The serene town of Marinette, Wisconsin. Image credit: 6428W Digital Art / Shutterstock.com.

9 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire In Wisconsin

Failing to plan for your retirement is a recipe for disaster in your sunset years, and one of the most critical steps you can take before calling time on your career is finding a nice area to settle down. With dwindling financial resources, pensioners will be wise to search for a small rural town with a close-knit community and an affordable cost of living. Fortunately, Wisconsin provides a selection of adorable small towns that fit the specifications almost perfectly in the vicinity of larger enclaves like Madison.

From lakeside enclaves to riverside villages, these low-key locations charm senior citizens with their natural beauty, friendly atmosphere, and availability of crucial social and health facilities. Whether you plan to maintain an active lifestyle in the vast outdoor spaces of Waupun or sail to your golden years along the tranquil lakeshore of Algoma, here are some of the best small towns to retire in Wisconsin.

Waupun

Exterior of the historic Waupun Carnegie Library in Waupun, Wisconsin
Exterior of the historic Waupun Carnegie Library in Waupun, Wisconsin. Image credit: Eddie J. Rodriquez / Shutterstock.com.

Waupun is a quiet community in southeastern Wisconsin, known for its relaxed outdoor spaces and collection of sculptures. Residents enjoy unlimited recreational opportunities at the Marsh Haven Nature Center, which offers miles of hiking and birdwatching trails through a lush habitat on the northern section of the Horicon Marsh. The Waupun Family Aquatic Center provides a family-friendly facility where the young and old can come together for water-based recreation. It has a quality swimming pool, two water slides, fountains, and a kiddie slide.

The historic sculpture "Recording Angel" in Waupun, Wisconsin
The historic sculpture "Recording Angel" in Waupun, Wisconsin. Image credit: Eddie J. Rodriquez / Shutterstock.com.

Also, incoming retirees eager to familiarize themselves with their new home can visit the Waupun Heritage Museum to have a glimpse of its history. Meanwhile, the SSM Health Memorial Hospital keeps the community healthy with reliable healthcare provision in a 24-hour, 25-bed facility. Waupun's median home listing price is $260,000, lower than Wisconsin's average of $350,000.

Mayville

Aerial view of Mayville, Wisconsin.
Aerial view of Mayville, Wisconsin.

Under an hour from Milwaukee, this laid-back village on the banks of the Rock River assures retirees of ample room to keep active throughout their golden years. This is thanks to access to over 30,000 acres of wilderness space at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. The sanctuary is home to various species of migratory birds and provides a chance to hike, bike, picnic, fish, and hunt in an isolated environment. An alternative for outdoor lovers would be to play golf on the 18-hole Mayville Golf Course and enjoy stunning views of the Rock River.

The United States Veterans Memorial site near Mayville, Wisconsin
The United States Veterans Memorial site near Mayville, Wisconsin. Image credit: Aaron of L.A. Photography / Shutterstock.com.

Historians in the community love to visit the Mayville Historical Society for a look into the past, as presented through a fascinating collection of archives and artifacts. Also, you can access 24-hour medical services at the Mayville Medical Center to cater to emergencies. Lastly, the area's median home listing price is a manageable $269,900.

Durand

US-10 crossing over the Chippewa River into Durand, Wisconsin.
US-10 crossing over the Chippewa River into Durand, Wisconsin. Image credit: Wikideas1 via Wikimedia Commons.

Durand sits along the Chippewa River in Pepin County and provides the ideal destination for pensioners who love outdoor activity. Morning and evening walks along the scenic Chippewa River State Trail are an excellent way to stay fit and healthy as you admire the serene scene in the countryside. Memorial Park is the town's oldest park, harboring a 100-year-old bandshell, picnic areas, playground equipment, and a relaxing space for exciting social activities.

Chippewa View Park in Durand, Wisconsin.
Chippewa View Park in Durand, Wisconsin. J. Stephen Conn via Flickr.com.

Durand has an active downtown district with multiple bars and restaurants where residents hang out in the evenings. You can find friendly faces having fun at Urne's Whitetail Bar & Grill and enjoying refreshing cocktails and tasty burgers. The Riverview Community Center acts as a glue that binds the town together through programs, initiatives, and services designed for social welfare. Also, Durand's median home listing price is $237,500.

Marinette

Aerial view of Marinette, Wisconsin.
Aerial view of Marinette, Wisconsin.

This quaint village on the confluence of Green Bay and the Menominee River offers a network of idyllic natural spaces and an affordable cost of living. With a median home listing price of $219,900, it is way below the country's average of around $462,000. Marinette guarantees enough room for outdoor recreation at Stephenson Island Park. This waterfront sanctuary provides a mix of walking trails, picnic pavilions, a playground, and grills. Incoming residents can learn interesting facts about the town's history at the Marinette County Historical Logging Museum, which focuses on logging history.

A man fishing in Marinette, Wisconsin.
A man fishing in Marinette, Wisconsin.

Meanwhile, the Mariner Theatre is where locals catch 2nd-run films in a family-friendly venue at affordable ticket prices. Senior citizens can also access reliable medical services at the Aurora Medical Center, a 99-bed facility with a cancer center, an emergency room, a general surgery room, and more.

Shawano

Pictures from a fair at Franklin park, Shawano, Wisconsin
Pictures from a fair at Franklin Park, Shawano, Wisconsin. Image credit: Ilia Bordiugov / Shutterstock.com.

Waterfront charm and a sense of community are reasons Shawano is one of the best small towns to retire in Wisconsin. Residents here have ready access to the sandy shoreline of Shawano Lake, which fuels recreational fun like paddling, swimming, and fishing. Shawano also hosts a network of green spaces for retirees who favor outdoor living. At Kuckuk Park, quiet woodland trails wind along the banks of the Wolf River, inviting residents to stretch their legs and soak in fantastic river views.

Water skiing on the Wolf River in Shawano, Wisconsin
Water skiing on the Wolf River in Shawano, Wisconsin. Image credit: Ilia Bordiugov / Shutterstock.com.

Every August, the community gathers at the Shawano County Fairgrounds for the Shawano County Fair, marked by family-friendly activities like rodeo, music, games, and live entertainment. ThedaCare Medical Center is Shawano's primary healthcare provider, whose median home listing price is $294,900.

Antigo

Langlade County courthouse in Antigo, Wisconsin.
Langlade County courthouse in Antigo, Wisconsin. Image credit: Jeff the quiet via Wikimedia Commons.

Antigo provides retirees with affordable living and access to outdoor adventures. With more than 20 parks in its locality, residents address their recreational needs across 250 acres of playing space, including Antigo Lake Park. This beautiful waterfront space has a serene atmosphere where locals come to picnic, walk, and play ball. The Langlade County Historical Museum preserves the town's storied history using an interactive library of artifacts.

Senior citizens can choose from a selection of downtown locations for their indoor entertainment, including the McKenzie Palace Theatre. The venue screens the latest Hollywood films at fair prices, serving delicious popcorn and other concessions. Lastly, Aspirus Langlade Hospital assures quick provision of medical care, and with a median home listing price of $212,500, newcomers have an easy decision when it comes to buying a home.

Westby

Aerial view of Westby, Wisconsin
Aerial view of Westby, Wisconsin. Image credit: Wikideas1, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Westby is a friendly Norwegian village in Vernon County with a peaceful community sharing a mutual Scandinavian heritage. Its laid-back downtown district houses a variety of local businesses, making for a vibrant social hub where residents converge to eat lunch at establishments like Borgens Cafe. The neighborhood also provides unique casual shopping experiences, and souvenir lovers can peruse a lovely selection of Scandinavian gift items at Dregne's Scandinavian Gifts.

Downtown Westby, Wisconsin.
Downtown Westby, Wisconsin. Image credit: Aarongunnar via Wikimedia Commons.

Davidson Park is the perfect natural space for outdoor recreation, offering scenic trails through lush vegetation designed for bikers, runners, and hikers. Finally, Westby promises newcomers ready healthcare access at Bland Medical Clinic, while its median home listing price is $272,000.

Whitehall

Aerial view of Whitehall, Wisconsin
Aerial view of Whitehall, Wisconsin. Image credit: Wikideas1 via Wikimedia Commons.

Whitehall is a riverside town between Eau Claire and La Crosse, known for its cozy small-town feel, a strong sense of community, and rich outdoor surroundings. There are numerous opportunities for senior citizens who practice active living, including hiking trails through the wooded sections of Larson Park. Seniors also enjoy quiet games with friends at the Whitehall Public Golf Course, which provides a 9-hole challenge along the scenic banks of the Trempealeau River.

Gundersen Tri-County Hospital in Whitehall, Wisconsin.
Gundersen Tri-County Hospital in Whitehall, Wisconsin. Image credit: Wikideas1 via Wikimedia Commons.

Furthermore, the Whitehall Aquatic Center serves as a hub for the young and old, with everybody in the community converging here for some fun in the water. In the event of medical emergencies, the Gundersen Tri-County Hospital assures new residents of quick medical response, while the local median home listing price is $189,900.

Algoma

The downtown area of Algoma, Wisconsin
The downtown area of Algoma, Wisconsin. Image credit: melissamn / Shutterstock.com.

Algoma is a serene escape along the shores of Green Bay, favored for its splendid waterfront atmosphere and a lively arts scene. Residents love to step outside and revel in the clean countryside air and water views during lazy walks on the Crescent Beach Boardwalk. Next to the promenade is a sandy stretch where everybody comes to picnic, lounge, and make sand castles. A tour with Trio Fishing Charters allows residents to venture onto the water for a remarkable excursion to catch salmon and other species.

Algoma, Wisconsin.
The beautiful coast of Algoma, Wisconsin.

Algoma also harbors an active arts community, with several galleries and studios scattered downtown. Local artists showcase their creations at the Robert Ray Gallery, featuring a mix of contemporary fine art exhibits, including sculptures and drawings. The Door County Medical Center is one of the critical social amenities accessible to residents, and the median home listing price is $262,900.

Final Thought

From the artsy scene in Algoma to the riverside allure of Marinette, these small towns to retire in Wisconsin guarantee pensioners comfort and peace of mind for the entirety of their sunset years. When you finally reach the end of your career, these lovely gems provide a new start, promising not only affordability but also a welcoming community, enriching experiences, and a slower pace of life. In these towns, retirement becomes less about winding down and more about truly living in the United States.

Share
  1. Home
  2. Places
  3. Cities
  4. 9 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire In Wisconsin

More in Places