11 Safest Towns In Michigan For Senior Living
For retirees who enjoy four distinct seasons and easy access to Great Lakes shorelines, Michigan is a scenic and practical place to call home. On an island in the Detroit River, Grosse Ile Township offers peaceful water views and easy access to spots like the Grosse Ile Museum and Water’s Edge Recreation Complex. Farther north, Traverse City pairs life on Grand Traverse Bay with Front Street shops and the beloved National Cherry Festival. For a European twist, Holland brings Lake Michigan beauty together with tulip-filled streets and the sugar-sand shoreline of Holland State Park.
Grosse Ile Township
Just northeast of downtown Detroit, Grosse Ile Township is the largest island in the Detroit River. The main island stretches nearly 10 miles and is part of a cluster of 14 islands that is home to about 10,000 residents. It is accessible by boat or by two bridges. Grosse Ile has been listed as the safest city in Michigan and has virtually no violent crime. Seniors make up 28.6% of the population and can enjoy a variety of programs through the Community Recreation Department.
Grosse Ile Urgent Care is located right on the main island, with Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital just minutes away. Residents can explore the Grosse Ile Museum, play a round at Water’s Edge Recreation Complex, or watch freighters move along the river from Zef’s Dockside Bar & Kitchen. Nearby attractions such as the Henry Ford Museum also make excellent day trips.
Midland
As its name suggests, Midland is ideally situated in the central part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, about a half-hour drive from Lake Huron. The town has a population of about 43,000, and residents 65 and older are its fastest-growing demographic. MyMichigan Medical Center Midland is a teaching hospital with a wide range of services tailored to seniors, and Midland’s crime rate is 45% lower than that of other U.S. cities.
The town is dotted with golf courses, lakes, and nature trails, along with attractions such as the Midland Center for the Arts, which ranks among the top 200 theatre venues in the world. Another standout is the Whiting Forest Canopy Walk, the longest canopy walk in the United States, where visitors can stroll above woodlands, ponds, and an orchard.
New Baltimore
Picturesque New Baltimore in Macomb County sits on the shores of Lake St. Clair at Anchor Bay. While Lake St. Clair is not one of the five Great Lakes, it still covers 430 square miles, offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. The town’s population is around 12,000, and violent crime is practically nonexistent. Residents 65 and older make up about 17.6% of the population.
The New Baltimore Parks & Recreation Department and the local VFW Hall both offer activities for seniors. Henry Ford Medical Center-New Baltimore provides 24-hour emergency care right in town, while the McLaren County Senior Behavioral Health Center is an easy drive around the bay. Stroll down Washington Street to find cafés, a wine house, and antique shops. Brandenburg Park and Walter & Mary Burke Park offer quiet places to relax, while the seasonal farmers market is ideal for fresh vegetables and flowers. Be sure to walk down by the water near downtown to see Michigan’s tallest flagpole.
Traverse City
Traverse City is a jewel of northern Michigan, set on Grand Traverse Bay, an inlet of Lake Michigan. The city has about 15,800 permanent residents, with tourists arriving year-round. The violent crime rate is 37.85% below the national average, and 911 calls are answered in an average of four seconds. Residents 65 and older make up 23.9% of the population, and the Grand Traverse County Senior Network offers a range of wellness and social programs.
Munson Medical Center has been ranked the sixth-best hospital in Michigan by U.S. News & World Report. “TC,” as locals call it, offers plenty to see and do. Walk down Front Street to browse one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants, visit the Crooked Tree Arts Center to enjoy work by local artisans, or see what is playing at the landmark State Theatre. The annual National Cherry Festival is another major draw that seniors are sure to enjoy.
Petoskey
An hour north of Traverse City lies Petoskey, another scenic Michigan bay town. With a population of about 6,000, the cost of living is roughly 7% lower than the national average, and violent crime is low. Residents 65 and older account for 22.01% of the population, and the Friendship Centers of Emmet County offer a variety of events and activities for seniors.
The award-winning McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital is right on the edge of town. There are plenty of leisurely attractions to enjoy, from picnicking in Petoskey State Park to visiting nearby vineyards or dining at the elegant Hotel Perry. The historic gaslight district downtown is lined with Victorian architecture and unique shops, while the shores of Little Traverse Bay invite long walks in search of the famous Petoskey stones, Michigan’s official state stone.
Rochester
A northern suburb of Detroit, Rochester features a downtown of historic buildings that seem to transport visitors to a less hurried time, while still maintaining a chic, cosmopolitan feel. The population is about 13,000, and several sources have ranked it as an excellent place for retirees. Residents 65 and older make up 15.6% of the population, and the average emergency response time is just 3 to 4 minutes.
Top hospitals nearby include Henry Ford Rochester Hospital and other high-quality facilities. Rochester is also home to the OPC Center, Michigan’s largest senior center at 90,000 square feet, offering activities that range from live performances and pickleball to swimming and Meals on Wheels. The annual Art & Apples Festival in Rochester Municipal Park is a local favorite, and the city’s holiday lights display is especially memorable, with 1.5 million Christmas lights strung across 121 buildings downtown.
Holland
Holland sits in the southwestern part of the state, less than 10 miles from Lake Michigan. As its name suggests, it was settled by Dutch immigrants, and today it has a population of about 35,500, with 16.8% of residents aged 65 or older. Violent crime is low, and the cost of living is 7% below the national average.
Evergreen Commons offers seniors a wide range of activity-filled programs. Holland Hospital is the only hospital in Michigan to be named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Surgical Care and one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery. Every year, the city bursts into color during the first week of May with its Tulip Time Festival, featuring more than six million tulips. In addition to flowers, residents and visitors can enjoy Holland State Park with its sugar-sand beaches, Nelis’ Dutch Village, and a picturesque downtown with cobblestone sidewalks and plenty of locally owned shops. Windmills, naturally, are part of the scenery too.
Saugatuck
Just 11 miles from Holland and 40 miles from Grand Rapids lies Saugatuck. It sits on the inland shores of both Lake Michigan and the Kalamazoo River. The town has a small but friendly population of about 800 residents, and 33.6% are 65 or older. Violent crime is well below the national average.
Evergreen Commons in nearby Holland offers plenty of activities for seniors, while Holland Hospital is a short drive away and also maintains a primary care location in town. Saugatuck’s shady main street is perfect for a spring or summer stroll, with many locally owned boutiques and a strong arts scene featuring everything from paintings to pottery. Enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants or breweries, or simply grab an ice cream and watch boats, pontoons, and yachts drift by.
Alpena
On the Lake Huron side of the state, a little farther north than Traverse City, you will find Alpena. This scenic waterfront town sits on the shores of Thunder Bay. Its population is about 10,100, and 23.3% of residents are over 65. Violent crime is low, and the cost of living is an impressive 25.6% below the national average.
The MyMichigan Health Center Alpena is affiliated with University of Michigan Health and ranks among the Top 20 Rural & Community Hospitals. Average emergency response time within the city is just two minutes. Alpena also offers distinctive attractions such as the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, where visitors can learn about Great Lakes shipping and even snorkel above shipwrecks in Thunder Bay’s clear waters. The Besser Museum features rotating collections, a planetarium, and more. Downtown, more than 200 businesses offer plenty of shopping, while landmarks such as the Second Avenue Drawbridge and the Little Red Lighthouse are well-loved by locals.
Romeo
About 40 miles north of Detroit is the small town of Romeo, and, true to its name, it is easy to fall in love with. Surrounded by scenic rolling hills and farmland, Romeo has a population of around 4,000. About 24.3% of residents are 65 or older, and violent crime is low.
Romeo Washington Bruce Park offers numerous activities for seniors, while a Henry Ford Hospital Urgent Care Center is conveniently located in town. Henry Ford Macomb Hospital is also an easy drive away. Romeo ranks fourth among the best places to live in Macomb County. Attractions include the Starkweather Arts Gallery, Jayell Smoke House, and a good variety of antique stores. Romeo is also known for its annual Peach Festival and its many older Victorian homes. Around Halloween, the town becomes especially atmospheric, with colorful fall foliage and historic homes creating a beautifully spooky setting.
Plymouth
Situated neatly between Detroit and Ann Arbor, Plymouth is a small-town charmer. The population is about 9,500, and 16.83% of residents are over 65. Violent crime is low, and both the Plymouth Council on Aging and the Plymouth Cultural Center offer a variety of programs and activities.
Henry Ford Medical Center-Plymouth provides 24-hour emergency treatment, with several other full-service hospitals located nearby. The town’s Kellogg Park hosts a steady calendar of community events, including fall’s Scarecrows in the Park, free summer movies, and a winter Ice Festival that draws ice artists from across the country. Downtown Plymouth is easy to navigate and offers plenty of convenient shopping, adding to its appeal as a comfortable and engaging place to retire.
Year-Round Outdoor Choices & More Peace-Of-Mind Living
As you can see, Michigan offers plenty of appealing places for seniors to feel comfortable and confident about retirement. The state’s Upper Peninsula has its share of wonderful small towns and attractions as well, but if you are looking to enjoy the best of every season, the 11 communities listed here are especially strong and safe choices.
