11 Best Towns In The Great Lakes To Retire Comfortably
When you consider retirement, what do you think of? Do you automatically assume you will stay where you presently live or go back to the town you grew up in? Perhaps you have never thought about retirement at all, and now it is sneaking up on you. How do you envision retirement? Golfing every day, doing volunteer work in the community, lunching with friends, turning your lifelong passion for cooking into a catering business; life will be grand! If so, let's go on a journey and explore some towns in the Great Lakes where you could retire comfortably. You may have dreamed of golfing every day, having time for a leisurely lunch and dinner, relaxing with friends, and simply enjoying life at an unhurried pace. Here are some towns where you can do that in the style you wish.
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
This town of 13,271 has all the conveniences you would want to retire comfortably, but the house prices here are below the national average. Michigan is one of the 15 most affordable states in the US for purchasing a house. It also features a rural hospital, MyMichigan Medical Center Sault. You can retire here knowing you have excellent shopping options right in town, including Casual Lifestyles, a clothing store catering to mature women with great prices, the Proper Apparel boutique, and Barish's Footwear & Apparel, which has offered quality clothing since 1913.
Additionally, there are many fine golf courses, such as The Oaks at Kincheloe or the Sault Ste. Marie Country Club, where you can indulge in your passion for golf. If your dream was to have more time to play outdoors in retirement, then Bird's Eye Outfitters can help you get the right gear for kayaking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, and offer you workshops to improve your skills and help you have more fun. This town has everything at your fingertips to retire comfortably and create your ideal lifestyle.
Sandusky, Ohio
This small town, with a population of 25,089, offers many attributes that make it a comfortable retirement destination. You can choose to live in a gated condo community at Cedar Point Marina, in the East Sandusky neighbourhood. The air quality is good, the FEMA flood risk is low, and the Sandusky crime rate is 18.3% lower than the national average. The cost of living in Sandusky is 9% lower than the state of Ohio, and home prices are 35% lower than the state average.
All of this adds up to a comfortable place to live and enjoy your retirement years. There are quiet neighbourhoods and beautiful views of Lake Erie throughout this town. For going out, consider the Small City Taphouse. There are 80 beers brewed by the Clag Brewing Company, as well as delicious Asian food options like Usuzukuri Tuna or Banh Mi with Meatball, and sushi to enjoy. For fun there is the nearby Cedar Point a few miles away. You can drive or take a ferry to the world-famous Cedar Point, the roller coaster capital of the world. Built in 1870, it is the second-oldest amusement park in North America, 364 acres of fun for all!
Lewiston, NY
Lewiston is a town tucked away on its own in the countryside. It would be a great retirement location because, although it is close to larger urban centres, it has an idyllic rural feel. It is located on the Niagara Escarpment, and due to its location and climate, the area features rural working farms, apple orchards, vineyards, and more, making it a place where you can enjoy a pleasant retirement with a slower pace of life. There is a local library, a garden club, and a seniors center with recreational programs and services.
Artpark is here with all its many amenities. The Lewiston Museum is very active in preserving the rich history of this area. House prices in Lewiston are below the state and US median. There are many parks located in this town, perfect for those who enjoy walking and biking. There are opportunities for fishing and boating, as well as ways to pass the time. The cost of living here is less than the national average, meaning you can live comfortably when you retire. The crime rate is low. There are numerous free activities available in this town. Visit the Bella Rose Vineyard and Winery or stop by Apple Granny Restaurant for the best comfort food you have ever tasted!
Olcott, NY
Olcott is a small town where you can retire comfortably, as the pace of life is slower here. Although it is the perfect beachside town in the summer, in other seasons, you will find that the cost of living is not overly expensive. There would be fewer people in the offseason, so that you could have a nice retirement life here. Living in Olcott, you are just an hour's drive from major cities like Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Rochester, which offer medical facilities and shopping. This allows you to enjoy a relaxing life in Olcott with the security of knowing you are close to big-city conveniences if needed. You can enjoy beachside views of Lake Ontario in any season.
Walk the pebbled beach in any weather, especially if you have a dog you walk daily, enjoy the view of the Olcott Lighthouse from the Olcott Pier, and walk the boardwalk. Niagara County Krull Park is a park where you can enjoy a picnic at any time of year or appreciate the natural surroundings. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and cross-country skiing in the winter. Enjoy hiking the trails and birdwatching. The cost of living here is more than the national average, but lower costs for food, transportation, healthcare, and taxes offset this. If you retire here from a major US city, you will be at an advantage, as the cost of living is 73 % less than in New York City, for example.
Oswego, NY
Situated on the shoreline of Lake Ontario, this town is renowned for its small-town charm, offering a comfortable retirement option. There is a hospital here, and the home prices are lower than the New York state average. If you choose to retire to this charming town, you will find it to be a friendly and community-minded place.
Turkey trots, reindeer runs, there is always something to participate in, if that is to your liking. There is a university here, the State University of New York at Oswego, if you like to take courses in your retirement. Restaurants such as Texas Roadhouse, Wade's Diner, and The Red Sun Fire Roasting Co. all offer good food and a relaxed atmosphere, making them ideal for lunch or dinner outings.
Ashland, Wisconsin
This is a great town to retire in if you embrace the outdoors. For those who love winter, there are snow tubing hills, skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking, and more activities to enjoy. Skijoring is a combination of cross-country skiing and sled-dog racing, so if you are a dog owner, you could retire here and have an excellent activity you could do with your dog. Ashland Breakwater Lighthouse on the bay is part of the scenic views you will see as you walk the shoreline. Prentice Park has 100 acres of marsh, lagoon, and forest that attract songbirds, waterfowl, and it even has resident mute swans to watch in their natural habitat, as you walk the weathered boardwalk.
This town is known as the Mural Capital of Wisconsin for its vibrant downtown murals, making it an enjoyable area to walk around in. Stop by the Ashland Baking Company for artisan breads or the Avalon Bar for the Friday night fish fry. A quirky one-day event held every year is Chick-uamegon, a run for women where you can dress up in your 'blingest best' outfit and receive a coupon to shop locally. What fun! Ashland is 39.2% cheaper than Boston, Mass, so if you retire here from a major city, you can have a very comfortable retirement lifestyle.
Two Rivers, Wisconsin
If you retire to Two Rivers, you can be assured that you will have top-rate health services at Aurora Health Care, as well as access to many other amenities, including banking, hair salons, pet grooming, dentists, and doctors. You will not have to leave town for your everyday needs, which makes for a comfortable retirement, especially if you have been commuting to work for many years. The cost of living here is less than the median average for most major residential markets in the country. House prices are 17% less expensive than in Green Bay. Slow down, relax, and enjoy the bliss of stress-free days where you can indulge your hobbies.
You may want to visit the Quilt Shop of Two Rivers, go bowling at The Hook Lanes and Games, or hike the trails and see the Butterfly Garden at the Woodland Dunes Nature Center. Stop by the Crafty Cravings Cafe to sip on your favorite latte and buy a piece of art made by a local craftsman. The downtown Cool City Brewing Company is a friendly and welcoming place to enjoy a craft beer and a burger for lunch. If you are a fisherman, your retirement life will be great here! The sparkling shores of Lake Michigan will give you many hours of pleasure all year long.
Bayfield, Wisconsin
This town offers numerous amenities for a fulfilling retirement, including the Apostle Highlands Golf Course, perfect for avid golfers. Bayfield is Wisconsin's smallest city. The cost of living here is lower than in big cities, and house prices are not inexpensive, but they are more affordable than in larger cities like Madison. As a boater, you could join the Apostle Islands Station Wayzata Yacht Club and enjoy many hours racing on the waters of Lake Superior. The Port Superior Marina is the place where you can have a slip for your boat, and you can enjoy the water year-round.
Suppose you'd like to volunteer in your community. In that case, the R.D. Pike Building, built in 1897, is a historic fish hatchery where you can volunteer to help preserve the ecosystem by assisting in the raising of trout to be released into the Great Lakes, including Michigan and Superior. You can hear local musical artists and touring performers at The Backstage when you want an evening out. At the Bayfield Winery and Blue Ox Cider, taste award-winning wine or hard cider made from local fruits. This small town is a magical place to retire in comfort and enjoy life!
Bay City, Michigan
When you retire to this town, you will find it has a friendly, small-town vibe, but with big-city, progressive ideas. At Urban East Footwear, you will enjoy old-fashioned service and modern, fashionable luxury shoes. At Bay City Players, you will enjoy live community theater. Retiring comfortably is all about having fun experiences, and if culinary is one of your passions, you have lots of dining venues to choose from.
Old City Hall features a chef-inspired menu and fine wines, while Tavern 101 offers 54 draft beers for your drinking pleasure, along with great gastropub food. The Molasses Smokehouse has fantastic barbecue and great bourbon drinks. You can drop by Sanctuary Yoga Bay City and unwind with yoga classes. Bay City has a lower cost of living, including house prices, compared to other cities of a similar size. For various reasons, you will be able to retire comfortably in this lovely town.
Avon Lake, Ohio
Avon Lake is just 15 miles from Cleveland. This means you can retire here while still being close to all the big-city services you need, such as medical services, professional sporting events, and more. Here in Avon Lake, you can enjoy a life of leisure, playing tennis and pickleball, golfing and swimming in the summer at Avon Lake Beach, biking the trails, and hiking in the parklands of Redwood Park.
You can enjoy dining out at Ibiza Mediterranean Restaurant. They specialize in Spanish and Portuguese dishes, such as tapas and paella, ensuring a truly memorable meal. At Susan's Sugar and Spice, satisfy your sweet tooth with cupcakes or her specialty, Mandarin Orange Cake, paired with a Pineapple Whipped Cream. Yummy. The cost of living in Avon Lake is slightly less than in Columbus, Ohio, but house prices are higher. You could retire comfortably here, as you have everything you need right in your own town.
Port Clinton, Ohio
Your retirement life in this town will revolve around the lake, Lake Erie. There are many public parks along the Lake Erie shoreline to enjoy pursuits such as Waterworks Park, where you can tour the 1896 restored Port Clinton Lighthouse. The Marblehead Lighthouse State Park is open year-round, and the Keeper's House is on its grounds. Built in 1880, it was home to many of the lighthouse keepers and has been lovingly preserved. You can tour the house, browse the art gallery, and visit the gift shop. If museums are your 'thing' in your retired life, you will love the Liberty Aviation Museum. Located at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport, aviation buffs will delight in the WW2 aircraft and having breakfast at the 1950s-style Tin Goose Diner.
Ciao Bella Ristorante Italiano is a lovely fine dining restaurant where you can enjoy classic Italian dishes, such as Chicken Piccata, and conclude with desserts like tiramisu and cannoli, accompanied by a Limoncello aperitif. The cost of living here is 18% lower than the national average. The price of houses is less expensive than in some of the towns in Ohio, so you should be able to retire in this interesting town and live comfortably with few cares.
Whatever town you decide to retire in, you will find that these towns are friendly and welcoming, and they all have their own special atmosphere. Because they are all located on the Great Lakes, they have a rich marine history, and much of the outdoor activity is centered on the lake shorelines. History has shaped these towns into the thriving and interesting places they are today. They all have beautiful scenic views of the Great Lakes they are on, and no matter what your idea of a comfortable retirement is, you could easily retire to any of these places and have a wonderful, relaxed, stress-free lifestyle.
