Arkansas Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Van Buren, Arkansas

Population: 18,781

Located in Crawford County

Nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Van Buren offers a great way of living for people from all walks of life. With plenty to do all year round, and good educational and job opportunities is it any wonder that this little town has grown? With both beauty and business working side by side, Van Buren has it all!

The scenic panorama of the Natural State offers an ideal setting for outdoor recreational activities ranging from golf and hiking to water sports. Boasting some of the most attractive lakes and mountains in the country, Van Buren offers natural beauty, breathtaking scenery, and historic discovery.

A stroll down Van Buren's beautifully restored Victorian Main Street is a walk through a more gracious and elegant time. Located on Arkansas' Antique Trail, this exceptional collection of shops and boutiques is a shopping Mecca for hard-to-find collectibles, one-of-a-kind gifts, original art, local Ozark crafts, home decoratives and extraordinary antiques.

For a walk down memory lane, be sure to stop by the River Valley Museum where you glimpse into the past through fascinating photos and artifacts. Don't miss The Doll Museum, featuring the lifetime collection of Doris West, local historian, the exhibit has over 2,500 dolls including Madame Alexander dolls, character dolls and political figures.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with hand dipped chocolate at Kopper Kettle Candies. Visit the historic building and watch candy being made the old fashioned way.

No mention of Van Buren would be complete without mention of Bob Burns. He became famous during the 1930's and '40's as the strapping, ruddy-faced comedian who had radio audiences from coast-to-coast bellylaughing at fanciful yarns about his kinfolk and old pals back in Arkansas.

But Burns is probably best remembered for the unique, homemade musical instrument he invented and dubbed the "Bazooka." In fact, because the strange horn was so well known, WWII combat soldiers nicknamed the Army's new shoulder-held rocket launcher the "bazooka," because of its blunderbuss appearance - just like Burns' popular horn.

Looking to settle down here? Then the housing market is right up your alley! With many single-family homes for sale, or even for rent, the possibilities are endless! And the price is right too, with a three bedroom home, with two bathrooms selling in the region of $70,000 all the way to $150,00 depending on style, size and age.

Our accommodating climate invites outdoor adventures and fun year round. Crisp fall nights create spectacular flaming foliage, making a colorful backdrop for hiking, mountain biking, picnicking or driving tours. Mild winter temperatures allow cold weather camping. After exploring a cave or two, gather around a crackling fire, roast hot dogs on the end of a stick and scare yourself silly telling ghost stories.

Spring arrives early, bursting with color. Flowering dogwoods and redbud dot the mountainside. Wild iris, jonquils and violets fill the valleys with their fragrance. Spring showers bring the rivers and streams to a rolling boil, a paradise for canoers and kayakers. Natural waterfalls pop up in the most unexpected places. Creatures great and small celebrate the arrival of warm weather. You may catch a glimpse of a graceful whitetail deer, watch a nimble wild goat pick his way around a round outcrop or tip- toe around a curious and hungry chipmunk.

Summer brings the kind of lazy days that can only be cooled off in spring-fed streams. Pitch a hammock or cast a line, both will be satisfying. In the evening, lightning bugs dance across the sky to the chorus of crickets and tree frogs.

With all this and more, families can enjoy the life they build in Van Buren. Whether you enjoy shopping, hiking, camping, fishing, or unique cuisines, it's all readily available in the Van Buren / Fort Smith Region. Most of all, it's a safe and delightful place to live and raise a family without all the costs and concerns of larger cities.