Hot Springs Village versus Bella Vista

[pavedwithgold]

Originally Posted by CatHerder

What about Hot Springs vs. Hot Springs Village as a place to retire? I am reading up on it online and hope to visit this spring.

My point about being in a "driving only" situation is based on thinking about as I get older, worsening night vision (main road thru HSV is quite dark, thru a lot of woods and curves and deer are leaping out quite a bit)....and what if you lose your ability to drive? You can't even get groceries, though there would be a jitney that would take you down the road to walmart or something.

But just getting around the village pretty much requires a car. At least in Hot Springs I can take a cab or Uber or something.

It was just too remote feeling to me. I am not even a shopper or someone who goes out a lot, yet going to races, doctors in HS, etc. got to seem like a lot of driving to me.

Like I said, I just think the whole concept of retirement communities has changed a whole lot since the 70s when HSV was conceived.

I did have a time where I had to have a car repair, and a taxi to HS proper was about $22.... one way.

I also sensed that there would be a whole lot of infrastructure repairs and upgrades that would need to be heppening in the coming years, "aging" infrastructure would certainly include a 30 year old community. I don't know how long they would be able to hold down POA fees knowing this.

I met people who had to get part time jobs just to continue to afford their golf club fees......things had changed a bit since they moved there 30 years ago. I'm just someone who prepares for the future and knowing that I prefer convenience over living remotely now. I understand that may not be true for everyone. I'm just happier in HS proper.

[BMW335i]

Originally Posted by pavedwithgold

My point about being in a "driving only" situation is based on thinking about as I get older, worsening night vision (main road thru HSV is quite dark, thru a lot of woods and curves and deer are leaping out quite a bit)....and what if you lose your ability to drive? You can't even get groceries, though there would be a jitney that would take you down the road to walmart or something.

But just getting around the village pretty much requires a car. At least in Hot Springs I can take a cab or Uber or something.

It was just too remote feeling to me. I am not even a shopper or someone who goes out a lot, yet going to races, doctors in HS, etc. got to seem like a lot of driving to me.

Like I said, I just think the whole concept of retirement communities has changed a whole lot since the 70s when HSV was conceived.

I did have a time where I had to have a car repair, and a taxi to HS proper was about $22.... one way.

I also sensed that there would be a whole lot of infrastructure repairs and upgrades that would need to be heppening in the coming years, "aging" infrastructure would certainly include a 30 year old community. I don't know how long they would be able to hold down POA fees knowing this.

I met people who had to get part time jobs just to continue to afford their golf club fees......things had changed a bit since they moved there 30 years ago. I'm just someone who prepares for the future and knowing that I prefer convenience over living remotely now. I understand that may not be true for everyone. I'm just happier in HS proper.

I wholeheartedly agree with this...HSV was conceived at a time where people just weren't thinking about "walkable" neighborhoods and traditional planning. It's the complete opposite in fact, with some of the lowest density development in the state. When you consider that this was set up as a "retirement" development, it's even more mind-boggling. Having relatives that live there, navigating the area is an exercise in patience. Everything is so far from everything and not only do you have to drive, but you have to drive a LONG way. It's much worse than living even in a traditional (i.e. post-1950's) suburban American neighborhood.

I suppose one could argue that FOR THE TIME and in the decades since, it perhaps met its intended purpose/goals, but considering what people retiring from 2020 onward would expect is NOT likely to be what HSV was developed to offer.