7 Senior-Friendly Towns in Michigan
Michigan is a state prized for its deep historical roots, rich heritage, and exquisite panoramas. When Michigan is mentioned to outsiders as a retirement destination, some might initially reflect on the cold winter weather and Motor City, with its present economic and crime-ridden troubles. However, there are many smaller towns throughout the state that offer retirees a serene, balanced, and rewarding lifestyle. For those in the know, Michigan provides waterfront bargains, in contrast to more expensive states like Florida (not immune to its own weather hazards).
Settled between the Great Lakes, Michigan presents stunning bodies of water, woodlands, and quaint villages. Traverse City, with its bay views, Petoskey, with its Gaslight District, and Holland’s Dutch heritage, are not to be overlooked. Neither are villages such as Marquette on the shores of Lake Superior, Charlevoix’s whimsical architecture, the artistic haven of Saugatuck, and Alpena with its maritime history. Each town provides something unique for seniors. Come on an excursion through Michigan towns that are not only beautiful but affordable, safe, and proximate to reliable medical care.
Traverse City
Snuggled along the banks of Grand Traverse Bay is the small town of Traverse City, with its lush rolling hills and forests. The downtown features Victorian architecture, boutique shopping, and art galleries. Poppycocks on Front is described as a “happening place” with cocktails and live Jazz music. The Cherry Republic offers an excellent shopping experience, and Crooked Tree Arts Center is where one can enjoy local art. Popular landmarks include the Grand Traverse Commons, which was once the state hospital and now offers shopping and eateries in preserved Victorian-Italianate buildings. Clinch Park provides beaches, water sports, a marina, and walking trails. The Old Mission Lighthouse, located on the tip of the Old Mission Peninsula, is an 1870s lighthouse with panoramic views of Lake Michigan (https://www.traversecity.com). Considering Traverse City’s natural beauty, low crime rates, and the fact that over 23% of the population is age 65 and older, it has become a popular retirement town for seniors. An affordable median home price of $336,900 for a waterfront village doesn’t hurt either (census.gov). Munson Medical Center is a well-ranked hospital in town, giving seniors access to good medical care (health.usnews.com).
Petoskey
Positioned on the shores of Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay is the town of Petoskey, with its woodlands and rolling hills. The downtown Gaslamp District is a charmer, not just for the architecture and boutique shopping experience but also for the numerous festivals throughout the year, like the Bay Harbor Art Festival. Other local landmarks are the Petoskey State Park with its sandy beaches and water activities. There are also walking trails, allowing one to enjoy nature and stunning waterfront, dunes, and wooded scenery. The Bear River Valley Recreation Area has trails for hiking and whitewater kayaking (https://visitpetoskeymichigan.com). Nearly 20% of the population is aged 65 and over. The crime rates are low, and the median housing price is an affordable $256,400. McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital is located in town and is well-ranked (health.usnews.com). Put it all together, and Petoskey will start to look fairly attractive to seniors.
Holland
The small town of Holland lies on the shores of Lakes Michigan and Macatawa. Its flat terrain makes it senior-friendly, and taking advantage of its lovely beaches is a fine way to spend one’s golden years, with or without the grandkids. The vibrant downtown boasts Dutch-style architecture and offers everything one is looking for. Landmarks include Windmill Island Gardens, which is a Dutch-themed village with windmills. Holland State Park offers an expansive beachfront and the popular “Big Red” lighthouse. De Zwaan Windmill was transported from the Netherlands and grinds wheat into flour, making for a unique experience for locals and visitors (https://www.holland.org). Holland is not far from Petoskey’s Northern Michigan Hospital. Nearly 17% are age 65 and older. The crime rates are low, and the housing is affordable, with a median home price of $212,900 (Census.gov).
Marquette
Lying along the craggy cliffs and dense forests of Lake Superior is the small town of Marquette. The downtown features a mix of historic and modern architecture. Must-see landmarks include Presque Isle Park, a 323-acre park with breathtaking views of the lake, along with walking trails and picnicking sites. The Marquette Harbor Lighthouse offers guided tours, and the Marquette Maritime Museum, not far from the lighthouse, exhibits local history, tales of shipwrecks, and lighthouse lore (https://www.michigan.org/city/marquette). Nearly 16% of the population is 65 years of age and older. The crime rates are low, and the median home price is around $231,500, making Marquette an attractive option for seniors (census.gov). The in-town hospital, UP Health System-Marquette, is ranked as high-performing (health.usnews.com).
Charlevoix
Nestled between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix, the town of Charlevoix is admired for its rolling hills and waterfront vistas. The quaint downtown boasts historic architecture and remarkable stone houses. Do not miss local landmarks like Charlevoix South Pier Light Station and Castle Farms with its medieval-style architecture (originally built in the early 20th century) with its stone buildings and gardens. Earl Young’s Mushroom Houses are whimsical stone homes designed by Young, a local architect (https://www.visitcharlevoix.com). Nearly 28% of the population is age 65 and older. The median housing value is an affordable $220,000, and the crime rates are low (census.gov). Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital is rated as high-performing (health.usnews.com). Add it all up, and Charlevoix will be a real contender.
Saugatuck
The sand dunes and wooded areas of Saugatuck give way to lovely views of the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan. The downtown is known for its artistic community and historic buildings. Landmarks are Saugatuck Dunes State Park, which, in addition to the dune formations and secluded beach, offers excellent bird-watching opportunities. The popular Oval Beach is admired for its pristine sand, sunsets, and clear water. Mount Baldhead is a large sand dune that presents a challenging climb (https://www.michigan.org/city/saugatuck). The median age of the town is 58, which indicates it’s popular with a more mature demographic. The median property value is in the mid-500s (partly due to the low population), making it more expensive than some on our list but still reasonable (Data USA). The well-regarded Holland Hospital, as previously discussed, is less than 20 minutes away by car.
Alpena
Set on Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay, the town of Alpena offers modest rolling hills and extraordinary water views. The downtown is enchanting with its historic buildings and maritime museums. Landmarks that should be on one’s must-visit list include the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, an underwater preserve with a collection of historic shipwrecks. Nearby is the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, a museum with interactive exhibits displaying Great Lakes history and stories of local shipwrecks. The Alpena Light, aka “Little Red,” is a lighthouse at the entrance to Thunder Bay River and is known for its vistas and fishing (https://www.visitalpena.com). Medical Center Alpena, the local hospital, has good reviews of patient experience (health.usnews.com). Nearly 22% of the population is age 65 and older. Low crime rates and an extra affordable median home value of $105,400 should put the town of Alpena near the top of one’s retirement location list (census.gov)
Parting Thoughts
From the exceptional beauty of the Upper Peninsula with its ruggedness and dense forests to the sand dunes further south, rolling hills, fertile farmlands and 3,200 miles of coastline along four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan is a state full of natural splendors. It is a state of four seasons and one that can be quite affordable. With good access to medical care and safe small towns. The Great Lakes State has so much to suit the primary needs of retirees.
