Mena ? (Hot Springs, Hatfield, Beaver: health, crime, art)

[marmac]

Awhile back ( before I had internet) I collected a vast amount of info on retirement locations. One of the books I had bought had a few places listed that were in Arkansas--------Fayetville, Beaver Lake, Hot Springs and Mena.

I have read a lot about many towns (cities) on this forum, but rarely heard Mena mentioned.
In that book, they stated Mena had passed up attracting lower wage paying industries and waited until they could attract some higher paying ones---------which they did. They mentioned an aircraft parts plant as an example.
Anybody familiar with Mena that they could give an opinion------both good and bad----
Or did Mena change since that book was published? (I drove through it a few years back, but was unable to spend time to really check it out)

thanks

[Bravo35223]

My mother's family is from Mena and I have been there a jillion times...(I live in Birmingham).

It is a beautiful town in a beautiful part of Arkansas. Very low crime, good healthcare for a town of that size and a good place to live....it's in a dry county though, so if you want to buy any alcohol, you will have to drive into the adjacent county in Oklahoma to buy your booze. It is not illegal to possess it - it's just not legal to sell it...my grandad always had plenty on hand....

I have so many boyhood memories of Mena. It was just like Mayberry on the Andy Griffith Show....

[Logger]

I go through Mena about 4 times a day on my way to the mill at Hatfield Ar. I wait to get there to eat or shop for things I want as it is so nice there and easy in every way.
You pretty much have every thing there, like a big city but with a small kind town atmosphere.

[Capt. Dan]

my daughter and grandkids live just north of Mena. It is a wonderful place. You cant beat the scenery of the surrounding area. if you like the outdoors, youll love Mena!