Retired military personnel is bound to enjoy the lack of state income tax on their military retirement pay. 10 Reasons Why You Should Never, Ever Move To Arkansas. The state sales tax rate is 6.5%, and local counties can add taxes on top of that. Some of the highest-rated locations for fishing are here, such as the Cache and Buffalo Rivers. Arkansas is home to some beautiful parks and wild spaces. Great college football. People prefer to be polite and proper, throwing out numerous sirs and maams while engaging with each other. Arkansas is the perfect place for anyone who wants to live a comfortable life in a state with great cultural traditions, beautiful music, serene mountains, and forests. We've got it all here - great people, beautiful scenery and plenty to do. This advantage is one of the primary reasons why retirees look to this state as one of their top destinations when there isnt a need to go to work every day. 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. Its all safe fun which can also double as a workout. Situated on the Arkansas border with Oklahoma at the confluence of the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers, also known as the Belle Point, Fort Smith is the third-largest city in Arkansas, named after General Thomas A. Smith. Housing over 40,000 artefacts and exhibits that tell the story of the city. B+ Fort Smith Cost of Living Cost of living is 3% lower than Arkansas. Low cost of living. In Fort Collins, the cost of living is reasonably affordable. 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. Some of the notable things to do include: Fort Smith National Historic Site, Fort Smith Trolley Museum, and Miss Laura's Social Club. Pros Cons "; Nature & laws on schooling children & non-mandated vaccines. In this article, well explore all of the potential benefits of retiring in Arkansas. I was born and raised here and enjoy the safe city as a home. This trend means break-ins, burglaries, and home invasions. Moving/Relocating To Wyoming: 7 Closely Guarded Secrets And Advice, Moving/Relocating To Wales: 6 Most-Asked Questions Answered, Moving/Relocating To Iowa City: 5 Closely Guarded Facts, Moving / Relocating To Tulsa: 12 Little Known Facts And FAQs, Moving/Relocating To Colorado: 20 Best Tips & Pointers To Fully Immerse Yourself In The Centennial State, Top Secrets About Moving From Singapore To Australia: 9 Sure Ways To Become An Aussie, All You Need To Know About Moving From Singapore To Malaysia: 9 Crucial Facts, Best Tips About Moving From Australia To Singapore: 9 Things To Expect And Prepare For. Arkansas has a. , most notably within the healthcare, transportation, and housing industries. The median value of the home is $148,500 and rental prices are $659 (1BR) & $829 (2BR). 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. Arkansas economic bastions of agriculture, industry and mining are comprehensive and sturdy. 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 Though there are positives, such as lower living costs and such, I would prefer to live somewhere more "busy.". Most people choose to retire in specific countries because they wish to reduce their cost of living and, at the same time, maintain a high quality of life. 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%. You can expect that theres going to be a lot of space, less crowded streets, more tight-knit communities, and a laid-back atmosphere. Retirees that arent prepared to spend time searching for top-notch healthcare facilities could find themselves feeling frustrated and disappointed. The best thing about food is that its not confined to one place. He had 39 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks while getting the majority of his playing time at nose tackle. Of course, the weather also plays a large role in retirement decisions. On A Mission to Help Small Businesses to Be a Brand. Others may struggle to make ends meet on their retirement pension or savings plan. While construction is never-ending, the traffic is not as bad as in other major cities and housing is more affordable. A lot of commercial freight is commuted through Arkansas not only via freight trains but also using the ferry in the Missouri River and Arkansas River. Living in Arkansas Pros Living in Arkansas Cons; Life is still affordable in Arkansas: Hard to find really good schools in Arkansas: You don't have to spend lots of money on rent: . I'm happy I used this tough experience as a stepping stone. If you live in Arkansas, you know that it's one of the best places in the whole world. Did you know that it is illegal in the state to sound your vehicles horn at a sandwich shop after 9 pm? 9. Still, if you feel that the benefits outweigh these drawbacks, then Arkansas may be a great retirement spot for you!if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'aginggreatly_com-leader-2','ezslot_9',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aginggreatly_com-leader-2-0'); Hey there, my name is Ruth, I'm in my late fifties. According to a recent census, the top employment in industries in Fort Smith includes health care, logistics, and manufacturing. You can go to local Native American casinos, where seemingly EVERYONE smokes. Arkansas football defensive lineman John Ridgeway was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round, No. Yes, the quality of life in Fort Smith is quite good. On the Southside, you have the majority White side of town. Fort Smith is a quiet town. Property taxes are below average in Arkansas. But I am not you. Or do you still want to be close to the downtown where the nightlife is alive? 4. Arkansas has a comparatively low cost of living, most notably within the healthcare, transportation, and housing industries. High sales taxes. Decent nightlife downtown and great restaurants all over town. The agricultural sector comprises of poultry and eggs, soybeans, sorghum, cattle, cotton, rice, hogs, and milk. You can nd out more about us here. Today it's 10C with very good air quality (5 g/m3). 2 office locations. Please try again later. Based on the proximity of local amenities like grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, librairies, etc., Fort Smith has received a higher than average score for its local amenities. I also like all of options we have in our town to eat out at and to shop at. However, transportation and miscellaneous costs such as clothing, recreation, child care, and other services are also cheaper. Many of the factors that play into this ranking include poverty, healthcare access, and mental wellbeing. There are numerous recreational opportunities to enjoy in Arkansas. The Caribbean is one of the most exotic and affordable travel destinations globally. The minimum wage is above the national standard, but it is much lower than what youll find in other places across the United States. Violent crime is somewhat common in Arkansas, and it is a trend that is continuing to climb. Using this information, you can decide if Arkansas is the right destination for your retirement dreams and goals. 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 . Most places, you cant walk or bike because there arent safe side walks. Much of the state is rural with poverty a significant issue. Unfortunately for Fort Smith, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: crime (F), education (F), employment (D) and housing (F). Fort Smith is a melting pot and that is something special. Because of this, Arkansas residents search for the best-rated hospitals in their area before seeking treatment. There are four interstate highways for drivers to use, along with almost 3,000 miles of railroad tracks. Calculated annually per 100,000 residents. 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. Hunting is a way of life in this state as well. Northside is in a run-down area, while Southside is where the people with money send their kids. I like how clean they try to keep our parks and our town. Arkansas often ranks highly on retirement destination lists, and its not too challenging to see why. There are several benefits of retiring in Arkansas, and some of the most notable advantages that retirees can enjoy are: Low cost of living. Tell us a bit more about your items so we could provide you with an accurate estimate. There are also 600,000 acres of lakes to enjoy. Fort Smith, however, is close to an area known to be hit by tornadoes. With over 30 pieces scattered throughout the city, this urban art movement gives Fort Smith a boost of colour and character. There are many additional borrowing options available. After all, if youre hoping to live somewhere with a low cost of living, but you dont enjoy the outdoors very much, Arkansass allure might not hold much power over you. The housing is fine but the neighborhoods look confusing. The winters are mild, but the summers can get very hot and humid. Unlikely Sales Taxes. 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. Job prospects must be a top priority when planning your move. It might not be a coastal state, but locals take full advantage of all of the water that is at their disposal. However, these destinations are often far more expensive than Arkansas, and their weather isnt drastically different from the Natural States. is 6.0%). 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. Arkansas is characterized by diverse geography. Some of the most popular Arkansas cities and towns for retirees include: If youre a veteran receiving military retirement pay, youll be glad to hear that Arkansas doesnt charge a state income tax on such funds. its a great growing community and housing is a lot better then most areas in arkansas. Fort Smith, Arkansas is a mid-sized city with a population of 87,712 residents. The housing costs are highly impressive here - $1, 37,000, which is much lower than the national median cost of $231,200. On that note, here are our top picks. Cash Assistance and Social Services. More Cost of Living or Compare Fort Smith's Cost of Living. Once you get outside of the urban areas of Kansas, the cost of living is remarkably low. Fort Smith saw a 3.4 percent . However, these destinations are often far more expensive than Arkansas, and their weather isnt drastically different from the Natural States. And let's face it - not everyone is cut out to live here. . The market is filled with the local vibe that were sure will be one of your favourite places to visit over and over again. Manners are a way of life when living in Arkansas. It is chronically underfunded to the point that teachers in the state struggle to make ends meet because of their low salaries. Fayetteville says that it is illegal to kill any living creature, so enjoy trying to trap the mosquitoes in a catch-and-release restaurant. Dwellics instantly analyzes thousands of relevant data points and your selected preferences like lifestyle, weather, community and more to find the perfect place for you to live. The genre of Blues music has extensive ancestry in this state, especially in the regions of West Memphis, Pine Bluff, HelenaWest Helena. 19th century much? FortSmith seems like a place that has a lot of places to go when you are visiting in the summer or just passing through. 8. Arkansas enjoys a relatively mild, temperate. As such, folks living in this state generally wont need to spend as much money as those living in California, Hawaii, or New York. One big advantage of living in Fort Smith is the reasonable commute times to work. Fort Smith cost of living. Against a national index of 100, Arkansas ranks 16 points cheaper than the national average with a cost of living index of 84. 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 average cost of living in the Northwest Territories is $2,017. (4.60 mi) Sky-Vue Lodge Bed and Breakfast (2.42 mi) Deer Hollow Ranch and Cabins (3.03 mi) Locke Mountain Cabins (3.32 mi) Beard And Lady Inn; View all hotels near Lake Fort Smith State Park on Tripadvisor Little Rock is the states capital and is the largest and most populated city as well. Plenty of history and food service establishments! Former President of the United States Bill Clinton hails from Arkansas. Based on a study, Fort Smith has an overall living index of 75 out of a 100 baseline score for the USA. Con: Super high sales tax. Additionally, Arkansass hospitals arent the highest-quality facilities in the US. Fort Smith is a quiet town. The University of Arkansas Medical Sciences is frequently ranked as one of the best facilities in the country. Youll also want to use common sense when traveling to ensure that you can remain safe. States that feature a low cost of living tend to be a little easier on retirees bank accounts. In the 1960s, the average home might have. Fort Smith is a melting pot and that is something special. Fort Collins' cost of living is 118.3 compared to the national average of 100. The roads are incredibly damaged in areas, but there is access to I-540 easily. But if you want to do something out of the ordinary or something super fun you might have to travel a little. The authorities track down or trace back the primary cause of the spiked infant mortality to birth defects, pre-term birth and low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), maternal complications of pregnancy, and unintentional injuries. The average home in Arkansas costs between about $120,000 and $150,000. , youll be glad to hear that Arkansas doesnt charge a state income tax on such funds. 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. Current Resident. Fort Smith: moderate: low: low: poor: Jonesboro: low: low: low: poor: Springdale: low: low: low: poor: Alternative States To Live. We know how difficult it can be when you are new in town and how moving can be exhausting. The average home in Arkansas costs between about $120,000 and $150,000. 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. In addition to diamonds like the Strawn-Wagner Diamond, various other semi-precious and precious stones along with other minerals can be found in this site. Don't worry if you don't know, we are still here to help. The linguistic etymology of the term Arkansas lies in the Osage tongue, referring to Quapaw population, whom the Osage regarded as their kin. If you want a tan and more sun, thats a plus. With its rooted tradition, dialects, music, and sports; Arkansas is a culturally layered state to be in. It is cheaper to rent than to buy a home. Nowadays, the average US home costs more than double that. The average crime rate in Arkansas is higher than the U.S. median. Recent job growth is Negative. If traffic is light, then you can make it to Memphis in about two hours. Rental prices in Fort Smith are 9% lower than the Arkansas average. The housing cost is a major factor in deciding the state's livability. Cost of Living North America United States Fort Smith . As such, you can keep more of your well-deserved money and put it to fair use when you live in Arkansas. There are several state highways and interstates connecting Arkansas with all the important nodal centers, both within and outside the state. Various music festivals like Biscuit Blues Festival and Bikes, Blues, and BBQand, Ozark Folk Festival is based in Arkansas. If you already have a little cash stashed away, then you can enjoy a high quality of life here. In the Rogers area, with an estimated market value of $ pros and cons of living in fort smith, arkansas pros. 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. But the biggest consideration is that whats good for others might not be so bad. Advantages and Disadvantages of living in Fort Smith, AR for digital nomads. I now feel happier than ever and hope to inspire you to do the same, no matter how old you are. In Fort Smith, Arkansas, 51.0 % of the population owns their homes, while approximately 49.0% rent. 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. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Approximately. Though Arkansas doesnt always come to mind when you imagine beautiful scenery and jaw-dropping natural wonders, it probably should! Although my 90,000 person town is considered behind the times, there is something special about Fort Smith. It's almost movie-like. Rental Size. 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. This video highlights the BEST and WORST parts of living in Fort Myers, Florida. Fort Smith is alright, though there aren't many activities to do here anymore. 11. Find Assisted Living . Learn about the pros and cons of independent living. " This will also inform which neighbourhood youd want to live in. When you start living in Arkansas, then you will discover that the annual property tax payment is significantly lower than the national average. How random is 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. Do you want more space and stay in the suburbs? As such, Arkansass hospitals consistently rank poorly against the rest of the nations healthcare facilities. Fort Smith is 25% cheaper than the rest of the country, with the most affordable metric being housing. Fort Smith is very provincial. Based on a study, Fort Smith has an overall living index of 75 out of a 100 baseline score for the USA. Using this information, you can decide if Arkansas is the right destination for your retirement dreams and goals. Furthermore, the residential property tax rate in this area is 1.40 %. There are events on a regular basis, lots of options for eating, and many activities for adults and children. The state can be roughly divided into two halves, the north-western highlands, and the south-eastern lowlands. 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. The Arkansas Travelers and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals are based in the state. Choosing one can be tricky, as there are several pros and cons to each state. Every community has its fair share of unusual laws that can leave you scratching your head. The schools are terrible. Drive north to Branson, if country music is your thing. No State Income Tax on Military Retirement Pay. 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. Sanelo is a. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Select any tags that apply to this area, best places to live in and around Fort Smith. There are issues with West Nile and Zika that can occur. do not have health insurance. That means you can find almost anything you want to enjoy when you start living here. The average cost of living in Fort Smith is $1295, which is close to the world's average cost of living, ranked 3915th out of 9294 in our global list, 2176th out of 2202 in the United States, and 23rd out of 23 in Arkansas.. Fort Smith crime rates are 105% higher than the Arkansas average. The cost of living in Arkansas . 5 months ago. Youll also find that healthcare costs and transportation needs tend to be a little cheaper as well. Arkansas population is alarmingly obese. Amtrak provides service by running The Texas Eagle which connects the stations of Walnut Ridge, Little Rock, Malvern, Arkadelphia, and Texarkana. We lived there 5 years before people seemed to accept us at our church. Fort Smith is a very large, diverse, and unique city with plenty to do and loads of scenery. Sponsored Mortgage Options for Fort Smith. You will be sure to encounter these pros and cons. Home States & Countries Living In Arkansas: 25 Pros and Cons (You Must know). Plenty of retirement communities. Since almost everyone born here stays here, the two high schools sports teams are a defining culture for the entire town. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Something went wrong. Warm weather and fun things to do. 7303 Rogers Ave Ste 302. The to-do list that is available when you want to have some fun is extensive when you start living in Arkansas. 5. Fort Smith is in Sebastian County and is one of the best places to live in Arkansas. Additionally, Arkansas has one of the lowest overall resident happiness ratings of any state. Tasty things to eat and drink. Approximately. Pros and Cons of Living in California. These Three Words Describe Me in The Best Way. The road transport network is extensive and Arkansas has the 13th largest state highway system in the United States. If youre looking for ways to save money, then this state is the place to be. In town, we have two high schools, Northside for the poor, and Southside for the rich. 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