If it’s getting close to the moment of your retirement, then you might be looking into moving to a new place where you can start a new adventure, so we’re going to take a look at the 7 best places to retire in Arkansas.
Moving to a new house is both exciting and terrifying, but moving to a new house in a new state where you’ve never lived before is even more so of the latter. But, sometimes, perhaps making a big change in your life is what’s best and what better time to do it all then when you are no longer tied to a day job? What better time to uproot your life than when you no longer have to show up at work day in and day out?
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So, if you’re looking to move to a new state, then Arkansas may just be the one to choose. It has some really great geographical features, ranging from mountainous areas to deep forests, to beautiful rivers and deltas. It also has a pretty great climate, namely humid subtropical, somewhat influenced by the Gulf of Mexico. In short, the summers are humid and hot, while the winters are cool and dry, but neither are too terrible. What you should take care about is the fact that Arkansas is down on Tornado Alley, which is obviously a reason for concern, so make sure there are safety measures in place wherever you decide to move to.
If you want, there’s also the option of reading regarding the 7 best places to retire in Arizona in case you weren’t completely decided about where you’re going.
Arkansas is home to over 2.9 million people with a median age of 37. The median home price in the state was calculated at 109,100 while the cost of living is 84.3, well under the national average. The crime rate in the state is 51, with 1 being the safest, data shows. Also, the number of doctors per 100,000 people in Arkansas is 198, under the 261 national average.
For today’s list, we took a look at all of Arkansas’ counties, checking out several aspects, including the median home price, the cost of living index, average commute time, crime rate and a number of doctors. We ranked all counties by these criteria, handed out points and ended up with a list of scores. Each of the counties that have more doctors per 100,000 people than the state’s average got an extra 5 points, resulting in the final scores. The information comes from Sperling’s Best Places which uses data from governmental sources. Without further ado, here are the 7 best places to retire in Arkansas.
7. Monroe
Score: 10
Median home price: $54,200
Cost of living index: 73.5
Average commute time: 19.08
Crime rate: 62
Doctors per 100K: 49
In the eastern areas of Arkansas is Monroe County, home to over 8,100 people, making it one of the least populous areas in the state. The county only covers 621 square miles, which makes for a population density of 13 people per square mile.
Most of the landscape in Monroe is flat, perfect for agriculture, including in the deltas. Therefore, if you want a quiet life in the countryside, then this might be the perfect choice for you. The median home price in the area is $54,200, which is quite great since it means you’re probably going to be able to afford a new home without many issues. The cost of living index is also a whopping 73.5, which means you’ll pay well below what the average American does. The commute time isn’t all too terrible either, being calculated at 19 minutes.
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6. Pulaski
Score: 12
Median home price: $122,100
Cost of living index: 86.9
Average commute time: 19.63
Crime rate: 55
Doctors per 100K: 625
In the heart of Arkansas, you’ll find Pulaski County, which is home to over 391,000 people, making it the most populous county in the entire state. Little Rock, Arkansas’ capital is also found in this county. Pulaski County spreads over 808 square miles of territory, out of which almost 6 percent is water.
If you’re looking for a laid back area with a feel of the hustle and bustle that comes with large cities, then this might be a good choice for you. After all, you’re close enough to enjoy the nightlife, the museums, and entertainment without having to drive forever to reach it. Little Rock in itself is a major hotspot for cultural events and economic center. In fact, back in 2013, Kiplinger, a publisher specializing in business forecasts and personal finance advice, dubbed Little Rock as the number 1 place to live in metropolitan areas with under 1 million residents.
Pulaski County has a median home price of a little over $122,000 while the cost of living index is 86.9, well below the national average. The number of doctors per 100,000 residents is 625, the highest density in the entire state.
5. Lee
Score: 13
Median home price: $52,100
Cost of living index: 73.2
Average commute time: 20.85
Crime rate: 60
Doctors per 100K: 38
On Arkansas’ eastern border sits Lee County, spreading over 620 square miles, a place that is called home by over 10.400 people. Lee County is full of hills in the northern area and delta flat farmland in its center while the Mississippi River makes up for the eastern border between the county and the river’s namesake state. If you’re interested in enjoying the wildlife, then Lee is a good choice for you. While not being overly populated, the county offers quite a few options to spending time in nature, whether that means hiking, biking or fishing, to name a few.
The median home price in the area is a bit over $52,000, while the cost of living index is a whopping 73.2, meaning you’ll pay well below the national average for groceries, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation and other shopping you’ll have to do.
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4. Union
Score: 13
Median home price: $74,900
Cost of living index: 77.8
Average commute time: 17.62
Crime rate: 46
Doctors per 100K: 202
Down south in Arkansas is Union County, home to over 41,600 people. Bordering Louisiana on one side, Union County is home to the lowest point in the state of Arkansas, namely where the Ouachita River flows out of the state and into Louisiana.
If you’re looking for a bit of fun, then El Dorado is the place to go, a city that’s full of festivals and events to attend, plenty of dining options, cultural spots, and shopping centers. Otherwise, nature is open at all hours of the day and night and you can go check out the many recreational spots across the county.
The median home price in this area is close to $75,000 while the cost of living index is 77.8, well below the national average. According to data, there are 202 doctors for each 100,000 residents.
3. Baxter
Score: 13
Median home price: $116,900
Cost of living index: 85.5
Average commute time: 16.76
Crime rate: 32
Doctors per 100K: 239
Going back up north, we’ll find Baxter County, home to over 41,500 people, at least according to the 2010 census. While the area isn’t exactly the most diverse from a geographical point of view, it still offers plenty of nature to walk through and enough countryside to last you a lifetime. All in all, it’s a pretty quiet county, although if you’re really looking you’ll be able to find some rowdiness.
The median home price in the area is a bit higher than in others, namely $116,900 while the cost of living index has been calculated at 85.5. If you have to commute, it generally takes a little over 16 minutes to get from point A to point B. The area is also doing great when it comes to healthcare, especially given the calculated number of doctors per 100,000 residents of 239.
2. Lafayette
Score: 13
Median home price: $51,400
Cost of living index: 73.4
Average commute time: 23.45
Crime rate: 46
Doctors per 100K: 26
North of Louisiana you’ll find Lafayette County, spreading over some 545 square miles. The place is home to over 7.600 people, making it one of the least populated counties in the state.
When it comes to the landscape, Lafayette County is mostly made out of forested hills, which you can obviously trail through, in part at least. That’s because a lot of the land is owned by timber companies which are busy taking down trees and reseeding the areas. There are also several lakes and rivers to enjoy if you like sitting by the water for fishing and picnics or if you enjoy watersports and swimming.
The average house price in the area is over $51,000, which is more than ok as far as home prices go. The cost of living index is well below the national average, namely 73.4, meaning you’ll be paying a lot less than what you currently are just by moving here.
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1. Craighead
Score: 15
Median home price: $123,000
Cost of living index: 85.7
Average commute time: 17.53
Crime rate: 48
Doctors per 100K: 313
In the northeastern area of Arkansas, you’ll find Craighead, one of the most populated counties in the state. The place is called home by over 96,400 people and it spreads over 713 square miles.
When it comes to geography, the county doesn’t really stand out. There are, however, several things that stand out, such as Crowley’s Ridge, which is an unusual geological formation rising several hundred feet above the Mississippi embayment in a line that starts in Missouri and ends in Arkansas.
The median home price in the area is $123,000 which isn’t the lowest we’ve seen, but it can hardly be called excessively high. Then, the cost of living index is 85.7 here, which will be great for your wallet. The average commute time is a bit over 17 minutes, so you won’t spend forever stuck in traffic. There are also 313 doctors for each 100,000 residents, while the crime rate in the area is 48, with 1 being the safest. All in all, Craighead is at the top of the list of the 7 best places to retire in Arkansas.
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