6 Friendly Towns To Retire In Minnesota

Minnesota sits at the heart of the Upper Midwest, offering scenic lakes, welcoming communities, and a strong tradition of neighborly connection. From historic mining towns to lively regional hubs, the state mixes small-town character with everyday comforts well-suited for retirement living. Added peace of mind comes through Minnesota Senior Care Plus (MSC+), a program available to residents age 65 and older who qualify for Medical Assistance, providing full medical benefits and access to Elderly Waiver services when eligible. Active senior centers further foster friendships and engagement across the state. From community-focused Moorhead to heritage-rich Hibbing, here are six friendly towns where retirees can enjoy comfortable, connected golden years.

Moorhead

Moorhead stands out as a welcoming place where learning and community stay at the forefront of the daily life of retirees. As a hub of higher education, home to Minnesota State University Moorhead, Concordia College, and Minnesota State Community and Technical College, retirees can join courses they have always wanted to take or explore fresh skills. Local pride shines through the town’s link to the first Dairy Queen to serve Dilly Bars, always a fun story to share with visiting family, and community spirit comes alive during the Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival, celebrating Nordic heritage with performances, food, and artisan booths. The Hjemkomst Center also houses the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, featuring the Hjemkomst Viking Ship, a replica stave church, and rotating exhibits. Meanwhile, casual social evenings often lead to Junkyard Brewing Company, known for its wide beer selection and relaxed atmosphere.

Homeownership remains manageable in the town, with the average Moorhead home value at $277,000 as of Dec 2025, compared to Minnesota’s average home value of around $340,000, according to Zillow. The Moorhead Senior Citizens Center plays a key role in bringing retirees together through meals, fitness sessions, classes, and social events. For healthcare needs, Sanford Moorhead Campus provides local medical services, while assisted living and skilled care are available at Eventide on Eighth Care Center, supporting recovery, ongoing care, and daily social engagement in a warm setting.

Brainerd

Brainerd shines as a social and cultural gathering place, especially during the summer Lakes Area Music Festival, which brings world-class classical musicians to town for free concerts, community programs, and outreach events at libraries, retirement homes, and other public spaces. Seniors often meet neighbors while enjoying these performances and staying active in the festival atmosphere. Visiting grandchildren enjoy hands-on fun at the WonderTrek Children’s Museum, known for creative building activities and interactive play. History fans can gather at the Crow Wing County Historical Society Museum, housed inside the former jail, featuring exhibits on railroads, mining, lumber, and regional life. Outdoor relaxation comes naturally for retirees at the Northland Arboretum, with walking trails, gardens, seasonal programs, and educational events creating year-round reasons to connect with nature.

Having a place to call home stays financially reasonable with the average Brainerd home value just below $300,000. Equally important, Healthcare access remains close at hand through St. Joseph’s Medical Center, a full-service hospital with emergency care, heart, and cancer centers. In addition, Northern Lakes Senior Living supports assisted living and memory care residents with daily activities and welcoming gathering areas.

Austin

For music and theater-loving retirees, Austin feels especially rewarding, with a performance culture that brings neighbors together year-round. The Austin Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1957, delivers classical concerts that remain community favorites, while the Austin Artist Series ranks among the Midwest’s longest-running concert programs. In addition, the Historic Paramount Theatre hosts local and regional productions that fill evenings with live entertainment. Visual arts flourish at the Austin ArtWorks Center, featuring gallery exhibitions, educational classes, a performance space, and a retail gallery, along with the annual Austin ArtWorks Festival celebrating visual, performing, and literary creativity.

When seniors seek peaceful outdoor moments, the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center provides more than ten miles of trails winding through prairie, hardwood forest, wetlands, and gentle streams, along with a daily-open Interpretive Center filled with hands-on wildlife exhibits. The average Austin home value is $182,000, so even on a fixed income, retirees can enjoy stable homeownership while still living the life they once dreamed about.

Willmar

Willmar presents an attractive retirement option, primarily because the average home value of $237,000 comes with a diverse mix of services and amenities. For medical requirements, Rice Memorial Hospital addresses health needs, ensuring seniors' well-being and giving them peace of mind, and the community maintains a strong focus on social activity, exemplified by the Willmar Community Center, an excellent resource featuring computers, games, and spaces for neighbors to socialize. Additionally, Central Minnesota Senior Care, located right in town, provides comprehensive 24-hour assisted living services in residential homes and apartment settings, aiming to promote dignity and respect for those receiving care.

Outdoor recreation and large local celebrations define the Willmar lifestyle for seniors. The Willmar Fests is a major annual highlight, combining four separate festivals into one big summer city-wide event that promotes community pride and provides family participation for citizens of every age. Nature-loving retirees enjoy the surroundings at Robbins Island Regional Park, a 55-acre lakefront space with a swimming beach, boat launches, and disc golf. The park borders Foot Lake, which connects to Willmar Lake, establishing an ideal location for kayaking and fishing, where anglers cast for crappie, northern pike, sunfish, and walleye. For celebrating special moments, Foxhole Brewhouse serves award-winning craft beer and an elevated brewpub menu, making it a popular gathering spot for both locals and visitors alike.

Faribault

Faribault gives retirees plenty of inviting places to explore and enjoy with visiting family. River Bend Nature Center spreads across 743 acres with year-round events, interpretive programs, and scenic trails that encourage peaceful walks and outdoor discovery. Downtown, the Paradise Center for the Arts draws theater and music-loving residents together through live performances, gallery exhibits, and hands-on art education, while the Rice County Historical Society preserves local heritage across eight historic buildings filled with rotating exhibits. When grandchildren come to town, the Faribault Family Aquatic Center becomes an easy favorite, creating shared moments and laughter during warm summer days.

Essential services remain close and dependable in town, anchored by Allina Health Faribault Medical Center. Equally important for retirees, social bonds grow at Buckham West, the local senior activity center hosting programs and gatherings that support friendship and active engagement for adults over 50. Housing remains accessible for seniors in town, with the average Faribault home valued at $294,000, making homeownership practical for retirees on fixed incomes. For those seeking supported living, New Perspective Senior Living Faribault is a warm community setting beside the Washington Recreation Center.

Hibbing

Hibbing, the largest community on Minnesota’s Iron Range, carries proud roots as the “Iron Ore Capital of the World,” shaped by more than a century of mining history. Grandchildren and visiting family enjoy learning together at the Hull-Rust-Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine overlook, where one can really appreciate the scale of the legendary Mesabi Range. Nearby, the Greyhound Bus Museum preserves the story of the transportation company first born on Hibbing's streets, connecting generations through travel memories. Meanwhile, music fans can gather at Bob Dylan’s childhood home, where personal guided tours reflect on the artist’s early life and the town that influenced it.

Daily social connection centers around the Hibbing Community Senior Center, where retirees meet peers through programs and activities that build friendships and maintain active routines. Supportive living options include Hillcrest Adams, dedicated to independence and dignity, along with Guardian Angels Health & Rehabilitation Center, known for compassionate, skilled nursing care. Housing also remains accessible in town, with the average Hibbing home valued at $154,000, making long-term residence attainable for retirees seeking a welcoming, historic town to call home.

Minnesota’s Best Small Towns for a Relaxed Retirement

Across towns like Brainerd and Austin, retirement in Minnesota centers on connection, culture, and comfortable living. Music festivals, symphonies, theaters, art centers, museums, and peaceful parks create daily reasons to gather with friends and welcome visiting family. Community traditions keep social calendars active, while walkable parks and cultural attractions balance relaxation with engagement. With access to trusted healthcare, senior living options, and attainable home values, these Minnesota towns make it easier to enjoy an active, fulfilling lifestyle built around relationships, creativity, and the simple pleasures of small-town belonging.