8 Best Small Towns In The Ozarks For Retirees
The next chapter of life after finishing work is one of the most important. You finally have the time away from the nine-to-five grind to get out and explore. One place that's known for its beauty is the Ozarks. This area in Missouri and Arkansas has more coastline than the state of California. If you are looking to move to the Ozarks to enjoy your glory years, consider these towns.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
If you're looking to retire somewhere that's beautiful and reasonably priced, look no further than Eureka Springs. This town is home to 37% of people over the age of 60 and a median home value of just under $295,000. You're also only an hour's drive from Fayetteville, where you have all the perks of a bigger town. In Eureka Springs, you can attend live shows at the Intrigue Theater. The Eureka Springs Historic Downtown is an excellent place to get your steps in and stay active. If you're religious, the Thorncrown Chapel is a beautiful monument to visit and attend service.
Mammoth Springs, Arkansas
Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, is where you can find a home for $160,000 and be in one of the safest places in the Ozarks. The crime rate is every 2 in 1,000 people, making it one of the safest places you can live. It is also home to Mammoth Springs State Park, one of the most breathtaking places to hike and stay active. The Era By Era Thrift Boutique is a great place to go shopping whenever you have visitors in town. Another fun place to take visitors is the Southfork Resort for kayaking and canoeing.
Bentonville, Arkansas
If you've just retired but want to stay around a crowd that's lively and young, Bentonville, Arkansas, might be the perfect destination for you. Only 6% of the population is older than 60. The average home price in Bentonville is $440,000. A popular activity in town is the beautiful Peel Museum & Botanical Gardens. Here, you'll be able to connect with nature and get quality exercise. The Buckyball, an interactive art exhibit, is one of the most notable landmarks in Bentonville. The Bentonville Brewing Company provides delicious refreshments to drink after a long day of fun activities.
Heber Springs, Arkansas
Herber Springs is the ideal place to move if you want to have lots for your grandkids to enjoy when they come and visit you. Every child loves to explore, and there's no better place to do so than at the Collins Creek Cascade. For those who love trains, the Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum is a must-visit to go and explore different toy train sets. You can also visit Sandy Beach and play in the water all day. Here, nearly 30% of the people who currently live here are above 60, so you'll know plenty of other people who have the same experience as you. The average home is only $237,000, making homeownership affordable.
West Fork, Arkansas
If you love arts and crafts, then the cute town of West Fork, Arkansas, might be the perfect place to live. Here, you can go to Griffith Pottery Works and create as many things as you want. There's also Devil's Den State Park to stay physically active, with difficulty levels for all abilities. JD Designs and Antiques is always getting new things, so you'll never run out of shopping to do. West Fork is another one of the safest towns to live in if you're looking in the Ozarks. Home prices aren't too bad, either, with the median being just under $300,000.
Van Buren, Missouri
The town of Van Buren, Missouri, is an excellent option for those who want to escape and live a peaceful life. There are under 1,000 residents who live here, and most do so quietly. There's little crime that takes place. Another benefit of being rural is you're close to Big Spring, one of the best National Parks in Missouri. Ozark National Scenic Riverway is a beautiful body of water located near Missouri. You'll also be close to the Mark Twain National Forest. If you're a person who enjoys the great outdoors with not a lot of neighbors, Van Buren is the best place for you.
Branson, Missouri
Those who want to have constant activities to do when they retire should shoot Branson up to the top of their list. This town is home to The Haygoods, one of the most spectacular theaters for live performances in Missouri. If you have family coming into town, you can take them to Silver Dollar City, one of the best amusement parks you'll find. There's also the Titanic Museum, which isn't just any museum. This Titanic museum is known for being one of the best in the world. Branson is also home to many doctors' offices and the Cox Medical Center Branson. The homes in Branson are also very reasonable, with an average price of $263,000.
Mountain View, Arkansas
The best place in the Ozarks to be around people who are 60 and over is Mountain View, Arkansas. Here, almost half the population is, and it's easy to get in. The average home price is only $279,000. You'll be within arms distance of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area, one of the most majestic parts of the Ozarks. The Old Mill is one of the coolest landmarks in Mountain View to go and explore, especially when family comes into town. On nights you want some entertainment, Brickshy's Backstreet Theater is the place to be.
Retiring doesn't mean you have to stop having fun. It's only just beginning. You have newfound time and freedom you didn't have before. One of the best ways to spend that time is in the great outdoors. Connecting with nature is a great way to stay young, stay active, and keep your mind sharp. If you're considering the Ozarks as the place to retire, then you have the right idea with these towns.
