7 Most Comfortable Towns In Oklahoma For Seniors
While we often associate vacations and retirement with sunny states like Florida, what some may not know is that Oklahoma has one of the largest retirement populations in the country. With an estimated 640,000 people over the age of 65, seniors love Oklahoma for its hospitality, gorgeous parks, and a strong sense of community.
But what truly sets this state apart from the rest is its affordability. With one of the lowest costs of living in the United States, Oklahoma is by far one of the best places to live out your golden years in comfort. Paired with welcoming neighbors, excellent medical facilities, and stunning Oklahoma landscapes, it is easy to see why so many seniors and retirees choose the Sooner State. With that being said, if you are on the hunt for the most comfortable Oklahoma towns to visit or call home in 2024 and onward, here are 7 of the best to get you started.
Guthrie
For seniors who love the comforts and charms of a close-knit historic town, Guthrie is the perfect place to call home. As Oklahoma’s original state capital, its Historic District transports you to a different era with over 2,000 historic buildings. Locals and visitors alike can delight in the brick Victorian-era storefronts and Old Oklahoma attractions like the Oklahoma Frontier Drug Store and historic Pollard Theatre.
For those looking to get involved in their community, Guthrie’s year-round festivities and events are a great way to meet your neighbors. Monthly Red Brick Nights draw crowds downtown with food trucks and live music. Then in December, the downtown sparkles with lights for the Victorian-themed Territorial Christmas Celebration. With highlights like the annual Guthrie Christmas Parade and delightful candlelight trolley rides, this month-long celebration evokes the charms of a Charles Dickens tale.
With a cost of living 21% lower than the national average and crime rates 21% lower, Guthrie is truly the ideal town to embrace that intimate small town feel. With medical facilities like Mercy Hospital Logan County right in town, seniors can also forget the worry of traveling far for healthcare and services like Senior Life Solutions.
Stillwater
While not quite as affordable as Guthrie (with an average cost of living around 9% lower than the national average), Stillwater still promises savings through 23% lower housing expenses. On top of this, many seniors love to call Stillwater home for the abundance of activities and outdoor recreation. Best-place-to-retire.com explains that with the town’s 20 parks, multiple lakes, and spirited college culture from Oklahoma State University (OSU), “there is always something to do” in Stillwater.
Along with making Stillwater “America’s Friendliest College Town,” OSU regularly provides numerous employment and volunteer opportunities for seniors eager to remain engaged. And for those looking to expand their knowledge and learn something new, the university’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a fantastic way for people 50 and older to take courses and connect with others.
Stillwater’s outdoor recreation is also a great way to connect with others in the community. Waterfront strolls, fishing, and boating are popular choices for people of all ages at spots like Boomer Lake Park. Golfing, on the other hand, is an acclaimed Stillwater speciality, with Golf Digest listing the Karsten Creek Golf Club as 1 of 2023’s “Best Golf Courses in Oklahoma.”
Jenks
Jenks is an up-and-coming Tulsa suburb known for being one of the fastest-growing towns in Oklahoma. For this reason, the town’s cost of living is just 1% lower than the national average, and housing is unfortunately a bit higher. But for those who love the perk of being near Tulsa's big-city attractions (like the River Spirit Casino and Tulsa Zoo) without losing the bliss of a small town feel, this Oklahoma town is well worth the price and makes for a sound investment.
Adding to the allure, in a SmartAsset review of FBI crime data, Jenks ranked among one of the safest suburbs in the United States and the overall safest in Oklahoma. With this peace of mind, the town’s top attractions can be enjoyed by retirees without second thought.
Nestled along the Arkansas River, the Jenks Riverwalk Crossing serves as a vibrant centerpiece for the town. It features a great array of charming shops and restaurants like the popular Burn Co Barbecue, for those days where a trip to the city is not on the agenda. Additionally, the Crossing provides access to a picturesque riverside trail, perfect for seniors looking to enjoy nature while staying active.
Ardmore
For seniors looking to save, the town of Ardmore is an excellent alternative. With a cost of living 14% lower than the national average and housing 33% lower, this Carter County town is much more affordable. It also has a lot more outdoor recreation, making it a great choice for those who like fresh air and nature walks.
As the town’s top attraction, Lake Murray State Park welcomes thousands every year. Known as “Oklahoma's first and largest state park,” this 12,500-acre nature haven is centered around gorgeous Lake Murray, paired with rolling hills, dense woodlands, and historic cabins. Seniors can also get discounts on the 18-hole Lake Murray State Park Golf Course on Friday to Sunday plus holidays.
Adjacent to the park, the Lake Murray Nature Center is home to Tucker Tower. Located on a cliff at the south end of the lake, (accessible via a short uphill path), this geological museum can be climbed for breathtaking lake views. Alternatively, Ardmore also boasts more easygoing green spaces for day-to-day strolls, including Ardmore Regional Park.
Mustang
Around two hours north of Ardmore, Mustang is an ideal town for seniors looking to enjoy a slower pace and peaceful atmosphere. Despite its population growing 4.5% annually, the town maintains a quiet environment and small-town feel. Mustang also frequently makes lists of the state’s top-safest towns. Based on FBI statistics released in 2023, its overall crime rate is 53% lower than the national average.
Unlike Jenks, whose fast-growing population has caused the cost of living and housing to swell, Mustang has maintained its affordability. With a cost of living 14% lower than the national average and 36% lower housing expenses, residents can afford to enjoy more of Mustang’s other pleasures, like its proximity to bustling Oklahoma City. A 25-minute drive will bring you to the city and its attractions, like the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and Myriad Botanical Gardens. With that being said, there is the perfect amount of space between the city and town to make visits easy without sacrificing peace and quiet.
Okmulgee
For even greater affordability, Okmulgee‘s cost of living is 21% lower than the national average and its housing is 56% lower. Expenses like bus fares and gas prices are also 15% below the national average, meaning transportation is super affordable. Whether frequently traveling to the town’s medical centers (like the Muscogee Creek Nation Hospital) or to recreational spots for hikes out in nature, affordable transportation is definitely a plus. For these reasons and more, it is easy to see why New Home Source names Okmulgee 1 of “The 10 Best Places to Retire in Oklahoma.”
The Okmulgee & Dripping Springs Lake & Recreation Area is one of the more popular parks in town for people of all ages. Positioned between 2 stunning lakes (Okmulgee and Dripping Springs), the Recreation Area is known for its fishing, boating, and picturesque 3.5-mile hiking trail, part of which is ADA accessible. A bit across town, the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge is equally enchanting, guiding visitors though one of Oklahoma’s last remaining bottomland hardwood forests.
Altus
With crime rates 25.2% lower than the national average, Altus is another idyllic Oklahoma community where seniors can feel safe living out their golden years. And with several medical facilities right in town, including the Jackson County Memorial Hospital and JCMH Medical Clinic, safety goes hand-in-hand with comfort in this Oklahoma town.
Altus is also another slow-paced town, but for introverted seniors, this is part of its charms. If you are someone who enjoys appreciating life’s simple pleasures-a cold beer, a trip to the movies, or a day of teeing off-this Oklahoma community is for you. Whether spending your Saturdays golfing at the Greens of Altus, seeing an evening show at the Heritage Park Theatre, or grabbing a drink at Trader Tom's Tavern, Altus is overflowing with that comforting small town atmosphere. And for the introverted nature lover, a short drive will bring you to the wonders of Great Plains State Park.
Why Oklahoma?
Whether moving towns, changing states for a change of scenery, or looking for a home to retire in, Oklahoma comes with a bounty of benefits. Affordability comes front and center, and is by far one of the more popular reasons so many choose to call Oklahoma home. But with this, Oklahomans are promised gorgeous parks, charming downtowns, spirited neighbors, and the comforts of safe communities. Whether choosing towns like Stillwater for its beautiful parks, towns like Guthrie for its festivals and history, or towns like Mustang for its low crime rates and affordability, Oklahoma is brimming with comfortable towns to fit every senior’s needs.
