12 Best Places To Retire In Wyoming

Wyoming’s small towns warrant a superlative post-retirement experience for those psyched up to embrace their life’s next chapter. With 19.7% of the population in the 65 and older age group, a median home list price of $354,219 as per Zillow.com, no state income tax, no estate and inherited taxes, and ample chances to explore the breathtaking Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, these tight-knit Wyoming towns tick all the boxes for retirees. From Newcastle’s proximity to the Black Hills National Forest’s copious outdoor recreations to exploring the museum trails in Riverton, these endearing communities are indeed some of the best places to retire.

Gillette

An inviting Campbell County town in the Powder River Basin, Gillette, flanked by the Black Hills in the east and the Bighorn Mountains in the west, is widely known for its reasonable housing costs, homely atmosphere, and community-based facilities. Elderly residents curious about regional history should note the comprehensive collection of fossils, cultural artifacts, and Native American items in the Rockpile Museum. Take pleasure in a nostalgic ramble through the Frontier Auto Museum & Café, rife with classic cars, gas pump globes, and rare porcelain signs, and then take a chance to refuel oneself at Commodore Café with gourmet brats, coffee drinks, and milkshakes.

Start on a self-guided tour of the Gillette Downtown Historic District, browsing apparel stores like the Clothesline Boutique, plus attending community events like Gillette Main Street Winter Walk. Gillette residents aged 60+ can find great local services, such as nutrient-dense meals, health and wellness programs, new crafting techniques, and informational and financial services, provided by the Campbell County Senior Center.

Torrington

The county seat of southeastern Wyoming’s Goshen County, Torrington, is a welcoming community that sits on the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail along the shores of the North Platte River. The town’s reasonable home prices, lower-than-average cost of living, and laid-back lifestyle make it appealing to retirees.

The Great Gardens, located just 1 mile west of Main Street, are ideal for seniors seeking a tranquil time amid the choicest and most resilient plants, flowers, and herbs that fill 8 greenhouses. At the Open Barrel Brewing Company, retired persons can socialize, sample craft beers, and participate in community gatherings. Alongside a population of about 20.2% aged 65 and above 20.2%, supportive services such as the Goshen County Senior Friendship Center provide home-delivered meals, public transportation services around the town, personal care support, and recreational activities for older adults.

Newcastle

Set in the northeastern portion of the state, on the southwestern extremity of the Black Hills, is Newcastle, the government seat of Weston County, which draws senior citizens seeking low-cost housing, storied Western heritage, and seamless access to natural wonders. Thanks to the town’s closeness to the Black Hills National Forest, seniors can survey the Forest System roads, several miles of hiking and equestrian trails, the campgrounds, and reservoirs stocked for fishing.

Local history mavens must drop by the Anna Miller Museum, which was once a cavalry barn that housed horses from the 115th Wyoming Army National Guard Stable. Exhibits tell tales of the prehistoric times, the pioneers, and Native Americans. The Weston County Senior Citizen Center caters to elderly residents with an array of services, including home delivery of meals, social activities, and transportation aimed at enhancing their quality of life.

Worland

Washakie County’s seat, Worland, is a tight-knit community in north-central Wyoming, situated in the Bighorn Basin, and is known for its affordable housing, friendly atmosphere, and easygoing rhythm of life. Being home to a significant senior population, the Worland Senior Citizens Center provides nutritious meals, transportation services, fun activities, companionship, and guidance for mature adults.

Athletic seniors looking to play a round of golf and unwind in nature against a backdrop of some of Wyoming’s captivating sights must head straight to the Green Hills Golf Club. At a leisurely pace, elderly folks can reflect on the fascinating exhibits of the Washakie Museum & Cultural Center that shed light on the local human history in Big Horn Basin as well as the area’s paleontology, geology, and archaeology.

Riverton

This Fremont County town, at the confluence of the Bighorn and Little Wind Rivers in west-central Wyoming, attracts retirees for its affordable real estate market and carefree lifestyle. The town’s mainstay is the Riverton Museum, where, through thoughtfully curated artifacts and educational programs, visitors get to learn more about Riverton’s progressing story, the surrounding communities in eastern Fremont County, and the long-standing history of the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone peoples.

The Riverton Riverwalk, which follows the Wind River, is ideal for strolling, trekking, enjoying the outdoors, or simply relaxing. For seniors willing to engage in a variety of daily activities, access libraries, fitness rooms, programs, and public events, the Riverton Senior Citizens Center is the ideal place. Spare time to attend the Riverton Rendezvous Balloon Rally in the third weekend of July every year, and witness in amazement as the skies get filled with colorful hot air balloons.

Rawlins

Christened for the Union Army General John Aaron Rawlins, Rawlins is the center of administration of south-central Wyoming’s Carbon County, which charms wrinklies with a harmonious mix of deep history, outdoor adventures, hearty hospitality, and keenly priced accommodations. Seniors interested in learning about the Old Wild West must visit the Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum, where guided tours of the cell blocks, grounds, and confiscated inmate-made weapons give insights into the times of some of the most infamous outlaws imprisoned in the state’s foremost penitentiary. Additionally, go on a shopping spree in Downtown Rawlins, procuring one-of-a-kind gifts, home décor items, and apparel from the Windswept Goods shop. Actively participate in diverse indoor activities and fitness classes suitable for all ages at the Rawlins Family Recreation Center.

Kemmerer

Founded as an ‘independent town’ in 1897, Kemmerer, the administrative center of southwest Wyoming’s Lincoln County, parades an eclectic past, tying together coal mines, railroads, bootlegging, and historic trails. With a median home list price of $289,167 and a cost of living that is less than the national average, this welcoming community offers retirees a tranquil setting ringed by Wyoming’s high-desert landscape. Seniors interested in knowing more about the region’s inimitable geological history must go to the Fossil Butte National Monument to view the beautifully preserved fossils of the Cenozoic aquatic communities and the Visitor Center’s interactive exhibits. Moreover, the Kemmerer Senior Citizens Center renders numerous services and activities to meet the communal requirements of the ageing population. The 24-hour emergency care and complete medical services of the South Lincoln Hospital District assure prompt medical attention for all older adults.

Douglas

Platted in 1886 following the establishment of a railway station by the Wyoming Central Railway, Douglas is the county seat of Converse County and is located by the North Platte River. Clearly, this town is a flourishing community tempting retirees with its impressive landscapes, housing affordability, small-town hospitality, and activities that help stay connected. When in town, old folks would want to take photographs with the world-famous jackalope statue that stands in the Downtown Jackalope Square, in addition to enjoying a walk through the Ayres Natural Bridge set at the foothills of an astounding red-rock canyon, and open from April to October. Also, do not forget to inspect the retro collectibles from early settlers and Plains Native Americans at the Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum. Participate in the activities and services especially developed for older citizens at the Douglas Senior Center/Converse County Aging Services, and try your best to attend the Wyoming State Fairgrounds & Event Complex every August for the Annual Wyoming State Fair.

Green River

A tranquil Sweetwater County town in southwestern Wyoming, Green River is a winsome retirement destination with reasonably priced accommodations, plentiful wildlife habitats, picturesque riverfront parks, and sundry community activities. Enthusiastic seniors must visit the 7.1-acre Expedition Island Park, an outstanding spot for family gatherings, featuring a wide-open space for relaxation, modernized playground equipment, multiple picnic shelters, and the Greenbelt Pathway Access. Within driving distance of the town, the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge grants opportunities for bird/wildlife viewing, boating, fishing, photographing, and upland game hunting.

Golden agers preferring indoor pursuits should take a step back in time at the Sweetwater County Historical Museum, which preserves Native American artifacts, items related to coal mining and the Union Pacific railroad, vintage photographs, and outlaw history in the old Green River Post Office building. The Golden Hour Senior Center helps retired persons aged 60 years and older stay active through assorted activities like billiards, chair exercises, games, puzzles, etc., besides giving daily nutritional lunches and critical support services.

Buffalo

Placed at the base of the Bighorn Mountains, Buffalo, the Johnson County seat, is a pleasant place for golden agers who appreciate its low-budget dwellings, gorgeous natural settings, accessible outdoor spaces, and stress-free living. The award-winning Jim Gatchell Museum, housed in a long-established Carnegie Library building and replete with interesting exhibits on frontier history and Native American cultures, is the right place for seniors who find fulfillment in learning about the bygone years. Those who prefer admiring the riant landscape from the comfort of a car must take a scenic drive on the Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway that runs across the Bighorn National Forest.

Also, explore the Clear Creek Trail System that maneuvers through the town along Clear Creek, providing immaculately maintained paths for casual walkers, hikers, and cyclists of all ages. Actively partake in the Buffalo Senior Center’s array of activities, like fitness classes, games, educational programs, local outings, creative arts workshops, and social events that promote the well-being of seniors and foster a feeling of togetherness.

Evanston

Uinta County’s administrative center, Evanston, situated close to the state line with Utah, is a picturesque community superbly combining clear skies, mind-boggling alpine spectacles, affordable living, and hassle-free access to abundant outdoor recreations. With the cost of living 18% less than the national average, pensioners get to stretch a few more dollars from their budgetary allocations for the month. Embark on a laid-back excursion through the town’s historic downtown district, where restaurants like Mother Mae’s Kitchen, small boutiques like Rustic Sage Co., which sell handcrafted items, and cultural attractions like the Uinta County Museum, provide insights into the area’s prosperous past.

The sprawling Bear River State Park & Greenway tenders paved trails, picnic spots, a visitors’ center, captive bison and elk viewing opportunities, annual events like the Bear River Rendezvous, and outdoor access throughout the year.

Sheridan

Lovingly called ‘Wyoming’s Jewel,’ this Sheridan County seat, set equidistant from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Yellowstone National Park, entices retired persons owing to its seamless blend of Old West charm, pristine beauty, and modern amenities. Vaunting subsidized accommodation costs, living costs about 7% less than the national average, and 23.9% of the town’s total population aged 65 and above, Sheridan is indeed an excellent place to retire in the Equality State. Elderly adventurers, when visiting this sublime town, should take scenic drives through the exquisite surroundings, go horseback riding, hike, and wildlife-watch in the surrounding Bighorn National Forest.

Not to be missed is the iconic Sheridan Inn, where the furnishings, artifacts, and overall finishing of each of the revitalized twenty-two rooms present histories on the Inn’s most famous occupant, Col. William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, and twenty-one other crucial characters from his life. Seniors can take unhurried walks through Sheridan’s Downtown, checking Western leatherwork exhibits at King’s Saddlery Museum, and some finest Western and American Native Art in the ideal settings of The Brinton Museum. Further, the state-of-the-art Sheridan Memorial Hospital is always ready with quality healthcare services for all Sheridan residents.

From Sheridan’s distinctive amalgamation of storied Western heritage and adventures in the Bighorn National Forest to Torrington’s perfect balance of rustic charm and small-town ambience, each Wyoming community permits pensioners to retire comfortably without the need to tighten their purse strings. As the retirement years draw near, and you rack your brains to find placid locales for settling down, Wyoming’s small towns stand out as the numero uno choice for retiring in. So, if you want to spend some nice moments amidst unspoiled surroundings minus large crowds, then these Wyoming settlements boasting inexpensive residential properties, praiseworthy healthcare facilities, and plentiful low-cost leisure time activities are prime sites to get the most out of your after-work life.