When looking for a place to call home in your later years, there are a lot of questions and concerns about where you live. When considering retirement in Arkansas, a senior may have a lot of misconceptions spread thanks to myths about the "Natural State." Whether it is the atmosphere of the state, the crime rates, or tax concerns, there are a lot of falsities floating around out there that should be debunked before making your decision. Here are some myths about retirement in Arkansas and what constitutes the truth.
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- This is a Tax-friendly State - This is only partially true. There are some exemptions on income tax for seniors and their benefits, but it caps out rather quickly. Also, the state and local taxes can cause quite a burden, with the average taxes running around $6.451. The state was ranked 40th in the United States when it came to taxes on individuals, and even when the very affordable cost of living was added in, Arkansas still ranked 28th. The only positive in the taxes comes with property tax, which is quite low, ranking 35th in the U.S.
- The Weather is Perfect Year Round - One of the big selling points of retirement in Arkansas is the mild weather and the outdoor lifestyle. People believe that they can move into a retirement community close to the Ozark Mountains and not have to worry about harsh winter months and have year-round opportunities to hunt, fish, boat, and golf. That is mostly true. The winters are not harsh, with the temperatures staying between 30 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit most of the time. However, there are areas in Arkansas that have been deemed too dangerous to own homes thanks to tornadoes, flooding, and fires. The tornadoes are especially violent and retirees should be wary.
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- The Crime Rate is Out of Control - There is a lot of talk about the harsh levels of crime in Arkansas, but crime is basically everywhere. Just like any other state, the crime is localized. There are bad areas to live with high crime rates, such as Little Rock, West Memphis, and Helena. However, there are also great communities with low crime rates, and that includes some very popular spots like Eureka Springs and Fayetteville.
- Arkansas is a Backwater State - This is just a myth from people who stereotype states based on their locations and landscape. The same people who consider Arkansas to be a backwater hillbilly state are the same ones who probably have the same misconceptions about Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. However, Arkansas has a lot more than just hills and country. Wal-Mart is based in Arkansas as is Tyson Foods. There are numerous colleges in the state and this is more than just wild country.
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