Heaven on Earth in the Ozarks - 5/28/2022

Fantastic area with tons of outdoor activities and private amenities: 7 lakes, 3 pools, miles of hiking and biking trails, golf courses, pickle ball, tennis, frisbee golf and putt putt golf ect. The home are not cookie cutter which us a huge bonus and the lots are private and wooded. Traffic is non existent. In the Bentonville school district which is rated in the top 3% of the nation. There are lots of job opportunities and growth in the surrounding areas. Only down side in the bugs but on the flip side is our warm sunny weather.

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Great place to live and work from home. - 9/24/2021

Just moved to Arkanss earlier this year from Washington state. We are originally from the lower part of the U.S. and have lived in a few states over the last 12 years. We were already familiar with Arkansas and moving back into hot and humid weather again. There were only 3 places that we looked at in Northwest Arkansas, Bentonville, Fayetteville and Bella Vista. We did not want to live in a college town again so we skipped Fayetteville. We picked Bella Vista to buy a home over Bentonville because of all the outdoor activities. Bella Vista has lots of really good bicycle trails and hiking trails and all the lakes and golf courses and restaurants. And we got a house with no other houses on top of it, unlike the homes we could afford in Bentonville. The area was originally a resort community In the 1950’s. We bought our home over the summer of 2021 which means we probably overpaid because home prices are over inflated. Bella Vista is also very quite. The only reason I would say it’s not a good place to live is if you go to clubs or out to drink all the time, not much of that in the area.

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Nice but a few problems - 11/24/2020

Bella Vista is a lovely place, with a low cost of living (but increasing all the time) and extremely low crime rate. The town has Five decent golf courses, good for a city owned courses but not PGA ready, of course. It also has access to all of NW Arkansas with the University of Arkansas, many cultural outlets such as the great Chrystal Bridges American Art gallery and many lakes to enjoy with boating and fishing. NW Arkansas which includes Benton and Washington counties is quite wealthy and both Bella Vista and Fayetteville are listed as Best Places to Live or Retire by many publications. Now for the downside. Do not move here if you are a progressive or democratic voter. Arkansas voted for President Trump by over 64% and Bella Vista voting was over 85% for Trump. Both my wife and I are progressive (moderately but not liberal) and both of us have lost personal friends, racist attitudes are just under the surface. Also, because Bella Vista was built as a retirement community, we have no school system. The students are split between two different communities, so all students have to be bused or driven to school. Bentonville schools are excellent, however. Also no personal watercraft are allowed on the numerous lakes so don't bring your jet skis. All in all, a decent place for Republicans to live and enjoy their retirement.

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how is the humidity - 6/9/2020

I live in an area that has low humidity but see Bella Vista is pretty high. So is it really that bad???

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It's affordable - 3/2/2020

Moved here two years ago. People are friendly, nice rolling hills and nature throughout. POA fees are now increased to $37 month for improved properties (homes) and NO INCREASE at all for unimproved properties whereby those owners reap all the amenity benefits without having had to pay for them. This little agenda was pushed by the COO of the POA in order to divide and conquer the homeowners to get the increase. The salaries of the POA employees range from $237k (you read that right) a year for the COO down to $51k for office help. The salaries comprise over 50% of the annual budget. We can afford the increase but I was personally outraged by the methods employed to get the increase passed after it was already voted down once by the POA members. I wish we had bought in Bentonville or Rogers where there is actually stuff to do without driving 10 miles to get there. Benton county south of BV has a lot of good restaurants, shopping, theater, music and other delights regardless of age. I would recommend looking there first, and we might explore it come spring. BTW, we live here, not in Lincoln, CA. That is where we left, and no, we don't miss it.

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Bella Vista,Ar. where I call home... - 11/6/2017

I have lived here over 20 years in BV .My first response was this place is beautiful. Great park-like golf courses, and small lakes, nice place to raise a family ,since that time cost of living is at 98--100,the advertised homes of $156,000 average true for a house well over 30 years of age. Police and Fire protection along with ambulance excellent by me. Crime is low neighbors work well together, there is one RAPE 63% of national average Beautiful walling trails. Then the long list of Fees two tier POA and City and membership, There is golf lake activity and countless rules , construction--- parking---connection--disconnection fees, Electrical service more than excellent , Water pressure varies 25psi--80psi but they are working on that, Streets are narrow average quality hilly lots of turns and curves the snow crews a lot better now with cleaning and salt and pay close att. to handicapped and medical emergencies. There is agenda in Bella Vista, Ar. both good and debatable . Employment is in Bentonville and Rogers, Ar. 20---26 miles away. A fair living wage is needed to live-in this area $56K---$120K, I have given you my thoughts of my home in Arkansas

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Bella Vista,Ar. the place I call Home... - 11/6/2017

bella vista,ar. first response this place is beautiful park like golf courses and small lakes ,friendly people and good police protection this is true. On the other side, Cost of Living is 98 thru 100, Housing advertised at a $156,000 true if you find living in a house over 30 years of age . most of employment is thru Bentonville,Ar. Walmart Central,20 miles away, there are a lot of hilly streets but the crews to get them cleared of snow some sanding.Fire protection and ambulance crews are excellent, there is a two tier system whn it comes to numerous fee to use : members card activity fees or connection fees.crime is low except for rape 63% national average. I have live in Bella Vista,Ar. over 20years now of thing to improve yet this is 11/05/2017

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Bella Vista a place of beauty! - 8/21/2015

Bella Vista is a wonderful place to live and I did do my homework. The crime here is almost non existant, 14.5 compared to 45.4 the National average. Real estate taxes are lower, ours is 65% lower than they were in Dallas, TX. We spent several years reseaching where to retire and Bella Vista won out because of the incredible views, lakes, golf courses and friendly people. Long before we moved here we were aware of the costs and POA charges. All of the information you need to make an informed and intelligent decision is out there...brochures as well as the internet. I had a condo in St Louis and had to pay the condo fees and the City a minimum $45 for my water, even when i was not there. it is a standard business practice in many communities. We love Bella Vista and we welcome all the recreational venues they offer, even if we do not use them. Tell me where could you live and tell the City you do not want to pay for the parks and bike trails, just because you choose not to use them? Really how absurd to complain about amenities that help bring younger people to our community. Without them and growth, this could be a dying city.

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errors in your review - 4/13/2015

I am shocked at your review of this beautiful city. Association fees? $24 per month for 8 golf courses, 9 lakes, parks, swimming, gymnasium, and too many amenities to list. Did you even really look this place up, or just shoot from the hip? But, that's ok, keep telling people how awful it is - we don't want it to become overcrowded like all the cities you apparently DO like.

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Hard time paying utilities - 5/27/2014

I could pay it Friday, they would not allow me to pay it Friday three days from know. Cut the people that need help out. I will most likely loose my home here, as I am trying to get the bank to help me. Thanks Bella Vista, ARKANSAS.

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Retirement possibility - 11/1/2012

Vacationed there Oct-Nov 2012

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Bella Vista POA - 9/27/2011

Bella Vista is sure a beautiful place. However, what this article does not tell you is that the Property Owners Association (POA) controls just about everything. Most recently there were Board Members ELECTED by the members, however, the POA found a way to get rid of them, and appointed who they wanted as Board Members. The POA no longer belongs to the membership, per se, but instead is run the way they want it done and they do not care what the members want. So, if you want beauty, this is the place, if you want honesty, our constitutional rights upheld, and accountability, this is NOT the place for you.

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crime - 9/5/2010

Bella Vista is a beautiful place to retire. It was originally created with retirement age folks in mind for this specific purpose. The town has a number of lakes and lovely golf courses among it's many other benefits. One thing often overlooked when reading about Bella Vista is its almost non-existent crime. It's a perfectly safe place to live with lovely neighbors that care about their town and its residents.

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Living in Bella Vista - 12/23/2008

There is nothing great about living in Bella Vista, Arkansas. While it is beautiful, it costs way too much to live here. By the time you pay association dues, picture ID cards, if you live in a townhouse, you also pay townhouse association fees, then the price of water is outrageous, not to mention they just raised it again. Even if you are away for a month you will still pay a minimum of approximately $35.00. You also pay to use the anemities, i.e., recreation ranging from golf, to swimming, to exercising to fishing to docking boat fees. Houses were recently assessed, and for some reason, the houses were assessed higher. Even though the economy is very poor and prices of houses other places are decreasing. If you are thinking about moving to Bella Vista, please do your homework!!!! so you won't be surprised of all the extra costs. If you don't ask, they don't tell.

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Bella Vista, AR - 10/22/2008

Good Climate, schools, recreation, culture. Good proximity to many large cities (Kansas City, Tulsa, St. Louis, Dallas, Little Rock, Memphis without having the issues/concerns that can sometimes come with living in a large city.

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Living in Bella Vista - 2/29/2008

We moved here from Sun City West, AZ, (Phoenix area) exactly one year ago. My husband and I are both 60 and disabled. We absolutely LOVE IT HERE! There are 4 distinct seasons, with very little snow this year. Ice can be a problem at times. We live on a a 1/3 acre lot, a mile from a major north south highway. We feel as if we live in a rural area becasue in the spring and summer, we can only view one neighbor because of all of the beautiful green trees. People here are most generally from somewhere else. They are extremely friendly, and seem sincere. They are extremely helpful and courteous in the stores. The cost of living here is noticably less than AZ, especially in utility bills. Unfortunately, both my husband and I have required hospitalization since we have lived here, and our medical care and doctors have been superb! People not use to a fast growing area, or locals, (before Wal-mart) complain about the traffic in the mornings and afternoons, but if you are coming from a larger city, the traffic is a piece of cake. There are cultural events and the symphony in Fayetteville, the Arkansas Razorback games, and craft fairs almost every weeekend. Life is definitely a slower pace, but there are so many places to go and see and much natural beauty, in the area,we feel as if "we died and went to heaven"!

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The quality of life in Bella Vista, AR. - 8/3/2006

The reason the population is exploding in Bella Vista, as well as all of NW Arkansas is the "gentle" way of life, the beauty of the Ozarks, the warm and friendly people and the privilege of feeling as if life is a long vacation at a five star resort for the price of a low cost camping trip. We're here to stay!

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Job Growth - 3/18/2006

Once strictly a retirement/leasure community, Bella Vista is now cashing in on its proximity to the booming Northwest Arkansas metropolitan area of Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers/Bentonville. Only minutes from Wal-Mart's Home Office {World Headquarters and thousands of competing vendors}, the immediate Bella Vista area has almost doubled in population over the past five years - from 9,600 to 16,800 residents. Reliable estimates project that the actual population of the village is now over 24,000 and growing rapidly. This, in itself, would be impressive enough -- BUT combine that with beautiful Ozark Mountain scenery, golf courses and lakes everywhere, and a neglible crime rate makes this a Places Rated/Best Places to Live candidate for sure.

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