Nestled in the foothills of the rugged Ozark Mountains, Bella Vista offers seniors a retirement option like no other. The planned retirement village dates to 1965 and was developed by noted retirement community developer John Cooper. The first of the “Cooper communities” found nationwide, Bella Vista still draws senior citizens who are ready for retirement but not the rocking chair….unless that rocker is on a porch with a breathtaking view of the Ozarks!
Bella Vista lies on the state line between Missouri and Arkansas along US Highway 71. The highway becomes four lane at Bella Vista and within a few years will become part of the I-49 corridor that will run from Canada to New Orleans. State-of-the-art freeways connect Bella Vista to the nearby Northwest Arkansas communities of Bentonville (corporate headquarters for retail discount giant Wal-Mart), Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas. Football fans will thrill to enjoy a home game to cheer the Razorbacks (Go, Hogs,Go!) to victory from the stadium on campus.
Designed to have a country club style setting, Bella Vista offers few multi-storied buildings but many dwellings that range in style from townhouses and apartments to single units that offer sumptous views and plenty of floor space. Four country clubs, eight golf courses, seven lakes,swimming pools, fourteen tennis courts, racquetball courts, excercise equipment, a marina and yacht club, and much more are all available within the community. $30 million dollars worth of recreational facilities are located within the 36,000 acres of Bella Vista.
The country clubs offer both casual and formal dining. Riordan Hall is the main community center. It and other community centers offer clubs, activities, along with arts and crafts. Theatre and concert presentations are held in the community.
Clubs and organizations are varied and offer something for every interest. Groups include Sweet Adelines, American Legion and Legion Auxiliary, AARP, Kiwanis, Toastmasters, and many more. A Bella Vista Garden Club, Model Railroad Club, DAR, Square Dance groups, Game Clubs (Bridge, Pinochle, Canasta, Cribbage etc), and more are also available.
In addition to village specific activities, many chain restaurants and shops line Highway 71. Multiple movie theaters, supermarkets, and other shops are also at hand. In additon, Bella Visit is just minutes from Bentonville. That city is home to the Wal-Mart corporate offices and as such offers many ammenties more often found in larger metropolitan areas. Nearby Rogers and Fayetteville offer a host of shopping opportunities. The Northwest Arkansas Mall at Fayetteville offers many department stores and boutiques.
Medical care – vital for many senior citizens – is available in Bella Vista at the Concordia Care Center. Nearby Bentonville offers the Northwest Medical Center and in Rogers, St. Mary’s offers modern health care equal to any major city.
Despite the proximity of several cities, Bella Vista offers a small town feel with less than 20,000 permanent residents. Although a retirement community, people of all ages make their home in the village. Bella Vista prides itself on having a professional police and fire departments.
The surrounding area offers clean, fresh country air. Outdoor recreation opportunities are almost boundless. Water sports, fishing, and hunting are popular pastimes in the region. The Ozarks is noted for clean, clear waterways. Beaver Lake just outside of Rogers is Northwest Arkansas’ largest lake and in nearby Oklahoma, the Grand Lake Of the Cherokees is a sportsman’s favorite.
American’s Victorian City, Eureka Springs is within a day’s drive. The old resort town is famous for the springs once used for healing, the Victorian architecture, gift shops, and landmarks that include the Crescent Hotel and St. Elizabeth’s Church. Other day trips include visits to Civil War battlefields at Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove. Many small towns in the region still boast a town square as a primary business district – quaint and delightful in the eyes of newly arrived urban retirees!
Bella Vista retirement village offers the best of both worlds to seniors who want to put the rat race behind them. Breathtaking natural scenery and small town peace is combined with country club living, every ammenity, and fellowship with peers for a fantastic retirement experience.
Reference:
- Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commercewww.bentonvillebellavistachamber.com Bella Vista Business Directorywww.bellavistabusiness.com Bella Vistawww.beautifulbellavista.com
