ideal-LIVING's Top Communities in the South
Top Communities in the South
From wide-open spaces to welcoming neighborhoods, discover affordable living, outdoor adventure, and Southern hospitality in Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, and beyond.
Find Your Ideal Southern Community
The Southern US offers an idyllic destination for retirement. Discover the best planned communities the South has to offer with ideal-LIVING, and find a place where culture, charm, and cost-effectiveness combine to create your perfect retirement.
Echelon – Arkansas
What Makes Echelon Unique?
Echelon stands apart as a community where thoughtful design meets purposeful living. It’s not simply the architecture, the location, or the lifestyle—it’s how all of these elements are woven together to create something that feels distinct and elevated. Echelon redefines what it means to “come home.”
1. Location That Fuels Lifestyle
Echelon is strategically located in Bentonville, Arkansas—one of the most exciting growth areas in the country. Positioned near the acclaimed Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, the community offers instant access to some of the region’s best biking and walking trails. This isn’t just about proximity to nature; it’s about integrating adventure into everyday life. Whether you’re a weekend cyclist or someone who enjoys peaceful morning walks, Echelon makes the outdoors part of your rhythm.
Beyond recreation, Echelon places you at the heart of Bentonville’s thriving innovation economy and cultural momentum. From the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to a flourishing food and entrepreneurship scene, the location offers an unmatched blend of creative energy and long-term investment value.
2. Design-Forward Living
Architecture at Echelon isn’t about trend—it’s about intention. Homes here are designed to feel personal, sophisticated, and timeless. Clean lines, natural materials, and curated finishes create a quiet elegance that elevates daily living. Each home is based on plans that maintain community cohesion while giving homeowners room to customize and create a space that feels truly their own.
Unlike typical subdivisions, the streetscapes at Echelon are curated to feel both cohesive and calming. Thoughtful landscaping, balanced setbacks, and uniform design principles create an environment that feels considered and complete.
3. A Community That Prioritizes Connection and Calm
Echelon is designed to foster natural social interaction without compromising privacy. Welcoming front porches, walkable streets, and shared green spaces encourage moments of connection—impromptu chats, shared sunsets, neighborhood gatherings. Yet, every home is also a sanctuary, with layouts and private yards that offer serenity when you need it.
This duality—connection and calm—is what makes the lifestyle at Echelon truly special. It’s a place where neighbors become friends, and solitude is always within reach.
4. Effortless, Low-Maintenance Living
For many, Echelon offers a lock-and-leave lifestyle without sacrificing beauty or comfort. Whether you’re a full-time resident or someone seeking a secondary retreat, homes here are designed for ease. The architecture and landscaping are low-maintenance by design, supporting a lifestyle filled with freedom and flexibility.
This ease doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. On the contrary, every material, fixture, and finish is selected for its durability and aesthetic integrity—creating spaces that feel luxurious, live comfortably, and age beautifully.
5. A Future-Ready Investment
Bentonville is on a dynamic upward trajectory, and Echelon is poised to rise with it. The city’s expansion as a hub for innovation, culture, and the arts makes homeownership here more than just a lifestyle decision—it’s a strategic investment. As the region grows, Echelon stands out as a community that values legacy, quality, and vision.
Hot Springs Village
Hot Springs Village spans 26,000 acres of the Ouachita Mountain foothills. The largest private, gated community in North America boasts amenities for both adventure and leisure including pickle ball courts, tennis center, and 9 year-round, championship golf courses. Lake-life is also delightful with 11 lakes and 2 beaches for swimming, boating, skiing, kayaking, and relaxing! The Coronado Fitness Center, spa, indoor pool, and 30 miles of scenic hiking and biking nature trails are other HSV “hot” spots. Multiple dining, churches, and over 200 active organizations are perfect for social opportunities. The HSV Police, Fire, and EMT Departments along with two manned security gates provide residents peace of mind! HSV is centrally located and only a 20 minute drive to historic Hot Springs, an hour to Little Rock, and a day trip to many surrounding parks and attractions! Hot Springs Village offers a large variety of home styles. New construction and custom designed home packages are also available– all including your choice of lake or golf front, mountain view, or just nestled in the woods. Come enjoy the affordable HSV good life; the longer you stay, the more you’re going to love us! Photos by Zac Franklin.
Cherokee Village
Holiday Island
Beachside
Big Easy Ranch
Since 2016, Big Easy Ranch has been renowned for its world-class hunting, wingshooting, sporting clays, and trophy bass fishing. Our 18-hole championship course, The Covey, was ranked #1 Best New Private Course in 2024 by Golf Digest, complementing The Golf Academy and extensive practice facilities.
Boot Ranch
The Grand Prairie
Sun City Texas
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The Mid-South: A New Frontier for Relocation & Retirement
The mid-South states along the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River are a new frontier in the heartland for retirees and families looking for a fresh start. While it may not be the first region that comes to mind as a relocation destination, take a closer look.
Financial Advantages for Retirees & Families
First of all, states like Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas are actively reaching out to retirees and other new residents with incentives like income tax rates that range from low to zero. Property tax rates are also below national averages, and generous homestead exemptions for seniors leave more money in the monthly budget. And with lower overall living costs for basics like groceries and utilities, you’ll find that your hard-earned dollars go farther in the mid-South states.
Abundant Outdoor Recreation and Mild Climates
But the region’s best contribution to your better lifestyle may be the abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. While summers can be warm, the rest of the year offers milder temperatures that encourage hiking, biking, boating, golfing, and racquet sports under sunny skies. City, state, and national parks throughout the region offer plenty of clean-air destinations to keep you, your guests, and your grandkids entertained and refreshed.
Why Choose a Planned Community in the South?
The South is more than a geographical location, it's a unique blend of culture, charm, and hospitality. Home to enchanting coastal towns and bustling cities, the South offers an exceptional lifestyle in master planned communities. Add to that the benefit of lower taxes, and you've got an ideal place to call home.
Embrace Southern Hospitality
The South is famous for its unique brand of hospitality. From friendly neighbors to welcoming towns, the South is a place where everyone feels at home. It's not just the people, but also the serene landscapes and the gentle sway of wind chimes that echo the soul of Southern charm.
Experience the Architectural Splendor
From the lighthouse-dotted Atlantic to the warm waters of the gulf coast, each Southern state boasts its own architectural style, steeped in history and tradition.
Live Affordably in the South
Moving to the South often means paying less in taxes, leaving you with more money to enjoy the things you love. From exquisite dining experiences to cultural events, shopping, or simply enjoying a peaceful retirement, the South allows you to live life to the fullest.