your retirement home? NewHomeSource has compiled a list of the top 10 best cities to retire in Arkansas.
Top 10 Cities to Retire in Arkansas
1. Forrest City
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 11.9%
Median Home Value: $65,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 129
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 668
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Retire in a land of history and nature in Forrest City. Located about midway between Memphis and Little Rock, the city is just a short drive from Village Creek State Park, which offers 7,000 square miles of woodlands and lakes. With a local history museum, a farmers market and plenty of community events, there’s always something new to learn here.
2. Helena
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.4%
Median Home Value: $73,400
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 187
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 578
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Helena is a charming city located near the Mississippi River. Folks can enjoy walking and shopping along the historic downtown Cherry Street, learning cultural history at the Delta Cultural Center or catching the annual King Biscuit Blues Festival. The community has an easygoing, small-town hospitality, and you’re sure to be welcomed here.
3. Pine Bluff
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.8%
Median Home Value: $75,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 644
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 2,394
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Nature lovers, rejoice! Pine Bluff is your gateway to a world of outdoor adventures. With Lake Saracen just north of downtown and Bayou Bartholomew and the Arkansas River nearby, the state’s natural beauty is right in your backyard. If you’d prefer quieter days indoors, you can check out the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame, which honors those who have made contributions to the Arkansas cultural scene.
4. Camden
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.3%
Median Home Value: $77,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 113
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 373
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Civil War buffs will love Camden. Whether you’re checking out an old Union headquarters or the historical site of the Battle of Poison Spring, you’ll be stepping back in time and learning something new. Built along the Ouachita River, Camden invites you to spend warm summer days along the shore.
5. Hope
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.8%
Median Home Value: $77,900
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 70
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 392
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Best known as the birthplace of former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Hope also is popular for its annual Watermelon Festival, where some of the world’s largest watermelons are on display. With a population of just under 10,000 residents, folks can enjoy a small-town atmosphere and peaceful lifestyle while walking through the park, visiting the local museum and shopping.
6. Blytheville
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.2%
Median Home Value: $79,400
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 109
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 629
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Blytheville is a little city that offers retirees a quiet, relaxing place to call home. Downtown has plenty of historical buildings and parks, which make for perfect backdrops as you take an early morning stroll. The Delta Gateway Museum features both permanent and rotating exhibits on the Arkansas Delta, so there’s always something new to see. End your day by catching a movie at the Ritz Theater, which dates to the early 1900s.
7. West Memphis
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.5%
Median Home Value: $86,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 485
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,225
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 8
Located across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee, West Memphis offers an appealing small-town lifestyle but still close to big-city amenities. But you can find plenty of entertainment right here from a casino to the Meadowbrook Country Club. A fan of cycling? West Memphis has its own bike share program and no shortage of bike trails to explore.
8. El Dorado
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.2%
Median Home Value: $88,600
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 239
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 996
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Everything’s golden in El Dorado! The city is known for live music festivals and historical reenactments, making it a lively place to call home. Beyond the festivals, downtown El Dorado offers historical backdrops everywhere you look, and you can eat and shop to your heart’s content.
9. Malvern
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.6%
Median Home Value: $93,200
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 47
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 379
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 5
Malvern is the perfect home for those with an outdoorsy, adventurous disposition. The Ouachita River Whitewater Park crosses through the city, and as the name implies, there’s no shortage of whitewater rafting and kayaking opportunities. For those seeking quieter afternoons, Malvern offers plenty of peaceful activities, ranging from the county museum to the city park.
10. Magnolia
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17%
Median Home Value: $96,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 14
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 318
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Named after the trees that line its downtown square, Magnolia is a charming town that contains all the necessities you could need in retirement. Magnolia is home to multiple parks, the South Arkansas Heritage Museum and no shortage of shops and restaurants to explore. Every May, Magnolia holds the Magnolia Blossom Festival, which features the world’s largest charcoal grill and the World Championship Steak Cook-off.
Other Arkansas Resources
Sarah graduated from Trinity University in 2012 with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She writes blogs on new homes, decor, communities, and more for NewHomeSource. When she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with her three cats.
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