How much crime in Hot Springs? (Little Rock, Atkins: relocation, condo, travel)

[Escape Memphis]

I'm planning to move from Memphis (what I consider murderville) to Hot Springs. Someone recently posted on the Memphis board that while violent crimes in Memphis are higher than Hot Springs, that overall crime (I assume property crime) is very high in Hot Springs. Everytime I've been in HS, I just didn't get the impression that crime was an issue at all when compared to Memphis.

One of the primary reasons for relocation is to leave the thugs back in Memphis and be in a world that is more laid back, party oriented vice, some gangland like I'm in here in Memphis.

I plan to buy a place on Lake Hamilton.

What's the story HS residents?

[Megande]

I grew up in HS and my whole family is there. There are some sketchy areas, but I have never worried about crime or felt unsafe there. I personally wouldn't worry about any of the places on Lake Hamilton.

[JeffAtkins]

I used to work near the Memphis airport, and that felt much more dangerous than anything in Hot Springs.

[Escape Memphis]

Originally Posted by JeffAtkins

I used to work near the Memphis airport, and that felt much more dangerous than anything in Hot Springs.

That's what I thought. Thanx you guys. I think the Memphis (murderville)board is just trying to put a good face on a scary place.

However, what are the scary places/neighborhoods in Hot Springs for an fyi perspective so that I know not to ever hang out in that area?

Thanx again for the responses - my kids and I look forward to moving there.

[Aporkalypse]

I have a place on Lake Hamilton and I absolutely would not if I were worried about crime. There are a handful of parts of town that are fairly high in crime but these are far from the lake and generally in areas you would have little cause to travel through. Like Little Rock, you have to seek out the bad areas as opposed to Memphis and New Orleans, where they can be tough to avoid. I think there is some burglary rings that target vacant tourist rentals or abandoned weekend homes but those are going to be common in any tourist town.

My family had a condo on the lake for 25 years on Long Island and I never remember hearing about a single thing happening there, even petty crimes.

[TN-rox]

From visiting Hot Springs numerous (around 4/5) times recently, it looks really safe- MUCH safer than here in Memphis...

[Ira500]

Oh, there are a few sketchy areas in Hot Springs. No place I've felt fear, but a little less than savory..like the area just east of the convention center, what is that, Reserve Street?, and also around Cedar Street in the north part of downtown off of Park.

[pinehollowgal]

I have lived in Hot Springs for over 20 years. Moved here from Dallas. I live at the lake and drive in to work everyday. I think these days you have to be alert to your surroundings now matter where you are. Just pay attention to what is happening around you and you will probably be fine. I will be in Memphis this weekend for a dog show and I do the same there..watch out around me.....PinehollowGal

[nmnita]

Crime can be found anywhere including Hot Springs, but certainly not like Memphis. Like has been mentioned, you do have to be aware of your surroundings, but I would bet the crime there is as low as you can find almost anywhere as long as you stay out of the seedy areas which are not many.

Nita

[fed up with crime]

We moved from Houston, Texas four years ago. We checked crime statistics and found that the crime rate per capita in Hot Springs is 3 times higher than the national average and higher than Houston. We have had 2 GPS units stolen from our cars in the last 3 months. There have been rampant burglaries of automobiles lately. Also my neighbors on both sides have had UPS packages stolen in broad daylight, one while he was home. We like Hot Springs, but I am really disturbed with the amount of petty theft here. I live in a nice area and the police have told me that these areas are being targeted right now as well as property near the lake.