10 Best Places To Retire In The Great Lakes
Retiring along the shores of one of the Great Lakes might seem like pie in the sky, but plenty of affordable options exist to do exactly that. Every town here has homes priced below its state average. Cold winters come with the territory, and the towns farther north see even more ice and the occasional dip below zero. Those quiet winters are part of what builds such tight-knit communities. The towns also range widely in size and feel. Sheboygan and Michigan City lean urban and food-focused while Ashland and Watertown reward outdoor lovers and little Harbor Beach offers pure quiet.
Ashland, Wisconsin
A true gateway to the outdoors all year round, Ashland sits along Lake Superior's shores. From here you have access to exceptional smallmouth bass fishing on Chequamegon Bay and multiple hiking and walking trails along the Lake Superior Waterfront Trail, or head to Copper Falls State Park to see two waterfalls and several rapids. Drive 23 miles north and the Apostle Islands are reachable by private boat or shuttle. If you love birdwatching, go to the "Hot Pond," where the Xcel Energy plant keeps the water warm enough that it never freezes, creating a magnet for winter birding and open-water fishing even in the cold months. An active cultural scene starts with the hand-painted historic murals downtown, massive works that depict the town's logging and railroad past. The Ashland Enrichment Center is one of the many ways the community and town government support the 50-plus population, alongside medical transportation to regional healthcare, benefit assistance, and homebound care. The Tamarack Health Ashland Medical Center serves as the main healthcare hub for the whole region. With a population of 8,000 and average home prices of $196,196, Ashland is a great combination of outdoor-sports hub and affordability.
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
This is the "Bratwurst Capital of the World," and there are many ways to enjoy this quintessential German-Wisconsin sausage. Schulz's Restaurant serves bratwurst patties grilled over an open fire in a 1950s diner setting. Buy your own bratwurst to cook at home from Miesfeld's Market. A thriving senior community is a hallmark of Sheboygan, including Uptown Social, a 55-plus community center where fitness, arts, lectures, and more are on offer. Over 50 miles of beach and boardwalk run along the Lake Michigan shore, and if you are a golfer, it is also home to a championship course in Whistling Straits. For those who want a more urban setting, the population of 49,000 means more in-town arts options while still keeping great access to the outdoors. Several major hospitals, specialty clinics, and rehab facilities are right here. The average home costs $264,820, barely below the state average because of the town's popularity, but still a good buy for retirees.
Two Harbors, Minnesota
A quiet, rural living experience can be had in Two Harbors, surrounded by magnificent scenery both on Lake Superior and inland. Betty's Pies is a North Shore icon, serving its signature Great Lakes Pie and a classic Strawberry Rhubarb. The population of 3,500 grows with the warm weather, as it does in most Great Lakes towns, but stays extremely community-oriented. The area has a long history of shipping and maritime industry and continues to be a major hub for freighters stopping in to load ore using the massive iron-ore dock. Railroad buffs will enjoy the Lake County Historical Society Depot Museum, where historic trains are on view and you can learn how they contributed to the mining of the Minnesota Iron Range. Waterfront trails like the Sonju Trail sit alongside more serious deep-woods hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail. Agate hunting is a favorite pastime on Iona Beach or Burlington Bay. Healthcare access is very good here, because residents can use Aspirus Lakeview Hospital with its emergency and critical care, and can also easily travel to Duluth. Homes sell for an average of $302,016.
Sandusky, Ohio
Home values in Sandusky average $153,549, considerably below the state average of $249,719. That, plus the strong healthcare network anchored by Firelands Regional Medical Center, makes this town of 25,000 a strong contender for retirees. Some of the best walleye and perch fishing and boating in the Great Lakes is available on Lake Erie. The Sandusky State Theatre, built in 1928 for vaudeville, sits right in the center of the very walkable downtown. A local craft brewery is a good place to try unique brews, and if catching your own perch does not excite you, have it served to you at Dockside, right on the water. Visiting grandchildren will love this town for Cedar Point, a 364-acre amusement park, and several area water parks. The Merry-Go-Round Museum, where you can ride historic carousels, is another favorite to do with kids.
Oswego, New York
If your dream is to live in a quintessential port city, Oswego may fit the bill. Located on the scenic shores of Lake Ontario, with a population of 17,000, it offers the best of both worlds, with wonderful amenities and scenery that does not feel like a tourist trap. Maritime heritage runs deep here, featuring the H. Lee White Maritime Museum and the Oswego Pierhead Lighthouse. Anglers get a double benefit, because the Oswego River is a great place to look for salmon and rainbow trout, along with the fishing available in Lake Ontario. Foodies will enjoy the local wineries and the summer farmers market, while Jewel Box Steak and GS Steamers are notable favorite restaurants. Oswego Hospital is right in town and provides dedicated senior care. Home values average $205,512, well below the state average, and the town also offers seniors discounts on taxes and services such as garbage collection.
Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio
Geneva-on-the-Lake evokes an earlier time, still keeping The Strip, a mile-long stretch of arcades, food stands, and old-time amusements like go-karts. This was one of the first Great Lakes resorts, established in 1869, and during the warmer months the nostalgia is everywhere. If the strip's nightlife is not your thing, that is fine, because all the beauty of a lakeside town is here too. Located in the heart of the Grand River Valley, retirees can enjoy afternoons at top-rated local vineyards like Ferrante Winery or Grand River Cellars. Once the season ends, Geneva-on-the-Lake grows quieter, and the community of 1,200 tucks in together for the winter. Living here means great access to healthcare, with UH Geneva Medical Center providing 24-hour emergency care, an accredited chest pain center, and the UH Seidman Cancer Center. Housing is affordable at $198,530 on average.
Michigan City, Indiana
One of the great features of towns along Lake Michigan's southeast coast is the massive sand dunes. Indiana Dunes National Park is just to the southwest of town. You can take one of the dune buggy tours, hike the trails, or relax on the sandy beach, where there are 15 miles of shoreline. Michigan City is for you if you like a larger town, with a population of 32,000, while still wanting outdoor amenities like the dunes. In town there is a large marina, the Blue Chip Casino, and several craft breweries such as Shoreline Brewery and Zorn Brew Works. If you want even more to do, such as theater and large museums, Chicago and South Bend are easily accessible. Indiana is very senior-friendly, offering tax incentives such as exemptions for Social Security income. Combine that with fantastic medical access both in town and nearby, plus the $191,959 average home price, and Michigan City is an exciting and highly affordable option.
Watertown, New York
Once upon a time, Watertown was reputedly home to more millionaires per capita than any other US city, thanks to a boom in paper mills and other manufacturing. The Gilded Age is over, but remnants of it are everywhere, including grand mansions such as Boldt Castle, which sits on its own island and is reachable only by shuttle or tour cruise. A wide variety of outdoor recreation is available, including kayaking and whitewater riding on the Black River that cuts through the middle of town, plus access to the Thousand Islands region, full of gorgeous scenery and more water recreation. Shoppers can enjoy the Paddock Arcade, the oldest continuously operating covered mall in the country, built by Loveland Paddock in 1850. Houses can be purchased for an average of $203,480, and quality regional healthcare is in town at the not-for-profit Samaritan Medical Center. The Watertown Senior Center offers crafts, fitness, and other programs that make community building easy in this town of 25,000.
Harbor Beach, Michigan
This town is home to one of the largest man-made harbors on the Great Lakes, originally built as a haven for ships on Lake Huron. The Harbor Beach Lighthouse sits at the end of the breakwater and is open for tours. This small town of 1,500 is extremely senior-friendly, with a strong sense of community and excellent healthcare. Harbor Beach Community Hospital is a recognized top facility with 24-hour emergency services. Affordable homes cost $201,173 on average. Outdoor recreation includes walks along the Harbor View Trail and the Backus Nature Trail, a pet-friendly beach, and a local favorite, watching freighters and other ships make their way into the harbor. Maritime and other local history can be enjoyed at the Grice House Museum and the Frank Murphy Museum. One of the best parts of life here, if you like peace and quiet, is that the tourist population in the warmer months stays very light.
Alpena, Michigan
Alpena, population 10,000, is considered the shipwreck capital of the region. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary protects more than 100 historic shipwrecks. There are several ways to actually see some of the wrecks, such as glass-bottom boat tours and snorkeling. If you prefer to avoid the water, the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center offers virtual shipwreck exploration. Other nature-based things to do here include viewing the area's fascinating prehistoric sinkholes and visiting one of the area's dark sky preserves for incredible stargazing and, if your timing is right, the Aurora Borealis. Downtown has a thriving business community and art installations. Have a meal and a beer at the Old Polish Corner or an espresso at Blue Moon Café. The cost of living is well below the national average, and homes can be purchased for $191,972 on average. Direct access through Alpena County Regional Airport means you can reach Detroit and connect to most major US cities.
Settling In On The Great Lakes
Retiring along the water here is both attainable and affordable, whatever your budget or pace. The range is the point. Sheboygan and Michigan City suit retirees who want a fuller arts and dining scene, Ashland and Two Harbors lean rugged and outdoorsy, and Harbor Beach and Geneva-on-the-Lake stay small and quiet. Pick the lake and the climate that fit, and one of these towns will likely fit the rest.
