9 Best Towns In Ohio For Retirees
While already being in the upper half of affordable states in the country, several communities throughout Ohio separate themselves even further. Steubenville, for example, is home to the Trinity Medical Center West as well as the annual Dean Martin Festival. Similarly, Ashtabula is home to the Ashtabula Regional Medical Center and sits in proximity to over 20 wineries in the area. These 9 towns below are considered the most senior-friendly places in Ohio, determined on the basis of affordability, accessibility, and available amenities.
Steubenville
In the eastern portion of Ohio, right on the Ohio River and conveniently only 35 miles from Pittsburgh, Steubenville is an attractive destination for many seniors considering an affordable phase of their golden years. The town has a lot of history, including being the home of Dean Martin in his childhood years, leading to an annual Dean Martin Festival in June. The Franciscan University here in town also offers educational and entertainment opportunities for retirees to stay active and involved in the community. Perhaps one of the most interesting considerations for life in Steubenville is its historical value, particularly Fort Steuben, which is a reconstructed military fort that existed here in the 1780s, including many events detailing its unique history and placement in American history.
The Trinity Medical Center West operates here in Steubenville with emergency, oncology, surgical, and other specialties for seniors to have a comfortable and reliable health care provider nearby. Laurels of Steubenville remains one of the top destinations for nursing care when such help is required for retirees. Those looking to purchase a home instead will find that with the cost of living being 19% less than the national average and with home values less than the state median, this is a favorable place to do so.
Portsmouth
Another stop that also sits on the Ohio River is Portsmouth. Many people find this community first because of the famous Portsmouth Floodwall Murals, stretching 2,000 feet and detailing the history of the town in striking detail. Accompanied by well-maintained walking trails, it becomes a regular attraction for active seniors.
One of the things that makes Portsmouth such a value is its being the gateway to the Shawnee State Forest and its 63,000 acres of Appalachian trails, walking paths, and wildlife. It is worth noting that the Southern Ohio Medical Center is here in town, and the Riverview Retirement Center is available for residents to improve the quality of senior life.
Ashtabula
One of the advantages for seniors looking at Ashtabula is its placement along Lake Erie. This makes it one of the best backdrops in a natural sense throughout the state, while maintaining a very strong affordability for retirees considering it. The Harbor District here has many things worth exploring, such as a walkable strip of restaurants and galleries overlooking the lake, one of the most popular being the Bridge St. Galley with its breakfast bagels and hearty lunch sandwiches. Active seniors looking to appreciate the fruits of fertile soil will enjoy the Ohio Wine Country, which links over 20 wineries along the lake's perimeter.
Affordability remains the most attractive feature of this lakeside community, with the cost of living here sitting roughly 11% under the national average. With the Ashtabula Regional Medical Center here for emergency and specialty care, as well as senior living communities in places like Willowbrook Apartments, the cost of living is even more reasonable. Those looking for homes on the market will find values here at around $151,000, under the state median as well, helping fixed incomes and savings stretch further.
Tiffin
Tiffin is a lively and unique destination for senior living, predominantly due to its being the home of two different schools, Heidelberg University and Tiffin University, both of which offer entertainment, lectures, and art galleries open to the public. The Seneca County Museum offers another perspective on the history of Tiffin from its glassmaking and manufacturing roots. Nature is also a draw to Tiffin, which is why so many find it in the first place. Paddling and fishing along the Sandusky River is fun for the whole family and offers scenic views and opportunities to view wildlife here in a way few get to do.
The cost of living is reasonable for seniors at 19% under the national median, and the home values, according to Zillow, are around $187,000. Combined with Mercy Health right in town for emergency and surgical care and senior living communities like The Willows at Tiffin accessible, the town is among the most connected and affordable in North-Central Ohio.
Marion
The town of Marion is one of the more connected destinations in central Ohio, positioned between Columbus and Mansfield, so seniors choosing this city find affordable living with access to some of the best medical care and amenities in the state capital. The city is not tiny, allowing it to be rather connected itself, including the former residence of President Warren G. Harding, and a National Historic landmark of the Victorian house serving as the original campaign spot, the Harding Home Presidential Site. Another unique and quirky historical site is the Wyandot Popcorn Museum at Heritage Hall, which features a massive collection of popcorn wagons, including some of the original units that toured with the Ringling Bros. circus.
There is a lot here in the city to keep seniors connected, active, and achieving the highest quality of life possible, starting with the Marion Tallgrass Trail. Affordability is also part of improving the quality of life, with the cost of living estimated at 11% under the national average and home values set at around $169,000. Marion General Hospital is a full-service location, though much more specialized care is available only 45 miles south in Columbus. For those looking for assisted living communities, the Primrose Retirement Community is among the favored locations of the region.
Defiance
Up to the northwest portion of Ohio, one can find Defiance well placed in the corner of the state between Indiana and Michigan. The community is ideal for seniors looking for amenities to accompany affordable living, and natural attractions like the Maumee River’s walleye fishing are a great example of the slower pace expected in Defiance. The city is home to Defiance College, which offers regular programming for the public ranging from lectures to theater productions, allowing retirees to stay out and active. Perhaps one of the most heavily visited spots in the municipality is the Fort Defiance Park, where this fort once existed during the Northwest Indian War, a place for walking exploration and immersion into history for all ages.
Healthcare is conveniently located here in Defiance with the ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital’s emergency, surgical, and specialty care. The community is even home to a few different assisted living communities, led by Legacy Living. In addition to being well-connected, Defiance is affordable. The cost of living sits 12% less than the national average, and the typical home value is roughly $211,000
Zanesville
Many people around the world know Zanesville as a city that has a Y-shaped bridge, naturally known as the Y-Bridge, which is one of the only of its kind across the world. Even more history about the city and the famous National Road passing through it is always on display at the National Road-Zane Grey Museum, which also chronicles the life of famous novelist Zane Grey, born in the area. One final historical and cultural center worth exploring for seniors staying active in retirement here is the Zanesville Museum of Art, pulling several types of art and crafts together across generations of creators, ideal for an afternoon with the grandkids.
For its position, a reasonable drive from Columbus and Wheeling, WV, Zanesville provides a convenient middle position along Interstate 70 that remains very affordable despite amenities like the Genesis HealthCare System facilities that are nationally recognized for their cardiovascular care. The Zanesville branch of the Primrose Retirement Community is one of the top assisted living stops here, adding another layer of quality for senior life. For those buying a house, home values here are around $199,000, and the cost of living is 16% under the national median.
Chillicothe
One of the interesting things about Chillicothe is that it was Ohio's first capital city, and you can still see that in the architecture here, and how the entire community still exists much like that earliest iteration. Learning more about this exciting period in the city’s history and the Native American culture here before settlers arrived is something seniors can do any time they wish at the Ross County Historical Society. One of the biggest draws for tourists and active seniors looking to get out regularly is the Mound City at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, preserving over 20 Hopewell burial grounds nearby. Another bit of tradition and heritage here is the production of Tecumseh!, which happens at the Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre and has for the last 50 years, depicting the life of the famous Shawnee leader.
Affording life in Chillicothe is easier than in most places in Ohio, with the cost of living being an estimated 17% under the national average, and even the average home values sitting below $200,000. Combined with the amenities like Adena Regional Medical Center’s full-service offerings for the city and senior-specific communities like Traditions of Chillicothe, fixed incomes and savings can stretch.
Findlay
Findlay is also one of the towns on the Blanchard River, and the Riverside Park in town follows the curvature of this waterway, allowing for even more fishing access and serene landscapes. The city of more than 40,000 is youthful and energetic thanks to the University of Findlay, which also has plenty of programming to keep a schedule full for retirees living in the community as well.
Affordable living is possible even with the size of this city, which is a perk in itself. Its size allows for full-service medical care with cardiac, orthopedic, and even cancer services through the Blanchard Valley Health System. Primrose Retirement Community of Findlay is a comprehensive assisted living facility for seniors requiring help as they age. For those looking for a permanent property, home values here sit on par with the state average, which pairs nicely with the cost of living being 11% under the national median.
Ohio does a lot to help seniors live comfortably through retirement years, from not taxing Social Security benefits to offering some exemptions on the taxable values of homes based on eligibility. However, these 9 towns, like Steubenville, sitting so close to Pittsburgh, offer a connection to go right along with that affordability. Retiring in Ohio gets easier when the cost is lower, the quality is higher, and there are multiple options to choose from.
