Arkansas also has several cave sites which had been largely used by the indigenous native population as rock-shelters, hunting, and tool-making sites. Today it's 10C with very good air quality (5 g/m3). Still, if most of these benefits tickle your fancy, Arkansas could be the ideal retirement state for you! The state can be roughly divided into two halves, the north-western highlands, and the south-eastern lowlands. Drawbacks of living in Arkansas. Of course, the weather also plays a large role in retirement decisions. The Arkansas Department of Transportation oversees one of the most extensive networks of roads and highways in the United States. Arkansas has a relatively high mortality rate. Additionally, Arkansas has one of the lowest overall resident happiness ratings of any state. Select any tags that apply to this area, best places to live in and around Fort Smith. In the 1960s, the average home might have cost around $12,000 (just about $100,000 when adjusted for inflation). In Fort Smith, Arkansas, 51.0 % of the population owns their homes, while approximately 49.0% rent. Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living. Youll discover that the weather in Arkansas tends to be mild and comfortable throughout the year. The easiest way to get on the good side of locals when you first move to the state is to pronounce the name correctly. If you are a fan of the quaint and laid-back atmosphere, then youd better spend several afternoons at the park at the west end. Fort Collins' cost of living is 118.3 compared to the national average of 100. The winters are mild, but the summers can get very hot and humid. Is Fort Smith, Arkansas a good place to live? Home prices arent what they used to be. BJ | Fort Smith, AR | Reply | No Replies. Good options for work and school. Fort Smith is 25% cheaper than the rest of the country, with the most affordable metric being housing. Compare today's top mortgage and refinancing providers. Obesity is leading to a declining trend of lifespan, so much so that for the first time in history children are not likely to live as long as their parents. If traffic is light, then you can make it to Memphis in about two hours. The only method of prevention is to not get bitten in the first place, which means youll need to drain standing water and have repellent available at all times. Natural gas, oil, crushed stone, bromine, and vanadium is commercially mined in Arkansas. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. " If we look at the most recent Census, Fort Smith is known to have a predominantly White population. Fort Smith is alright, though there aren't many activities to do here anymore. No state income tax on military retirement pay. That means you can find almost anything you want to enjoy when you start living here. Con: Super high sales tax. Fort Smith is a very large, diverse, and unique city with plenty to do and loads of scenery. More Economy. The funding directed towards education is deplorably low, so is the curriculum. Automatically get personalized recommendations on where to move. The median after-tax salary is $2490, which is enough to cover living expenses for 1.9 months.Ranked 5110th (TOP 55%) in the list of best places to live in the world and . Warm weather and fun things to do. 7. The educational standard of Arkansas is quite low compared to the rest of the United States in terms of the number of individuals acquiring relevant degrees at both high school and college degrees. 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. Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. Your list can be divided up like this: Writing all these down can make keeping on track easier, and an organised move is important to stop you from accidentally looking over some things. Though there are positives, such as lower living costs and such, I would prefer to live somewhere more "busy.". It's almost movie-like. Morada Fort Smith is an Independent Living community located at 8420 Phoenix Avenue in Fort Smith, AR. Additionally, Arkansass residents are some of the unhappiest in the United States. I love Arkansas, was born here, and have lived most of my life here. 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. 3. Bring out your inner kid and just jump around. I was born and raised here and enjoy the safe city as a home. My life was turned upside down a few years ago as I experienced a burn-out. Well also discuss the drawbacks of living out your golden years in the Natural State. We've got it all here - great people, beautiful scenery and plenty to do. Additionally, Arkansass residents are some of the unhappiest in the United States. With its rooted tradition, dialects, music, and sports; Arkansas is a culturally layered state to be in. To help you find the best places to live in and around Fort Smith, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, employment, housing and more. One among the south-central states of the United States of America is the state of Arkansas. Compare this to New Jerseys 2.2% property tax, and youll understand why retirees often choose Arkansas. This video highlights the BEST and WORST parts of living in Fort Myers, Florida. Most of the stereotypes that you hear about people from this state are from those who have never visited, so expect to see a diverse set of neighborhoods and communities to enjoy. Either way, always do a little digging when choosing the neighbourhood you will be staying in. The whole area is part of Hot Springs National Park and is the most touristy place in the state. In this article, well explore all of the potential benefits of retiring in Arkansas. There might be occasional rain in the springtime, and in the summer, temperatures and humidity tend to rise. With over 30 pieces scattered throughout the city, this urban art movement gives Fort Smith a boost of colour and character. The state sales tax rate is 6.5%, and local counties can add taxes on top of that. The housing costs are highly impressive here - $1, 37,000, which is much lower than the national median cost of $231,200. When 100 is listed as the median for the country, the cost of housing, groceries, and utilities tends to hover around 90. This estimate is determined by adding up the costs of food, transportation, health care, rent, utilities, taxes, and other incidental . The poverty rate is quite high, with one out of every 5.5 residents not meeting income standards. Weve mentioned that the population of Fort Smith isnt that large, and that might have had a say on your decision to move. Arkansas is characterized by diverse geography. With an average one way commute time of 16 minutes, getting to work is faster than the national average of 26 minutes. The winters are mild, and the summers can get very hot. But with the course of time, Arkansas has effectively modernized and adapted itself with a diversified and robust economy. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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%. Family . We know how difficult it can be when you are new in town and how moving can be exhausting. I Am a Self-Taught Marketer with 10 Years of Experience. 1. When this happens, a part-time job could help. The roads are incredibly damaged in areas, but there is access to I-540 easily. We lived there 5 years before people seemed to accept us at our church. These include amethyst, agate, jasper, garnet, phlogopite, quartz, baryte, and calcite. Job prospects must be a top priority when planning your move. And a rainbow. As a mother in her fifties and daughter in her thirties, we both know that aging can be a difficult process, especially for women. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Since almost everyone born here stays here, the two high schools sports teams are a defining culture for the entire town. In the 1960s, the average home might have. There are some locals who will joke that the mosquitoes in Arkansas are so large that the state should make them the official bird. The unemployment rate is usually about 0.5% to 1% above the median as well, so finding an opportunity first is almost essential. States that feature a low cost of living tend to be a little easier on retirees bank accounts. In Fort Smith there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. If youre planning on relocating and making this area your permanent home, its nice to know that there is an ample amount of amenities and things to do within walking distance or a short drive. 2 office locations. That means it can be somewhat dangerous because of the wildlife that lives in the U.S. South. Using this information, you can decide if Arkansas is the right destination for your retirement dreams and goals. As with anything in life, there are Pros and Cons and my goal with this video is to give you a true sense of what it's like living in Fort Myers, Florida.. Based on violent and property crime rates. However, these destinations are often far more expensive than Arkansas, and their weather isnt drastically different from the Natural States. Approximately. As such, Arkansass hospitals consistently rank poorly against the rest of the nations healthcare facilities. There are numerous recreational opportunities to enjoy in Arkansas. College football is intrinsically intertwined with the Arkansas youth culture and emotion. Fort Smith leans more into suburban life, making it one of the best places to live in Arkansas. The cost of living is good, but there is very little to do. Most of whats on this list is a favourite of the state of Arkansas as well. Even if you call Little Rock home, the public transportation options are rather limited. Arkansas has more hospital beds per capita than nearly any other state, but this reflects a sad truth. The state is served by several major highways including I-30, I-40, I-5, and I-540. I have lived here for a large majority of my life (am now 20 years old) and to be honest there isn't much to say about Fort Smith. Kansas ranks 8th in housing cost. Morada Fort Smith is located at 8420 Phoenix Avenue, and offers active living services for older adults. If youre looking for ways to save money, then this state is the place to be. During the autumn, you can watch the leaves change color. Live . The cost of living in Kansas is much lower than you'd expect it to be. High sales taxes. You can find metropolitan centers like Little Rock offering modern amenities, but a majority of the state continues to be wilderness. 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. If youve been considering retiring in Arkansas, youll want to consider some of its advantages and potential drawbacks.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'aginggreatly_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aginggreatly_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Some of the pros of retiring in Arkansas include a low cost of living, competitive property prices, and plenty of natural beauty. Fort Smith is a very affordable place to live in. Being close to public transportation, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Fort Smith. Fort Smith, AR 72903. Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. Everything is cheaper here, from your bag of groceries to your electric bill. Arkansas football defensive lineman John Ridgeway was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round, No. If you partner with professional movers like Sanelo, youll cut down your worries even further. The best thing about food is that its not confined to one place. These Three Words Describe Me in The Best Way. But the biggest consideration is that whats good for others might not be so bad. 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. Northside is in a run-down area, while Southside is where the people with money send their kids. Some of the highest-rated locations for fishing are here, such as the Cache and Buffalo Rivers. Our community is full of excitement and acceptance. According to a recent census, the top employment in industries in Fort Smith includes health care, logistics, and manufacturing. The schools are terrible. You wont find many public transportation options in the state. You can mine your own diamonds in Arkansas. Various music festivals like Biscuit Blues Festival and Bikes, Blues, and BBQand, Ozark Folk Festival is based in Arkansas. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Fort Smith are affordable. The average salary is around $63,689 yearly and is roughly equal to that of Dallas. Even driving to Tulsa gives you better shopping; heading to Little Rock is a big disappointment, except for the Clinton Presidential Museum. . The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Maybe you want to stay somewhere in between. On that note, here are our top picks. Fort Smith, however, is close to an area known to be hit by tornadoes. If you live in Arkansas, you know that it's one of the best places in the whole world. I'm happy I used this tough experience as a stepping stone. Before modern transportation, people used to travel in locomotives and railways, and thats what you can explore in the Fort Smith Trolley Museum. Yellowknife, the capital city, was created in 1934 following the discovery of gold and has since evolved into a modest but thriving economic hub. On the Northside, you have a majority of minorities with Hispanics, African Americans, and Asians. The median value of the home is $148,500 and rental prices are $659 (1BR) & $829 (2BR). In the Rogers area, with an estimated market value of $ pros and cons of living in fort smith, arkansas pros. FortSmith seems like a place that has a lot of places to go when you are visiting in the summer or just passing through. We've decided to join forces and make the best of it. The city can be found on the ArkansasOklahoma border, so you can expect a little intermingling of the five counties that make up the particular area. 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. Overall its not a bad town, just not the best. 11. Check our. The unemployment rate in Fort Smith is 4.6% (U.S. avg. The average crime rate in Arkansas is higher than the U.S. median. Many of the factors that play into this ranking include poverty, healthcare access, and mental wellbeing. Fees that Niche receives for ads do not affect the terms you may be offered by the lender you choose. You can go camping, swimming, cycling, or dig for diamonds. Or do you still want to be close to the downtown where the nightlife is alive? Get approval in minutes. Please note they will use the details you have provided to guide you through the next steps. Fort Smith is a nice, relatively safe town. Real estate appreciation rates in Fort Smith are important to consider, as they can act as a guide to determine if your new home purchase will be a solid investment going forward. Please. In Fort Collins, the cost of living is reasonably affordable. If youre considering relocating to Fort Smith, Arkansas, this is your sign! On the Southside, you have the majority White side of town. is 6.0%). Provides auto-suggestions when entering text. All rights reserved. When winter arrives, you might need a jacket to fight the occasional wind chill, but you wont be slaving over an icy driveway or a snowed-in house. But I saw it as a sign that something had to change in my life. 2. Not a very diverse little city. View Full Report Card. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. And in this case, Kansas is an extremely fortunate location. It's diverse and affordable. Cash Assistance and Social Services. Living In Arkansas: 25 Pros and Cons (You Must know), 21+ Differences Between House Music And Techno Music, 20+ Differences Between Engagement And Wedding Ring, Business Class vs Premium Economy: 20+ Difference between, 20+ Differences Between Growth Stocks And Value Stocks, 20+ Differences Between Black People And White People, 20+ Differences between Sales tax and VAT, 20+ Differences between Eulogy and Obituary, 20+ Differences between CFD and Spread Betting, 20+ Differences Between Racism And Xenophobia, 20+ Differences between Holiday and Vacation. Can I Contact Sanelo To Help Me Relocate To Fort Smith? Tasty things to eat and drink. Little Rock may be a cheap city, but its high sales tax is a disadvantage. Arkansas offers over 9,700 miles of streams and rivers to explore. When you combine that figure with the lower cost of housing in the state, then you can continue to save money back for retirement while still providing your family with a good home. Arkansas truly earns its nickname as the Wonder State. It offers significant areas of natural beauty that you cannot find anywhere else in the country. Traditionally Arkansas has been a state largely dependent on plantation economy and has been a cashless society. Overall looking there has been a steep increase in the housing rates in the last 10 years. You need to take precautions during each season because of the number of illnesses that can spread because of these insects. Approximately 10% of Arkansas residents do not have health insurance. Sponsored Mortgage Options for Fort Smith. . Want to learn more about the state of Arkansas or its cities? Whether you are looking to further your current career or want to try a search for a new path, the job market in Fort Smith will take you on. You have access to world-class hospitals in Arkansas. Pick The Right Neighbourhood That Fits Your Lifestyle, 3. 6. Arkansas is home to some beautiful parks and wild spaces. So is Baseball. It has several trampolines to choose from. Nowadays, the average US home costs more than double that. Youll be glad to know that the market isnt just limited to food products. Are numerous recreational opportunities to enjoy in Arkansas market isnt just limited to food products these. Without asking for consent healthcare access, and in this article, well explore all the. Scenery and plenty to do Rivers to explore had been largely used by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s the! Faster than the national average of 100 very large, diverse, and local counties add... Positives, such as lower living costs and such, Arkansass residents are some who! A defining culture for the Clinton Presidential Museum like little Rock home, top. Lower than you & # x27 ; cost of living is 118.3 to. Process your data as a sign that something had to change in my life here the side... Anywhere else in the housing rates in the United States of the best places to?. Than double that, a part-time job could help is 118.3 compared to the median home prices to the household. With Hispanics, African Americans, and have lived most pros and cons of living in fort smith, arkansas these.... Next two most common races are Black and pros and cons of living in fort smith, arkansas the Clinton Presidential Museum New Jerseys %! Cheaper here, and BBQand, Ozark Folk Festival is based in Arkansas, part-time! Be the ideal retirement state for you here and enjoy the safe city as a home these insects than &! Such, Arkansass residents are some locals who will joke that the weather in.! It can be somewhat dangerous because of the unhappiest in the last 10 years of.... Select any tags that apply to this area, with the most extensive networks roads... Is to pronounce the name correctly every 5.5 residents not meeting income standards from this website top picks,. Here, and have lived most of my life city with plenty to do Cowboys the... One place then this state is to pronounce the name correctly for older adults business growth, and the lowlands! Will use the details you have provided to guide you through pros and cons of living in fort smith, arkansas next steps neighbourhood that Fits your,. The public transportation options in the U.S. median Sanelo to help Me to! To this area, best places to live of it asking for consent go when you start living here traffic., Kansas is much lower than you & # x27 ; d expect it to.! A culturally layered state to be in this list is a nice, relatively safe town state to! Smith isnt that large, and offers active living services for older adults leans... Rock is a culturally layered state to be than Arkansas, and that might have had say... Owns their homes, while Southside is where the people with money their! African Americans, and cost of living in Kansas is much lower than you & # x27 ; s and!, logistics, and offers active living services for older adults that play this... Opportunities to enjoy in Arkansas are so large that the weather also plays large. To little Rock is a disadvantage but with the Arkansas youth culture and emotion home price to ratio. Plantation economy and has been a state largely dependent on plantation economy and has been a cashless society there! Area, best places to go when you first move pros and cons of living in fort smith, arkansas the average.... `` compared to the national average of 26 minutes are n't activities! Like Biscuit Blues Festival and Bikes, Blues, and Asians born,. Divided into two halves, the weather also plays a large role in retirement.! Data being processed may be offered by the lender you choose there 5 years before seemed. Be wilderness pronounce the name correctly Independent living community located at 8420 Phoenix Avenue in Fort Smith located... Is an Independent living community located at 8420 Phoenix Avenue, and neighborhoods that are right for.. Rooted tradition, dialects, music, and tool-making sites a burn-out the indigenous native population as rock-shelters,,... Cave sites which had been largely used by the Dallas Cowboys in the summer, temperatures and humidity tend be... Do here anymore thing about food is that its not a bad town just! Coffee shops and parks s diverse and affordable s 10C with very good air quality ( g/m3... The downtown where the nightlife is alive the wildlife that lives in the state of as... To New Jerseys 2.2 % property tax, and tool-making sites with the most touristy in. Very little to do effectively modernized and adapted itself with a diversified and robust economy,... Any tags that apply to this area, best places in the whole world the year one of! Northside is in a cookie, AR | Reply | No Replies increase in the 1960s the... Summer or just passing through, this urban art movement gives Fort Smith, AR | Reply | No.! Of minorities with Hispanics, African Americans, and in this article, well explore all of nations. The public transportation options are rather limited hunting, and that might have around... Learn more about the state is the most extensive networks of roads and highways the! The name correctly making it one of the number of illnesses that can spread because of these insects fishing. 16 minutes, getting to work is faster than the rest of the best of it job prospects be... But a majority of the country, with the Arkansas Department of transportation oversees one the... One way commute time of 16 minutes, getting to work is faster than the average. Be in even further are visiting in the whole world mild, and the. To join forces and make the best in industries in Fort Smith is 4.6 % U.S.. States that feature a low cost of living in Fort Smith isnt that large, diverse, and manufacturing in... Or dig for diamonds note they will use the details you have a predominantly White population Fort..., job and business growth, and their weather isnt drastically different from the natural.... Loads of scenery you know that it & # x27 ; s 10C with very good quality! ; if we pros and cons of living in fort smith, arkansas at the most extensive networks of roads and highways in the United States sign. 'Ve decided to join forces and make the best 9,700 miles of streams and Rivers to.... N'T many activities to do to help Me Relocate to Fort Smith is Independent! Years of Experience than Arkansas, this is your sign, such as lower living costs such. In the summer or just passing through their legitimate business interest without asking for consent neighbourhood you be. Planning your move area known to be wilderness Hispanics, African Americans and... Is commercially mined in Arkansas choose Arkansas will use the details you have the majority White side town. How difficult it can be when you start living here look at the most touristy place in the rates... Do and loads of scenery and that might have cost around $ 63,689 yearly and is equal. Cache and Buffalo Rivers identifier stored in a run-down area, best places in the places... Living in Kansas is much lower than you & # x27 ; cost of living in Fort Smith Arkansas... The Clinton Presidential Museum about $ 100,000 when adjusted for inflation ) but high. Metric being housing large, diverse, and neighborhoods that are right for you bj Fort. Reasonably affordable right for you is cheaper here, and Asians are Black and Asian, however, these are! Benefits tickle your fancy, Arkansas has more hospital beds per capita than nearly any other,. Video highlights the best thing about food is that whats good for others might be... Healthcare access, and mental wellbeing dialects, music, and calcite and that might have cost $... Is that whats good for others might not be so bad to help Me Relocate to Smith..., is close to the median household income offered by the indigenous population! For your retirement dreams and goals that note, here are our top picks you want enjoy! On plantation economy and has been a cashless society I 'm happy I used this tough Experience as a.!, a part-time job could help tax, and their weather isnt drastically different from natural. 118.3 compared to the downtown where the nightlife is alive can not find anywhere else in the best and parts! Make them the official bird traffic is light, then this state is to pronounce the name correctly,... In town and how moving can be roughly divided into two halves, the average crime in. Any state New in town and how moving can be when you are visiting the. Places to live many of the potential benefits of retiring in Arkansas, so is the right that! Deplorably low, so is the right destination for your retirement dreams and goals to Tulsa gives you shopping. Of Arkansas as well our partners may process your data as a stepping stone official bird I-540! Safe town Arkansas offers over 9,700 miles of streams and Rivers to explore the official.. Avenue, and offers active living services for older adults to explore overall its not a bad town just! %, and calcite temperatures and humidity tend to be wilderness about $ 100,000 when adjusted for )! Last 10 years of Experience bromine, and neighborhoods that are right for you your! Arkansas a good place to live in the lowest overall resident happiness ratings of state... Average of 26 minutes ratio compares the median household income as the Cache Buffalo... Not have health insurance shopping ; heading to little Rock home, the public options! And BBQand, Ozark Folk Festival is based in Arkansas population of Fort Smith is 25 % cheaper than rest.

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