8 Best Cities To Retire In Michigan

Plenty of research goes into retiring. It is more than simply retiring from your nine-to-five. It takes time, patience, and learning what you need for those years. Do you need a small-town vibe near a lake? Or perhaps you want to make sure you're in an area with great healthcare. Regardless of where you plan to retire, it goes without saying that it must be unique, comfortable, and have opportunities for you to continue thriving in a community. Therefore, in this article, we’ll look at eight of the best cities to retire in Michigan, covering all the criteria mentioned above.

Traverse City is the largest city in Northern Michigan. However, its population is only around 16,000, making it feel like a small lakeside town. Now, Traverse City is a stunning lakeside town on Grand Traverse Bay with beaches, wineries (such as Mari Vineyards), farmers' markets (like the seasonal Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market), and scenic hiking and biking trails on the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Considering it is on the bay, you have the option of boating as well. Although this is all fantastic, how good is it for seniors seeking retirement in the Traverse City community?

Retirement can mean many things to many people. For starters, retiring from your job means you have plenty of time to do the things you love, volunteer, or take up a new hobby. Luckily, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy offers volunteer opportunities for anyone looking to help protect the land, tend goats, or work in their greenhouse. It’s a great way to spend some time doing what you love. One thing you’ll find fascinating is that Traverse City has a seniors’ beach. It’s called Senior Center Beach, and it is a quiet beach on the West Grand Traverse Bay. It is conveniently located next to a senior center and is perfect for swimming or, if you prefer to stay on land, picnicking. And that’s just a snippet of what Traverse City has to offer.

Petoskey is a much smaller city than Traverse City, Michigan. It has a population of just under 6,000 with a serene waterfront (Bayfront Park), a historic Gaslight District with shops, outdoor recreation for those who wish to stay active, yearly festivals (like Sounds of Summer), and walking paths. Let’s take Bayfront Park as an example. It is a serene park located on the water, with over 25 acres for walking or biking. It also features sites such as the Central Promenade and Clocktower, a pavilion, a cooking area, and access to the Little Traverse Wheelway. From Bayfront Park, you also have access to Midway Commons, a pedestrian tunnel that connects to Downtown Petoskey's Gaslight District. It makes for a very walkable, enjoyable place to live.

According to the realtor Geno D'Angelo, the sense of community is immense, there are places to volunteer (like Little Traverse Bay Humane Society or Friendship Centers of Emmet County), and the healthcare for seniors is fantastic. Consider the healthcare system in the place you wish to retire. Petoskey Munson Healthcare provides comprehensive care, whether at home or in its hospitals. Overall, Petoskey seems like a good, well-rounded decision.

Saugatuck is a much smaller town with a population of slightly under 1,000. However, if you are looking for a quaint, artsy community with galleries, scenic Oval Beach, and frequent festivals and events (such as Venetian Fest in the summer), this is a town worth considering for retirement. Although the winters get cold, the undeniable beauty of such a place makes it magical. And there are plenty of activities to try during the winter for everyone, of all ages, older and younger. Rent a modern igloo for the winter at The Cottage at Wicks Park, or go snowshoeing at Saugatuck Dunes State Park. The activities never end, regardless of the season.

Now, when it comes to retirement, sometimes a quaint evening will suffice. Therefore, if you’re looking for a small town where you can get cozy by the fireplace during the winter and paint during the summer months, Saugatuck is that artsy town. If healthcare is a concern, nearby Holland has plenty of facilities to ease your mind. Speaking of Holland. Let's dig a little deeper into the city of Holland, Michigan, next.

As mentioned above, Holland is a much bigger city with a population of around 34,000 as of 2020. Therefore, if you decide to retire to Holland or a much smaller nearby town like Saugatuck, Holland is your go-to “big” city for medical services. Holland Hospital is one of the top hospital systems in the country. Ranked top-notch in value based on cost of care, patient fulfillment, and clinical outcomes. It has also received a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services every year since the rating system began in 2016, making it a fantastic option for anyone in retirement.

Apart from fantastic medical facilities, Holland has great appeal if you like beaches, such as Lake Michigan Beaches, flowers, especially tulips, since it hosts the annual Tulip Time Festival and Windmill Island Gardens. It makes it feel like you are actually in Holland (Europe). Not to mention, the setting is perfect for biking, hiking, golfing, fishing, and other water-sport activities when the weather allows.

Speaking of smaller towns with a European feel, Frankenmuth, Michigan, is home to roughly 5,000 residents. They call it “Little Bavaria” for good reason. Not only do some of the structures look like they were taken right out of Bavaria, Germany, but their festivals (which go on all year) always have a Bavarian flair to them. Such festivals include, Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival, Balloons Over Bavaria Inn, World Expo of Beer, and they dress for the occasion too. So get your lederhosen ready and let’s make some friends.

Frankenmuth, or Michigan overall, is very senior-friendly when it comes to social security benefits. The state does not tax retirement income and most inheritances. If you’re moving from an expensive state, such as California, you will be happy to learn that Frankenmuth’s cost of living is roughly nine percent lower than the national average.

As a larger city with a population of around 20,000, Marquette attracts those who love hiking, skiing, and kayaking on Lake Superior. Important factors to consider if you are thinking about retiring in Marqueete are the rental costs. The average apartment rental is around $1,000 per month, which is around 33 percent lower than the national average. Consider this a steal. The Marquette Senior Center provides excellent services, including a newsletter highlighting activities and events to stay active and social, in addition to their health services, social work services, and referral programs.

Apart from having good senior services and low rent, Marquette’s terrain offers year-round appeal. If you love winter, Marquette Mountain offers 120 acres and over 20 runs for skiing. In the fall, the brilliant colors make it a great way to explore, take pictures, or explore on foot. There’s also a warm and welcoming coffee shop in the Upper Peninsula called The Crib, where you can get a snack, a warm coffee, or a beer. Summertime goes without saying. It is a prime time when everything is open, and the city is ready for you to wine and dine outdoors.

Grand Haven is an appealing retirement town, famous for Grand Haven State Park, a lakeside park with beautiful soft sand, South Pier Lighthouse, and Downtown Grand Haven within walking distance. It’s a compact town where you can be and feel as independent as you would like. With a population of around 11,000, there are plenty of things to keep you and the entire community busy during your retirement years. Grand Haven is also considered a very safe, family-friendly place with a tight-knit community feel. Something to note is that even though the waterfront property is expensive, the cost of living is lower than the national average.

The town also hosts several community events and festivals to keep you entertained and make friends, such as the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.

A similar retirement setting is Ludington, Michigan, with its lakeshore living, Ludington State Park, Streams Park for sandy beaches, two lighthouses, the added bonus of golf courses (like Hemlock Golf Club), and sunset cruises on the SS Badger Ferry. The residential population is also much smaller than, say, Grand Haven, coming up below 8,000. The Ludington Area Senior Center offers several opportunities to socialize and stay active (sign up for the city’s newsletter for details) and assistance with Medicare options.

For quaint Michigan living, Ludington offers a quiet setting with four seasons of outdoor activities, making it a desirable place to retire for the outdoor enthusiast. And with Corewell Health facilities nearby, you can feel safe knowing your health needs will be met.

These are some of the best cities to retire to in Michigan. Each of the towns mentioned above has fewer than 50,000 residents. Some have unique aspects to consider when planning retirement, such as better hospitals or a lower standard of living compared to the rest of the country, while others have lower rent prices. However, the personal choice depends on your individual needs. Although there is much more to be said about each city, the starting point is here. Dive in, learn all you can, and make it work for you.