7 Towns in Oklahoma that Are Ideal for Seniors
Oklahoma embodies the American West like few other states do. Officially a state since 1907, Oklahoma has spent its short history in a permanent state of rapid development. That is equally true for the services provided to older persons who may want to retire in their home state — or embrace Oklahoma as the retirement destination of their choice. These towns suggest just how much the state has to offer, whether for seniors who are non-disabled and active or those who may require a higher level of medical and personal care. Abundant in senior facilities, hospitals, parks, and older-adult activities, it should not surprise anyone that Oklahoma is an excellent state to live out one's Golden Years.
Grove
Guthrie
With 11,200 inhabitants, Guthrie lies a quick hop from Oklahoma City, the state capital. Guthrie's diverse set of hospitals and healthcare facilities promise various kinds of care for seniors who may need it. The town's proximity to the Cimarron River makes for a great spot to take grandkids or loved ones of any age. For green spaces, Highland Park's 43 acres combine walking trails and curated ponds. Cultural connoisseurs will appreciate the town's cultural gems, such as the old Pollard Theatre, the rodeo-focused Lazy E Arena, and the Oklahoma Territorial Museum. With ample amenities for healthcare, the town offers eight nursing and senior care centers, including three in the low-income range. Nearly a dozen such facilities in Oklahoma City complete the array of services and medical services available in and near Guthrie.
Owasso
Owasso, population 39,300, ranks among the more prominent retirement destinations in Oklahoma's senior-oriented towns. Located in the state's northeast, this town is close to Tulsa. Owasso calls itself a "City of Character," part of a program to support the vibrant communities where seniors will feel at home. Those who cannot imagine retirement without golf will enjoy the Bailey Ranch Golf Club, beloved for its powerful, natural vistas visible from the challenging course. Regardless of a senior's desire to stay active, their medical needs will be more than met: the town and the metropolitan Tulsa area boast nearly thirty retirement living centers. Standouts in Owasso proper include the Sequoyah Pointe Living Center and Oxford Glen Memory Care, which specializes in support for Alzheimer's patients.
Jenks
With its larger population of 27,100, the town of Jenks, found south of Tulsa on the western side of the Arkansas River, promises an array of senior-appropriate options. The Grace Skilled Nursing and Therapy Center caters to various medical needs. The Jenks Adult Activity Center maintains a full calendar of events for seniors, ranging from outings and meals in town to morning exercise classes and afternoon table games, like poker and bridge. It is worth noting that the Jenks area ranks among Oklahoma's more expensive zones for retirees planning to live on a fixed income or other finite means.
Ardmore
Ardmore, another mid-sized town with 24,900 total inhabitants in south-central Oklahoma, balances city conveniences with that slower, small-town pace. Garden lovers will enjoy the numerous parks around town, including Central Park, Ardmore Regional Park, and Walker Park, which are great for visits from friends, family, or both! Outdoor fans will fall in love with the nearby Lake Murray State Park, featuring a lake and grounds that allow for tennis, golf, fishing, boating, and many other pastimes. Ardmore sustains six retirement communities, nearly all of which are affordable at low incomes, according to the retirement planning site SeniorHousingNet.
Mustang
Its very name evokes the mysticism and romance of the Old American West. Mustang, a suburb just 13 miles southeast of Oklahoma City, has a modest population of 22,200. The former farm town's proximity to the capital, Oklahoma City, makes it a rapidly growing community—with retirement options rising, too! Mustang is a vibrant small town and hosts cultural events throughout the year, such as its annual Western Days Celebration, a festival of the Old West that celebrates cowboys and the state's role in America's westward expansion. Mustang's next-to-zero crime rate and its high concentration of assisted living communities make it an excellent choice for seniors who want a rich and lively history in addition to ample care. Mustang has four retirement communities serving low- and high-intensity needs, while the Oklahoma City area has at least 20 similar communities, per SeniorHousingNet.
Miami
One of Oklahoma's oldest towns, Miami has 12,900 residents and offers plenty of amenities for culture-loving retirees. The gamut runs from the historic Coleman Theatre and the Charles Banks Wilson Art Gallery to the Dobson Museum, where local Native American history takes pride. With six local retirement homes and two affordable at low incomes, seniors of every stripe can count on abundant access to care of all kinds. Lovers of antiques or the outdoors will find plenty to do, whether at Twin Bridges State Park, where there is hiking and fishing, or on historic Main Street, with its boutique shops, antique stores, and local standouts in the heart of the action.
Having seen the dynamic and diverse attributes an Oklahoma retirement can provide, the most challenging choice for the potential retiree may lie in choosing where they want to settle. Small towns such as Grove and Guthrie will deliver a quaint and quiet life after one's working years. In contrast, more extensive zip codes, such as Owasso and Jenks, will command a broader set of retiring people with a correspondingly larger set of various needs. Whatever the tastes and desired lifestyles of potential retirees, Oklahoma's capacity to accommodate them is specific. After one's career is finished, Oklahoma can provide for a senior's health and welfare as only a handful of other states can.
