7 Senior-Friendly Towns in Arkansas

Known for its crystal-clear lakes, forested terrain, and abundance of mountains, the Natural State is a place of wonder and relaxation, but most importantly, it is a great place to live out the rest of one's life in tranquility. Often overlooked for being "slow," Arkansas has concocted the perfect potion for the older ladies and gentlemen, enabling the state itself to have many small towns that are bound to fit many while also being quite easy on the eyes. In this spirit, uncover seven senior-friendly towns in the Natural State, Arkansas.

Mountain View

Having deep roots and being officially established in 1870, the median age of this town shrouded in woodland is 55 years, and with a median gross rent of $339, Mountain View's specialty is to be found in its surrounding nature.

Contributing to the colorful trees and reflective lakes, Blanchard Springs Recreation Area is a must-see and must-explore. Whether that be in the form of a promenade or fishing at the nearby Mirror Lake, the park itself offers area guides to first get a feel for the environment before fully committing. Pair this with Ozark Folk Center State Park, which is dedicated to preserving and educating on Ozark culture, and a stay at Mountain View begins to look rich in education and beauty.

While parks and centers are not all this town may have to offer, Mountain View is beholden to them.

Heber Springs

This small town, located on the banks of the deep blue Greers Ferry Lake, has a bit of everything. Coming in with a median listing price of $329,000 and a median gross rent of $863, Heber Springs is more than just a list of prices and statistics—it's an ever-changing and growing town filled with plenty to do and experience.

Home to the natural wonder known all throughout Arkansas as Sugarloaf Mountain, this 690-foot titan is a formal challenge to all hikers and explorers. Offering many trails that extend around the base all the way to the top, Sugarloaf Mountain rewards those who reach its summit with the view of a lifetime and one that extends for miles.

For the less daring, but for those still willing to venture out, the Eden Isle Marina is on a small piece of Greers Ferry Lake and offers anything from boat rentals to jetskis to even their very own notable restaurant known as The Wavebreaker.

Bull Shoals

Primarily made for the retiree, the town of Bull Shoals is not afraid to say it has extended well beyond just that, yet still holds true and well to its origins. In a town where the median age is 58 and the median gross rent is just $605, Bull Shoals has its fair share of special interests as well.

Where would the town be without its Bull Shoals Caverns? Deep in one of the world's oldest limestone caverns rests a collection of stalactites, stalagmites, bats, and camel crickets. An experience is to be had where the rays of the sun don't reach, but in its place, the artificial lighting illuminates Earth's wonderful sculptures and walls carved by water and persistence.

Taking a break from the underground will likely result in viewing the famed Bull Shoals Dam. Dedicated by Harry S. Truman, this man-made wonder rises to a staggering height of 263 feet and has served as a creation spanning from WWII all the way until now. A place to view the sunset or sunrise, the dam makes for a scenic spot or day.

Van Buren

Possibly the largest town on the list, Van Buren hosts both the older crowd and the youth, and in a melody of special interests, low rent ($794 median), and a median listing price of $240,000, the town promises much and always delivers.

For history buffs and wandering visitors, a small and unsuspecting house sits nearby downtown, and without the humble sign, few would recognize the Drennen-Scott Historic Site. Built by John Drennen, the house has had deep connections with the Trail of Tears, the Civil War, and the Underground Railroad. Now turned into a museum and research center, visitors are welcome to take a brief walk through some of the pivotal moments of American history.

A trip to Van Buren also must include a brief visit to one of its main claims to fame: the King Opera House. While not as old as the Drennen-Scott Historic Site, the opera house is still in use and is even rumored to be haunted.

Fairfield Bay

Smack in the middle of the Ozarks, Fairfield Bay is a lively small town built for the sole purposes of small getaways or becoming that lifelong home. The town has a population where 56% of them are over the age of 65, and the median listing price for a home is $162,500. However, the true essence of the town relies on its vast and lovely location right in the Ozarks.

Proof of this is the popularity of the relaxing spot at Fairfield Bay Marina. Surrounded by rock and open blue waters, the marina is large enough to sport both the jet-skiing youth and the older swimmers and boat owners who prefer to take it easier. To get more in tune with ourselves and explore the green beauty and colorful flowers sprouting on the foothills and woodlands of the Ozarks, a great place to start are the easy and simple yet delightful Bay Trails.

Camden

With a written history going as far back as 1782, Camden is now a hub of young professionals in an unexpected field: developing weapons for the military-industrial complex, specifically Lockheed Martin. Camden is, by all means, a quiet and nice place to live. With a median gross rent of $702 and a median listing home price of $145,000, Camden has a few peaceful (contrary to the occupations) parks and places of interest for both the locals and visitors.

Sandy Beach Park, upon normal inspection, is just the run-of-the-mill local park, but looking closer, what makes Sandy Beach special are the reflective properties of the Ouachita River, the smooth yellow sands hidden between the surrounding area's dense forests, and the overlook, which provides a scenic picture of Camden from heights normally unseen.

To learn more about the river that birthed Camden from its shallows, one can make a visit to the McCollum-Chidester House Museum and learn about how the area came to grow and who, what, and where led to what Camden is now.

Paragould

Few places in Arkansas are as colorful as the rather large town of Paragould. From its many parks to its historic downtown, Paragould is easy on the wallet, as its median gross rent is $846, and its median home listing price is $165,900. But like a broken record, why one would move to this lovely town ought not to be based merely on the prices.

Right outside the historic courthouse sits a familiar statue. A war memorial was erected to honor 40 men who perished during WWI in the county, so to honor them, a miniature replica of the Statue of Liberty graces the grounds of the law. Being the second oldest Statue of Liberty—the first being the original—this oddity draws in crowds of new and old alike and represents only a fraction of what Paragould offers, but nonetheless, must be mentioned anyway.

The town's more natural spots are not to be underestimated either; places like Crowley's Ridge State Park are geographically unique, allowing for a multitude of interesting flora and fauna, and this state park in particular is also home to cabins, picnic areas, a 31-acre fishing lake, and even a 3.5-acre swimming hole.

Why These Towns?

If the Natural State had lost its natural beauty, there'd still be much to enjoy and experience while living life to its completion. Each of these small towns has a unique culture attached to it—all reliant on the environment's aesthetics, yet none is nothing without them. It is this unique culture and quaint town charm that makes these attractive to both the young and the old, and it is why they all deserve a spot amongst each other's best and even their larger city peers. To get the best of Arkansas, however, one must not go to a city but to a small town, where, paradoxically, everything feels bigger and richer.