7 Charming Iowa Communities To Retire Around Des Moines
Iowa has long been praised as an ideal retirement spot, especially in terms of cost of living. All of these cities are within a two-hour drive from Des Moines, offering retirees the accessibility of a major airport, with the charm and community associated with smaller towns. Iowa is a great place for those who don’t need to dub themselves as snowbirds, after all, who doesn’t love a snow-filled holiday season! These seven retirement towns offer the best Iowa has to offer with a low cost of living, amazing medical care, and loads of activities, see for yourself!
Iowa City
Iowa City is a vibrant college town, home to the University of Iowa. Go Hawkeyes! Filled with youth and buzzing with activities, Iowa City is a great place to retire. By nature of it being a college town, Iowa City has an amazing museum and art culture. Retirees can enjoy The Old Capitol Museum and The Stanley Museum of Art free of charge!
Iowa City is also home to four major hospitals, including the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center. The accessibility to amazing medical care makes Iowa City a practical and convenient option for retirees. The median home cost in Iowa is $300k, so it sits on the higher end of small, midwest towns, but with the higher ticket price, comes fantastic access to amenities like the Pleasant Valley Golf Course and The Englert Theatre!
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is much smaller than Iowa City, boasting a population of roughly 5,000 people. This small town is located about 2 hours east of Des Moines and is home to Cornell College.
There are also several retirement communities located within Mount Vernon. A few favorites are Cherry Ridge and Hallmark Care Center. Just a short distance from the retirement communities sits MercyCare Mount Vernon for all of your medical needs. There is also no shortage of things to do in this naturally beautiful town. Take a stroll through Memorial Park or grab a workout class at the newly renovated Lester Buresh Center. Your visitors will love taking a stroll down 1st Street to enjoy a coffee from Fuel.
North Liberty
North Liberty is located about an hour and forty minutes due east of Des Moines. It's home to a stunning landscape with features like Sugar Bottom Campground Beach, The Macbride Nature Recreation Area, and Lake Mcbride. This accessibility to nature makes North Liberty a perfect spot for retirees who love the outdoors!
This is also the perfect spot to retire for foodies! There are loads of options in the downtown area; try Rusciano’s Authentic Taste of Napoli for a date night, and Bobbers Grill (located along the waterfront!) for something a bit more casual. In terms of medical care, University of Iowa has an outpost downtown in the form of Medical Center North Liberty.
Ankeny
Ankeny is an affordable suburb located just north of Des Moines. This is the perfect spot for folks who aren’t ready to let go of proximity to a big city. Ankeny’s average home price is $285k, making it a bit more affordable than Iowa City, and significantly more affordable than Des Moines.
Because it is so close to Des Moines, Ankeny has a bit of everything. If you’re an art buff, head to Ankeny Art Center; they even offer adult classes and pottery workshops! In the summer, Otter Creek Golf Course is a great spot to spend an afternoon. You could also lounge poolside at the Cascade Falls Aquatic Center, where those who are over 60 receive a 40% discount. Is there a better way to spend retirement?
Clear Lake
If you’re trying to avoid suburbia altogether, drive about an hour and forty minutes due north of Des Moines to Clear Lake. Clear Lake is a town of just 7,000. It has a small, local airport, and it sits on the eastern edge of its namesake. This colorful, lakeside village has an average property value of $230k, making it an affordable option for retirees.
Clear Lake is ideal for those who love to fish; the lake itself is 3,684 acres! It also offers lots of swimming and sailing opportunities. Check-in with The Clear Lake Yacht Club for organized events on the water. For a touch of nostalgia, book tickets at the Lake theatre on 4th Street! This theater has been a staple downtown since its inception as an Opera House in the 1890s.
Fairfield
Fairfield is just under two hours from Des Moines. The town is super affordable, with a median home price of $185k. This quaint stronghold is ideal for folks who imagine a life of privacy. Home to just 9,000 people and set in a rural area, Fairfield is quite secluded.
Despite its privacy, Fairfield certainly doesn’t lack in amenities! Its major hospital is one of the University of Iowa’s branches, the Jefferson County Health Center, located on South Main Street. There are also plenty of ways to spend your days in retired bliss! Golf enthusiasts can head to Walton Club or Fairfield Golf & Country Club. If you love the outdoors but aren’t a big golfer, take your furry friend to Jefferson County Park or enjoy a hike along the Fairfield Loop Trail. There are loads of shops and restaurants in the historic downtown area; stop for a sweet treat from SCREAM Ice Cream Shop on South Main Street!
Indianola
Less than 30 minutes south of Des Moines, sits Indianola, Iowa. Indianola is famous for its colorful, hot air balloon display at the National Balloon Classic held at Memorial Balloon Field. This is just one event of many that the town holds on an annual basis. This constant churn of activity makes it a great spot for retirees!
Take a walk through the Buxton Park Arboretum or Lake Ahquabi State Park and enjoy the natural landscape on a sunny afternoon. You can also spend your afternoons indoors at places like the Blank Performing Arts Center located on the Simpson College campus. There are several retirement communities located in Indianola, like Vintage Hills, Connect 55, and The Village. They each offer their own world-class amenities, including a beauty salon, movie theatre, gym, and billiards room, to name a few!
Hopefully, this list shows you that Florida isn’t the only feasible option for retirement! Iowa is an amazing contender as a spot to retire, especially for folks who want to remain in the Midwest. Offering a more affordable lifestyle, privacy, loads of outdoor activities, and that small-town feel, these seven towns are a retiree’s dream. Being in a storybook town doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice amenities either. Each of these areas also has a robust medical center and large, thriving communities of 55+. Forget Florida, head to Fairfield!
