Reviews & Comments
Hot Springs, AR
Living in Hot Springs, AR -
5/29/2011I lived in Hot Springs, Arkansas for 21 years from 1989 ti 2010. I had to leave in 2010 due to a company transfer. I had lived in Hot Springs twice as a child. Once in the mid 1950's and again in the early 1960's.
I loved it there every time. My wife and I enjoy owning and riding horses and motorcycles. The Hot Springs area has some of the best roads for sight seeing whether motorcycle or car that you will find. There are horse trails in abundance with overnight horse camping in many locations around the state. I could leave Hot Springs on my Harley and be in the twisties and mountains in just a few miles. There are lots of nice lakes in the area, and some are huge. Fishing and water sports, and camping are a big plus.
My wife developed many medical problems the last six years we were there. We were very happy with the medical treatment we recieved from the Hospitals and the abilities of the doctors. Compared to most towns of that size Hot Springs has an abundance of good doctors.
I miss Hot Springs so much that I plan on returning when I retire in 2.5 years. I kept my home there and rented it out.
Hot Springs is small compared to big cities and might make some people feel like there is not much to do there. If you are looking for a Dallas or L.A. or Houston 24/7 blowing and going life style, then you will not find what you are looking for. Hot Springs has good eating, good entertainment, and some nice clubs, just on a smaller scale. 95% of the people that I met that had moved there loved it and stayed. of the 5% that didn't stay, most of them came back in a year or two because they realized how much they loved it after all.
The cost of living there is very good compared to many states. Car tags are about 25 bucks a year with no vehical inspections. Property taxes on my Arkansas home with 8 acres are $1000 a year. Compared to Texas where I now live they are $3400 a year on a 300 square foot smaller home with 1/4 acre. Arkansas does have a state income tax so they will get some of you money there, but it is not to heavy.
There are not a lot of jobs there that pay up around $100,000 a year or I would have quite mine, found another one, and stayed when the transfer came in.
What I am saying is don't move there and then look for a job. Get one there and then move. If you are retire(as I will be)or independently wealthy(like I would like to be)it is no problem.