Are you thinking of moving to Bella Vista and are wondering if it’s the right place for you? In this video, I’m going to walk you through some of the pros and cons of living in Bella Vista, Arkansas. From outdoor activities and location to housing costs, we’ll take a look at everything so you can make the best decision on where to settle.
The Pros Of Living In Bella Vista, Arkansas
#1: Recreational Activities
The first great thing about living in Bella Vista is recreational activities. If you love the outdoors, you’re going to love Bella Vista, home to seven lakes that residents can use for fishing or water sports. Loch Lomond, Lake Windsor, and Lake Anne are the only lakes that do not have no-wake regulations. Loch Lomond is the largest of all the lakes and is the only one that has a full-service marina.
There are also seven beautiful golf courses in Bella Vista, five regulation 18-hole courses, and two 9-hole courses. You can also find 149 miles of world-class mountain biking and hiking trails throughout Bella Vista to truly enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
#2: Location
The next great thing about Bella Vista is its location. Located on the northern border of Arkansas and the southern border of Missouri, the area is very windy and hilly, which lends to more privacy and seclusion for the houses there. In Italian, “Bella Vista” means beautiful view, and there are plenty of those throughout the town.
#3: Affordable Housing
Another pro about living in Bella Vista is the affordable housing. The average three-bed, two-bath, 1,700 square foot house in Bella Vista will cost you around $195,000. Many of the homes in Bella Vista are older, which means there are more unique homes versus newer cookie-cutter houses available. With the terrain in Bella Vista being very hilly, it’s hard to find flat lots. Most of the homes will have some sort of slope to the yard, and a good percentage of the homes there have walkout basements.
The Cons Of Living In Bella Vista, Arkansas
#1: POA
The first con that most people complain about is the Bella Vista POA. The POA oversees all of the properties in Bella Vista, and some residents feel like the regulations are too restrictive. Each developed property owner pays $37 a month, and any vacant lot that doesn’t have a home on it is charged $16 a month.
I think it’s worth noting that several people that I polled about the pros and cons in Bella Vista said that the POA was a pro of Bella Vista. Since the POA membership gives you access to the lakes, golf courses, and all the community amenities in Bella Vista, all the lakes and amenities stay very well-maintained. So take it for what it’s worth; some people are not going to like POA, some people will like POA, but you’ll have to be the judge.
#2: Dining And Shopping Options
The next con of living in Bella Vista is that there aren’t many options for dining or shopping there. Most residents who want to go out to eat or shop will make the 10 to 15-minute drive down to Bentonville or Rogers. If you want to live in a town that has a lot of entertainment and nightlife options, Bella Vista is not for you. It basically shuts down around 8:00 pm, which means if you’d like to live in a really quiet town, Bella Vista is a good place for you.
#3: Navigation
The last con of living in Bella Vista is that it’s kind of hard to navigate without GPS. I know personally that I would never be able to find any houses there if it wasn’t for GPS. If you think about how most towns are laid out in a grid pattern, Bella Vista would be more comparable to the veins and arteries in the human body. With all the hills and curves, the roads just branch off of one another and tend to go everywhere.
Additionally, since Bella Vista was originally a retirement community with a large focus around golf, the road names are all Scottish and Irish. They can be a lot of fun to pronounce sometimes. Kirkcudbright? Yep, that’s just one of them.
Is Moving To Bella Vista Right For You?
I hope this gives you some insight on whether or not moving to Bella Vista would be the right move for you. If you have any additional questions about Bella Vista, please reach out and ask. I’ll always be happy to point you in the right direction.