Retiring in Northwest Arkansas: What You Need to Know (2025 Update)

Eric
January 5, 2026
6 Min Read

Why More Retirees Are Choosing Northwest Arkansas

When you picture retirement, you might imagine palm trees or desert sunsets — not the rolling Ozark hills of Northwest Arkansas. But more and more retirees are realizing this region checks all the boxes: scenic beauty, affordable living, four real seasons, quality healthcare, and a strong sense of community.

I talk to people every month who planned to retire in Florida, Arizona, or Texas — until they discovered what life here looks like. Northwest Arkansas offers something those high-cost destinations can’t: small-town charm with big-city amenities, without the chaos or the price tag.

In this post, we’ll explore what makes this area one of the best-kept secrets for retirement in the U.S., focusing especially on Bella Vista, the community that started it all.

A Little History – How Bella Vista Became a Retirement Haven

Before Bentonville was famous for Walmart and Crystal Bridges, Bella Vista was already on the map — at least for retirees.

Back in the 1960s, Bella Vista was founded specifically as a retirement community. In the late 1980s, the Bella Vista Property Owners Association (POA) hired actor Erik Estrada — yes, the star of the hit show CHiPs — to appear in national infomercials promoting the area.

Those commercials promised a peaceful, affordable life surrounded by lakes, golf courses, and friendly neighbors. Thousands of retirees from across the country bought lots sight unseen. The idea worked — and it built the foundation of the Bella Vista we know today.

Even though younger families have since moved in, that legacy of community, recreation, and affordability still defines Bella Vista’s lifestyle.

Modern Bella Vista – Active, Affordable, and Scenic

Bella Vista sits at the northern edge of Benton County, about 20 minutes from downtown Bentonville. It’s known for its rolling hills, tree-covered lakes, and endless outdoor recreation.

Bella Vista POA Amenities

The Bella Vista Property Owners Association still maintains the amenities that first attracted retirees — and they’ve only expanded:

🏌️ 7 golf courses, including the highly rated Scotsdale and Highlands courses.
🌊 7 private lakes, perfect for fishing, kayaking, or quiet morning paddleboarding.
🚴 100+ miles of hiking and biking trails, part of the world-class Oz Trails system.
🏊 Multiple recreation centers with fitness facilities, pools, and pickleball courts.
🎾 Tennis, shooting range, and RV park, plus clubs for nearly every hobby imaginable.

You can explore the full amenity list on the POA’s official site: bellavistapoa.com.

Membership fees are modest compared to other planned communities, and property owners enjoy access to all amenities for a small monthly POA assessment — typically less than many HOA dues elsewhere.

Cost of Living and Taxes

Let’s be honest: when you’re planning retirement, money matters. That’s one of the biggest reasons Northwest Arkansas is so appealing.

Low Cost of Living

According to recent regional data, the overall cost of living in Northwest Arkansas is roughly 10–12 percent below the national average. Housing remains especially affordable — even with the area’s rapid growth. Utilities, groceries, and healthcare also come in lower than many other states.

Tax Perks for Retirees

Arkansas offers several tax benefits that directly help retirees:

Social Security income isn’t taxed.
Up to $6,000 of other retirement income (pensions, IRAs, 401(k)s) per person is excluded from state income tax.
Property taxes are among the lowest in the region.

If you own a home here, you may qualify for two extra perks:

Homestead Property Tax Credit – up to $600 off your property taxes each year.
Age 65 Assessment Freeze – once you turn 65, the assessed value of your home can be frozen so your taxes don’t rise as property values increase.

When you add these savings together, retirees from higher-tax states often find their annual costs drop dramatically after relocating.

Healthcare You Can Count On

Good healthcare is a non-negotiable in retirement — and Northwest Arkansas delivers. The region is home to three major hospital systems plus numerous specialty clinics and a VA medical center.

🏥 Washington Regional Medical Center (Fayetteville) – the largest health system in the area and consistently ranked among the best in Arkansas.
→ wregional.com
🏥 Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas (Rogers) – a full-service hospital offering cardiology, orthopedics, and oncology.
→ mercy.net/practice/mercy-hospital-northwest-arkansas
🏥 VA Medical Center (Fayetteville) – serving veterans across the region.
→ va.gov/fayetteville-arkansas-health-care

With these facilities within a 30-minute drive from nearly anywhere in NWA, retirees get both quality and convenience.

Travel and Connectivity

For retirees who love to travel — or who expect lots of visits from family — the Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) makes life simple.

Located just west of Bentonville, XNA offers direct flights to major hubs including Dallas, Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Orlando. The airport continues to expand with upgraded terminals and new amenities.

Learn more at flyxna.com.

Beyond Bella Vista – Exploring the Rest of NWA

While Bella Vista remains the region’s retirement hub, the surrounding cities each offer their own flavor of post-work life.

Bentonville

Home to Walmart’s global headquarters, Bentonville has transformed into a lively, modern city with world-class art, dining, and bike trails. Retirees who crave cultural energy often enjoy being close to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and The Momentary.

Rogers

Rogers offers a great mix of suburban comfort and Beaver Lake recreation. Waterfront homes and marinas make it ideal for retirees who love boating and fishing but still want nearby shopping and medical services.

Fayetteville

A true college town, Fayetteville brings Razorback sports, performing arts, and continuing-education opportunities through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Arkansas. It’s perfect for retirees who want to stay intellectually and socially active.

Together, these cities create one connected region — everything is within about 30 minutes, so you can live in one and play in all of them.

Climate and Outdoor Lifestyle

Northwest Arkansas experiences four distinct seasons, each with its own beauty:

🌸 Spring: wildflowers, mild temps, festivals.
☀️ Summer: warm but not scorching; perfect for lake days.
🍂 Fall: crisp air and vibrant foliage.
❄️ Winter: occasional light snow but rarely extreme.

That means retirees can golf, hike, or fish nearly year-round. If you’ve always dreamed of a place with natural beauty but without the coastal price tag, NWA fits the bill.

Trying It Out – The “Life Rehearsal” Approach

If you’re curious but not ready to commit, do a 3-day “life rehearsal.”
Book a short-term rental in Bella Vista or Rogers, explore the trails, play a round of golf, visit a local clinic, and have dinner at a neighborhood restaurant.

You’ll get a real sense of day-to-day life — the traffic, the people, the pace. Many of my clients know by the second day that it feels right.

Choosing the Right Fit for Your Lifestyle

There’s no one-size-fits-all retirement spot here. Each community offers a slightly different flavor:

City	Lifestyle Snapshot
Bella Vista	Lakes, golf, trails, quiet neighborhoods, POA amenities
Bentonville	Trails, arts, dining, youthful energy
Rogers	Beaver Lake access, suburban shopping, convenience
Fayetteville	College town, arts, lifelong learning, culture

The beauty of Northwest Arkansas is that you can sample them all — they’re all within 30 minutes of each other.

Affordability + Quality of Life = The Perfect Combo

When you combine the low cost of living, mild climate, vibrant outdoor scene, and growing medical network, it’s easy to see why retirees are quietly trading palm trees for Ozark pines.

You don’t need to sacrifice amenities or connection to enjoy a simpler, more affordable retirement. And because the area continues to grow, there’s always something new to explore — new restaurants, new events, and new trails being built every season.