[darwinspal]

Hello, all!

Nature lover here ready to make a big move into a small town. Any info/recommendations/warnings about these towns would be appreciated. I've no kids, so no need for school info. I'm mainly concerned about natural beauty and convenience to get to it, the weather, the people, the feel, COL, apartment rental, and life in general. Thanks so much! (And which town do you prefer?) -- John

[Sarahsez]

You appear to have been looking all over the map.

Mt Ida and Mena are both small towns. I've driven through both. They were both big enough to have gas stations which I've stopped at. They are very small towns and most likely roll up around 8 pm at night. Both towns are in scenic areas and are very rural. Mt Ida is known for the crystal mining in the area. My preference is Mt Ida because I like the quaintness of it.
Neither place really has much going on. The col is going to be low because both places are kind of secluded. I don't know if either place actually has apartments because the towns are that small. They are a ways out from bigger cities with amenities.

[CraigCreek]

Mt. Ida is adjacent to the Ouachita National Forest and the Ouachita Mountains, a very beautiful, heavily wooded area. It is also close to lakes, not far from Hot Springs, and as previously noted, is the quartz crystal capitol of Arkansas (and perhaps the world). Under normal conditions, Mt Ida hosts a world championship quartz crystal dig and festival each year that draws lots of crystal collectors.

Mena is adjacent to Queen Wilhelmina State Park, also mountainous, and is close to the Oklahoma border. The scenic Talimena Trail connects Mena to Taliquah, Oklahoma and is very popular with motorists, especially in the fall - see YouTube for videos.

Mena also has a "colorful" recent history involving private planes and international drug-running.

I have only visited Mt. Ida briefly, several years ago, and have never been to Mena, so no doubt others can provide more info.

[CraigCreek]

There is an earlier thread about Mena which discusses medical care, housing availability, and more. so just search for "Mena", and it should pop up (I'm having trouble providing links).

[eddie gein]

Mena is a lot bigger and has some decent restaurants. Completely surrounded by mountains and sits in a pine forest. Very pretty area. Queen Wilhelmina Inn is up on the mountain right next to the Oklahoma border. Spectacular views from the restaurant windows.

They have a nice little hospital there, a quaint downtown, but it was a dry county last I checked. There are bars right on the Oklahoma line on the two highways leading west out of town. One store is right on the line and has an Arkansas side and an Oklahoma side. You buy your booze on the Oklahoma side.