8 Top-Ranked Towns In The Ozarks For Retirees
Spanning more than 90 counties and four states, including Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, the Ozarks region is as vast —- as it is visually mind-bending. This outdoor paradise is traversed by clear brooks and rivers, dotted with sparkling lakes, and graced with awe-inspiring mountains and lush valleys. Because it is mountainous, summers here are a tad milder. Plus, the Ozarks region provides an excellent hiking experience. From Bella Vista, Arkansas, to Willard, Missouri, discover below eight top-rated towns in the Ozarks for retirees.
Bella Vista, Arkansas
Bella Vista was originally laid out as a summer recreation resort. However, the town later morphed into a vibrant retirement community. And the data bears this out. Bella Vista's median age, for example, is a mellowed-out 50 years. Those aged 60 and above comprise 40% of its population. Nearly all of the seven tranquil Bella Vista lakes are private, including Lake Loch Lomond, the largest. Fortunately, that comes with being uncrowded — and hence, a have-it-to-all-yourself experience. Bentonville and Rogers are just 8 and 15 miles away, respectively. The former is home to Northwest Medical Center, the latter to the highly-rated Mercy Hospital. Tanyard Creek Nature Trail provides a snapshot of NorthWest Arkansas's spell-binding beauty — while Back 40 — which features scenic bluffs and sparkling waterfalls, provides world-class mountain biking. For some peaceful reflection, Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel will come in handy. While homes here have a median listing price of $385,000, this is still way lower than Bentonville.
Lowell, Arkansas
While Lowell is small and hosts just about 10,000 residents, that size comes with advantages retirees love. These include quaintness, a close-knit community, and a calm, laid-back ambiance. But it is not just the size. Retiring in Lowell means one is at the doorstep of Rogers — and just about 11 miles from Bentonville. To put it in perspective, a retiree here will be anywhere in North West Arkansas within about 25 minutes. Of course, proximity to Rogers and Bentonville means convenient access to desirable amenities, including hospitals and shopping venues. Mercy Hospital in Rogers, for example, is a recipient of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Prostate Surgery Award. While the town's median age is 34, those aged 60 and above comprise 19% of the town's population. This means one will have friends in the same age bracket to share experiences with and just marvel at the rainbow of life. As a retiree, you will enjoy biking the Razorback Regional Greenway trail, enjoying some fried catfish dinner at Tater's Fresh Grill, and teeing away your afternoons at the Kathleen Johnson Memorial Park. The median listing home price in Lowell stands at $349,900.
Branson, Missouri
Set in the heart of the Ozarks, Branson sits close to the glittering waters of Lake Taneycomo, about 43 miles south of Springfield, Missouri's third-largest city. Such a setting comes with access to big-city amenities —- as well as outdoor fun and adventure. The 130-acre Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area, Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area ( which features an observation tower), and the rugged scenery of Dogwood Canyon Nature Park — offer a bite-sized taste of this town's outdoor promise. Branson's median age is 41. However, residents aged 60 and above comprise 32% of its population. This means every third person you meet is an empty nester. When it comes to healthcare, the highly-rated Cox Medical Center is in town — and has been serving the region for more than 70 years. Plus, Branson is affordable. Homes are listed for a median price of just $260,000.
Van Buren, Arkansas
A lovely downtown area (which you will want to stroll every evening when the shops are closed), the awesome trails at Lee Creek Reservoir Recreation Area, and proximity to Fort Smith, just 7 miles down the road —- all conspire to make Van Buren a top-rated retirement venue. If once in a while you want to catch a rib-cracking comedy show, the Victorian-era-styled King Opera House, a feature of the town since 1891, will come in handy. While Baptist Health is in town — and will meet your medical needs — Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, a recipient of the Joint Replacement Excellence Award, is right next door. This town's median age is 36, which means a retiree here can retain his young, child-like sparkle. It is also diverse; Hispanics comprise 16% of its population. Boasting a median home listing price of just $220,000, Van Buren is among the most pocket-friendly retirement venues in the Ozarks.
Nixa, Missouri
Once a stopping point for those heading to the lower James River and Arkansas — and drivers hauling supplies from Arkansas to Springfield — Nixa is often associated with the Nixa Sucker Days Festival. The festival hankers back to 1957 when residents would stop everything and go grab suckerfish and then have a large fish fry carnival. While residents are mostly conservative (and traditional), the town's median age is low (just 36 years), meaning an empty nester will have opportunities to mingle with the young, a practice experts believe improves their sense of purpose and quality of life. One of the best parts about retiring here is that Springfield is just a 20-minute drive. Therefore, one will be close to several cultural attractions (Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is a 5-time winner of America's Best Aquarium), highly-ranked hospitals, and shopping venues. On weekends, you will want to sit on a patio and enjoy a mouthwatering vegan lasagna at Piccolo, one of Missouri's most famous Italian restaurants. On the flip side, if you love gardening, you will find that Nixa Hardware & Seed Company is enough reason to set base here. The median listing home price in Nixa is $372,500.
Willard, Missouri
The homey town of Willard, boasting many small family restaurants and antique stores, is an easy 11 miles from downtown Springfields. Desirable big-city amenities, whether hospitals and shopping venues are, therefore, within earshot. Willard ticks the box if you want to retire in a metro area where the population is young and vibrant. It boasts a median age of just 31; hence, a retiree here will remain young at heart. Still, an empty nester will not be without peers since residents aged 60 and above comprise 13% of the town's population. Willard provides access to several outdoor attractions. These include the 772-acre Little Sac Woods Conservation Area, which is ideal for seclusion and reflection. Besides, the shaded Willard Community Center is a great place to feel the town's pulse — while Therapeutic Massage of Willard will ensure your muscles are never tense or sore. Plus, being close to Springfield, a median home listing price of $299,000 sounds like a good bang for the buck.
Ozark, Missouri
If you want to retire in the Ozarks region, how about choosing a town that goes by the same name? Ozark is nestled between Springfield and Branson; the latter a 20-minute drive, the former a half an hour's drive. Therefore, a retiree here should not entertain a scintilla of doubt regarding access to amenities, including hospitals, cultural attractions, and shopping venues. Ozark Farmers Market at Finley Farms will guarantee a supply of fresh produce, while the Ozark Mill Restaurant at Finley Farms is a superb spot for a Friday night date or a relaxed weekend. Rural Magazine nominated Ozark as the best place to go antiquing in southwest Missouri. Venues such as Camp Flea Antique Mall, with its fantastic collection of vintage clothing, speak to this. Also, while the town's median age is 33, there is a significant presence of residents aged 60 and above. They comprise 18% of the town's population. The median home price in Ozark is $375,000.
Heber Springs, Arkansas
One of the longest beaches in the region, a towering and picturesque mountain butt, and one of the largest lakes in the state. These — and more — are what people associate Heber Springs with. Sandy Beach is the perfect venue to sink your toes in the sand. Scenic trails traverse Sugarloaf Mountain, and Greers Ferry Lake, located on the west end of Front Street, is an excellent place for catching rainbow trout. Baptist Health Medical Center, which is in town, boats a recommendation rate of 81% — 11% higher than the national average. Plus, this town boasts a median age of 43. Seniors aged 60 and above comprise an impressive 31% of the town's population. To own property — and a space you can call yours — just set aside about $289,000, the median home listing price in Heber Springs.
The Takeaway
Featuring scenery that will make one stop and drool, the Ozarks is among the most beautiful regions in America. Northwest Arkansas, for instance, is both incredibly stunning and peaceful. If you love outdoor fun and adventure but do not want to live in the middle of nowhere — the Ozarks should be on your radar. The top-rated towns to retire in the Ozarks include Bella Vista, Arkansas; Branson, Missouri, and Heber Springs, Arkansas.
