8 Under-The-Radar Retirement Towns In Arkansas
Although many people skip them for popular spots with a well-established reputation, Arkansas has some awesome under-the-radar retirement towns that really pull their weight in terms of what they offer. Some entice with unbelievably affordable price points, while others boast a vibrant culture that can turn even the most devoted homebody into a social butterfly in no time. El Dorado, for example, boasts an epic cultural scene with several entertainment venues and events. For a complete dive-down, the following are 8 under-the-radar retirement towns in Arkansas that deserve far more attention.
Mountain Home
Mountain Home is a small, friendly town in the southern Ozark Mountains that has the distinction of being one of the state's first water resort and retirement regions. Talking of water, this Arkansas gem is surrounded by two lakes and three rivers, creating a beautiful oasis with unmatched outdoor recreational opportunities.
Bull Shoals Lake, one of the largest lakes in Arkansas at roughly 45,000 acres, has a long-standing reputation as an angler’s paradise. Norfork Lake, with its private coves and sandy beaches, also provides epic recreational opportunities. Meanwhile, Baxter Health, which touts its recent recognition as one of the top eight hospitals in Arkansas according to rankings by Newsweek and Statista, is always at hand to meet your health care needs.
Golfers have the Big Creek Country Club, a premier golf course with outstanding fairways. Once in a while, you can drag a friend to the Theater Twin Lakes Playhouse, a cultural centerpiece with nice decor, a small concession stand, and comfortable seating. For those who are academically minded, Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH) is located in the area and offers continuing education, engaging cultural events, and several degree programs.
Harrison
One reason you should pay attention to Harrison is that you’ll be just 30 minutes from Branson, the Live Music Capital of the World. In terms of culture, including theatres and entertainment venues, Branson provides some of the best experiences on the continent. Once in a while, you can play with friends at the Harrison Country Club, renowned as one of the oldest golf courses in northern Arkansas. It was established in 1924.
Lyric Theater-Ozark Arts Council is a great place to see Broadway musicals without having to drive all the way to Springfield. Moreover, several community events bring people together, including the annual Arkansas Hot Air Balloon State Championship, a cherished tradition that has lasted for more than 30 years. Add beautiful Ozark scenery, affordable living, and a friendly small-town vibe, and you will appreciate why Harrison is a real gem. Of course, with Branson minutes away, there’s no need to worry about health care access.
Fairfield Bay
If you don’t have a million dollars to splash on a modest home, consider an under-the-radar Arkansas gem such as Fairfield Bay. The median listing home price in Fairfield Bay is about $150,000, according to Zillow; this is about half of the state median. This peaceful community is on the shores of the 30,000-acre Greers Ferry Lake in the Ozark Mountains and was founded in the mid-1960s as a resort community. It is no surprise that vacationers still troop each year, primarily to stay and play at the Club Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Bay, a family-friendly Ozark getaway on Greers Ferry Lake.
Notable outdoor venues in and around Fairfield Bay include Indian Hills Country Club, which is right in town; Mountain Ranch Golf Club, an Edmund Ault design that has been ranked the No. 1 resort golf course in Arkansas; and, of course, Greers Ferry Lake, which has a reputation for crystal-clear waters and a scenic shoreline. In terms of health care access, the nearby Baptist Health Medical Center-Heber Springs has previously been awarded an outstanding five-star overall hospital rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Batesville
Think of spending your summers at the White River, swimming and jumping off the rocks, enjoying a small-town feel with warm-hearted people, and admiring historic Main Street architecture in a downtown that has most of the basics for comfortable living. Furthermore, a median listing price of $257,133 is significantly lower than the state median of $281,000, according to Zillow data. Things just get better, especially with White River Medical Center in town being named to Forbes’ inaugural Top Hospitals list for 2026. It was one of four Arkansas hospitals included in the national ranking.
The Course at Eagle Mountain, with its woods and gently rolling hills, is an 18-hole championship course that appeals to all golfers, whether seasoned or amateur. There’s Lyon College, a private liberal arts college that holds the distinction of being the oldest independent college in Arkansas still operating. Finally, residents often look forward to fun-filled events that light up the town every year, including the Arkansas Scottish Festival (ScotsFest), one of the premier Scottish festivals in the United States.
Russellville
Russellville is an unpretentious town nestled in the lush, rolling hills of west-central Arkansas, known for its fun events, friendly residents, and vibrant culture. One of Russellville’s strongest points is that it is a college town, meaning you should expect a mix of diversity, an accommodating culture, cultural flair, and youthful energy. Additionally, with a population of approximately 30,000, Russellville offers the best of both worlds, being both small and big.
Outdoor enthusiasts should note that Russellville is situated along the Arkansas River, between the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains. Therefore, expect epic bass fishing, bearing in mind that Lake Dardanelle is one of the nation's premier bass-fishing tournament sites. Golfers can practice their swings at The Russellville Country Club, which features a complete 18-hole course with three tees for each hole, while movie lovers have immediate access to UEC Theatres 11, known for its luxury power leather recliners. Feel like enrolling in a master’s program? Arkansas Tech University is right at your doorstep. To cap it all, Little Rock is just over an hour away.
El Dorado
Arkansas' original boomtown, with its revitalized downtown, ripe mayhaw fruit, and relative affordability, will strike you as an incredible discovery. However, what really sets it apart is its cultural scene, for which it has previously won national accolades. Residents have the Murphy Arts District, which was created to revitalize the town’s cultural scene; South Arkansas Arts Center, an adorable complex that includes three gallery spaces, a ballet studio, and a 207-seat theatre; the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, which holds the distinction of being Arkansas' oldest symphony orchestra; and MusicFest, recently named “Festival of the Year” a record-setting seven times by the Arkansas Festivals and Events Association.
The truth is that even an avid homebody will have every reason to get out and have some fun. Keep in mind that the South Arkansas Regional Hospital, which is right at your doorstep, has previously been recognized for its exceptional stroke care. It received the Arkansas Stroke Registry Certification 2023 Pearl Award.
Clarksville
Clarksville is an easygoing town with friendly residents who don’t mind waving from their cars and generally being nice and accommodating. Some attribute this to the presence of the University of the Ozarks, a historic institution founded in 1834 and among the oldest colleges in Arkansas. The college makes the area a bit more vibrant than you would expect and offers both educational and employment opportunities.
On medical services, Johnson Regional Medical Center, which is right in town, recently received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines Coronary Artery Disease Rural Recognition in the Bronze category. Clarksville Country Club, a scenic 9-hole golf course in the area with splendid views, offers a pleasant layout for golfers of all skill levels. There’s the Johnson County Peach Festival, which holds bragging rights as the longest-running festival in the state of Arkansas. It typically features tons of fun-filled activities, including live music and peach-eating contests.
Bull Shoals
A lakeside gem in the Ozark Mountains, renowned for Bull Shoals Lake and the White River, the town of Bull Shoals is an ideal destination for retirees who enjoy a water-centric lifestyle. Straddling the Arkansas and Missouri border, Bull Shoals Lake features numerous parks, campgrounds, and sandbars. Bull Shoals is also unique in the fact that area residents have a median age of 58.1, meaning it is essentially an empty-nesters’ enclave. Therefore, expect to meet folks in the same age bracket and to share relatable experiences.
The award-winning Baxter Regional Medical Center is in Mountain Home, which is a 20-minute drive, while Bull Shoals Theater of the Arts, a local performing arts venue offering plays and live entertainment, is a cool spot to spend an afternoon. In the meantime, avid anglers have immediate access to Bull Shoals-White River State Park, a stunning outdoor space that boasts epic trout fishing opportunities.
So, while the Natural State is a highly rated retirement destination with stunning outdoor beauty, especially in the Northwest corner, you must be discerning when choosing the specific spot to call home. There's the temptation to follow the crowds to well-established names. However, some under-the-radar destinations are just as awesome, and in some cases, even more fulfilling.
