6 Best Cities To Retire In Wisconsin
Community is a powerful draw for living in Wisconsin. People enjoy urban lifestyles with regular access to natural wonders. With a four-season climate, Wisconsin appeals to those who seek variety. It gets cold in the winter, but for those seeking active winter outdoor life, Wisconsin is a great destination. For retirees looking to settle in a vibrant city with all the amenities you expect, while living close to nature, and in proximity to two Great Lakes, Wisconsin is an ideal choice. Wisconsin is affordable, with a low cost of living compared to other states, quality health care, and no tax on Social Security. If you are looking to retire in an urban setting surrounded by nature and outdoor life, the cities of Wisconsin are worth considering.
Eau Claire
The name Eau Claire means “clear water,” and the city sits on the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers. Water is a big part of life in Eau Claire. First settled by European Americans in 1845, the city grew thanks to the logging and timber industries. With the decline of those industries, the economy diversified into manufacturing and education. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire was founded in 1916 and is a big part of city life. For the retiree looking for a lively urban setting and a strong sense of community, you might want to look at Eau Claire as a place to settle. With a strong community feeling, a scenic waterfront, and access to hiking and cycling trails, Eau Claire is a top choice for retirees.
The downtown core of Eau Claire is a diverse area with restaurants, independent shops, galleries, and pubs along South Barstow Street. Phoenix Park is located just off the downtown, overlooking the Chippewa River. There you will find the start of the Chippewa River State Trail, 30 miles of trails through the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers. The Eau Claire Sculpture Tour is the nation's largest rotating sculpture tour, with over 120 works on display in the downtown. For local history, the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum focuses on the area’s logging history and features statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe. The Chippewa Valley Museum delves into local history and culture, located in Carson Park, a 134-acre peninsula on Carson Park Lake. Retirees will have no trouble staying active in Eau Claire.
Appleton
Appleton is a city with a small-town feel, located in the Fox Valley. North of Lake Winnebago on the Fox River, Appleton sits between Milwaukee to the south and Green Bay to the northeast. With the establishment of Lawrence University in 1847, Appleton became a key educational hub for the region. With its roots in paper manufacturing, the city has diversified into healthcare, centered around St. Elizabeth Hospital and ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton. The cultural center for Fox Valley, the city is the location of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. The History Museum at the Castle focuses on local history, in particular the life and work of Harry Houdini, who grew up in Appleton.
Downtown Appleton is a walkable commercial area with independent shops, restaurants, and pubs focused on local ingredients. The Mile of Music is an annual festival held in August featuring hundreds of independent artists performing across many downtown venues. The Building for Kids is an interactive children's museum, including child-sized hands-on experiences perfect for grandkids. For food, Author's Kitchen and Bar serves international fare in a relaxed wood and brick-accented space. Get your souvlaki on at Apollon, a Greek restaurant featuring a long wine list and piano music on weekends. Trails along the Fox River offer scenic views from walking paths and some excellent fishing spots. This city offers the perfect mix of peacefulness and excitement for retirees.
Waukesha
Waukesha is located near Milwaukee, making it a great place to live with easy access to the bigger city. Located on the Fox River, Waukesha was primarily a farming community after being settled by New Englanders, and the culture of Waukesha has a New England feel. The city was also an important center for the abolitionist movement before the Civil War. In the late 19th century, a large influx of immigrants from Wales came to Waukesha, followed by a significant number of Belgians. In the 1990s, the city was a settlement choice for Serbs after the Yugoslav Wars.
Downtown Waukesha is a historic district with 19th-century architecture and a diverse array of local businesses. The Art Crawl is a walking tour of the city's galleries, bringing together artists and artisans. The Waukesha Farmers Market runs during the warmer months and features Friday Night Live, local music played outdoors. For dining options, Tofte's Table is a family-owned establishment focused on seasonal ingredients and American comfort food. Restaurante Casa Noble has an extensive Mexican menu in a casual, neighborhood setting. Raised Grain Brewing Co. is known for award-winning beer and a laid-back atmosphere. The Retzer Nature Center features a planetarium and educational programs, and includes hiking trails through prairies and forest settings. The Fox River Sanctuary is a natural preserve with boardwalks, trails, and a nature center. This is a perfect destination for culture-loving retirees.
Oshkosh
Located on Lake Winnebago, the name Oshkosh is perhaps most associated with the OshKosh B'gosh children’s clothing manufacturer. The city itself is known for its quality of life, accessibility, and affordability. Historically, the area was a center for the fur trade, with a shift to the timber industry in the mid-19th century. Like other Wisconsin communities, Oshkosh is known for its German heritage, with 45% of the population being of German descent. In the 19th and early 20th century, the German population was much higher. In the 1970s, Oshkosh became a destination for Hmong refugees from Vietnam.
Downtown Oshkosh is a historic center with over 200 businesses, most of which are locally owned. The art scene is vibrant, with many galleries, plus murals located throughout the downtown area. Dining out in Oshkosh provides you with many options, including The Chalice, featuring a long blond-wood bar, outdoor seating, and serving comfort food. The Ruby Owl Tap Room has a large selection of craft beer and an American pub menu. The EAA Aviation Museum & AirVenture is the home of the world's largest airshow, and the museum features a collection of historic, experimental, and homebuilt aircraft. The Paine Art Center and Gardens is housed in a 1920s mansion and is surrounded by botanical gardens. Oshkosh Public Museum is located in a Tiffany-designed mansion. Outdoor pursuits on Lake Winnebago and the Fox River include scenic drives, boating, and extensive riverfront trails. The area is also home to the Menominee Park Zoo.
Green Bay
Green Bay is best known as the home of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, a team that plays a big part in the city’s life, economy, and culture. Located on the Green Bay inlet at the mouth of the Fox River on Lake Michigan, the history of Green Bay is tied to the paper industry, after being founded as a fur trading center. Culturally, a large number of Belgians moved to the city between 1890 and 1910, as well as German, Scandinavian, Irish, and Dutch immigrants. A large influx of English Canadians moved to the area in the late 19th century. This mix of European cultures is part of the city’s identity, with Wisconsin cheese curds and bratwurst being ubiquitous. The city is also known for the tradition of Friday night fish fries, due to the abundance of fish from Lake Michigan.
Downtown Green Bay is located by the Fox River and is divided into three districts: the Downtown District on the east side, the Broadway District on the west side, and Olde Main Street. The CityDeck is a quarter-mile riverfront boardwalk in the downtown. Broadway District is known for its eclectic mix, with new and vintage shops, and the Wednesday Night Farmers' Market. Olde Main Street is the arts district, with galleries, studios, and murals. Hinterland Brewery offers craft beer and farm-to-table dining located near Lambeau Field. Three Three Five is a fine dining space featuring locally sourced dishes. The 47-acre Green Bay Botanical Garden has a range of themed gardens, including the Wisconsin Woodland. The National Railroad Museum houses historic locomotives and offers train rides on heritage trains. Green Bay is so much more than just football...although, if you retire here, we bet you'll be rooting for the Packers before long.
La Crosse
The La Crosse economy is based on being a center for educational, medical, manufacturing, and a transportation hub for Western Wisconsin. The quality of life is high in the city on the Mississippi River, and it is home to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Viterbo University, and Western Technical College. For retirees seeking an active and vibrant lifestyle, La Crosse has the amenities and culture suitable for that. The downtown is community-driven, with a small-town and college-town atmosphere. Located on the banks of the river, the downtown is filled with 19th-century buildings repurposed for local businesses. The Historic District is one of Wisconsin’s largest preserved historic areas, with 2 and 3-story brick buildings dating back to the 1860s.
Riverside Park is the center of the city’s waterfront district and features the International Friendship Gardens and a summer concert series called Moon Tunes. There is also the La Crosse Queen Cruises offering paddleboat tours on the Mississippi River. Every 4th of July, the Riverfest is a major community event taking place over the long weekend. For scenic hikes, Grandad Bluff Park features a 600-foot-high vantage point over the city, the Mississippi River, and three surrounding states. The Hixon Forest has extensive trails for hikers and bikers. The Hixon House Museum has a Victorian-era focus, and the Pump House Regional Arts Center features rotating art exhibits and community events. The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern is a piano bar with locally sourced American fare and patio seating overlooking the river.
Four Season Retirement Living
If you are seeking an active and urban setting to retire, with year-round activities, Wisconsin's cities offer a great choice. For retirees who prefer four seasons, access to nature and the Great Lakes, a high standard of living that is also affordable, one of Wisconsin's cities may provide you with the lifestyle you're seeking. From fishing in the many lakes and rivers in the state, to cool downtown sites and shopping, to hiking and boating experiences, Wisconsin has much to offer.
