8 Best Small Towns In Indiana For Retirees
For those considering retirement or those retired already, the attractions of Indiana are many. The state brings together the history and do-it-yourself spirit of the old American frontier with pristine natural beauty and amenities for the diverse needs and interests of retirees. Beyond its larger cities like Fort Wayne or Indianapolis, the capital, the state's smaller towns offer a range of options in housing, healthcare, and outdoor activities, but they all share the same Indiana charm. The state's tourism motto — "Honest to Goodness Indiana" — may be just what current or future retirees are looking for.
Franklin
Just 20 miles south of Indianapolis and 90 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky, the central college town of Franklin, with 25,700 inhabitants, blends tradition and innovation. Franklin College, which educates thousands of students each semester, hosts a busy calendar of art and athletic events for the residents to enjoy. Franklin's downtown boasts well-maintained old brick homes and landmark Victorian mansions.
For active retirees, the Parks and Recreation Department maintains several miles of walking trails that link major areas of the town. Given its proximity to major cities, Franklin provides a diverse set of senior-care options, like Astral at Franklin and Otterbein SeniorLife, each of which meets the needs of high-functioning and more needy seniors.
Monticello
Monticello, population 5,500, takes its name from the Virginia estate of founding father, Thomas Jefferson. The town lies halfway between Indianapolis and Chicago. Active seniors will enjoy the town's outdoor spaces, including Lake Shafer, Bluewater Beach Park along the Tippecanoe River, and Altherr Nature Park. For movie fans or an outing with visiting family, seniors can catch a film during the summer at the vintage Lake Shore Drive-In Theater.
Monticello has five senior care centers, two of them at low-income-affordable costs, according to the information website Senior Housing Net. The locations provide a spectrum of care services for seniors in all conditions of health.
Greenfield
Greenfield, with 24,800 residents, is a much larger retirement destination and sits east of the Indianapolis metro area. For history buffs of a certain age, the town offers a pair of historic districts, one in the Courthouse Square neighborhood and the other in a separate residential area. Likewise, Greenfield's denizens have made major contributions to the arts — including poetry, being the hometown of James Whitcomb Riley, a contemporary of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Five senior healthcare services operated in Greenfield proper, with over a dozen more in the surrounding area, according to Senior Housing Net. These range from home-based and nursing care to low-income-accessible facilities like Good Shepherd Community in the north of town.
Goshen
Goshen, population 34,400, sits in north-central Indiana. The town doubles as the seat of Elkhart County. Goshen promises charm for seniors from its very nickname — the "Maple City" — so called for the abundance of maple trees in and around town. For visiting family and friends, Goshen maintains a busy events calendar through its "First Fridays" program, a family-friendly series that has run since 2007.
The town's half-dozen senior communities allow for a broad range of services and medical care, with twice that many more between Goshen and the nearby town of Elkhart. Seniors looking for fresh air will find it on Goshen Dam Pond or the larger Lake Wawasee southeast of town. The latter also has the Wawasee Golf Club for links lovers. For those who plan to spend their retirement traveling, Goshen is a center of the recreational vehicle (RV) industry, which makes the town a natural fit for those who seek the open road.
Angola
Angola, with 9,400 inhabitants, sits in Indiana's northeast corner, next to Michigan and Ohio. Able-bodied seniors may enjoy a stroll (or several) through Angola's Commercial Historic District, which dates from the 1860s and gives locals and visitors a diverse choice in historic architectural styles, from Classical Revival to Art Deco. Just north of Angola lies Pokagon State Park, a large green space along Lake James — a great place to take visiting loved ones.
Seniors and their families will be glad to know that Angola is home to the Cameron Memorial Community Hospital, a large, 24-hour care center in the heart of downtown. The town hosts four senior living sites, half of which are affordable for low-income residents.
Madison
Madison, population 12,200, sits along the Ohio River in southeastern Indiana, across from Kentucky. The cute town's charms are visible on a walk through its historic district, which has more than 130 square blocks of preserved history. In fact, Madison has the very largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District in the United States. Culture-focused seniors can learn local history through no fewer than eight house museums, including the town’s “crown jewel,” Lanier Mansion Historic Site, dating from 1844. For those looking for natural escapes, Clifty Falls State Park offers stunning views of four separate waterfalls.
Madison operates eight senior living facilities at all levels of cost and intensity of care, per Senior Housing Net. Many more options for senior care as well as hospitals, exist in Fort Wayne, a 45-minute drive south of town.
Corydon
Formerly the capital of Indiana Territory, and the state capital from 1816 to 1825, Corydon lies north of the Ohio River, about 25 miles to the west of Louisville, Kentucky. With a smallish 3,200 inhabitants, this small town offers just two senior living centers, though hospital and retirement care options abound the short drive away in Louisville.
A favorite southern Indiana tourist destination, Corydon’s historic district has numerous important buildings, not least the first statehouse (Old Capitol), the Old Treasury Building, Kintner-McGrain House, and sites related to the Battle of Corydon. More active seniors can explore the Haywood Nature Reserve or O’Bannon Woods State Park for birdwatching, walking, and horseback riding. The well-named Old Capital Golf Club lies just southeast of town.
Aurora
Aurora, population 3,500, is a quaint town in the state’s southeast, lying on the Ohio River and some 30 miles west of neighboring Cincinnati, Ohio. Established in 1819 and known today as the "City of Spires” for its wealth of old churches, the unique town enjoys a famous downtown historic district, named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Seniors and other visitors can take in the meticulously preserved properties in various architectural styles, not least Aurora City Hall, the Hillforest mansion, and the First Evangelical United Church of Christ. Those who love green spaces will have several Aurora parks to choose from, like Aurora City Park, Lesko Park, and Gabbard Riverfront Park along the Ohio. While the town's healthcare options are limited, St. Elizabeth Dearborn Hospital lies a few miles north of town. Options in nearby Cincinnati are plentiful.
Indiana Offers Choices for Seniors with All Needs and Tastes
Indiana's wide menu of options for seniors should make the state a top choice for people planning or starting their silver years. Senior care options operate statewide, as the towns above suggest. For those who do not need much attention — or who only want to travel and see sights — towns like Goshen, Corydon, and plenty of other towns provide plenty of inspiration. Whether you are driving a car or swinging a golf club, Indiana's small towns meet the needs and satisfy the tastes of every kind of retiree.
