8 Top-Ranked Towns in Nebraska for Retirees
While Nebraska is not the most tax-friendly state and boasts one of the highest property taxes in America, you will never meet nicer folks. When one is feeling under the weather, a pot of soup from a thoughtful neighbor is not just possible but likely. Plus, you will love the clean dry air after a rain storm, the wide open skies, and the spectacle of a thunderhead building. Also, homes in Nebraska come with a much lower price tag, especially when compared to many other states — not just Massachusetts. If sold, discover eight top-ranked towns in Nebraska for retirees.
Milford
Sweet, calm, and small, Milford is in southeastern Nebraska and boasts a population of just about 2,200. Because it is conveniently close to Interstate 80, a major east-west interstate corridor, a retiree in Milford has quick access to both Omaha and Lincoln. An empty nester’s shopping needs will be met by Main Street Market and other venues. For more variety, Lincoln is only 20 miles away. Being Nebraska’s state capital, you will find a delightful array of amenities. But you may not even need to travel to Lincoln. Seward, which is just a 15-minute drive, will provide almost everything a retiree needs. It also hosts the highly-rated Memorial Hospital. Once in a while, you will want to relax in a rustic cabin at the West Fork Acres, and let the cares of everyday life melt away. As occasion permits, a brisk walk at the Blue River State Recreation Area will come in handy.
Plus, Lincoln is a proud host of the Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association, the official association that represents the state's rich wine heritage. A glass of fine wine here can lift the mood and make one look to the future with hope and optimism. According to the latest data from realtor.com, Milford’s median home listing price is $295,000, which is relatively affordable. Also, while the town’s median age is 31, about 15% of resident are aged 65 and above.
Kearney
Kearney is small but always vibrant and lively. It is home to about 34,000 residents. A retiree will enjoy Kearney’s array of amenities, including a broad range of shopping venues. Hilltop Mall, for example, hosts a delightful range of big box and locally owned businesses and is the town’s ultimate shopping destination. Plus, Kearney boasts the lowest property tax levy among first-class cities in Nebraska. And while homes in Kearney are listed for a median price of $349,900, they are sold for a more affordable median price of $233,000. Kearney also hosts UNK - University of Nebraska, making it ideal for retirees who want to settle in an academic environment. Regarding outdoor fun and adventure, retirees will be spoilt for choice.
The town’s outdoor offerings include the spellbinding Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, which hosts eight sandpit lakes; Cottonmill Park, an excellent swimming and biking venue, and Iain Nicolson Audubon Center, where the Platte River meanders through. Concerning healthcare access, Kearney Regional Medical Center is a two-time, back-to-back recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award.
Holdrege
Because of its sparse, suburban feel, amazing, small-town community, and slow, unhurried pace, Holdrege earns a spot among the top-ranked towns in Nebraska for retirees. To outdoor enthusiasts, the gorgeous North Park Lake has plenty of grass to lounge on, paved paths (ideal for early-morning strolls), and a nice, glittering lake.
Moreover, the Nebraska Prairie Museum houses a wide range of unique, fascinating exhibits, some of which are difficult to find anywhere else in the state. In case of a medical emergency, Phelps Memorial Health Center boasts a recommendation rate of 82% — 12% higher than the national average. In addition, a retiree in Holdrege can own a home on the cheap, especially since homes in the town boast a median listing price of $306,000 but a median selling price of just $220,000.
Papillion
Papillon is a suburb of Omaha, which is just a 20-minute drive away. Whether one is interested in dining, fashion, or groceries, Shadow Lake Towne Center will come in handy. This massive mall boasts more than 70 merchants and is the premier shopping destination in the state. To appreciate nature, the Chalco Hills Recreation Area, a birder’s paradise, is just a 10-minute drive. The adjoining Wehrspann Lake is scenic and provides more opportunities for outdoor fun and adventure.
With a median age of 40, which is calm but lively, and a demographic where those aged 65 and above comprise 16% of the population, Papillon’s social scene will meet the needs of most retirees. Considering what Papillion offers, a median home listing price of $460,300 is good value.
McCook
Because it is small, intimate, and affordable (homes fetch a median listing price of just $159,000) — McCook will plant a smile on a retiree’s face. It hosts about 7,200 residents and reclines on the Republican River, about 15 miles north of the Kansas state line. McCook is named for a Brigadier General who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. A retiree will want to give the wind their cares, and enjoy a fun, mood-lifting movie at Carver Cinemas once in a while.
Alternatively, discover the artist inside at the 6th Floor Project, located on the sixth floor of the town’s tallest building, the century-old Keystone Building. Plus, the Museum of the High Plains houses interesting WWII exhibits, antique cars, and unique Native American artifacts, and will be fun to explore as occasion permits. Concerning healthcare access, Community Hospital is right in town while the Tri Valley Health System is next door in Cambridge. Finally, the town’s median age is 41, and residents aged 65 and above comprise 21% of the town’s population.
Gretna
Located just 21 miles from downtown Omaha, Gretna is a rapidly growing small town that has almost everything retirees desire. Platte River is in the backyard while Gretna Crossing Park boasts an 18-hole Disc golf course, fishing pond, and biking trails. Vala's Pumpkin Patch, one of the largest fall festivals in the country, enlivens the town every September through October and is something residents always look forward to.
Since one can get to Omaha in minutes, a Gretna retiree does not need to worry about healthcare access, the availability of grocery stores (Nebraska Crossing is a heartbeat away), or the presence of entertainment spots. The median listing home price in Gretna is $433,500. However, the town’s median selling price is way lower — about $396,800. On the social front, expect to roll with a younger crowd here. Gretna’s median age is 35. That said, a retiree will still find folks in the same age bracket since residents aged 65 and above comprise almost 10% of the town’s population.
David City
David City Golf Course, where a retiree will enjoy teeing away a slow evening, features eastern Nebraska's only island tee box. But there is much more to David City. A good read at the Hruska Memorial Public Library, a good movie at the 135-year-old Thorpe Opera House, and an occasional delicious brunch at the El Centenario, — are features that can captivate most retirees. And that is without mentioning the Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art, the only one of its kind in the United States dedicated exclusively to the art of the land.
Butler County Health Care Center is a proud 2022 recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award. The latest data from realtor.com — December 2023 — shows that homes in David City are listed for a median price of just $179,000. And while the town’s median age is 36, residents aged 65 and above comprise 20% of the town’s population. This means one will find peers in the same age bracket with whom to share some of life’s sweet fragrance and charm.
Seward
With its quaint, historic downtown, the picturesque, 7-mile away Junto Wine, and a Lutheran University that is more than a century old, retirement in Seward is like a renewal of life. And Bottle Rocket Brewing Co., with its delicious craft beers, can make an ordinary gait transform into one that is sprightly and animated. The Nebraska National Guard Museum, which celebrates the heritage of the Nebraska National Guard since its founding in 1854, can soon be a frequented spot, especially if a retiree has an interest in military history.
If worried about healthcare access, the highly-rated Memorial Hospital is right in town and will meet most of your medical needs. However, for more options, Lincoln is a convenient 25 miles down the road. While Seward’s median age is 30, residents aged 65 and above comprise 18% of its population.
There is much to love about retirement just as there is much to love about Nebraska. Though it has its downsides like every other state, the sunny faces, the wide-open skies, and the affordability of homes — are almost unmatched. While several Nebraska towns will captivate a retiree, Milford, Seward, and Kearney are among the state’s top-rated towns for retirement. Kearney is particularly an excellent option as it boasts one of the lowest property tax levies among first-class cities in Nebraska.
