8 Under-The-Radar Retirement Towns In Illinois

With some of the finest museums in the country, four distinct seasons (and all the variety that brings), and sweeping prairie landscapes punctuated by forests, rivers, and woodlands, Illinois offers an appealing setting for both living and retirement. From the natural splendor of Shawnee National Forest to a central location that places much of the country within a single day’s drive, the state blends beauty with convenience in almost equal measure. For those seeking a rewarding place to spend their sunset years, Illinois also features several overlooked towns that pack tons of value. Rather than luxury enclaves, this article highlights Illinois towns where affordability and quality of life go hand in hand. Wondering where to begin? Starting with Alton, here are eight under-the-radar retirement towns in Illinois worth discovering.

Alton

Alton is an affordable choice for retirees, with a median home price of just $126,233 — less than half the statewide median. The town charms with its historic riverfront, a relaxed small-town atmosphere, and at least three unique museums. Among them, the American Oddities Museum stands out, showcasing dozens of exhibits on Alton’s history, from haunted objects and medical quackery to funeral artifacts and religious relics.

Alton Memorial Hospital has earned several prestigious awards, including the 2025 Outstanding Patient Experience Award from Healthgrades. Golf enthusiasts can choose between The Woodlands Golf Club & Banquet Facility, a scenic course winding along a rustic creek, or Spencer T. Olin Golf Course, the Metro East’s only Arnold Palmer-designed course. For theater lovers, the Alton Little Theater — founded during the Great Depression — holds the title of Illinois’ longest-running community theater.

Princeton

Princeton is known for its active community life, with a variety of local events and gatherings throughout the year that bring residents together and attract visitors. The annual Homestead Festival, for example, honors Rev. Owen Lovejoy, a close associate of Abraham Lincoln and a prominent abolitionist whose Princeton home served as a key gathering place for Underground Railroad activity. The festival features concerts, a parade, a pork chop barbecue, a car show, and a craft and vendor show.

Festival 56 offers a rich lineup of plays and musicals, spanning everything from Shakespeare classics to modern Broadway productions. If golfing is a must, Chapel Hill Golf Course and Events Center is a scenic 18-hole public course complete with a plantation-style clubhouse. And with Peoria just about an hour away, you’ll have easy access to an even broader array of cultural and recreational opportunities.

Ottawa

If looking for a place surrounded by amazing natural beauty and epic outdoor recreational opportunities, Ottawa provides an unmatched experience. Starved Rock State Park, the most visited state park in Illinois and the fourth-most visited in the entire country (according to Google Maps data), is just a hair out of town. People troop here to see beautiful waterfalls, awe-inspiring bluffs, and rugged canyons. There’s Buffalo Rock State Park as well, a cool place to hike and mingle with bison. It is also known for its large-scale earth art installations inspired by ancient Native American effigy traditions.

Not to be outdone, Matthiessen State Park has some of the best waterfalls in Illinois. VIP Roxy Cinemas is a popular local movie theater in downtown Ottawa showing current films, while Music in the Park, a highly anticipated summer event with toe-tapping music, is typically held in the historic Washington Square Park.

Pontiac

Known for its classic roadside Americana appeal, especially as a significant and popular stop on Historic Route 66, Pontiac also scores big on affordability. The median listing price of houses in Pontiac is $168,117, which is much better than the statewide median of $270,633. The Oaks at River's Edge, with its tree-lined holes and a full-service pro shop to service all kinds of gear needs, is among the best golf courses in Central Illinois. Another option is Wolf Creek Golf Club, loved for its relaxed setting and nice fairways.

Once in a while, a retiree can catch a killer show at the Eagle Performing Arts and Conference Center, peruse Route 66 memorabilia at the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum, or float down the Vermilion River. The best part is that a pensioner can enjoy additional cultural and academic opportunities at the nearby town of Normal, which is just 40 minutes down the road.

Taylorville

One of Taylorville’s most enticing retirement appeals is its location on Lake Taylorville, a glittering beauty with epic boating, fishing, and picnicking opportunities. It spans 1,200 acres and is just three miles south of Taylorville. If that’s not enough, Taylorville has another irresistible advantage: affordability. Houses fetch a median listing price of just $155,767.

Meanwhile, Lakeshore Golf Course is a well‑liked 18‑hole public golf course along Lake Taylorville that offers scenic views, a driving range, a clubhouse, and a pro shop. Taylorville Cinema is a great place to go for a movie, especially for its affordable ticket prices, while Taylorville Memorial Hospital (TMH), which recently received a prestigious four-star rating from the National Rural Rating System, offers immediate healthcare access. For perspective, TMH is the highest-rated hospital of any size in central Illinois. We should mention that Springfield, which serves as the state capital of Illinois, is just 30 minutes away.

Mendota

Mendota deserves the spotlight because of its proximity to Rockford, the fifth-most populous city in Illinois, with a population of about 150,000. So, while a retiree will bask in the small-town atmosphere, he or she will have quick access to all kinds of big-city amenities and cultural attractions. Lake Mendota Park is a clean and safe outdoor space where one can walk, run, ride a two-wheeler, study, relax, or just get some sun.

Lake Kakusha is a nice place to get away, soak in the countryside views, or kayak. Avid golfers have the Mendota Golf Course, which, according to the course's website, is an 18-hole, semi-private attraction that has been serving its members since 1928. Notable cultural attractions include the Union Depot Railroad Museum, which displays a full-size steam engine and other train-related paraphernalia, while Woodhaven Lakes, also in the vicinity, is a famous family-friendly camping destination with an abundance of activities, modern conveniences, and a strong sense of community.

La Salle

A median listing price of $154,466 will tempt any budget-minded retiree, and that is what La Salle offers; of course, in addition to other irresistible qualities. Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club, masterfully designed to utilize the area's natural beauty, features an 18-hole, 6,900-yard, par-72 championship golf course.

Its practice greens are particularly well-suited for working on your short game. Meanwhile, Stage 212 is a nice place to shift the day’s tempo, especially for its intimacy and excellent performances. Finally, from Buffalo Rock State Park to the nationally famous Starved Rock State Park, even an avid homebody will have every reason to go out and play in nature.

Olney

Olney is a small, neighborly town known regionally as “the home of the white squirrels.” Although there is a long-running association with white squirrels, who are featured on signs and murals around, Olney is also an excellent retirement pick. One of its defining appeals is affordability. This is because houses in Olney fetch a median listing price of just $139,967, a price point that is increasingly hard to come across.

Richland Country Club, a prominent 18-hole golf course just north of Olney, offers a scenic, challenging round, along with a driving range and clubhouse amenities. Outdoor lovers have Miller Grove Park, a serene natural setting with picturesque walking trails, native flora, and opportunities for wildlife viewing throughout the seasons. There’s Olney City Park, a beloved family-friendly destination where residents can spot the town's famous white squirrels and both Borah and East Fork Lake, which offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities.

So, if retirement is on the horizon and Illinois is on your radar, don't be tempted to exclusively focus on famous retirement destinations with a well-established reputation. They may not be on everyone's lips, but some under-the-radar towns offer a surprising range of advantages. Think of affordability, convenience, epic outdoor offerings, or even a mix of all of them.