[hitpausebutton2]

Lived their for 20+ years. Great for tourism, bad for community due to lack of jobs. Well paying jobs. When they turn the old hobby lobby into a call center for boost mobile, it was the ONLY highest started paying job in the community. I worked their for 2 years till they sold off to this other company and seems to be huge turn around daily. Glad i left for bigger pastures as the pay seems to be less then what was offer at the start. Other then the race track, not much for great jobs if your not in health care.

Crime has its areas. Park ave, whitington, parts of central.. list can go on. but you can spot them pretty quickly if your just browsing around town. It did have stuff for everybody but seems to be limited base on the person budget. The mall was a gem in the 90s, now its a eye sore with less and less stores in it. The behind the mall theater got a face lift after 20+ years using the same equiptment. Screens were so dirty, you couldnt see much of anything. The other theater has potential if they decided to update their stuff. Be nice if both would come up with a big theater to compete with tinsletown in benton. Skating rink is useless. not sure if its still open?
Like i said ,it had stuff back in the day for family.. other then magic springs water park thats it.. for the family events.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by hitpausebutton2

Other then the race track, not much for great jobs if your not in health care.

Health care in Arkansas doesn’t pay anything, either. I received offers from both the Little Rock and NWA regions and they were laughable. Hot Springs was actually the initial spot we wanted to settle in but after seeing the wages in those bigger areas I knew better than to even waste my time applying there.

Still bitter about it, as you can see. Love Arkansas and miss it every day.

[CraigCreek]

[quote=hitpausebutton2;51222647]Lived their for 20+ years. Great for tourism, bad for community due to lack of jobs. Well paying jobs. When they turn the old hobby lobby into a call center for boost mobile, it was the ONLY highest started paying job in the community. I worked their for 2 years till they sold off to this other company and seems to be huge turn around daily. Glad i left for bigger pastures as the pay seems to be less then what was offer at the start. Other then the race track, not much for great jobs if your not in health care.

Crime has its areas. Park ave, whitington, parts of central.. list can go on. but you can spot them pretty quickly if your just browsing around town. It did have stuff for everybody but seems to be limited base on the person budget. The mall was a gem in the 90s, now its a eye sore with less and less stores in it. The behind the mall theater got a face lift after 20+ years using the same equiptment. Screens were so dirty, you couldnt see much of anything. The other theater has potential if they decided to update their stuff. Be nice if both would come up with a big theater to compete with tinsletown in benton. Skating rink is useless. not sure if its still open?
Like i said ,it had stuff back in the day for family.. other then magic springs water park thats it.. for the family events.[/QUOT


I saw LOTS of families plus school groups at Ron Coleman's Crystal Mine in Jessieville, just a few miles north of Hot Springs last spring, and most people, kids included were thrilled with their finds of beautiful native quartz crystals. I found some nice small pieces myself, and will plan a return visit on my next trip to Arkansas.

The setting is beautiful, the restrooms and snack shop clean as a pin, and the rock shop offers extensive and beautiful pieces that include both local finds and items from around the world. In addition to digging for crystals, visitors can take zip lines across the 300-foot deep mine and take an army truck tour of the mine itself. Prices are very reasonable and there's also a modest campground with clean facilities

. You're much more likely to find something sparkly and pretty here or at any of the other quartz crystal mines near Hot Springs than you are to find a diamond at the Crater of Diamonds, though both are fun and time well-spent.

Lake Ouachita State Park is also adjacent to Hot Springs, as is Lake Catherine. Both offer good outdoor family recreation.

[MaryGenesis]

Hot Springs is on its way up. Choose your housing wisely and depending on what you want to do for recreation it could be very good decision. There is always Hot Springs Village north of town if you prefer a private community scenic setting. Good Luck!

[Hollynla]

Originally Posted by moarnaabe

The wife and I have HS on our radar for retirement in 6 years. I am hoping they get rid of the hoodrats that wander around the north side that look like drug dealers. That one EZ mart is a bad place. I would like to see gentrification.

If you don't like it the way it is, why would you want to move there?

Btw: How do you know these specifics about a place you don't live?

[Old Fossil]

It appears the man (I can't remember his name) who bought and is restoring the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs is taking the project seriously. ARKANSAS BUSINESS newspaper reports he is accused of diverting money to the Arlington project from a similar project he has going on in Little Rock.


Also, the ARKANSAS BUSINESS reports that since the coming of the casino at Oaklawn, they will be building a top-of-the-line high rise hotel on the grounds. That is a wise move that will be good for both Oaklawn and Hot Springs. During the races the "high-rollers" fly in, in their private planes, then have to take a cab to shuttle back and forth from the track to a hotel downtown. Now with the casino I suspect there will be more high rollers and now they can stay there at the track/casino. There are several motels within a few blocks of Oaklawn and I have never stayed at any of them, but just driving by they all appear they are well past their prime.

[Old Fossil]

More Oaklawn info. They say this (expansion and hotel) is not the result of the casino vote but has been in the planning stage for quite some time. They state the expansion will result in 400 permanent jobs and the construction will employ abut 2,300 people. The final completion date is planned for late 2020. Here though, to me, is the plum in the pudding. Oaklawn is doing all this with their own money and not getting any "incentives" (read that "free money") from Hot Springs or Arkansas. How often does that happen ?

[DeanGuitarist]

Sweet. We played at Oaklawn in the beginning of the year. Didn't lose money due to some free play money from a casino flyer. Actually won back enough for another hotel stay! (Thank you Oaklawn!!)

Wife and I decided that Arkansas will be our next home. We vacationed twice this year in Arkansas, checking out towns, costs of living and things that we enjoy doing. We found what we're looking for. Just can't decide between Hot Springs or the NW area! We do know that both the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains are BEAUTIFUL during the fall.

Really love us some Arkansas!!!

[Old Fossil]

Originally Posted by DeanGuitarist

Sweet. We played at Oaklawn in the beginning of the year. Didn't lose money due to some free play money from a casino flyer. Actually won back enough for another hotel stay! (Thank you Oaklawn!!)

Wife and I decided that Arkansas will be our next home. We vacationed twice this year in Arkansas, checking out towns, costs of living and things that we enjoy doing. We found what we're looking for. Just can't decide between Hot Springs or the NW area! We do know that both the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains are BEAUTIFUL during the fall.

Really love us some Arkansas!!!

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by DeanGuitarist

Sweet. We played at Oaklawn in the beginning of the year. Didn't lose money due to some free play money from a casino flyer. Actually won back enough for another hotel stay! (Thank you Oaklawn!!)

Wife and I decided that Arkansas will be our next home. We vacationed twice this year in Arkansas, checking out towns, costs of living and things that we enjoy doing. We found what we're looking for. Just can't decide between Hot Springs or the NW area! We do know that both the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains are BEAUTIFUL during the fall.

Really love us some Arkansas!!!

I know just how you feel, Dean. If I had to choose between Ouachitas or Ozarks with no other factors to consider I don't know if I could do it. I'm eager to hear where you wind up.