Paragould a good place for Retirement? (Jonesboro, Bay: best town, university, taxes)

Prairie Bayou · 03-30-2011, 06:45 PM

My wife and I are looking to retire somewhere between where my family is in SE Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee, where I spent my childhood years. Is Paragould a good choice? We want to live out in the country, yet close to a town of size. We are Catholics, wanting to be involved in the church. We, however, want to be somewhere where can get to know others without hearing that "we aren't from around here". Paragould is in the middle of everywhere we need to travel, but that doesn't make it the best town in and of itself. What are your thoughts given the info I have given.

necraven · 03-30-2011, 06:59 PM

Capt. Dan · 03-31-2011, 08:18 AM

northbound74 · 03-31-2011, 01:14 PM

Given the circumstances concerning location and the assumption that you're at least somewhat familiar with the area, I'd say maybe.
There are very few Catholics in that area. Only one church in the whole town, probably the whole county. I've never known that being much of an issue, but it's not impossible you'll come across some Baptists trying to convert you.
There's an increasing number of outsiders moving in. You certainly won't be the only one. Greene and Craighead are the only two counties in eastern Arkansas that are growing in population.
Paragould and Jonesboro are only 10 miles apart. Joneboro would have pretty much everything you'd need (it's a nicer town in general), Paragould less so. If it were me, I'd live somewhere that was equal to both or just live nearer to Jonesboro without regard to Paragould.
The hills known as Crowley's Ridge would be the more scenic place to live, but somewhat crowded for a country area. The flatland tends to flood a lot.

Paragould is serviceable, but not the most appealing place. Living near it would be okay.

Prairie Bayou · 04-12-2011, 07:21 PM

Thank you for the input...We're taking our time and we will visit a little more to get a feel for all places!!!

jsherman9901 · 04-12-2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prairie Bayou

My wife and I are looking to retire somewhere between where my family is in SE Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee, where I spent my childhood years. Is Paragould a good choice? .

A couple of years ago, there were some threads here about Paragould... it seemed to be a place where people were considering retiring. We happened to be in the area so decided to give it a look; I was NOT impressed in the least. Jonesboro was much more attractive, IMO.

northbound74 · 04-13-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsherman9901

A couple of years ago, there were some threads here about Paragould... it seemed to be a place where people were considering retiring. We happened to be in the area so decided to give it a look; I was NOT impressed in the least. Jonesboro was much more attractive, IMO.

I'm a little surprised people would consider retiring to a place like that. Certainly doesn't fit the usual retirement criteria unless you have relatives nearby.
It's not scenic to most people and one could do vastly better on the weather, though some probably like that it's at least warmer than where they may be from. Arkansas taxes probably aren't what draw the retirees in. No, that would be the hilly scenery that NEA doesn't have.
Jonesboro thrives off it's university and surely it's proximity to Memphis doesn't hurt. Paragould has been able to feed off Jonesboro as a smaller alternative. If not for Arkansas State, the whole area would be in the same boat as the rest of eastern Arkansas and have a fraction of the current population... which some locals wouldn't mind.

photolitherland · 04-18-2011, 09:28 PM

If you want to be bored out of your mind than yes and if you want to live in the crappiest part of the state then yes, retire there. I would chose Jonesboro, which is just down the road if you wanted to retire to that part of the state. Theres lots to do and it has a semi lively downtown, for sure the liveliest in all of eastern Arkansas, plus its a very diverse and open minded town from what I saw on my short visit there a couple weeks ago.

grmasterb · 04-19-2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photolitherland

If you want to be bored out of your mind than yes and if you want to live in the crappiest part of the state then yes, retire there. I would chose Jonesboro, which is just down the road if you wanted to retire to that part of the state. Theres lots to do and it has a semi lively downtown, for sure the liveliest in all of eastern Arkansas, plus its a very diverse and open minded town from what I saw on my short visit there a couple weeks ago.

In the 8 years I lived in Jonesboro, diverse and open-minded are two terms that never came to my mind in describing it. But perhaps you mean that as relative to the rest of the region?

MikeQBF · 05-03-2011, 08:03 PM

I agree with much of the above - look elsewhere. We were also doing a lot of research about Arkansas and the Jonesboro/Paragould area as a retirement possibility. We started stumbling into signs of systemic intolerance and a community that was pretty much culturally bereft, and hung it up.

As far as the OP's Catholic faith goes, bear in mind that this is the very heart of Southern Baptist country. 75% of those professing a faith are Southern Baptist or a similar evangelical denomination. As posted above, you will be in a small minority and may have difficulty finding a church home.

Consider southern Illinois. VERY favorable taxes for retirees, amazingly low cost for decent housing south of I-70.