Would you like to retire in a city that is beautiful, charming, and affordable? We’ve got just the list for you. From the Ozark Mountains to the Great Lakes, the Midwest is filled with natural beauty. Plus, in many areas, the cost of living is far lower than on the coasts. To help you get started, today we’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to retire in the Midwest.
Best Places to Retire in the Midwest
How could we write about the best places to retire in the Midwest and not include Branson? The live entertainment capital of the world, Branson is teeming with shows and concerts, but the area also has great natural beauty. Cruise down Lake Taneycomo, spend the day hiking at Table Rock Lake, or visit one of the area’s many golf resorts. Surrounded by the beautiful Ozark hills, Branson has a lot more to offer than you might first think.
Bloomington is home to Indiana University, which greatly adds to the area’s cultural scene. The university’s music school hosts many concerts (including jazz and opera) and if you like theatre, be sure to stop by the Indiana Theatre (a restored 1922 vaudeville theater). Other great features include Hoosier National Forest and the Bloomington Lifelong Learning Coalition (which promotes and facilitates education for seniors on campus)
If you love horses, bourbon, and Southern style, Lexington might be the place for you. Consider stopping by the Kentucky Theatre (built in 1922) to watch a classic film or take a day-trip to Churchill Downs (home of the Kentucky Derby). Plus, the University of Kentucky invites seniors over the age of 65 to attend classes that have open space.
Not too big and not too small, the city of Springfield might be just right for your retirement. Enjoy a play at the Springfield Little Theatre one night and stroll in Nathanael Greene Park the next. Step out for First Friday Art Walk (a downtown arts celebration), and then relax with an afternoon at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden. Just a stone’s throw away from Branson (perfect for day-trips), Springfield is a wonderful in-between for those who love urban excitement as well as rural relaxation.
Like several of our best places to retire in the Midwest, Knoxville is a college town (home to the University of Tennessee), so it’s perfect for active seniors who enjoy tailgating college games and watching student music and theatre performances. Plus, Knoxville has a symphony orchestra, an opera company, and many cultural festivals (such as the Dogwood Arts Festival in the spring).
So many people think of warm weather places when they imagine retiring, but what if you’ve always preferred balmy summers and snowy winters? Check out Ann Arbor, Michigan, home to the University of Michigan. You could take day trips to Lake St. Clair or Lake Erie, attend those spirited college football games, or check out the Ann Arbor Arts Fairs in July. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute makes it easy for seniors to exercise their minds, and the community’s fantastic medical facilities and abundance of doctors will make it easy for you to find great medical care.
Nestled into the Boston Mountains, Fayetteville Arkansas is one of our best places to retire in the Midwest because it is chock full of things to do. From the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks to the Walton Arts Center, this college town (home to the University of Arkansas) entertains students and seniors alike. There is a monthly arts celebration in Fayetteville Square, football games at the university, and over 70 parks!
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Spanning across six different states, the best places to retire in the Midwest each offer something different. Which city do you prefer—Branson, Bloomington, Lexington, Springfield, Knoxville, Ann Arbor, or Fayetteville? Take your time and consider the city’s cost of living, cultural events, climate, medical community, and whatever else is important to you (proximity to family, perhaps, or the quality of the parks). And if you’re thinking about retiring, please check out Hearthside Senior Living Place‘s senior living communities.