7 Welcoming Towns to Retire in Indiana

Choosing the best place to enjoy your retirement is no easy task. With variables like topography, cost of living, demographics, ease of travel, and medical care, a person looking to retire in the near future has plenty to factor into their decision. It isn’t something to be approached lightly and since this will likely be your final home, many become stressed at the prospect of making the wrong call.

You need a spot that checks all the boxes and then some. In that respect, Indiana should always be part of the conversation. The landscape is diverse, with sprawling plains to the north, rolling hills to the south, and forest areas throughout. The cost of living is reasonable, even closer to larger cities like Indianapolis and Merrillville. Not to mention, of the almost 7 million residents, about 15% are of the retirement age group.

Indiana is welcoming with the farm belt charm and wholesome attitude that enchants the soul with a calmer, slower, more relaxed attitude about life that is perfect after years in the hustle. Mom-and-pop restaurants abound, medical care is thorough and plentiful, and travel to surrounding states is rarely a struggle. Just be sure to pack your winter clothes. Indiana also welcomes plenty of snow.

Connersville

With a downtown exploding with vibrant colors and meticulously maintained architecture, it isn’t hard to tell that this lovely town in eastern Indiana prioritizes town pride. For a retiree who has chosen Connersville to transplant their entire world into, this is very good news. It welcomes all who visit with a hearty handshake and a smile. It speaks to the overall sense of respect in all aspects of the town, including public areas such as parks and businesses and how they operate, as well as the care and compassion of citizens in general.

Retirees will witness the purity of purpose when venturing to nature activities like Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary, and Roberts Park, or step off the trail to take in some of the Greek Revival Architecture, such as the Canal House. The surrounding towns are easily accessible using the Whitewater Valley Railroad, but you will never want to leave this lovely town, even for a few hours. Add to that Reid Health right in town, and you are sure to feel safe, nurtured, and blissful calling Connersville home.

Zionsville

Many seniors are leery of moving to a smaller town because of a lack of amenities they have become accustomed to in big city life. This is perfectly understandable. Change is hard. Zionsville is happy to remove those understandable concerns, and with its proximity to Indianapolis, anything you might need or want is only a short drive away, including the airport. In addition, appreciate high-quality medical care facilities like Witham Health Services.

Make new friends and share your love of the town with visitors during the annual Fall Festival, get the freshest, locally sourced produce and homemade crafts at the Zionsville Farmers Market, or watch the grandkid’s eyes light up during Christmas in the Village. Take a stroll through Eagle Creek Park and follow up with a cold beverage at a charming café in the downtown area. Here, you are home.

New Castle

Retirees need to find their final home in a place that holds their passions in the highest regard. If you love the wilderness, you may not want to live in the city. If you love to fish and hunt, you may lean toward somewhere rural with lake access and woods or hunting preserves nearby. In New Castle, retirees who absolutely cannot get enough of the wonderful world of Basketball have found Nirvana.

New Castle is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame, a hallowed temple where the greats of the sport can be viewed, learned about, and admired. Read the stories of Pete Maravich, Michael Jordan, and Larry Bird, then watch some of the most amazing shots and game films throughout basketball history.

Maybe Basketball isn’t your thing. Cast a line in at Summit Lake State Park, have a picnic, and enjoy the warm summer sun. Check into the recreation options at Henry County Memorial Park, a sprawling 362-acre space with plenty for all ages. It's all designed with relaxation in mind. In addition, Indianapolis is only a short drive to the west if high-quality healthcare is on your future home checklist.

Peru

While this might be the “circus capital of the world,” Peru is no joke. That doesn’t mean they don’t know how to have plenty of fun. Peru is home to the best, and oldest, amateur circus in the world, and once a year, the third week of July, Peru celebrates this accolade with what has lovingly been dubbed “Parade Day.’ The event draws tons of visitors and music, laughter, and merriment can be heard for blocks in every direction.

Retirees with a sense of whimsy and an enthusiasm for the joy of life will love to experience this, with or without the extended family, and maybe make some new acquaintances along the way. Those who choose to avoid it can find solace at Peru Golf Course, fishing the Wabash River, or enjoying a walk through the woods on Nickel Plate Trail.

In addition, Dukes Memorial Hospital is right in t,own and their ER is 24 hours. With an average of 18% of the population 65 years old or older, you can be sure these facilities know how to treat all that ails you.

Hobart

Hobart is tailored to seniors, offering easy access to businesses, facilities, and centers, through the well-planned transportation pathways. For some retirees, getting around is a chore. Even the perfectly ambulatory can be dismayed by poor roads and limited walking spaces. This is not a problem in Hobart. Many of the residents don’t even drive, choosing to take bicycles or just walk.

Lake George is a popular place to enjoy one of these walks. In a gorgeous and peaceful setting, townsfolk gather on the banks and in picnic areas for events and parties, while others, fish and boat while the sun bathes them in its warmth and care. Hobart’s senior community center plans weekly events to give retirees new and exciting plans alone or with friends, and St. Mary’s Medical Center is nearby, just in case.

Sometimes, even the most content and comfy residents need a little getaway. Hobart is bordered on its West edge by Interstate 65, leading north to Lake Michigan and south to Indianapolis.

Crown Point

Sometimes, the only thing an aging retiree wants is the recognition that their health and well-being are in good hands with the new community they intend to adopt. Aging is inevitable, and while many wish it could be painless, graceful, and with dignity, this isn’t always the case. Towns like Crown Point understand and have over 50 homecare agencies ready to help.

Crown Point in Northern Indiana is home to the Community Stroke and Rehabilitation Center, as well as other medical service centers that are very comprehensive. Additionally, join a senior center, hobby group, or fitness class, or learn a new craft or skill. Keep your hands busy, and make a new friend or two.

The town comes together for events throughout the year, many held at the Lake County Courthouse, the historical center of town, as well as hosting such community staples as a farmers market downtown. Tour downtown and pop into the Antique Mall, grab lunch at Twelve Islands Restaurant, or, if the family has dropped by for a visit, find your way to Bulldog Park for a picnic and fun in the splash pad.

Bluffton

Ask a retiree what they need most when choosing their new home and most will say affordability, while others will say safety, and still others will tell you they need something to keep them engaged and fill the hours not taken up by work. Bluffton, just off of Interstate 69 and south of Forth Wayne in northeast Indiana, checks all the boxes and takes it a few steps beyond.

Independent living centers for seniors are strategically located throughout the town, including the very popular River Terrace Retirement Community. Get out and stretch your legs on a nice walk, hike, or bike ride through Ouabache State Park, all situated along the Wabash River. Grandkids paying a visit? No problem. Roush Park and Splashpad will wear them out in a high-energy environment perfect for families. In addition, when needed, Bluffton Regional Medical Center is always available to help.

Retirement is the beginning of an exciting new chapter. How you write this chapter is up to you, but what’s most important is that you pick up the pen and start the next part of the story. If you still need to work for a sense of purpose, that’s ok. Plenty of Indiana businesses hire retirees for part-time work. If you want to learn a new skill or language or otherwise, retirement centers and local learning centers will be more than happy to accommodate.

Never stop growing, changing, expanding the mind, keeping your hands busy, and living your best life. In Indiana, housing is affordable, nothing is out of reach, and more retirees move to this midwestern state each year, giving you ample opportunity to welcome the next group of seniors eager for what you have already embraced. Welcome them, as the towns once welcomed you.