Tell me about Heber Springs (Little Rock, Hot Springs: condos, crime rate, homes)

[Larryrickenbacker]

Howdy,


In the near future, the wife and I plan to retire to Arkansas. We've called the Shreveport (La.) area home for decades. One hears about Summers in beautiful Heber Springs being hectic, owing to the heavy influx of tourists from Memphis, Little Rock, et al. Is the Summer season too hectic as to be a deal-breaker? Heber Springs purportedly has a fairly high crime rate (!). Is it due to the heavy Summer traffic? Is Heber Springs a good place for a retired couple?

[gemstone1]

My in-laws retired from Little Rock to Heber for access to the lake, lived there for 20 years, never heard them complain of crime. In all my visits, all I ever saw was a sleepy little town....but like all small towns, employment opportunities are few, paving the way for retirees as younger folks move out to find employment.

Regards
Gemstone1

[Hollynla]

I don't know much about Heber Springs to answer, but I can say that I've never heard anything about bad crime there. I knew of an older couple who were moving back there for their retirement.

[latunafish]

I have not actually lived in Heber, but I have spent numerous weekends there in the past year and a half. I have not heard of any crime issues, nor have the people that I know there. Yes, the summer is a busy time because of the lake. but, we have done all the weekend things you do in Heber and other than an hour wait for brunch @ the eden isle resort on mother’s day, I can’t think of any issues with too many tourists. (We have had lunch and dinner there a few times and it is good). They have a new baptist hospital there and we used the er one weekend and it was great. I will add that winters are drastically different, as far as weekenders go. A lot of the weekenders own homes and condos, much like hot springs, so they aren’t trouble makers. They just want to relax and enjoy the weekend. They are also good for the economy. I was talking to the attendant at one of the marina’s gas dock a few weeks ago. He said he had 4 customers on Friday and nonstop customers on Saturday. But we pulled in and bought gas and left, no problem.

Now, this is personal opinion, I like hot springs much better. Just about every option you would need to be full time or weekender. Plus, the health care options are great. I will say that both areas have beautiful scenery, but the small town atmosphere at Heber is really nice. One more thing, I have met a number of weekenders and they are all Arkansas residents. (Mostly central Arkansas). But there are a lot of Tennessee tags in town on the weekends.

[Larryrickenbacker]

Howdy,


Thanks to everyone for the informed replies. BTW, Hot Springs also remains a candidate as a retirement destination. I've never been to beautiful Heber Springs, but there seems to be something special about Greer's Ferry lake and the Little Red river. Affordable housing also appeals.