[Wes59]

Kevin: I noticed your original post and find that it is pretty close to what we are doing. We live in Houston now and plan on retiring in about 2 years. Looking for rural areas with a mountain view and hopefully some water nearby. Needless to say, that pretty much takes us out of Texas. I am following your travels to get an idea of places to look, so feel free to be the pace car and I'll drag behind you.
Wes

[Luvvarkansas]

Originally Posted by explorearkansas

Neither of us appreciated the bed bugs that munched us last night, but oh well.

Ack! I hope you're kidding about the bedbugs!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Luvvarkansas

Ack! I hope you're kidding about the bedbugs!

He may have been serious. Bedbugs can be found in hotels, cruise ships, almost anywhere and it has nothing to do with cleanliness. They are usually brought in by tourists in their luggage, unbeknown to them. They prefer beds, so they leave their old home for a new one.

[explorearkansas]

nmnita is correct. bed bugs happen everywhere now-a-days. We came home, threw all the stuff in the garage and moved things into the house one piece at a time. All clothing went into an immediate hot water wash. The luggage will stay in the garage until after hard freezes hit as it is impossible to thoroughly inspect them. Fortunately we are done traveling for the year.

The one negative attribute about ES area is the sales tax rate of 9.4%. Our hotel tax was closer to 12-13%.Aside from that, the area had a bunch of positives.

My search general AR search tactics will change as I realize many of the towns we passed through have poor access to medical care. I intend to Zillow a circumference around each major medical center and only look where medical access is reasonably available. Harrison, Mountain Home, Batesville etc. As I started to plot the travel from some of the areas we were looking, I was constantly running into one way travel times of an hour to a regional or county hospital. That is one hour after somone fetches you. Not a good situation for the elderly. And yes, I presume I will become elderly in my next location.

At least I narrowed the search down. While property closer to regional medical centers is higher due to proximity of services, It is just as beautiful. Unfortunately, we are not townies or suburbanites. Otherwise the search would be easy. But then, who wants easy?

K

[Luvvarkansas]

Originally Posted by explorearkansas

nmnita is correct. bed bugs happen everywhere now-a-days.

I know they are...that's one reason I loved it when my mom had her cabin...didn't have to worry about that. The last place we stayed in (Little Switzerland in Jasper), I did a bedbug inspection before we unpacked.

The reason I really hoped you were kidding is because the way you said it, it sounds like you got them at the Lodge at Petit Jean! I've wanted to go back there and stay since they did the remodeling (I know the rooms haven't changed).

[explorearkansas]

Yes, it was Petit. I would not let that stop you from going. It won't stop us from returning.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by explorearkansas

nmnita is correct. bed bugs happen everywhere now-a-days. We came home, threw all the stuff in the garage and moved things into the house one piece at a time. All clothing went into an immediate hot water wash. The luggage will stay in the garage until after hard freezes hit as it is impossible to thoroughly inspect them. Fortunately we are done traveling for the year.

The one negative attribute about ES area is the sales tax rate of 9.4%. Our hotel tax was closer to 12-13%.Aside from that, the area had a bunch of positives.

My search general AR search tactics will change as I realize many of the towns we passed through have poor access to medical care. I intend to Zillow a circumference around each major medical center and only look where medical access is reasonably available. Harrison, Mountain Home, Batesville etc. As I started to plot the travel from some of the areas we were looking, I was constantly running into one way travel times of an hour to a regional or county hospital. That is one hour after somone fetches you. Not a good situation for the elderly. And yes, I presume I will become elderly in my next location.

At least I narrowed the search down. While property closer to regional medical centers is higher due to proximity of services, It is just as beautiful. Unfortunately, we are not townies or suburbanites. Otherwise the search would be easy. But then, who wants easy?

K

sounds like you did exactly what is recommended to make sure you don't have any unwanted company.
Good luck your next visit to AR. There is a lot to see and lots of small towns, as you found out.

I am sure you will consider some of the smaller towns not too far from the main cities in NWA. Yes, medical is something everyone, as we age needs to be concerned about. We all have to face the fact, we will die young or live with some ailments that call for medical attention from time to time. Sometimes, more than just occasionally. Not only do we need to be close to decent medical facilities we have to consider, if driving becomes as issue, how will we get to the facility? We have many people in our church who are facing this crisis right now. They either do not drive or drive very little and still have to find ways to get from point A to point B.

[Luvvarkansas]

Originally Posted by explorearkansas

Yes, it was Petit. I would not let that stop you from going. It won't stop us from returning.

Did you let them know about them? They need to get rid of them. I'm not going until they do.

[explorearkansas]

Originally Posted by Luvvarkansas

Did you let them know about them? They need to get rid of them. I'm not going until they do.

Yes. Keep in mind we were in three facilities in 6 days.They could have come in our bags from an earlier stop.

I don't hold this against Petit Jean. It was a top notch facility and I recommend everyone visit.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by explorearkansas

Yes. Keep in mind we were in three facilities in 6 days.They could have come in our bags from an earlier stop.

I don't hold this against Petit Jean. It was a top notch facility and I recommend everyone visit.

Good to know and glad you have a reasonable and positive attitude.