Beautiful views define the Northwest Arkansas city
Bella Vista is Spanish for “beautiful view.” Residents like Dave Armstrong, a Realtor with Crye-Leike Realtors, say the name is apt. Sitting in the Springfield Plateau of the Ozark Mountains, the city was first established in the 1910s as a summer resort town because of its hills and lakes. In 1965, the city was transformed into a retirement community, but in recent years, more families and young people have moved in. "Almost no one is from Bella Vista,” Armstrong says. “There are a lot of transplants. It makes it a friendly community. You talk about where you’re from and find a common bond.” The city now has about 32,000 residents. By 2030, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission projects the city to have more than 42,000 residents. Many of these people work within Benton County, where Walmart Inc., Tyson Foods Inc. and J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. are headquartered.
Bella Vista started as a resort community in the hills and lakes of the Ozarks.
The trails in Bella Vista connect cyclists to trails across Northwest Arkansas.
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Craftsman and ranch-style homes in the Ozarks
Homes in the city have a median price of $345,000, lower than the United States average but trending upward. Homebuyers automatically join the Bella Vista Property Owners Association when they purchase a house. The POA maintains and operates Bella Vista recreational facilities and its water department. The Bella Vista Village Architectural Control Committee regulates the look of the city’s properties. Armstrong says the city does not have "cookie-cutter neighborhoods” dedicated to a certain architectural style. Instead, everything is mixed. Craftsman and ranch-style homes, as well as townhomes, are among the more common styles. There are also lots and large parcels of land available for building. "Bella Vista is a very healthy community," says Martin Anderson, a real estate specialist with Hutchinson Realty. "And sometimes people buy lots in Bella Vista just to be able to use all the great amenities." The city’s violent crime and property crime rates are significantly lower than state and national averages, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer.
Newer modern craftsman homes continue to pop up in and around Bella Vista.
Many large ranch homes are found in the hills at the edge of Bella Vista.
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Mountain biking trails and seven lakes
The city’s outdoor amenities are its biggest draw. There are more than 100 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails across the city’s 36,000 acres. The Back 40 Loop trail holds an intermediate difficulty rating and features views of lakes, meadows and pine trees. The city has seven lakes available for fishing, kayaking and water skiing. The biggest, Loch Lomond, is 477 acres. The city has seven golf courses and a practice center, including Scotsdale Golf Course, a traditional Scottish links course. Other amenities include tennis and pickleball courts, campgrounds, a beach and a gun range.
With over 100 miles of trails to choose from, cyclists and hikers love Bella Vista.
Bella Vista is well known for its numerous golf courses.
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A short drive to Northwest Arkansas National Airport
Bella Vista sits near the Arkansas-Missouri border. U.S. Highway 71 and Arkansas Highway 340 cross in the middle of the city. Bentonville, the county seat of Benton County, is about 10 miles south. Northwest Arkansas National Airport is around 20 miles away and has direct flights to more than 25 destinations. The Mercy Emergency Department-Bella Vista is a free-standing emergency room with a lab for scans. The larger Northwest Medical Center is in Bentonville.
Bentonville Public Schools is highly rated by Niche
The city is served by the Bentonville, Gravette and Pea Ridge public school districts. Bentonville Public Schools is ranked by Niche as the second-best school district in Arkansas and has an A-plus grade from the service. Willowbrook Elementary School has an individual A-plus grade.
Old High Middle School has an A rating on Niche.com.
Bentonville High School is rated A+ by Niche.com.
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The Bella Vista Farmers Market is open on Sundays
The Bella Vista Farmers Market is held on Sunday mornings from April through October. Lakepoint Restaurant’s Happy Hour at the Patio Lounge offers an open view of the sunset over Loch Lomond. The city’s Town Center has Harps Food Stores, a Goodwill Store and a Cafe USA diner. According to the city’s Comp Plan 2040, it aims to create a larger village center in future years. More retail shopping centers are found in nearby Bentonville.
Get a cocktail or dinner at Lakepoint Restaurant on Lake Lomond.
Bella Vista residents stock up on groceries at employee-owned Harps on US-71.
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The Northwest Arkansas Festival has many attractions
Like its greenspaces, the city’s arts are spread across several areas. The Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, designed by E. Faye Jones and built in 1988, features steel arches, glass walls and a stone floor. Public art displays are at the Bluebird and Snowbird trailheads and sculpture gardens. Each year, the city hosts the Northwest Arkansas Festival, which comprises an arts and crafts fair, a barbecue competition, and the “Wiener or Corgi Takes All” Canine Corral, a series of casual competitions between Corgis, Dachshunds and other breeds for various prizes.
Take in the views and architecture at Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista.
Take a stroll and enjoy the displays at Bluebird Trail Head and Sculpture Park.
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Residents experience all four seasons
The city experiences four seasons, with longer, hotter summers and shorter, milder winters. While Bella Vista has never been directly hit by a tornado, they do appear in Benton County. According to the FEMA National Risk Index, the area also has a higher-than-average chance of wildfires.
Bella Vista Property Owners Association members can enjoy the waters of Lake Ann in Bella Vista.
For scenic views, Pinion Creek Falls in Bella Vista is stunning year round.
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Written By
Ryan Kohn
Photography Contributed By
Michael Denison
Video By
Kyle Keyes
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Donna Ragland,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Bella Vista, AR sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Bella Vista, AR over the last 12 months is $357,450, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming 3-Bedroom Home Just Minutes from Lake Loch Lomond! Nestled just beyond the lake view in the beautiful community of Bella Vista, this well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers both comfort and opportunity. Featuring a spacious living room and a versatile flex space perfect for a formal dining room, home office, or creative studio, this home adapts to fit your lifestyle. Step out back
This home is a great home for the outdoor enthusiast! Mountain biking? Closest to Pinyon Crk, Sbat, Flo Ride, and Summit School trails. The ledges, Back 40, Taylor Homestead, Skip Town, & Rago trails are also nearby. If you're into lake life, you have Brittany just across the street with Lane Ann, Rayburn, and Norwood close by as well. Golf? You got it, the Metfield complex has Dogwood & Brittany
GOLF FRONT 3600 square feet 2 level Townhouse, right above the new Tanyard Creek Practice center in Bella Vista. This home is rare in that Townhomes in Tanyard seldom hit the market, rare in the that unit is over three thousand square feet with 2 floors directly on 8th hole, you can go for the hole in 2 shots on the par five below. In golf talk with the New Tanyard practice center with lessons,
Welcome To Your Next Home! This Stylishly Updated 3-Bedroom, 2-Bathroom Townhouse Offers A Flexible Layout With Room For Everyone. Upstairs Features A Bright Living Room, Open Kitchen, Dining Area, And A Private Primary Suite. Downstairs, You’ll Find A Second Living Room, Two Additional Bedrooms, A Full Bath, And A Laundry Room. Step Out Back To A Private Deck Overlooking Beautiful Mature
This excellent lot has minimal sloping in the back, most of the front section, and the mid section have a minor slope (as seen by the home built next door in images), making it a buildable, well-located lot. Close to a trailhead, the Tunnel Vision trail, the Uphill both ways trail, the Shock & Awe trail, the Return trail, Invasion, Rendezvous, Tango Whiskey, and Air-Raid trails, you have lots of
This home is a great home for the outdoor enthusiast! Mountain biking? Closest to Pinyon Crk, Sbat, Flo Ride, and Summit School trails. The ledges, Back 40, Taylor Homestead, Skip Town, & Rago trails are also nearby. If you're into lake life, you have Brittany just across the street with Lane Ann, Rayburn, and Norwood close by as well. Golf? You got it, the Metfield complex has Dogwood & Brittany
Discover this beautifully updated and fully furnished rental, perfectly situated along scenic trails in a prime location. All utilities included, except for Internet. This inviting home offers modern upgrades, stylish decor, and all the comforts you need for a seamless stay. Enjoy easy access to outdoor adventures while being just minutes from local dining, shopping and entertainment. Whether
Welcome to your perfect retreat! This beautifully maintained 3BR, 2BA home offers comfort, privacy and convenience all in one. Nestled in a quiet, friendly neighborhood, the property features a fully fenced backyard- ideal for pets, outdoor gatherings or just relaxing in peace. Enjoy being minutes away from scenic trails throughout Bella Vista, the Back 40 Trail, Blowing Springs and more!
Welcome to Lakeside Nest, a beautiful home with a private dock on Lake Rayburn. Inside this spacious home, you'll find luxury accommodations for up to 9 people, featuring an open concept living room with cozy seating, a fully stocked kitchen with high-end appliances, and a gorgeous sunroom with sweeping views of the Ozark Mountains.This home offers easy and direct access to Lake Rayburn with
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