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Home to some of the finest natural wonders in the United States, Arkansas is a top contender for the most underrated state in the nation. Northwest Arkansas, for instance, is nothing short of heaven. That said, nothing beats the convenience of retiring close to a big city. You will have convenient access to top-notch hospitals, shopping venues, and other cultural attractions. That鈥檚 why if you want to retire in Arkansas, any area around Little Rock can be a perfect choice. From Bryant to Beebe, discover the seven charming communities below to retire around Little Rock, Arkansas.

Maumelle

Maumelle is a small, beautiful city of about 20,000 residents that is enticingly loving and homey. A retiree here is right off the bass-filled Arkansas River and is guaranteed top-notch fishing and boating opportunities. On the other hand, avid birdwatchers have the Maumelle Recreation Area & Campground, a delightful space for mingling with bald eagles and ospreys. There is Lake Willastein Park as well, which features a small, glittering lake that beckons residents to walk, relax, or just enjoy beautiful views. Maumelle is just 20 minutes from Little Rock. Therefore, an empty nester has no difficulty accessing relevant amenities, including some of the best hospitals in the state. With a median age of 38.9, the social landscape here strikes the sweet spot between old and young. Plus, Maumelle is relatively diverse, considering Black or African Americans comprise 19.4% of its population. Is Maumelle affordable? This varies from person to person, but a median listing price of $334,550 is, by all accounts, good value for money.

Lonoke

Lonoke 鈥� or 鈥淟one Oak,鈥� is known for the Joe Hogan Fish Hatchery, one of the 海角社区's largest working fish hatcheries. It is a prime spot for wildlife viewing, particularly shorebirds and waterfowl. Lonoke is small and neighborly, meaning one will feel like she belongs. It has a nice, small library, the Marjorie Walker McCrary Memorial Library, which has a beautiful garden for reading and relaxing. Moreover, the Lonoke Community Center is a great place for keeping fit (it has a well-designed walking track), striking friendships, and people-watching. One can spend time at the Lonoke County Museum while enjoying tidbits of the area鈥檚 history. There is the CHI St. Vincent North, which is down the road in Sherwood, and the Arkansas Surgical Hospital in North Little Rock, a three-time winner of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award. Residents here have a median age of 43.5, implying a social scene that is sweet and mellow. If you are looking for a budget-friendly retirement destination, consider that houses in Lonoke fetch a median listing price of just $219,317.

Bryant

Bryant is a fantastic, family-friendly town that is neat, quiet, and beautiful. It is just 20 minutes from Little Rock, meaning you can access the state鈥檚 capital on a whim, including its hospitals and cultural attractions. Anglers have Hurricane Lake to reel in a yummy catch, while Mills Park is an excellent venue for an early-morning bike ride. If you are looking for a fun spot to take the family once in a while, the City of Bryant Bishop Park features disk golf, baseball fields, and even a fishing spot. With a median age of 36.7, the social scene here fits those who love mingling with the old and young. Finally, houses in Bryant have a median listing price of $289,617. No need to break the bank.

Benton

Benton is a small, safe town with a quaint downtown area. The town鈥檚 downtown area, anchored by Market and South streets, is a nice stretch for a morning or evening walk. One can enjoy a round of golf at Longhills Golf Course, run along the aptly named Lake Sunset, or take grandkids to Tyndall Park. Just so you know, this park has a splash pad that pumps 70 gallons of water every minute. Benton residents have a median age of 37.2, meaning one will not just be mingling with fellow empty nesters. If your knees start acting weird, Saline Memorial Hospital, right in town, is a 2025 winner of the Joint Replacement Excellence Award. Finally, according to data from Zillow, houses in Benton have a median listing price of $237,500. Considering this price point comes with 25-minute access to Little Rock, many will want to jump at this opportunity.

Cabot

With downtown Little Rock just 26 miles down the road 鈥� and Conway just 30 miles away 鈥� Cabot provides fantastic access to big-city amenities. It is safe and quaint, the two features most retirees often look for. There are beautiful murals to admire on the streets, while the nearby Cypress Creek Golf Club is excellent and well-maintained and, hence, a nice place to spend a midweek afternoon. On the flip side, grandkids will have a blast at the Cabot Aquatic Park, which boasts a lazy river, a splash pad, and a diving board. With a median age of 35.7, the social scene here is soft and calm but not dull or boring. Can you afford it? Most likely. Houses in Cabot have a median listing price of $258,283. On healthcare access, the still brand-new Unity Health Jacksonville is a heartbeat away.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is calm and quaint, with several lovely parks to rest or people-watch. You can spend time away at the Little Rock Air Force Base Visitors Center and marvel at the planes or soak up some history at Reed's Bridge Battlefield Heritage Park. Bayou Meto Walking Trail is a fun and peaceful part of nature and, therefore, a nice spot for enjoying some calm and clarity. Add a nice community center, the perfect spot for keeping fit, and you have a 5-star package. Jacksonville residents have a median age of 33.2, meaning it is perfect for retirees wishing to remain young at heart. That said, the most appealing aspect of Jacksonville is its affordability. Houses here have a median listing price of just $188,900, the lowest price point on this list. Concerning healthcare access, Unity Health Jacksonville is right in town.

Beebe

Most retirees love college towns because they are vibrant, diverse, and accommodating. That鈥檚 one reason Beebe can make for a perfect retirement choice. It hosts the Arkansas State University-Beebe (ASU-Beebe), the oldest two-year college in the state. Cypress Bayou WMA has a lovely, quiet pond for fishing 鈥� while the Beebe Flea Market, which features a long list of local vendors, more than meets residents' shopping needs. Bibliophiles have the Abington Library, located on the ASU-Beebe campus. It has a nice collection of good reads and is open to the public. Alternatively, Goff Public Library is clean and well-maintained. With a median age of 34.5, the social landscape here is warm and easy-going. On healthcare access, Unity Health-White County Medical Center is down the road in Searcy and has been providing medical services to the community since 1967. Finally, Beebe is the perfect place for retiring on the cheap, especially considering houses have a median listing price of just $200,933. Even by Arkansas standards, this is a steal.

Retirement Near Little Rock: A Blend of Comfort and Convenience

There are several reasons to love retiring in Arkansas. For one, the Natural State boasts unmatched beauty, from scintillating waterfalls to dramatic mountainscapes. You can retire right on the water and enjoy a relaxed and affordable lifestyle. The trick is to ensure you are not far from a city, especially if you prioritize healthcare access and other desirable amenities. Look for a spot around Little Rock, and brace yourself for a life full of adventure.