8 Best Towns In Illinois For Retirees
Retirement in Illinois rewards people who want their days full without their budgets stretched. These nine towns keep housing cheap and everyday life within a short walk or drive. In Moline, you can spend a morning boating out of Marquis Harbor on the Mississippi. Pekin opens more than 2,000 acres of park trails to walkers and horseback riders. Carbondale sends retirees out to the vineyards of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Sparta keeps its cost of living low and its crime rate well below the national average. Each town backs that easy pace with hospitals and senior care close to home.
Carbondale
With a blend of affordability, culture, and scenic views, Carbondale is easily a favorite among retirees. Home prices here sit among the most affordable in the region, with a recent median sale price around $130,000. Carbondale has a population of just over 22,000 and offers big-city amenities without the overcrowding. There are also plenty of activities for retirees who love the outdoors, including Cedar Lake, which is just five minutes outside of town, with close access to kayaking, fishing, and canoeing. Take part in the town's history at the R. Buckminster Fuller Dome Home, or enjoy a day at one of the many vineyards on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
The Prairie Living at Chautauqua is a retirement community that provides senior care and an active social calendar. The newly renovated Memorial Hospital of Carbondale includes an ER, the SIH Prairie Heart Institute, and the region's only Primary Stroke Center.
Moline
Set between the Mississippi River and Rock River, 43,483 people call Moline home. It's on the more affordable side for retirees, with a median home sale price of nearly $171,400. Moline sits right on the water and serves as the headquarters for John Deere, so outdoor options run deep. You can go boating in Marquis Harbor, the town's sole marina, spend a day at the docks at Sylvan Slough, or launch a boat and fish at Harold's Landing.
Get a taste of culture with a show at Vibrant Arena or a walk through the historic downtown district, filled with architecture in styles including Art Deco, Beaux-Arts, Classical Revival, and Italian Renaissance.
Moline also has the full-service UnityPoint Health - Trinity Moline Hospital for emergencies, imaging needs, outpatient labs, and surgery.
Sparta
Sparta is a top spot for retirees for several reasons, including its walker-friendly sidewalks, welcoming community, and local shops for antiquing. The town's low cost of living is also an appealing factor, and the median home sale price is just under $105,000. Its population is 4,068, and the crime rate is 55% below the national average, so retirees can feel safe and comfortable meeting others without large crowds.
The outdoors are easy to reach here, with picnics and birdwatching at Baldwin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, plus nearby walking trails, parks, and lakes for fishing.
A notable assisted living center is Addington Place of Sparta, which specializes in memory and cognitive health care. Sparta Community Hospital is within city limits and provides emergency and acute treatment.
Belleville
There is something new for retirees to explore in Belleville each day, making it an exciting and pleasant place to settle in. On an easy walk down Main Street, you'll find spots like Abe's Gourmet Popcorn, Belleville Books, and Eckert's Florist. Visiting family members can take in Belleville's culture at the Art on the Square show each May. The town also has a strong outdoor scene for retirees seeking relaxing retreats. Big Tree Register holds four state champion trees, and dogs are welcome to play at Rotary Dog Park.
When it comes to affordability and size, Belleville's median home sale price is $154,574, and its population is 41,370. Retirees also have close access to healthcare at Memorial Hospital Belleville, the largest advanced care provider in the region.
Creve Coeur
Five miles south of Peoria, with a population of 5,000, Creve Coeur suits retirees who want small-town living with metro conveniences close by. Fort Creve Coeur Park provides quiet time in nature, with spaces for picnicking, hiking, and even an herb garden. Native prairie plants grow along the preserve, and the Creve Coeur Disc Golf Course offers a fun day out nearby.
Delmar Gardens is an independent and assisted living center that encourages seniors to bring their own personal flair to their residence. Community is celebrated with meals, fitness classes, and special events. Shopping, art galleries, and churches are also conveniently nearby for days out on the town.
Creve Coeur's median home sale price is just under $144,000, and the town is a short drive from top-rated medical care in Peoria.
Carterville
Carterville offers a blend of retreat and activity for retirees to enjoy each day. You can spend a day at one of 29 wineries within a one-hour drive, or at one of three lakes in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.
Local assisted living center Villas of Holly Brook Herrin encourages residents to make the most of their days with a walk, time with friends, and a game room, all with help from onsite staff when needed.
The town's median home price is $222,417, and its population is 5,831. Expenses like transportation and groceries run on the lower end, as Carterville's cost of living is 17.1% below Illinois' average.
Mt. Morris
Nicknamed "My Town," Mt. Morris welcomes people from all walks of life to make their home there, particularly seniors. The Mt. Morris Senior and Community Center provides events, trips, and activities, like a walk and stretch class, to keep seniors moving. It also offers an Alzheimer's support group and a food pantry.
Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to like in the three nearby state parks and along the Rock River, which turns especially colorful during the autumn months. Take in a touch of history with a view of the oldest tree in the state at Nachusa Grasslands, a Nature Conservancy site about 16 miles away. (You may even spot a bison.) A local art gallery, theater, and museum round out Mt. Morris' arts and culture scene.
Considering Mt. Morris' livability, the median home sale price is about $122,000, well below the state average, and the population is 2,726.
Pekin
The Marigold Capital of the World, views of the Illinois River, and one of the largest park districts in the state are a few of the reasons more retirees are choosing Pekin. The nearly 31,250 people who live here enjoy golf, fishing, and homegrown shops like Kountry Nook. For retirees, there are 2,277 acres of parkland for light walking, biking, and even horseback riding.
Events like the Pekin Main Street Super Cruise for antique car buffs and the Pekin Park Concert Band add a dash of excitement. Pekin's cost of living is worth noting, as its median home sale price is $142,914.
Towns That Make You Feel At Home
These nine towns share a simple promise for retirees: affordable homes, senior-friendly services, and easy ways to fill a day. A morning can mean boating on the Mississippi at Moline or a walk through the park trails of Pekin. An afternoon might bring wine on the Shawnee Hills trail near Carbondale or antiquing along Sparta's quiet streets. Each place keeps healthcare close and neighbors friendly, which is what turns a town into a home.
