However, Arkansass job market isnt precisely tailored to older folks, and the general outlook for employment in the state is relatively grim. Cost of living in Fort Smith is 3% lower than the Arkansas average. Fort Smith is 25% cheaper than the rest of the country, with the most affordable metric being housing. Still, if you feel that the benefits outweigh these drawbacks, then Arkansas may be a great retirement spot for you! Known as the mid-ground of the old west and the new south, its spanned-out tourism industry, including many modern and historical attractions, makes the city . Retirees with severe health conditions may struggle to find facilities that accept their insurance or are close to home. The current rate is about six incidents for every 1,000 people. If you combine the Delta with the Coastal Plain, that is. I wish there were more trails and nicer parks. The roads are incredibly damaged in areas, but there is access to I-540 easily. Plus, with great opportunities, an affordable housing market, and high quality of life, theres not much to look for. 6. Arkansas. . Provides auto-suggestions when entering text. We lived there 5 years before people seemed to accept us at our church. Hotels near Lake Fort Smith State Park: (1.98 mi) Five Bedroom lodge nestled on 10 acres with gorgeous views. It's almost movie-like. The public schools in Fort Smith are highly rated. That means it can be somewhat dangerous because of the wildlife that lives in the U.S. South. Fort Smith is a great contender if youre looking for a new place to relocate to thats far from overcrowded cities. My experience living in Fort Smith has been pretty good to me. Youll be glad to know that the market isnt just limited to food products. Some, even originating from the 1930s, like its signature Ferris Wheel. To counter the rising epidemic of tobacco-related health issues and death in Arkansas, the State authorities have enforced the Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act which prohibits public smoking excluding some bars, and restaurants. First, look at a map of Arkansas. Scores Digital Nomad Guide People Cost of Living Pros and Cons Photos Reviews Weather Trends Chat Neighborhoods Coworking Remote Jobs Near Next Similar Total score 2.81 / 5 (Rank #439) 1 reviews: Quality of life score : Okay. You can go camping, swimming, cycling, or dig for diamonds. Answer (1 of 4): It sucks, this town is full of people that want to be the police and the police are running a muck causing problems. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. Pros and Cons of Living in California. Look Up The Pros And Cons of Fort Smith To Know Youre Making The Right Decision, 2. The minimum wage is above the national standard, but it is much lower than what youll find in other places across the United States. Neurofeedback therapy in Fort Smith, Arkansas can be used to treat conditions like anxiety, ADHD, & depression painlessly and without meds. Morada Fort Smith is an Independent Living community located at 8420 Phoenix Avenue in Fort Smith, AR. If youve been considering retiring in Arkansas, youll want to consider some of its advantages and potential drawbacks. Drive north to Branson, if country music is your thing. The agricultural sector comprises of poultry and eggs, soybeans, sorghum, cattle, cotton, rice, hogs, and milk. WEATHER & CLIMATE The schools are terrible. The state sales tax rate is 6.5%, and local counties can add taxes on top of that. The overall network is the 13th-largest in the country even though the state often ranks at or near the bottom in many funding categories. Many families have their children obtain a license at the minimum age to make each outing a memorable experience for everyone. In town, we have two high schools, Northside for the poor, and Southside for the rich. 6. If youre looking for ways to save money, then this state is the place to be. The housing market in Indiana. Approximately 30% of Arkansas residents have experienced property crime, including trespassing, vandalization, burglary, or arson.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'aginggreatly_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aginggreatly_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Perhaps more worrying, it seems as though violent crimes are starting to become more common in Arkansas. Fort Smith has a very humid and subtropical climate. You can even find a one-bedroom apartment in Little Rock for less than $800 per month. The Arkansas Travelers and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals are based in the state. Yes, the quality of life in Fort Smith is quite good. The average home in Arkansas costs between about $120,000 and $150,000. Employers might not offer as much in wages when you start living here compared to other parts of the country, but your money can stretch a lot further because of the structure of the economy. The Caribbean is one of the most exotic and affordable travel destinations globally. It is also listed as a Level 1 Trauma Care Center. Arkansas has effectively modernized itself with a diversified and robust economy. The whole area is part of Hot Springs National Park and is the most touristy place in the state. Yellowknife, the capital city, was created in 1934 following the discovery of gold and has since evolved into a modest but thriving economic hub. It is a 911 acre plowed field land that bears diamonds and is accessible by the public to dig and search for diamonds. This will also inform which neighbourhood youd want to live in. Dont forget to bring your favorite adult beverage and some sunscreen to make it an enjoyable day. Its all safe fun which can also double as a workout. Arkansas is the ideal destination for family trips, adventures, and to have a hearty life post-retirement. You get to experience this advantage without a significant increase in your spending needs to take care of the basic costs of living. Arkansas has well-planned transportation facilities. Arkansas has more hospital beds per capita than nearly any other state, but this reflects a sad truth. Fort Smith, AR 72903. Although my 90,000 person town is considered behind the times, there is something special about Fort Smith. 9. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Arkansas is home to some beautiful parks and wild spaces. Or do you still want to be close to the downtown where the nightlife is alive? I like how clean they try to keep our parks and our town. This estimate is determined by adding up the costs of food, transportation, health care, rent, utilities, taxes, and other incidental . Warm weather and fun things to do. The city is laid back, has a great climate, and scores highly on livability and cost of living. In the last few years a lot of professionals moved to Dallas-Fort Worth area due to economical growth. 4. Risk of severe weather. The climate in Fort Smith is referred to as a humid subtropical climate. Every community has its fair share of unusual laws that can leave you scratching your head. Well discuss everything from the pros and cons of living in Fort Smith, the cost of living, the best food, and even the job market. The current combined state, county, and city sales rate is 8.63%. From the poisonous snakes (cottonmouths, rattlesnakes, and copperheads) to the alligators, youll need to use some common sense when wandering somewhere unfamiliar. Retirees looking to buy property in their retirement state might be thrilled to know that Arkansass property prices are about half of the national average. Fort Smith, though a smaller city, has a lot of charm and personality. In Fort Smith, Arkansas, 51.0 % of the population owns their homes, while approximately 49.0% rent. If youre considering relocating to Fort Smith, Arkansas, this is your sign! Arkansas enjoys a relatively mild, temperate climate. Don't worry if you don't know, we are still here to help. 11. Having personally grown up as one of the few white kids on the Northside, I have learned so much about myself and other cultures. Job prospects must be a top priority when planning your move. The same goes for restaurants, travel and entertainment. According to a national scientific poll, Fort Smith, Arkansas, is one of the United States unhappiest communities. The only con I can think of is that they need to do some remodeling and some cleaning up to keep the beautiful place looking beautiful. Of course, youll still need to handle some of the Natural States drawbacks, including high property crime. Though Arkansas doesnt always come to mind when you imagine beautiful scenery and jaw-dropping natural wonders, it probably should! By submitting the form on the next page, you are happy for our trusted partners to contact you. No matter what your ability, age, or interest happens to be, there is something that youll love to do here. Theres the Museum of History if youd like to know more about the citys history. The hills: As a nave freshman I thought it would be nice to bike to class. Some places are not open on Sunday. There are several state highways and interstates connecting Arkansas with all the important nodal centers, both within and outside the state. 3. Fort Smith is strategically positioned along the Arkansas - Oklahoma state border, and quality of life conveniences include a highly regarded public school system as well as . With Sanelos years of experience providing moving services to both local and international travellers, you know you are in great hands. During the last twelve months, the appreciation rate for Fort Smith homes comes in at 3.3%, and the 5 year appreciation rates were 3.3%. Overall just an average experience. You can dig for diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro or just take a stroll around the lovely little community of Eureka Springs, where time itself seems to stand still. Political interference in the classroom also creates a unique set of disadvantages for families to manage. Fort Smith is in Sebastian County and is one of the best places to live in Arkansas. Youre also very close to several big cities if you need to take a break from the state for a little bit. Arkansas is one of the four states in the US without any legislation against hate crimes. The average home in Arkansas costs between about $120,000 and $150,000. The easiest way to get on the good side of locals when you first move to the state is to pronounce the name correctly. Fort Smith is a quiet town. The average cost of living in the Northwest Territories is $2,017. Seniorly can help you understand common terms for this type of . In that case, you might need to invest in additional security services and products upon moving to Arkansas, even if you dont intend on living near urban areas. To-do list of what to pack, what to give away, and what to sell, Documents such as Passport & Visa(for those coming outside the US), Work Permit, IDs, Copyright 2023 Sanelo. Sadly, property crimes are somewhat common here. Many of the factors that play into this ranking include poverty, healthcare access, and mental wellbeing. Youll discover that the weather in Arkansas tends to be mild and comfortable throughout the year. Fort Smith is very provincial. High sales taxes. Suppose youre concerned about keeping your home, your household, and yourself safe. Answer (1 of 5): This is a big question. Please. In Fort Smith there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. And a rainbow. Median real estate prices in Fort Smith come in at $114,900, which is 0.2% higher than the Arkansas average. If you decide to move to a new city, you first need to check out what people love about it and what others might feel needs a bit of adjusting to. Places with the Best Public Schools in Arkansas. Arkansas ranks 46th out of the 50 states with an 18.1% rate, with children under the age of 6 experiencing a 29.4% rate. Once you get outside of the K-12 system, the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State are some of the best institutions in the country. Golden Living Centers. . There are some locals who will joke that the mosquitoes in Arkansas are so large that the state should make them the official bird. There might be occasional rain in the springtime, and in the summer, temperatures and humidity tend to rise. Arkansas emphasizes the small-town charm that lets you walk down the street in peace or have the kids play in the yard without fearing for their safety. Nice weather & plentiful outdoor activities. Approximately. Country cooking can be a positive attribute to consider when moving to Arkansas. College football is intrinsically intertwined with the Arkansas youth culture and emotion. Youll also find that healthcare costs and transportation needs tend to be a little cheaper as well. There would be nice homes that are well put and homes that just look abandoned. Fort Collins' cost of living is 118.3 compared to the national average of 100. Low property taxes. Whether you prefer the laid-back atmosphere of a natural retirement community or the energetic flow of a planned one, theres a neighborhood for you in Arkansas. Arkansas is still one of the states in the USA where white supremacy and related hate crimes continue unchecked. Niche is not a lender and does not endorse the products of these advertisers. Its the perfect place for people who want to leave the fast pace of the overly urban world and settle down in a smaller community with their family. Find Assisted Living . Based on the housing stock, population density, and the proximity of amenities of the area. Those with arthritis might appreciate this lack of snowy weather.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'aginggreatly_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aginggreatly_com-banner-1-0'); When youve reached retirement age, the last thing you want to do is spend your winter shoveling snow and fighting seasonal arthritis. Go ahead and enjoy the chicken-friend approach to almost everything, but you must remember to have it in moderation so that you dont become another statistic in this category. Over 1 in 3 people in the state have a BMI that classifies them as being obese. The cost of living is good, but there is very little to do. Everything is cheaper here, from your bag of groceries to your electric bill. B+ Fort Smith Cost of Living Cost of living is 3% lower than Arkansas. Tasty things to eat and drink. The Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro area's population has increased by 24.2 percent since 2010, according to new U.S. Census data. If we check out each of the categories on their own, we see that Fort Smith ranks well for amenities (A+) and cost of living (B+). Fort Smith costs $3,239 per month to live and work remotely with 37 mbps internet speed, is a bad place for digital nomads to live. Fort smith isnt bad. A modern security system is necessary. The schools are terrible. Good air quality ( 28 g/m3 ) an informative guide to Nearest casino in Fort,. Marketing | Branding | Blogging. Against a national index of 100, Arkansas ranks 16 points cheaper than the national average with a cost of living index of 84. Even though housing, property tax, and general living costs are low in Arkansas, the sales tax rates are a real turn-off. Fort Smith is 25% cheaper than the rest of the country, with the most affordable metric being housing. In Fort Smith there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. There are also 600,000 acres of lakes to enjoy. In the last several years, the city and people in it have worked very hard to make Fort Smith a fun place to live. We lived there 5 years before people seemed to accept us at our church. Hot Springs. If you are considering a move to Fort Myers and would like to look at available homes in the area, visit my website at https://www.homesearchinswflorida.com While construction is never-ending, the traffic is not as bad as in other major cities and housing is more affordable. You can nd out more about us here. Arkansas has a relatively high mortality rate. Very affordable. Anyway, back to the point. Most of the dangerous areas in Little Rock are around I-630. Not a very diverse little city. Good options for work and school. 1. Arkansas economic bastions of agriculture, industry and mining are comprehensive and sturdy. There are several benefits of retiring in Arkansas, and some of the most notable advantages that retirees can enjoy are: Low cost of living. That's why the downtown prices for living have increased. 1. The average cost of a single-family home in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 2022 is $ 167,816 which is low in the United States and high in Arkansas. Choosing one can be tricky, as there are several pros and cons to each state. I like the updating of the schools and the infrastructure. Though there are positives, such as lower living costs and such, I would prefer to live somewhere more "busy.". The housing is fine but the neighborhoods look confusing. Compare this to New Jerseys 2.2% property tax, and youll understand why retirees often choose Arkansas. As you near retirement age, you may have your eye on several potential retirement destinations. The name of the state comes from the Osage language, representing a diverse geography and group of people that stretch from the Ozarks to the Ouachita Mountains. Arkansas has a relatively high mortality rate. Want to learn more about the state of Arkansas or its cities? Pros and Cons of Arkansas (Fort Smith, Fayetteville: transplants, 2015, insurance) User Name: Remember Me: Password : Please . More Economy. 1. When in a new town, its easy to feel like a stranger. The housing costs are highly impressive here - $1, 37,000, which is much lower than the national median cost of $231,200. Rental prices in Fort Smith are 9% lower than the Arkansas average. Kansas ranks 8th in housing cost. Having personally grown up as one of the few white kids on the Northside, I have learned so much about myself and other cultures. THINGS TO DO IN FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS. While this may seem high, the most significant contributor to the spike is the high . The mosquitos are some of the biggest youve ever seen. . With affordable prices and reliable service, youll fully enjoy your trip as you wont need to lug around heavy luggage. Fortunately, violent crimes arent as prevalent in Arkansas as in other parts of the US. Now that weve explored many of the positive aspects of retiring in Arkansas, its time to consider the less-than-pleasant drawbacks of living in the Natural State. See pricing, photos & reviews on Seniorly.com! Winters can sometimes get a little cold, but it is nothing close to what states like North Dakota or Michigan experience. . If you enjoy the serenity and quietness of rural areas, the whole state offers you this atmosphere and makes it one of the best states for you to retire in. If youre used to northern cities that wear a lot of layers, the hot climate might need some getting used to. It might not be a coastal state, but locals take full advantage of all of the water that is at their disposal. You wont find many public transportation options in the state. That doesnt mean you can enjoy a game or two after you move here. You can enjoy quiet moments in the Ozarks, fish in crystal-clear creeks, or enjoy a leisurely afternoon floating on a lake. No state income tax on military retirement pay. A high school education is a basic . It has a few streetcars that come from the 1900s and are fully restored, where you can take a ride and learn about the history of this period. 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