11 Best Places To Retire In Ohio

These 11 Ohio towns are perfectly suited for retirees, not just because of their size or affordability, but also their pace of life. Residents of Marietta can enjoy strolls along the riverfront, Sandusky locals can take the grandkids to Cedar Point, and those who call Coshocton home can enjoy a day of browsing the shops along the canal. Each town on this list represents what many retirees want most, which is a good life with the conveniences that make a place feel like home.

Marietta

In Marietta, river activities like fishing, scenic cruises, and walks around the waterfront beckon those who like to take things slowly. Since it is the oldest town in Ohio, historical buildings and homes are plentiful, and most are within the historic Harmar Village. The Campus Martius Museum pays tribute to the fort, which originally stood in the same spot from 1788 to 1795, and wood from the dismantled fort was used to build homes throughout the city.

Another historically important building is The Castle, which has been a local fixture since 1855 and has only been owned by five families since then. Tours of the Gothic Revival home and museum are available. Ohio Riverfront Park spans 3 acres and offers serenity and stillness with benches and a walking trail beside the river.

Sandusky

Sandusky is an hour west of Cleveland, along the coast of Lake Erie. Although it is known for Cedar Point Amusement Park, there is much more to the city than riding roller coasters at the second-oldest amusement park in the country. With median home values between $150,000 and $185,000, Sandusky, which has a population of 23,945, is ideal for seniors. It is home to the Merry-Go-Round Museum, which displays artifacts related to carousel history. Of course, it also has a carousel, Stargazer, for visitors to ride.

The Firelands Winery is an excellent spot for grandparents and parents to wind down after a day with the kids, and the Maritime Museum is another draw, with interactive programs and exhibits to engage and educate visitors about the region's boat-building and ice-harvesting history.

Findlay

Findlay is another Northwest Ohio town with plenty of activities and resources for retired residents. The median home value is $237,000, putting it slightly below Ohio's average prices. From strolls on the Blanchard River at Riverside Park to attending performances at the Marathon Center for Performing Arts, there is no shortage of activities for active older adults.

History comes alive at the Swiss Community Historical Society, housed on the Schumacher farm property. The Schumachers built the property in 1843 when they came to Ohio from Switzerland, and the home and gardens show life as it was in the 19th century. Meanwhile, golf lovers will find refuge at the Shady Grove Golf Course, an 18-hole, par-3 course that also offers a driving range, restaurant, and mini golf.

Mansfield

Mansfield is probably best known for its Ohio State Reformatory, a shuttered jail that has been used as the location for numerous films, including The Shawshank Redemption. A guided tour of the former prison is a big draw, and fans of the movie can embark on the Shawshank Trail tour to see where much of the film’s action took place. It’s also notoriously haunted and, every October, transformed into the ultimate haunted house.

Mansfield itself is less scary, with a median home price of around $150,000, and OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital is the only full-service hospital and emergency room in north central Ohio, meaning health care is readily accessible nearby. Malabar Farm State Park is the sprawling estate originally occupied by author and conservationist Louis Bromfield, and was the venue for the wedding of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. In addition to the home, the farm holds annual events for the entire family, including Ohio Heritage Days in the fall and Candlelight Holiday Tours in December.

Chillicothe

Chillicothe is located in Southern Ohio, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain region. Because of its location, outdoor opportunities abound, and natural beauty is everywhere. Take gentle strolls by the Scioto River, visit the trails of the historic Adena Mansion and Gardens, or take in the outdoor drama of Tecumseh! at the Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater, which explores the Shawnee leader’s legendary efforts to defend his people's territory against colonization.

Meanwhile, the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park is part of Ohio’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. The earthworks are believed to have been constructed between 1,600 and 2,000 years ago, and comprise eight ancient Indigenous ceremonial mounds. More modern activities in the town include farmers’ markets, shopping downtown, or hiking and picnicking at Tar Hollow State Park.

Mount Vernon

Downtown Mount Vernon’s Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its mid-1800s homes and the Woodward Opera House, the oldest 19th-century theater in the US. The Kokosing Gap Trail is a repurposed railroad line that is now a 14-mile-long paved walking and biking trail across the Kokosing River.

Nearby Honey Run Park also has several trails that lead to a waterfall and sandstone cliffs, and there is no more unique way to enjoy the city than by grabbing a coffee or lunch to go and sitting by the Fountain of Dogs on the South Main Plaza. The delightful fountain features 18 cast-iron dogs, as well as a few other animal species, surrounding a central golden bone.

Tiffin

Home to two universities, Tiffin and Heidelberg, Tiffin is a quintessential college town with access to museums, classes, galleries, and entertainment venues. Its place along the Sandusky River makes for scenic walks around riverfront parks. Museums are abundant in Tiffin, including the American Civil War Museum of Ohio, which features eight rooms filled with engaging and interactive exhibits, and the Tiffin Glass Museum, celebrating over 100 years of artistry in the region.

For a delightful walk, head to the Tiffin Storybook Trail at Schekelhoff Park. The half-mile paved walking trail includes 20 reading stations, each containing a page from a children’s book. Every month, the stories are rotated so frequent visitors always have something new to discover. Meanwhile, fans of disc golf will find Hedges-Boyer Park’s 18 holes fun and challenging.

Piqua

With a median home value of $175,000 and riverfront views, Western Ohio’s Piqua is a small town with an abundance of activities. Stroll Lock 9 Park for a walk along the Great Miami River, travel through forest and prairie landscapes to view the 37-foot waterfall at the Charleston Falls Preserve, or play 18 holes at Echo Hills Golf Course. No matter your pleasure, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures in this small town.

The Johnston Farm & Indian Agency is another popular local attraction. Located north of downtown, the 200-acre park explores the region's colonial history and offers seasonal mule-drawn canal boat rides along a reconstructed section of the Miami and Erie Canal.

Zanesville

Zanesville is in Southeast Ohio at the confluence of the Licking and Muskingum Rivers. Historic Prospect Place, also known as the Trinway Mansion, was built by abolitionist George W. Adams and was once used as a station on the Underground Railroad. Now home to the G.W.Adams Education Center, it has been restored and is open to the public for free, self-guided tours.

Famed female pilot Amelia Earhart also has ties to Zanesville. She once called it “the most recognizable city in the country” because of its unique Y-Bridge, which connects four communities at the confluence of the two rivers. The Headley Inn is another historic landmark that has been turned into a craft winery. Now guests can sip a glass of red, white, or rosé made from hand-picked Ohio grapes while enjoying the views of the river. Meanwhile, the McNutt Farm is a working farm with a fishing pond, guest rooms, hiking trails, and even a pet motel.

Coshocton

Established when the Ohio and Erie Canal was constructed and active in the 19th century, Coshocton is another historical town with a rich legacy in eastern Ohio. Historic Roscoe Village is the heart of the town, with a wide range of shops and restaurants. Learn an old-fashioned craft at the Hay Activity Center, or take a gentle glide through the canal on a horse-drawn boat ride.

The Gardens of Roscoe Village are each unique with plants, flowers, and outdoor marvels for every taste. The Butterfly Garden, for example, boasts perennials that attract several species of the winged beauties, while the LeRetilley Fish Pond Garden is on the site of a former warehouse, and Weaver's Garden is full of plants used for dying cloth. For a bit of outdoor recreation, River Greens' 27-hole course offers golf lovers the perfect challenge.

Ashland

Home of Ashland University, the Northeast Ohio town offers access to the university’s resources and is also a practical city for retirees, with a median home price of around $185,000, and property taxes below state averages. Ashland BalloonFest is held each summer and draws crowds for three spectacular days. On Main Street, Downtown Perk serves coffee and hosts open mic nights, often with faculty musicians from the university. Ashland is also part of Ohio’s Amish Country, which is a culture known for its homemade food and crafts. Grandpa’s Cheesebarn is a family-run store that sells the best cheeses from around the region, as well as smoked meats and Amish country jams, jellies, and pickles.

The 11 best Ohio towns to retire suit older adults for their balance of comfort without isolation, activity without stress, and affordability without sacrifice. Walkable downtowns make it easy to stay active and social, homes are priced below the state median, and healthcare is accessible. These towns are a vital piece of the American landscape, despite their smaller sizes. With unique cultural and historical attractions, each town has a little something special to offer.