7 Cost-Effective Retirement Towns In Ohio

Ohio is underrated as a top destination for an enjoyable, varied retirement, and the following Ohio towns are among the most cost-effective and full of activities for older adults. They all share affordability, small-town vibes, proximity to larger cities, and a mix of historical buildings and modern amenities. Residents of Orville can breathe in the scent of flowers and herbs while walking through Lavender Trails; Ashtabulans can join friends for a glass of wine at Lago Cellars; and Piqua residents can experience the rare occurrence of an escort through a historic canal on a mule. Most importantly, the spots on this list offer recreational opportunities and excursions to make retirement an adventurous and relaxing time of life.

Orville

Orville is famous for being the home of the J.M. Smucker Co., the jelly, jam, and peanut butter company. The retail store there sells all of the company’s many food products as well as branded souvenirs. But Orville is also a great town for seniors because of its relative affordability. Average home values here are consistent with the median state average of $240,000. Its location near Ohio’s Amish Country also brings a simpler, slower pace of life.

On July days, take a walk through the flowers at Lavender Trails, a one-mile trail through gardens of different colors and species of the fragrant flower. The Trails have become a haven for pollinators, and farm tours are also available. Orr Park offers 40 acres of sports fields, an outdoor swimming pool and splash pad, tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, and a performing arts pavilion. For train buffs, the Orrville Railroad Heritage Society offers events in the restored Orrville Union Depot Museum as well as train rides.

Sandusky

Sandusky is an hour west of Cleveland, along the coast of Lake Erie. With a median home value of $146,000, the small city, which has a population of 24,748, is very affordable for seniors on a budget. Most people don’t realize that Ohio has beaches along the lake, including Lions Park Beach, which also allows fishing, and offers playground equipment, basketball courts, and access to the Sandusky Bay Pathway, a project in progress that will create a continuous waterfront trail connecting destinations along the city’s shoreline.

In summer months, escape the city altogether and take a ferry to Kelleys Island, or go international to Pelee Island in Canada. The Maritime Museum of Sandusky provides an overview of the city’s past, its importance to passenger boats and commercial fishing, and its role as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Meanwhile, Firelands Winery is an excellent spot to wind down after a day exploring the lake’s activities.

Ashtabula

Speaking of wine, Ashtabula is located in the heart of Ohio’s wine country on Lake Erie. Retirees can spend some time sampling sustainably crafted glasses of riesling and chardonnay at Lago Cellars winery. After a few glasses, head over to Historic Bridge Street for shopping, restaurants, and art galleries.

Don’t miss the Hubbard House Underground Railroad Museum, which houses artifacts and information about the home and its original owner’s contributions to helping enslaved people find safe housing in free cities. For golf lovers, the Harbor Golf Club offers 18 holes and a driving range with four practice tees. Best of all, Ashtabula’s median home value is only $148,000.

Steubenville

Across the river from West Virginia, and only 30 minutes from Pittsburgh, is Steubenville, with a median home value of $126,500. The town is best known for being the hometown of actor and crooner Dean Martin. Every year, the city holds its Dean Martin Hometown Festival to pay homage to the famed member of the Rat Pack. The city’s location on the Ohio River also makes it an ideal place for outdoor recreation, such as boating and fishing.

Historic Fort Steuben is a reconstruction of the original military fort built in 1786 to protect surveyors mapping out the Northwest Territory. Now it’s a museum and a summer concert venue. Beatty Park is a peaceful hiking and bird-watching spot with sports fields, as well as basketball and tennis courts, a playground, and picnic tables. During the winter holidays, the city erects the world’s largest collection of life-size nutcrackers throughout downtown. The display, known as the Steubenville Nutcracker Village, includes more than 200 of the hand-carved sculptures.

Piqua

With a median home value of $175,000 and riverfront views, Western Ohio’s Piqua is a small town with an abundance of activities for retirees. Stroll Lock Nine Riverfront Park along the Great Miami River, or attend a concert at the park’s Treviño Performance Pavilion. The park is also in a designated DORA district, which means you can sip a glass of wine while you enjoy the music.

The Pitsenbarger Sports Complex is 67 acres of sports fields, pickleball and tennis courts, a playground, picnic shelters, a walking path, and more. For a more structured afternoon, head out for 18 holes at Echo Hills Golf Course, which has earned a 4-star rating by Golf Digest. In Piqua, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures. Want to ride a mule-drawn canal boat? You're in luck. The Johnston Farm & Indian Agency, located north of downtown, is a preserved 1811 farmhouse that offers seasonal rides along a reconstructed section of the Miami and Erie Canal.

Niles

The city’s greatest claim to fame is probably that it is the birthplace of President William McKinley. Niles celebrates this fact with the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Museum, dedicated to the 25th president, who was assassinated while in office. The memorial monument houses a library in addition to the museum. In the summer months, catch a minor league baseball game with The Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Eastwood Field.

The median home value in Niles is $128,000, and the city is part of the SCOPE (Senior Citizens Opportunity for Personal Endeavor) network in Trumbull County. The Niles Senior Center offers classes in everything from square dancing to computer assistance, Zumba, and everything in between for people older than 50. For shopping and dining, spend a day at Eastwood Mall, with its large selection of national chain stores and restaurants, as well as an aquarium in the middle of the mall with live sharks and saltwater fish.

Barnesville

Barnesville offers the epitome of small-town living, with a population of about 4,000 and a median home value of $144,000. The town is perhaps best known for its annual Pumpkin Festival in the fall, which draws thousands to the area over a four-day period. Each year, a “King” pumpkin is crowned for its size. The city’s history is on display at the Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum, which was completed in 1893 with 26 rooms. Today, it is used for silent movie screenings, special occasions, and high teas.

The Watt Center for History and the Arts was once the office building for the Watt Car and Wheel Company. It now features exhibits on the town’s coal-car wheel history, as well as its industry and agriculture. Barnesville Memorial Park is the place to while away summer days at the pool, take a walk on its walking trails, camp out in a cabin, or fish in its 12-acre lake.

Settling in one of Ohio’s retirement towns for life’s golden years is a wise decision. Each small city on this list offers enjoyment at an affordable price. From relaxing on the waterfront or on the green in Ashtabula to taking a class at the Senior Center in Niles or playing pickleball in Piqua, there are numerous opportunities throughout the state to stay active and engaged during retirement.