7 Welcoming Towns To Retire In Idaho
If you're ready to take the plunge, pack up the moving truck, and settle into your new community post-retirement, consider the northern state of Idaho. Offering hospitals, all the essentials, and, of course, incredible outdoor adventures, all that's left to do is put yourself out there and find your new friends, community, and lifestyle. Experience breathtaking natural wonders like the Boise National Forest and the Rocky Mountains, and take part in activities like skiing, hiking, and fishing, all within a short drive of your new home. Here are seven Idaho towns that offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere to spend your retirement years.
Sandpoint
If you've always dreamed about lakeside living and fabulous mountain views, Sandpoint might be just what you're looking for. Located in Nothern, Idaho, this town packs a punch with plenty of outdoor activities as well as everyday amenities. The Bonner General Hospital is there for all your health needs, as is the animal hospital for your furry friends. Shop at major retailers like Walmart and Home Depot, and keep busy with the library, bowling alley, cinema, and Panida Theater, as well as the Sandpoint Shopping District and Bonner Mall. The senior center offers an onsite cafe, lunches, and salad bar, and activities like yoga, knitting, and support groups. Plus, getting around town is easy with SPOT, a free transit service.
Get out into nature with the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge and state parks like Farragut, Round Lake, and Priest Lake. In the winter, hit the slopes at Schweitzer Village, and in the summer, play a game at one of four golf courses, including Stoneridge, Priest Lake, Ranch Club, and Mirror Lake. And let's not forget about beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, right at your doorstep, where you can take part in sightseeing cruises and marine fun.
Although price-wise, Sandpoint is a little high, with an average home price of $727,600, its lengthy list of amenities and adventures make it worth it in the long run.
Post Falls
Experience the stunning beauty and adventurous lifestyle that comes with living in Post Falls. Enjoy lakes, rivers, and expansive parks all at your fingertips, as well as all the necessities, including hospitals, specialty clinics, and urgent care centers. Shop at thrift stores, hardware shops, malls, and big retailers like Walmart, Cabela, and more. The seniors center, also called 3rd Avenue Marketplace, offers a foodbank, lunches, morning coffee, bingo, and plenty of classes and workshops. On rainy days, visit the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center or bowl at River City Lanes. In the summer, walk the trails in Post Falls Community Forest or find a spot near the fishing pond at Falls Park. Golf at the Club at Prairie Falls or the Highlands, or climb aboard a lake cruise sailing Lake Coeur d'Alene. In the winter, enjoy cross-country skiing and ice skating, or plan a weekend trip to Silver Mountain Resort.
As for getting around, CityLink is the town's transit service, offering routes to neighboring communities, as well as on-demand services and a dedicated healthcare appointment bus. All this and more can be yours for $575,000 on average.
Bonner's Ferry
One of the best parts about retirement is being able to enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about work or school. And there are plenty of adventures to be had in the town of Bonner's Ferry, From hiking to fishing, biking, and more, you'll never run out of ways to stay active and entertained. And with a reasonable average home price of $539,000, you can enjoy mountain living for far less than other communities.
When it comes to healthcare, Boundary Community Hospital always puts you first, and getting there is easy with SPOT, the town's free transit service. Hitch a ride to shops like Safeway, Grocery Outlet, and Super 1 Foods or to popular destinations like Two Brews Coffee Company and the Pearl Theater, an event center inside an old church.
Now let's talk exploring. If you have a vehicle, plan a trip around the Selkirk Loop, which journies through the Rockies. Hike the trails at Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, or visit a waterfall including Myrtle Falls, Snow Creek Falls, Copper Falls, and Smith Falls. Other outdoor activities include golfing at Mirror Lake, fishing on the Kootenai River, snowmobiling, cycling the Brush Lake Trail, and, of course, the local farmers market in the summer.
Mountain Home
A unique name and an even more unique way of life. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and the mundane, and come experience mountain living in Mountain Home, Idaho. Plus, you can purchase a home for an average of $387,500, which is almost unheard of for being so close to nature.
Although this town offers a wide range of both indoor and outdoor activities, it also provides its residents with plenty of amenities, including a hospital, a free transit system, and a senior center offering meals on wheels, cooking classes, bingo, game nights, and crafts. There's an Albertsons, Walmart, and Grocery Outlet for the essentials, as well as popular fast food joints and locally owned cafes and restaurants such as Brie'Sta Coffee Company and Apple Barrel Deli. and for lots of local options, check out the farmers market, or the monthly Makers Market.
Get outdoors with the Anderson Ranch Reservoir or state parks like Bruneau Dunes and Glenns Ferry Three Island. There's golfing at Desert Canyon, fly fishing, a speedway for heart-racing action, an outdoor pool, and a community garden. The town also offers trips to the hot springs, casino, and botanic gardens. And on colder days, check out the library, where you can play chess, make crafts, join clubs, and even take part in a murder mystery dinner party.
Garden City
If you are searching for luxury, and have the funds to do so, Garden City might be right up your alley. With a steeper price point of just under $700,000, Garden City makes up for it with a lifestyle that feels like an endless retreat.
Conquer the craft beer corridor with popular stops like Barbarian Brewing, Berts Brewing, Brown Beard Brewing, and Clairvoy Brewing. Sip cider at Meriweather or sample wines at Proletariat Wine Company and Rolling Hills Vineyard. Visit unique places like the Pinball Museum, The Farm Dance Hub, and Sapphire Room, offering live music events. You can also catch a comedy show or a concert at Revolution. For those with a green thumb, stop by the North End Organic Nursery or snap some pictures of the wildflowers along the river. The library has crafting, poetry, meditation, and so much more, or you can join a workshop at Surels Place. Big fan of events? Mark your calendars for the Western Idaho Fair, Boise Music Festival, and Food Truck Fridays.
And don't worry—you can have fun and take fantastic care of yourself, with Garden City Hospital, major retailers, and the Valley Regional Transit allowing easy travel around town.
Rexburg
Take life slow and finally relax with a home in Rexburg. With an average home price of $429,900, you can find the house of your dreams, make it yours, and then get out and discover your new community. Play slow pitch, pickleball, cornhole, disc golf, and more at the many parks, or purchase a membership to a golf course such as Legacy, Rexburg Municipal, or Teton Lakes. Stroll the trails at Caribou-Grand Targhee National Forest or at Grand Tetons National Park. You are also close to Yellowstone, Kelly Canyon, Mesa Falls, and the Saint Anthony Sand Dunes.
Community activities include shows at the Romance Theater, benefit concerts, and groups for painting, choir, orchestra, community theater, and the senior center. Here, you can take part in quilting, arts and crafts, and fitness classes.
As for amenities, keep your health in check with the Madison Memorial Hospital or make the quick journey to the city of Idaho Falls. Shop at Broulims, Walgreens, Albertsons, and Walmart, and dine out at either popular chains or local eats like Fresco Kitchen and Grill. Walmart also offers a free shuttle so you can fill your pantry with ease. And once that's all said and done, catch the latest flick at the Paramount 5 Cinema or attend an event at the Tabernacle Civic Center.
Bayview
Enjoy a secluded lakeside village within a half-hour's drive from Sandpoint. Spend the days on the water of Lake Pend Oreille but still be close to hospitals, including Bonner General. Purchase a membership to the yacht club or take up sailing. Marvel at the Coeur d'Alene Mountains and explore Farragut State Park. Join workshops and activities at the community center, offering photography, painting, singing, and senior activities since it doubles as the senior center. Easily get to know your neighbors in this tight-knit community and attend events such as plant sales and Bayview Daze. Venture to nearby towns, including Athol and Spirit Lake, or visit Spokane, only an hour away. Attend clubs at the library or join a fitness group such as yoga, pickleball, or Tai Chi. On beautiful mornings, grab a coffee from Ralphs Coffee House then walk the marina. And the price is right at only $392,500, compared to Sandpoint's $727,600 average.
There is much to see and do in these seven towns for seniors. Attractions both in and around these towns cater to all kinds of personalities. Plus with top-notch hospitals, communities that prioritize senior care, and all the best amenities, you can focus on enjoying your golden years without the stress.
