Are you looking to move to Northwest Arkansas and want lakefront property? The two area lakes in Northwest Arkansas boast some beautiful lakefront homes, but which one would be right for you?
Bella Vista Lakes claims seven lakes, but Beaver Lake is much bigger. If you live in the Beaver Lake area, you’ll need to drive further to go shopping or run errands than if you live in Bella Vista Lakes. Beaver Lake doesn’t allow slips for boats, while Bella Vista Lakes does allow them.
My clients always ask me where they should buy properties. Stick around as I’ll explain the differences between the two beautiful areas. And as always, be sure to sign up for my 3- Day Itinerary tour.
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Beaver Lake Is Bigger Than Bella Vista Lakes
Bella Vista Lakes is a collection of seven lakes, three of which are Wake Lakes. This means you can take your boat to the Wake Lakes and do what you want. The other lakes in that area are No Wake lakes, so that’s something you might want to keep in mind.
The three Bella Vista Wake lakes may not be that big, but they are decent-sized, so you’ll have plenty of space to play or do what you like. However, only Bella Vista Lakes residents are allowed on the lakes, generally.
One of the perks of living in the Bella Vista Lakes area is that since only area residents are allowed on the lakes, you have more space to do what you like. But since Beaver Lake is close by, you get the best of both worlds.
Beaver Lake, however, is much bigger, as it is around 40-50 square miles, and all of it is fully Wake. It also spreads much further south than Bella Vista Lakes. Beaver Lake runs into a very large river, so many people buy riverfront property, but it’s all connected to Beaver Lake properties.
Bella Vista Lakes Is Closer To Shopping
Location is always a big factor in real estate, and it’s one of the biggest concerns clients moving to the area have. The Bella Vista Lakes area is much closer to shopping, supermarkets, and restaurants than Beaver Lake. This is something to think about when moving to the area.
Of course, if you already have a property in Bella Vista, and are considering offering short-term rentals, check out my other article about the new short-term rental rules.
Beaver Lake is a better choice if you want to be closer to the trails. This area is also closer to the Hobbs State Park Conservation area, with several trails to explore. But if you live in this area, be prepared to drive 40-45 minutes to get to Bentonville or even Rogers.
Now, Rogers has several things to do that you might be interested in, including:
- Crystal Bridges Big Music Museum and concerts (This is actually in Bentonville)
- Plenty of shopping
- The Railyard Park and bike park
- Daisy Airgun Museum
- Plenty of delicious restaurants
Bella Vista Lakes, however, puts you right in the middle of everything in Bentonville. And it gives you several trails to choose from, so you basically get the best of both worlds. Really, depending on what you want from your new home, Beaver Lake and Bella Vista have a lot to offer you.
But if you want true lakefront property, Beaver Lake is the area for you.
Beaver Lake Doesn’t Allow Slips For Boats
Before we get to the third point, and for those who don’t know, slips are “single parking spaces for boats.” But instead of just anyone being able to park their boat there, a slip is like a permit that saves your spot.
So my third point is that Beaver Lake doesn’t allow boat slips. They used to allow it, but that’s changed as the Army Corps of Engineers now control the area. The reason for this is that Beaver Lake is the main source of water for Northwest Arkansas, so they don’t allow slips anymore.
That’s on the main Beaver Lake property. But if you check with one of the marinas, you can still rent a slip. Remember, however, that it’s on a “first come, first served” basis, so you’ll want to rent one at the beginning of the year. Finding a drop-off area for your boat in Beaver Lake is also very challenging, so that’s something to consider when buying property in Northwest Arkansas.
Bella Vista, however, allows boat slips. And even if you don’t own property up there, you can still find a drop-off spot for your boat and enjoy the area.
Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:
https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas
Bella Vista Lakes Has a Relaxed HOA
If you have any experience with an HOA, you know that they can severely limit your self-expression and creativity concerning your property. And many HOAs can be pretty intense, but Bella Vista Lakes has a more relaxed HOA than many I’ve seen.
They want to ensure you’re not painting your house pink or that your garage matches your house. These are understandable requirements and are there to keep the community up to modern codes and standards.
Beaver Lake, however, doesn’t have an HOA and is more of a Wild West concerning property standards. Several subdivisions built covenants and HOAs into the developments, but those are mostly lakefront properties. They have more uniformity in the house and land sizes, siding choices, and other issues. And, of course, they are more expensive.
However, several more areas don’t have an HOA and the properties are tucked away in the woods. And without an HOA, the homes might be a little more…interesting, to say the least. You never know what you’ll get if you want to buy a lakefront property, as it’s a mixed bag.
If you prefer living without an HOA, Beaver Lake is for you.
Beaver Lake Properties are More Expensive Than Bella Vista Lakes Properties
When you get closer to the water, there are more building standards, which means the home prices will be higher. Beaver Lake properties are generally more expensive than what you’ll find in Bella Vista Lakes.
This is because the HOAs and properties in the area are more specific, and the homes are usually over 3,000 sq feet. They’re also built for lakefront views, making the properties gorgeous.
Beaver Lake homes are also expensive because you get a boat slip with your property. Not on the main lake, but for the general area. That drives up property prices because Beaver Lake boat slips won’t ever be issued again for the foreseeable future.
Due to the minimal lakefront properties in Bella Vista, you won’t see as many expensive properties. The nice thing about this is that you don’t need a permit to use a boat on the water in the area. You can use your boat on the water if you own property there.
Houses in the Bella Vista area are more affordable, so I recommend looking in this area if you’re on a smaller budget.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it–my comparison of the more popular areas in the Northwest Arkansas area. Let me know if you will be in the area and want a tour. We can also check out homes for sale or rent, so you can plan your move.