Idaho's 9 Best Retirement Towns Ranked
Awaiting discovery among Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains and Snake River plains are community-centered towns perfectly suited for retirement. Idaho features some of the country's most wide-open wilderness alongside lower median home prices and lower cost of living. The state also carries some of the lowest crime rates in the nation. And while finance matters, an Idaho retirement leaves plenty of room to focus on family and friendship. When it is time to settle down, these Idaho towns provide the balance of accessibility and undisturbed peace.
Eagle
A town built on dairy farming in the late 1800s, Eagle's pretty pergolas in pleasant parks paint an attractive picture. Eagle Island State Park makes relaxation easy, with almost 550 acres of beautiful greenery, walking trails, a campground, fishing, a dog area, disc golf, and horseback riding. You could actually walk the Boise River Greenbelt to the park itself, and both are of such beauty you wouldn't know as you passed from one to the other. The BanBury Golf Course is also in the area, open to the public, and highly rated by visitors.
Eagle also has you covered if days of pleasure take a downturn. St. Luke's Medical Plaza offers a range of specialized facilities, and Valley Regional Transit will get you there free of charge. For those needing further assistance, Paramount Parks on the northern side of town is the place to stay, with registered nurses available every day of the week.
Lewiston
South of the panhandle on the western side, you will find Lewiston, which, believe it or not, is a seaport. Named after Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame, Lewiston sits at the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake Rivers, so you could theoretically sail your way to the ocean, if you wanted to. But there is plenty to see without going anywhere. More rambunctious retirees are sure to enjoy the outdoor offerings in and around Lewiston. Jet boat tours and hardcore rafting await you in Hells Canyon, which you enter, or exit from, at Hells Gate State Park (where you might want to camp as well). Relax after wrangling that river at one of the numerous vineyards nearby, as you are already in Lewis-Clark Valley wine country.
If the river was rough, Lewiston's medical options can help. St. Joseph Regional Medical Center will have what you need to get up and out again, and Valley Transit can get you there with their "dial-a-ride" program. If you simply cannot make it out, make it home at Brookdale Lewiston senior living, with pet-friendly accommodations, meals, housekeeping services, and care.
Hailey
A river runs through this small town of around 9,500, founded back in 1881 during a mining boom in the area, and Hailey presents pleasant prospects for those seeking a piece of the Pacific Northwest. Hailey, though relatively tiny, ensures all modern conveniences of larger towns are included. National chains pair up with mom-and-pop shops to supply your demand, but Hailey also provides the healthcare system sought after by seniors. St. Luke's Clinic is in town for family medicine, and if more is needed, St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center is just a short drive north, with Mountain Rides providing seniors who cannot make it themselves with free bus services. Also, should you choose to stay there, The Senior Connection could cart you around, but also has the range of programs you would come to expect from modern retirement living.
With the basics covered, you can go hit the town. Or multiple towns, perhaps, as the Wood River Trail has approximately twenty miles of scenic trails that stretch beyond the town proper. Walk, bike, or bring your furry buddy, as you explore further and further each day. Your travels might take you to the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, a relaxing natural stroll sampling a selection of artistic statues and sculptures, while simultaneously being wheelchair accessible. Blaine County Historical Museum lets you discover how it all began, with compact floor space focused on the town's mining history, and much more, should you be meandering that way.
Blackfoot
A little larger, Blackfoot is closer to Pocatello, in the southeastern part of the state. For those pursuing all things potato, the "Potato Capital of the World" will surely satisfy those cravings.
First stop, filling up on the fun at the Idaho Potato Museum (yes, there is a giant potato out front for selfie seekers). Rid yourself of those extra calories at Jensen Grove Park, with an artificial lake for swimming and even boating, standard paths and trails included. If all that walking has worked up a hunger for more fabulous food and fair, the Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds has numerous events each year, of course including the state fair itself every September.
For any health issues, Bingham Memorial Hospital provides free transportation. Find your way home to The Gables of Blackfoot if you are wanting community, where restaurant-style foods meet home cooking that nourishes the spirit.
Ammon
Ammon is a town of around 20,000 originally founded by Mormons in the southeast, and just so happens to be one of the fastest-growing small towns in the country, with the fiber optic internet to prove it.
Proximity to Idaho Falls is a major perk, featuring some prime senior living and healthcare offerings. The "PrimeFit" gym, in fact, found at Fairwinds-Sand Creek is well-equipped, and the Fairwinds facility has been recognized for both independent living and assisted living. There is even an on-site travel agency, so adventure is always at your doorstep. If needed, nearby Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center will be standing by.
Senior-friendly services continue outdoors in Ammon, with enough natural and cultural offerings to keep you busy when Fairwinds cannot. The Museum of Idaho has rooms of historical attractions mixed with modern classes, activities, and events. McCowin Park, on the fence with Idaho Falls, is big enough to share, and as it features acres of pickleball, swimming pools, walking paths, tennis, and courts and fields of all shapes and sizes, you can afford to. Visiting your neighbor next door is quick and easy, and in Idaho Falls you will find Snake River Falls, with sixty feet of manmade, water falling action set within a scenic backdrop.
Sandpoint
Another smaller town, Sandpoint is in the panhandle on the northern shores of Lake Pend Oreille. Sublime mountain scenery and old-timey storefronts might have you selecting Sandpoint for settlement. The lake itself gives cause to get out, featuring top-tier fishing for pike, walleye, and kokanee, plus all manner of tours. The shores of Sandpoint City Beach are perfect for soaking it all in. If there is more gas in the tank, climb, or take a lift up Schweitzer Mountain (just north of town) for panoramic views of three states and two countries, and stay the night at the resort if you choose, where winter renders it one of the top winter sports destinations in the country.
Head back into town if you need some healing. Bonner General Health is there for you 24/7 and provides shuttle and emergency transportation alike, or relive the destinations of the day at Luther Park at Sandpoint, a massive living facility with mountain-view rooms.
Moscow
Hitting "Hog Heaven" (renamed Moscow in 1875) will situate you in the southern part of the panhandle, opposite Washington's Pullman on the other side of the invisible line. Home to the University of Idaho, there are plenty of places to "pig out," and much more to see and do. Shoppers can find something they like at the Moscow Farmers Market, featuring arts, crafts, and music from local vendors and performers, plus food, ranging across baked goods and fresh fruits and veggies. After filling up, stroll through the Idaho Arboretum, a haven of on-campus peace. Tell your friends you have walked between Moscow and the fabled city of Troy (in this case, Idaho neighbors only eight miles apart) on the Latah Trail, and take in some historical and natural sights along the way.
The Good Samaritan Society operates both Moscow Village and Fairview Village Estates for independent or assisted living if needed, and Gritman Medical Center is centrally located just off of 95 for any needs that arise. Local hotspots Maialina Pizzeria and the One World Café are blocks away, along with the Nectar Restaurant & Wine and John's Alley Tavern, for more than pizza and pies.
McCall
Blink and you might miss McCall, at around 4,000 residents. This logging town turned lakeside resort rests on the southern shore of Payette Lake and could potentially handle a few more residents. McCall has what you need, without making you leave town to get it. For residents in need, McCall Rehabilitation and Care Center offers healthcare. St. Luke's also makes another appearance in McCall, again providing shuttle services for seniors.
Wander through ancient trees at Ponderosa State Park just north of town on the lake, or perhaps take in Payette Lake itself on a pontoon boat, available for rent, alongside kayaks, jet skis, and paddle boards for rent at Mile High Marina. Cool off by heating up at the Burgdorf Hot Springs, a natural hot spring with mineral waters, or, if a half hour is too far to drive, take a short trip to Zim's Hot Springs, operated by the Nez Perce Indian Tribe. Don't forget about the McCall Winter Carnival, with massive, ornate ice and snow sculptures.
Salmon
Salmon, in East-Central Idaho, is the historical birthplace of Sacajawea and proved a vital stop on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Steele Memorial Medical Center provides emergency medical service, and they coordinate with local volunteers to provide ride-sharing for seniors. Discovery Care Center handles health, rehab, and nursing all in one, providing a mix of short-term care and long-term living.
To really taste Salmon, it is best to explore both its local history and nature. The Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center has both indoor and outdoor offerings spread over seventy acres, and although temporarily closed, is absolutely worth visiting upon reopening, according to those who have walked in her footsteps. You will eventually have to leave, but the natural sights and historical significance of this place will never leave you. Up for a small hike? Beat feet around twenty miles south of town and hit the hot springs afterwards at Goldbug, with natural pools and more wide views. Be sure to bring home some salmon after steelhead fishing in the Salmon River.
A State Of Being
Idaho beckons those who want to enter the wilds of the Pacific Northwest. Some truly astounding natural sights are yours for the viewing, or boldly go wherever your body can take you for adventures that will last a lifetime. Some of the lowest property taxes in the country will draw you in, but Idaho's safe, smaller communities will have you unlocking your doors for neighborly meet-and-greets, and might make you wonder why you were not here all along.
