12 Best Places To Retire In Nebraska

When you start thinking about your retirement, Nebraska may not be the first one that comes to mind. Even though the state can be a bit of an afterthought to some in comparison to certain states, skipping out on exploring Nebraska could be a big mistake. With median housing prices for the state sitting at roughly $272,000, Nebraska is a wonderfully affordable state to move to when it comes time to retire. Even though the prices are affordable, that does not mean you will have to trade in the comforts you are used to, as all of these great Nebraskan towns are able to bring their own distinct charms and exciting events to the conversation.

Norfolk

Though Norfolk is one of the more expensive Nebraska towns to retire to, with houses at roughly $255,000, the town makes up for the cost by mixing the best aspects of both small towns and big cities. Everywhere you turn in Norfolk, there is something to do and a new opportunity to explore.

Those who enjoy a peaceful day may want to fill their time with trips to the Elkhorn Valley Museum or the Norfolk Arts Center, both of which allow you to experience art and history. If you are a fan of Johnny Carson, you can go out and find Johnny Carson’s Childhood Home right before you head out to the Eldorado Hills Golf Course to take a few strokes off of your game.

North Platte

While North Platte may also come with a decent price tag, as the average home will run you around $206,000, it will be a small town that stands out to fans of trains and those who want to learn more about railroads. You can visit the Cody Park Railroad Museum from May through September, or you can head to the Golden Spike Tower to overlook the massive railyard in the area.

If you want to find out more about the history of the region, you can visit the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park Museum, explore the Lincoln County Historical Museum, shop at the Fort Cody Trading Post, and so much more. If you want history, North Platte has it.

Scottsbluff

If you are looking to relocate to Northwest Nebraska, the roughly $181,000 homes of Scottsbluff might be the perfect option, especially if you are looking for a lower population. You will not be far from golf thanks to the serene views of the Riverview Golf & Country Club.

You will not just be limited to golf, as you could also take a trip to the Riverside Discovery Center to get your eyes on some tigers, or you could skip that and head to the West Nebraska Arts Center to take in a wonderful local exhibit. With local events always going on, there should never be a shortage of things to do in this small Nebraska town that is fit for the perfect retirement.

Fremont

Those of you who are seeking a bit more time outdoors when you retire may want to consider a Nebraska retirement in the small town of Fremont. Though houses will set you back roughly $250,000, the packed area with a sea of things to do might make up for the cost.

You could enjoy a day at Fremont Beach, or you could head out on a boat tour of the local waters with Woody’s Airboat Tours. You could spend some more time outdoors at the Fremont State Recreation Area, but if you want to remain out of nature, you do still have options. The Fremont Opera House, the Louis E. May Museum, and the Lueninghoener Planetarium are all waiting to be discovered.

Beatrice

With a population of just over 12,000 and home prices sitting around $184,000, Beatrice is certainly an enticing option for retirement. Like many other retirement options, Beatrice boasts the Beatrice Country Club for you to continue practicing your golf swing.

You could take a day and explore the Homestead National Historical Park Education Center and the Gage County Museum to really appreciate the history of Beatrice. Luckily, travel and medical worries are taken care of thanks to both the Beatrice-Commerce Municipal Airport and the Beatrice Community Hospital. If you want to wet your whistle, stop in at Stone Hollow Brewing Company to try craft beers or Tall Tree Tastings if you prefer wine.

Alliance

While it may be the roughly $175,000 houses that might grab your attention, there are so many wonderful things that make Alliance a wonderfully unique town to retire to. It may seem overly small at first, with roughly 8,000 people, but with attractions like Carhenge, a car art version of Stonehenge, Alliance is certainly a draw.

Though you can only access it for part of the year, Dobby’s Frontier Town will allow you to practically travel through time to explore a frontier village. If you cannot get enough of the history of the area, you may want to stop in at Sallows Military Museum or Alliance Knight Museum. Those who love to read will be happy to know they can also visit the Alliance City Library to find the next perfect read.

Aurora

The population of Aurora sits at just under 5,000, and while that can lead to lower housing prices, that is not the case here, with the average price in the area sitting at $267,000. Aside from the small-town feel of the area, you can explore the Plainsman Museum and the Edgerton Explorit Center to find interactive exhibits and live through history.

Though it may only be a 9-hole golf course, you can at least get those holes in at the Poco Creek Golf Course, but if you crave the outdoors, minus the golf, you can go for a walk through Cole Park. An important additional consideration is that there is a Memorial Community Health hospital right in town for those requiring frequent health tests.

Gothenburg

With a population just under 3,500, and home prices at roughly $194,000, some people may completely miss this town that dates all the way back to 1882. This tiny Nebraska town may seem drab at first, but there is so much for history-lovers to enjoy.

One of the major draws to the area is the seasonal Gothenburg Pony Express Station Museum, where you can visit to learn all about the rich history of Gothenburg, and you can take in a few events as well. You can go to Sun Theatre to experience a theatre that was originally an opera house in the early 1900s. Visit the Gothenburg Public Library to check out your next favorite read, and while you are at it, take a historic self-guided walk around town.

Ogallala

Even though Ogallala is another tiny town, it boasts plenty of wonderful things to do, with home prices around $217,000. Take in dinner and a show at the Front Street Steakhouse & Crystal Palace Saloon, a vintage old-west style stop, and then carry on to the Petrified Wood Gallery to appreciate ancient wood from around the world.

You can also pay a visit to the Mansion On The Hill Museum, a historic building that you can visit for free to continue learning about the town’s history. If you fancy bowling, head down to Cornhusker Lanes and then stop for a bite to eat at Driftwood for some reasonably priced food and drinks.

Hastings

If you were ever a fan of Kool-Aid, you might want to make Hastings your new home, as it is the home of the original Kool-Aid Factory. The population of the town sits at just over 25,000, and houses are roughly $201,000, a small price to pay for such a historic area.

You will certainly want to pay a visit to the Hastings Museum to learn more about the area and its fun history, and afterward, those who love to bowl can explore Pastime Lanes. The great outdoors in Hastings is as beautiful as ever, so it might be worth it to take a peaceful walk through Heartwell Park as well. Those who love to go fast still may be interested in checking out the Motorsport Park Hastings as well, even if the only ones using it would be guests.

Columbus

Standing out as a large town, complete with the Columbus Community Hospital, Columbus and its $269,000 homes may be slightly pricier, but do not worry, there is still a lot to uncover. Those who like to play the odds may enjoy stopping in at Harrah’s Columbus Racing & Casino, but if bowling is more your style, the nearby Westbrook Lanes has your back.

If you enjoy the races, Columbus Thoroughbred Racing is yet another fun place to visit, and the Van Berg Municipal Golf Course has everything you need to enjoy a game of golf in the great outdoors. If you love spotting local sights, you can head out and find the Andrew Jackson Higgins National Memorial and the Quincentenary Belltower monument.

Chadron

Another one of the smaller towns to retire to in Nebraska, Chadron boasts beautiful views, rich history, and lots to do. Settling for retirement in the area will set you back around $193,000, but that is a small price to pay when compared to the state median.

Those who enjoy the outdoors and enjoy getting a bit of fishing in can always turn to Chadron State Park, but those who love learning about the past may find even more to enjoy. You can stop in at a variety of museums, like the Museum of the Fur Trade or the Eleanor Barbour Cook Museum. Other fun activities include bowling at Hilltop Lanes and swimming at the Chadron Area Aquatics and Wellness Center.

There are so many wonderful places that you can retire to right here in Nebraska. Whether you think history, art, nature, or adventure is the most important aspect of the place you retire to, you will always have a rather large pool of towns to choose from. With so much rich history in the small towns of Nebraska, it is not hard to see how someone could spend their retirement days learning local customs and all the rich history that made their new hometown the stunning locale that it is today. The next time you think about retiring, you might just want to start thinking about Nebraska.