7 Best Towns In The Northern United States For Retirees
Choosing a retirement spot in the Northern United States is more than just scanning price charts. You want a place where winter feels invigorating rather than isolating, where summer nights cool while you see friends, and where vital services remain close by. All across the United States, you will find towns full of charm and dependability. Yet, each town is unique, which means every town has a different appeal. They have varying weather and living costs, as well as diverse attractions. Doing a bit of research could help you find your perfect spot, be it near the calm waves of the ocean or with a mountain background. Read on to learn about the seven best towns in the Northern part of the United States for retirees.
Jamestown, North Dakota
Here in Jamestown, you will find a combination of nature and well-priced homes. First off, the housing prices are hard to beat, typically costing in the range of $205,000, an affordable price for both the area and all of North Dakota. Jamestown is also home to the Jamestown Regional Medical Center, and as a full-service hospital, you can expect dependable, quality care. But just in case you need some additional help, you have access to larger facilities in Fargo, which is about 90 minutes away by car.
Living here, there is no shortage of things to do, and if you are a fan of being outside, you can enjoy a walk or a bike ride at the Jamestown Reservoir. You could also go watch birds or paddle on the James River. But if you like the arts more, the Jamestown Arts Center has art shows and classes you can go to. The town is also home to landmarks to check out. Look for Frontier Village, a re-imagined settler's attraction, or the World's Largest Buffalo Monument, a statue standing 26 feet high that has grown into the town's best-known symbol.
Brainerd, Minnesota
With an abundance of nature at its doorstep and on the edge of the Mississippi River, Brainerd is a retirement town built for people who love the Great Outdoors. Even with all that grandeur of greenery, houses here average for $307,010, around $40,000 less than the state average. The town is home to Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center, a well-equipped regional hospital offering specific care and specialty services. This means you will not have to travel far for regular check-ups or emergencies. Want some company? 18 percent of the town's population is 65 and over, so you are going to find a like-minded community to jump into.
The town can also give you community events like Arts in the Park and the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza, while a four-season lifestyle lets retirees enjoy winter activities at Northland Arboretum. You can also visit places like Paul Bunyan Land, home to a massive talking statue and an assortment of attractions with a classic feel. There is also the historic Northern Pacific Center, an old railroad hub that is now filled with shops and events.
Keene, New Hampshire
Looking for the perfect little town in New England, you can't help but fall in love with? Keene is your answer. The town has an attractive charm to it, with beautiful brick buildings to check out and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for retirement. Healthcare is reliable and close, with Cheshire Medical Center offering all sorts of services for older adults. Also, the downtown is easy to walk in, with places to meet friends like the Toadstool Bookshop and Prime Roast Coffee. The Keene Senior Center is also a good option, offering ways to keep you active and make friends.
Compared to other places in New Hampshire, you’ll be able to grab an affordable home, since according to Zillow, houses here average at $341,684 compared to the state average of $504,017. There are lots of fun things to do, and the main charm of downtown Keene is Central Square, with its gorgeous gazebo and the nearby historic United Church. Or, for an active retiree, the Cheshire Rail Trail lends out long, peaceful paths that stretch into the countryside.
Spearfish, South Dakota
If you are looking for a mountaintown feel with big amenities close by, Spearfish can give you that. Here you can have that quiet Black Hills life, and Rapid City is only 50 minutes away. The town can also offer you local healthcare and an active senior community, with Monument Health Spearfish Hospital giving reliable care nearby. There is also the Spearfish Senior Center, which hosts fitness classes and social events that help older adults stay healthy and feel involved in daily town life.
Spearfish’s average house goes for $462,040, and with that price tag, you are rewarded with easy access to the Black Hills for outdoor recreation and an active local arts scene centered around places like Matthews Opera House. And there really is no shortage of ways to get outside and stay active. A peaceful creek cuts through Spearfish City Park, which has wide open green spaces and covered paths to walk. For a nice car ride, try the curvy Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. It takes you by high cliff walls and waterfalls, and is a nice way to spend a warm day outside in your favourite ride.
Marquette, Michigan
If lake life is for you, this town has Lake Superior in its backyard and represents the biggest town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. If you are eyeing up a retirement option and want healthcare as a priority, the primary health center in town is the UP Health System-Marquette, which is widely respected for its cardiovascular program. Or, if you believe learning is a lifelong journey, Northern Michigan University offers older adults a chance to keep learning through free or low-cost classes, along with lectures and local events open to the public.
If home costs are a big priority, here in town, the average home sells for around $324,000, around $40,000 less than the national average. Staying healthy is also important after retirement, so how about some hikes? Try out Presque Isle Park with its shoreline paths that straddle Lake Superior. There is also the nearby Iron Ore Heritage Trail, running through old mining country and quiet woods. If you are winding down your week, Blackrocks Brewery has a patio where you can sit in the shade and hear a few local stories over a cold drink.
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Surrounded by tall cliffs and forests, this location sits at the edge of the Driftless Area, by the Baraboo River. House prices have gone up in the last ten years, but still, the typical home goes for around $310,000, lower than the average cost in Wisconsin. Nearly one-fifth of all people living here are 65 years or older, creating a large retiree community to socialize with. Living here, there are quality hospitals to depend on, like SSM Health St. Clare Hospital, which provides compassionate care with modern facilities and personalized treatment. The town also offers quality senior living at places like Oak Park Place and Greenbriar Apartments, with independent and assisted care and affordable options for active retirees.
Speaking of staying active, the town sits right near the Baraboo Bluffs near Devil’s Lake State Park, and you can go out there to do some hiking through forests and paddle across quiet water before heading over to Balanced Rock and Devil’s Doorway. There is a lot to see and do in Baraboo, and you can find a unique history here. The Al Ringling Theatre is alive with performances that make evenings an one-of-a-kind experience, and the Circus World Museum in Baraboo displays an age-old connection with the Ringling Brothers, displaying how the past and present connect.
Battle Ground, Washington
While house prices are higher here in Battle Ground than in other towns on the list, it gives a beautiful retirement location at the edge of forested hills and open farmland. Homes here sell for around $618,300, staying right around the state average. Medical needs are covered by places like Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, located fifteen minutes southwest. The PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver is another option you can consider, and it can offer help for referrals and emergency care. In town, there is a community clinic called Battle Ground HealthCare, which helps adults with lower incomes get regular check-ups and assistance for ongoing health issues.
The town is also near a great place to try out if you want to head outdoors, called Battle Ground Lake State Park. Here, you will find a trail covered in trees that goes around a lake formed by a volcano. People can take dips in the summer or enjoy peaceful mornings at campsites under the cover of shade. Back in town, for a uniquely local event, visit the town in July to experience Harvest Days, as the town becomes full of life with a big celebration, with parades and live music.
If the north is on your mind once your working career has come to an end, retiring in the Northern United States means more than finding a quiet place to settle. It is about finding a combination of affordable housing, quality healthcare, and nature. Think calming lakes and forest paths right around the corner! Every town has its own kind of vibe, molded by the northern seasons. No matter which coast you may prefer, these towns will meet your needs and beyond.
