7 Most Affordable Towns to Retire in the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a fantastic place to spend a day, a week, or a lifetime. These beautiful freshwater lakes feature many scenic small towns, which are ideal for seniors to spend their golden years. Thankfully, these small towns also offer affordable housing and low costs of living while providing excellent parks, recreational facilities, and more. If you are considering retiring in the Great Lakes region, these seven small towns are worth looking into.
St. Joseph, Michigan
Located in Southwest Michigan on Lake Michigan, St. Joseph is an idyllic place to kick back and relax. First founded at the mouth of the St. Joseph River in 1785, this small town of just under 8,000 people has a number of places to explore. Silver Beach is a great spot to visit, as it features a restored carousel from the early 1900s. Take your grandkids to the Curious Kids' Museum for a fun day, or enjoy some time by yourself with a glass of wine at the White Pine Winery Tasting Room. This small town is an affordable area as the median cost of real estate sits just above $200,000. You can rest easy in this small Michigan town with relaxing lake views.
Harbor Beach, Michigan
On the shores of Lake Huron, Harbor Beach is renowned for beautiful beachside sites. The 1,015-foot-long Trescott Pier offers gorgeous sunrise views, and the area is filled with boating and hiking opportunities such as the Tip of the Thumb Heritage Water Trail, Sandy's Harbor Beach, and Waterworks Park. For history lovers, take the Historical Walking Trail, which will lead you to many historic churches and the Frank Murphy Museum, named after the Governor General of the Philippines, appointed to this role by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. Harbor Beach's median home listing prices are around $162,000, making Harbor Beach a very affordable place to retire.
Mequon, Wisconsin
This small town of just over 25,000 people to the West of Lake Michigan offers relaxing lakeside views. Mequon has many nature preserves and parks, such as the lakeside Virmond Park or the Mequon Nature Preserve, offering five mails of trails through natural wetlands. Spend a day golfing at the Mee-Kwon Park Golf Course or the Missing Links Golf Course & Driving Range. Mequon sits just outside of Milwaukee, and you will have easy access to the city's healthcare facilities without having to deal with the hustle and bustle of city life. The median home listing price is around $500,000, which is a bit higher than the US average, but well worth it for the views.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Known for its artsy vibe, Grand Marais provides the best of lake and mountain living as it is between the Sawtooth Mountains and Lake Superior, which serve as a regulator source of inspiration for the 1,800 residents. It's the perfect spot to learn about traditional arts and crafts at the North House Folk School or explore the art colony in the town. Park your RV at the Grand Marias Recreation Area and walk at the park, or set out on the marina onto Lake Superior. For waterfall lovers, visit Judge C.R. Magney State Park to catch a sight of the Devil's Kettle Waterfall or go fishing for brook and rainbow trout at the nearby Brule River. The town's median home listing price currently sits around $500,000, but the selling prices are much more affordable, at around $250,000.
Bay Village, Ohio
On Lake Erie, Bay Village is outside of Cleveland and hosts just over 15,000 residents. This area is home to many scenic parks, such as Reese Park, Bradley Road Park, and the Cahoon Memorial Park. Huntington Beach in town offers boating, hiking, swimming, picnicking and other outdoor activities. Kids will enjoy the Karen's Way Play Space at the beach, with swings and a 50-foot zipline. For another family-friendly spot, check out The Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, which hosts many rescue animals and exhibits. Bay Village has a higher median home listing price of $650,000, but a lower median home sold price of $287,000, making it a great spot to set roots for your golden years.
New Buffalo, Michigan
Seventy miles outside of Chicago on Lake Michigan, New Buffalo is a small town of just under 2,000 residents. Its best feature is the largest beach in the entire region, New Buffalo Beach. The Warren Featherbone Company gifted the beach, along with the City Boat Launch, Riverfront, and Lions Pavilion Park, to the city in 1924 for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. For wildlife observers, the Galien River County Park offers 86 acres of wetlands with a rich diversity of life. The small town is home to many locally-owned cafes, such as Jackie's Café, and wine tasting at the Promeny Olive & Wine, which also sells gourmet olive oil. New Buffalo has a low cost of living, with a median home listing price of around $600,000.
Sister Bay, Wisconsin
This village on the shores of Lake Michigan is a relaxing destination known for its sunsets. The best spot to view those sunsets is at the Waterfront Park in Sister Bay, which also offers a swim pier and raft, gazebo, and pavilion. Sister Bay is the ideal spot for boaters as the Sister Bay Marina provides a public launch ramp on the lake. Explore 16 historic buildings by taking a tour at the Corner of the Past Museum or see the shipwreck site of the Meridian, a schooner that sank into the lake in 1873. The local dining scene offers a variety of options, from Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant to the Island Orchard Cider's Door County Cider House. With a population of just over 800 people, you will be joining a tight-knit community with a median home listing price of $850,000 (but a lower sales price of $500,000).
Choosing Your Lakeside Retirement Haven
When looking for a place to retire, lakeside towns offer incredible sunrises, sunsets, and places to soak in the sunlight and water. Due to their size, the Great Lakes provide plenty of variety in terms of towns to choose from for your retirement. Whether you are looking for a place with lots of parks, beaches, or affordable housing, there are many small towns to choose from. When making retirement plans, consider these small towns in the Great Lakes area.
