One of the most surprising things I’ve learned from talking with people interested in Hot Springs Village is just how different they all are. Some are retired couples where one spouse is completely sold on HSV, while the other is hesitant because they’ve never even visited. Others are single retirees, widows, widowers, golfers, non-golfers, nature lovers, budget-conscious planners, or people simply looking for a quieter, more intentional next chapter. The common thread isn’t golf or even retirem...
Jun 05, 2026•24 min
Three years ago, my wife and I made a decision that changed the course of our lives: we bought a house in Hot Springs Village. Since then, we’ve experienced the beauty, challenges, friendships, surprises, and everyday realities that come with calling the Village home. In this episode of HSV Inside Out, I answer a simple but important question: knowing everything we know now, would we still make the move? I’ll share what has exceeded our expectations, what took some adjustment, and what prospecti...
Jun 02, 2026•22 min
Tucked along the shoreline of beautiful Lake Granada in Hot Springs Village, Randy & Vicki Moulton’s back porch is more than just a place to sit — it’s a front-row seat to the retirement lifestyle so many people dream about. In this episode of HSV Inside Out Porch Prowling , we take you behind the scenes of a stunning lakefront outdoor living space designed for relaxing evenings, entertaining friends, and soaking in the peaceful beauty of HSV lake life. From the manicured landscaping to the ...
May 29, 2026•22 min
Not all retirement communities create the same kind of life. Some people discover too late that slowing down can quietly become isolation, boredom, and loneliness. In this episode of HSV Inside Out, I discuss why Hot Springs Village feels so different. From golf, lakes, pickleball, hiking trails, clubs, live music, neighbors, and meaningful friendships, Hot Springs Village offers retirees the chance to stay active, connected, and energized. Retirement doesn’t have to feel like the end of the roa...
May 26, 2026•13 min
After decades in Austin, Texas, Liz Atherton found herself asking a question many retirees eventually face: “Where do I really want to spend the next chapter of my life?” Following a lung cancer diagnosis and successful surgery, the question became even more urgent and personal. Liz wasn’t looking for just another place to live. She wanted a place that felt right financially, emotionally, and physically. So she did the research. Tennessee. The Carolinas. Other retirement destinations across the ...
May 22, 2026•55 min
We’re finally getting some much-needed rain. The Village has been anxiously waiting for a few good days of thunderstorms, in hopes the rain will make up for our “below average” rainfall this year. For many people considering retirement in Hot Springs Village, thunderstorms are one of the biggest unknowns about life in Arkansas. In this SPECIAL EPISODE of HSV Inside Out, I share what storms are really like here…from dramatic lightning over the lakes to the peaceful calm that follows a rain. Let’s...
May 19, 2026•29 min
Retirement success isn’t always about having the biggest portfolio. In this episode of HSV Inside Out, we explore two major factors shaping modern retirement: inherited wealth and cash flow management. Some retirees enter this season with hidden financial advantages like paid-for homes, family support, or inherited assets. Others rely entirely on disciplined saving and smart monthly spending. We also discuss why places like Hot Springs Village can dramatically improve retirement cash flow throug...
May 19, 2026•28 min
Days ago I fed a bunch of your emails into an A.I. engine with the question: Go through these emails and give me the top 10 questions people are asking me about retiring to Hot Springs Village. I asked A.I. to rank them in order, too. Today, Rick Marshall, #1 Waterfront Specialist with McGraw Realtors of Hot Springs Village , discuss and answer these. The top questions kind of surprised me, even though I had read (and already privately answered) each email. Keep asking and we’ll keep answering. ...
May 15, 2026•35 min
The 2020 census showed the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area (known worldwide as “DFW”) population of about 7.6 million. Today, in 2026, it’s estimated to be north of 8.5 million. The growth has been explosive. That contributed greatly to our decision to escape to Hot Springs Village for much of our life. Actually, for our living! And thriving! What are you needing to escape from in retirement? How might Hot Springs Village provide the respite you’re looking for? • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Su...
May 12, 2026•12 min
Join me and Rick Marshall, #1 Waterfront Specialist with McGraw Realtors of Hot Springs Village , for the early Spring real estate update. Today, we’re coming to you from 21 Purista Lane, Hot Springs Village . This beautiful house backs up to the 8th tee box of the popular Granada Golf Course. After Rick’s update we’ll give you a tour. • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel (click that bell icon, too) • Join Our Facebook Group • Support Our Sponsors (Click on the ima...
May 08, 2026•19 min
Rick Marshall , #1 Waterfront Specialist with McGraw Realtors , recently encountered a problem with termites. Today, he shares his cautionary tale. Live. Learn. Buyer beware! • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel (click that bell icon, too) • Join Our Facebook Group • Support Our Sponsors (Click on the images below to visit their websites.) __________________________________________ __________________________________________ _________________________________________...
May 05, 2026•18 min
Most people plan for retirement around money but overlook one of the most powerful influences on their daily lives: their environment. Where you live…your home, your neighborhood, and the people around you…quietly shapes your habits, activity level, and overall happiness. In places like Hot Springs Village, the natural beauty, active lifestyle, and strong sense of community create an environment that encourages connection, movement, and engagement. Retirement isn’t just about stopping work; it’s...
May 01, 2026•13 min
Thinking about where to retire? Hot Springs Village offers a rare combination of natural beauty, low cost of living, and an active lifestyle that makes it easy to enjoy this season of life. Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, lakes, and trails surround residents, creating a peaceful setting that encourages you to slow down and get outside. What really sets it apart is the lifestyle. With golf, pickleball, tennis, boating, and a community of people who chose to be here, it’s easy to stay active an...
Apr 28, 2026•17 min
If you’re considering retiring to Hot Springs Village, this episode gives you the truth about what it’s really like to live here. Walking the Magellan Dam Trail, I share the realities most people don’t talk about—spring pollen, bugs, hot, humid summers, limited nightlife, the drive to the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, and what it means to live in a Property Owners Association (POA). These are the real-world factors that can impact your day-to-day life in retirement. Hot Springs Vill...
Apr 24, 2026•20 min
Today, we take a short drive to demonstrate the magic of the eastern side of Hot Springs Village, where there’s a concentration of golf courses. When you come visit and book your stay at Reunion Resort Villas (and include a discovery package that includes golf at the Diamante Country Club ), you’ll be able to experience three golf courses all within a golf cart drive distance. • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel (click that bell icon, too) • Join Our Facebook Grou...
Apr 21, 2026•9 min
John & Mildred Cooper Nature Preserve (Part 1) Don’t Over-Think It: Dragging Your Feet To Retirement Let’s take a hike through a portion of the John & Mildred Cooper Nature Preserve . The John & Mildred Cooper Nature Preserve is a scenic, 440-acre wilderness area tucked away off Rocoso Drive in Hot Springs Village. Named after the Village’s founders and owned by The Nature Conservancy, the preserve offers a more rugged, “back-to-nature” experience compared to the community’s paved pa...
Apr 14, 2026•32 min
Not all neighborhoods inside Hot Springs Village are the same. Choosing the right one can make all the difference in your retirement. In this episode, we break down the key differences between golf course living, lakefront homes, wooded interior lots, and everything in between. From tee boxes to fairways, open water to quiet coves, and mountain views to dense tree cover. You’ll learn what each option really feels like day-to-day. We also talk about differences in home styles, including newer bri...
Apr 10, 2026•42 min
Retirement isn’t just about money. For most couples, the biggest challenges don’t come from a lack of savings—they come from a lack of alignment. Different expectations. Different visions. Different assumptions about what life will look like after the working years are over. And if those differences aren’t addressed before retirement, they tend to show up afterward, in ways that create frustration, confusion, and sometimes regret. In this episode of Hot Springs Village Inside Out, we walk throug...
Apr 07, 2026•23 min
If you’re considering a move to Hot Springs Village, there’s something you need to understand right away: This isn’t one kind of place. It’s many. And that’s exactly what makes choosing the right neighborhood so important. It’s also what makes our ability to showcase or describe the neighborhoods so difficult. In this episode of Hot Springs Village Inside Out, I take you on a walk through one area near Lake Coronado, but more importantly, we go much deeper than what you can see on the surface. B...
Apr 03, 2026•30 min
There are places inside Hot Springs Village that simply stop you in your tracks. Lake Lago Lookout is one of them. Perched high above the water, this scenic overlook delivers a sweeping view that captures what makes Hot Springs Village so special—rolling hills, dense forest, and the quiet beauty of the Ouachita Mountains stretching into the distance. In this episode, I take you to one of the Village’s “must see” spots… not just for the view, but for what it represents. Because this isn’t just ab...
Mar 31, 2026•19 min
What will be left of you? That’s not a question most of us sit around thinking about—but sometimes life has a way of putting it right in front of us. In this episode of Hot Springs Village Inside Out , I reflect on legacy… not in terms of money or possessions, but in terms of impact. What do we leave behind in the lives of others? What actually matters when life gets quiet? For those planning retirement—or already living it—this conversation takes on even greater importance. Because retirement i...
Mar 27, 2026•39 min
Here are the questions: What are your recommendations to look for in deciding on a new home builder in the village? Should you have a full home inspection by outside company upon closing on that new home? Why does Brick seem to be the most used siding inside HSV? My husband and I are planning to move to HSV. In looking at properties online, I’ve noticed many people sell within 2 years of buying. Why? Are they typically relocating within the Village, or is there a predominant reason they are unha...
Mar 24, 2026•25 min
Today’s real estate update with Rick Marshall of McGraw Realtors showcases how affordable waterfront homes inside Hot Springs Village can be. One of the great things about Hot Springs Village is the economic diversity that makes it affordable for people in a variety of financial positions. Yes, you can find million-dollar homes on Lake Balboa, but you can also consider a $200K townhome like this one, located at 6 Opalo Place, Hot Springs Village. Contact Rick Marshall at McGraw Realtors: (501) 6...
Mar 20, 2026•19 min
One of the things people ask me all the time about Hot Springs Village is this: “What do people actually do there?” The better question might be…What DON’T people do? Today I want to take you along on a walk through one of the Village’s gathering areas near the DeSoto Nature Trail. In this same area, you’ll find the Hot Springs Village Dog Park and the lawn bowling center, where folks gather to play bocce ball and enjoy lawn bowling. These are some gathering places inside Hot Springs Village whe...
Mar 17, 2026•25 min
Everybody – and I do mean EVERYBODY – I interact with who is considering Hot Springs Village as their retirement destination is concerned about money. That doesn’t mean everybody’s financial situation is the same. Hardly. I’ve talked with audience members who have a strong cash/investment position and have no money concerns. I’ve talked with other audience members who must watch their expenses closely. Most are somewhere in between, but the dollars still have to make sense because at this stage ...
Mar 13, 2026•39 min
The Archery Range inside Hot Springs Village is located just off Fenix Way. Tucked away in the pine trees, it’s a beautiful place where archers of all skill levels can congregate to do what they love. It’s not fancy or high tech, but it’s inviting. So much so, I’d love to visit when people are performing their sport. Here’s a link to the Hot Springs Village Property Owners’ Association website listing the outdoor activities provided by the POA: click here . • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Sub...
Mar 10, 2026•4 min
The Lake Balboa beach and associated amenities are located at 476 Ponce de Leon Drive. This is one of two beaches inside the Village. Lake DeSoto has the other one. Balboa Beach is the largest beach and features a sand surface. There are six shade shelters with picnic tables available to rent throughout the season, four of which have grills. There is also a playground for children on the other side of the parking lot – Balboa Park. The Pavilion is large, capable of accommodating some of the larg...
Mar 06, 2026•9 min
Click here to book a reservation at the HSV RV Park. The Hot Springs Village RV Park is a private park for members and sponsored guests. In a serene rural setting between Lake Pineda and Lake Coronado, the park features 21 sites: 12 pull-through (Sites 1-12) and 9 back-in (Sites 13-21). The HSV RV Park offers full-service hook-ups with water, sewer, and 30/50-amp service at each site, along with grills, fire rings, and picnic tables. Concrete picnic slabs are available on Sites 13-21. There are ...
Mar 03, 2026•7 min
Want to follow along on Google Maps? Click here. We’ll leave the Cortez Pavilion and make a loop around the northside of Lakes DeSoto and Cortez to show you a bit of the Village, along with a lake community on the west side. Look for more drives throughout the Village to get a sense of the variety of neighborhoods within Hot Springs Village. Enjoy the ride. Note: For editing purposes, the video’s speed isn’t always in real time. • Join Our Free Email Newsletter • Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel...
Feb 27, 2026•22 min
The Pavilion is located off Carmona Road, just off DeSoto Blvd. It features covered picnic tables, a fireplace, grills, and restrooms. There’s also a flower garden that is a prime place to see hummingbirds (in season). At the time of today’s recording, the hummingbirds are still a couple of weeks away from returning. The Pavilion, like Grove Park, is another place in the Village where folks gather in small groups. Hot Springs Village has many such places, ideal for families or groups of friends ...
Feb 24, 2026•9 min
