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Retirement doesn’t always mean slowing down. For many people, it means finally having the freedom to choose where and how they want to live.
Baxter and Marion counties in North Central Arkansas offer something that appeals to many retirees: smaller communities, beautiful Ozark scenery, lakes and rivers, access to healthcare, and a variety of housing choices- from traditional neighborhoods and 55 plus communities to senior apartments and assisted living.
Retirement Living Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
One of the first decisions is determining that what kind of lifestyle you’re looking for. Some retirees want to purchase a home where they can continue Living completely independently. Others would rather downsize into a smaller, lower maintenance home. Still others may be looking for a 55 plus community, senior apartment, assisted living or a set anymore additional care is available.
In Baxter County, options include 55 plus residential communities such as Glenbriar Commons and Mountain Home and Riverbend Park in Gassville, which describes itself as a 55 plus senior lifestyle community. Mountain Home also has several assisted -living and senior -care choices, including Sycamore Springs Senior Living, Southern Meadows, Lake Forest and River Lodge Assisted Living.
Marion County offers senior housing choices in communities including Bull Shoals and Flippin. The Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas lists North Arkansas senior housing of Bull Shoals and Fallen Ash senior complex inflict among its senior housing options
Why North Central Arkansas Appeals to Retirees
One of the biggest attraction is the lifestyle. Mountain Home provides convenient access to shopping, restaurants, health care and everyday services, while smaller surrounding communities can offer a quieter atmosphere. Bull Shoals Lake Norfork Lake and the White River also make this an appealing area for people who enjoy fishing, boating, kayaking, nature and simply having more open space around them.
Retirement here doesn’t necessarily mean moving into a retirement “community.” It may mean finding a smaller house with less maintenance, a one level home, a property closer to medical care or a home near family.
When Mom or Dad Moves Here, Sometimes the Family Follows.
There’s another side of retirement relocation that deserves more attention. When parents move into a retirement, assisted living or senior community, their adult children sometimes begin thinking about moving closer too.
Instead of being several hours or several states away, a son or daughter may want a home within a short drive of mom or dad. That can make visits easier and allow families to be more involved in one another’s lives. If that described your family, your real estate search may look very different. You might want to be near a Mountain Home for health care and conveniences, closer to Bull Shoals or Flippin because that’s where a parent lives, or somewhere in between.
Choosing the Right Home
If you are considering retiring to Baxter Or Marion County, think beyond the house itself. How much maintenance do you want? Do you prefer being close to health care and shopping or further out with more land and privacy? Would a one level home make life easier long term? Do you want an age restricted community or simply a comfortable neighborhood where you can stay for years? Those are questions worth considering before you begin looking at properties.
