8 Best Towns In Minnesota For Retirees
You can't beat Minnesota if you enjoy cozying up in front of your fireplace. The beauty of this area is reserved for those hearty souls who enjoy a robust outdoor life and are not fazed by temperatures below zero. The state leans liberal, and the cost of living and crime rates are at or slightly below the national average. Minnesota does tax Social Security depending on income, but clothing and most essentials are exempt from taxation. So consider the North Star State for your retirement years!
Grand Marais
This community, situated on Lake Superior's North Shore, boasts a surprisingly vibrant arts scene during the warmer months, and Grand Portage State Forest offers numerous cross-country skiing and outdoor opportunities in the colder ones. Popular hiking trails surround the Grand Marais Lighthouse.
The low crime and small-town ambiance make Grand Marais very appealing, with average home values of $414,000. The town has a resort vibe much of the year, with many tourists visiting due to its striking scenery and abundant fishing opportunities.
The Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and the North Shore Hospital and Care Clinic are located near the Sawtooth Ridges Retirement Center, an affordable housing option. Great transit features are Arrowhead Transit and Dial-A-Ride services. Monthly passes are available for seniors, and complimentary passes are provided to those over 90.
The Grand Marais Art Colony offers classes, exhibits, and events year, making Grand Marais a well-rounded retirement community.
Stillwater
A winner of Best Small Town Food Scene by USA Today, along with many other accolades, Stillwater is one of the most walkable (and haunted) cities in Minnesota. With its postcard-pretty downtown and river area, it's like living in a Hallmark movie. Tourists flock to Stillwater's downtown at Christmas and in the warmer months, taking advantage of an abundance of shops and restaurants. Lolo American Kitchen is a favorite, and fine dining is found at the historic Lowell Inn.
Stillwater has a low crime rate and and slightly higher housing costs, with average home values of $445,430. There are numerous senior living options such as The Lakes, Oak Ridge Place, Green Twig Villas, and more.
There is always a great deal of activity on the St Croix River with plenty of boating and fishing options. Brown Dog Paddleboard Co. offers yoga on the water. Gondola Romantica provides a romantic Venetian gondola experience for couples and a unique experience for grandchildren. Popular pickleball courts dot Staples Park, Northland Park and at Lily Lake Park.
The Twin Cities just 30 minutes away, access to first-class healthcare and big-city attractions is very convenient.
Northfield
Northfield is recognized as a top US city for retirement, offering a range of retirement communities that cater from independent to full-service care needs. Benedictine and Northfield Retirement Community, as well as cooperative living areas such as Kildahl Park Pointe and Gracewin, offer alternative options for seniors.
The cost of living is slightly below the national average, with average home values of around $390,000. Winters can be challenging. However, being just an hour away from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN makes Northfield easily accessible to some of the world's best medical care facilities.
If you're a history buff or a senior who has the time and desire to explore the past, Northfield is a bonanza. The Historical Society Museum has done a remarkable job of preserving the town's impressive history, including the site of the First National Bank, where Jesse James attempted a robbery in 1876. Each September, the town hosts the "Defeat of Jesse James Days."
The Northfield Arts Guild features the Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra and concerts by nationally recognized visiting musicians. Carleton College and St. Olaf College offer a range of entertainment. FiftyNorth is a senior center providing fitness, art, and lifelong learning activities year-round.
Alexandria
If you're looking for sociable small-town charm combined with an abundance of outdoor activities and excellent health care access, Alexandria might be for you. Alomere and Sanford Health clinics serve this close-knit, scenic town.
Set amidst the beauty of Minnesota's lake country and trail system, Alexandria is a place where active, outdoorsy, and nature-loving seniors can thrive. The Saturday Art Market, Farmers Market, and Legacy of the Lakes Museum are popular places to visit, and there's even a Grape Stomping Fall Festival.
Senator and Bethany on the Lake are two assisted living options and Village Cooperative provides a worry-free active lifestyle for singles and couples. The Alexandria Senior Center has a full calendar of events, trips, activities, and wellness programs.
It's an affordable town, with the average home valued at $290,628. Alexandria is a safe and neighborly town that values older adults. Almost 25% of the population is over 65, guaranteeing services geared to seniors.
Albert Lea
Albert Lea is a pleasant community about 95 miles from Minneapolis. Seniors enjoy access to everything a big city has to offer while living in the serenity of a lakeside community. This is an extremely affordable town with a low cost of living and an average home value of about $171,400.
The Freeborn County Fair and the Big Island Rendezvous are fun, popular events, and numerous musical and theater arts performances and festivals are held at The Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.
Senior living communities, such as Thorne Crest and The Village Cooperative, offer a wealth of benefits to both independent seniors and those requiring more care. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is approximately an hour away by car, offering seniors some of the world's best healthcare. Low cost of living and affordable living expenses make this a desirable area for retirees.
Mankato
Mankato is home to Minnesota State University, Mankato. Like all college towns, there is an abundance of sports, theater, music, and lifelong learning possibilities.
The cost of living at 13% lower than average, the average home values of $307,915 and diverse retiree housing options make this a community worth considering. One quarter of the population is over 55, with many senior communities offering transportation services. Mankato is a regional hub for the Mayo Clinic's local healthcare, and for more comprehensive care, Rochester and the Twin Cities are both within a 90-minute drive.
The Pillars of Mankato offers independent, assisted, and memory care. The Vine adult community center has a wellness center, pool, and a full schedule of classes, trips, dances, and performances. The Minnesota Senior Games, a type of senior Olympics, are held in Mankato in August.
The natural beauty of this southwestern Minnesota town offers a slightly milder winter than that of more northern communities. But there are still plenty of winter nights to get cozy at home.
Fergus Falls
Located in Otter Tail County, arguably the quirkiest county in the state, Fergus Falls is sure to delight seniors who appreciate a touch of whimsy in life, featuring massive roadside sculptures like Otto the Otter and Pete the Pelican. With its numerous markets, social clubs, the Kaddatz Art Galleries, and the Center for the Arts, there is always something for seniors to enjoy and numerous opportunities to get involved. River Oaks provides a premium independent living facility, while the Fergus Falls Senior Citizen Program is a center for wellness and socialization.
The cost of living and the average home value is $199,670. Violent crime is below the national average, and this town is located just 25 miles from the South Dakota border, and an hour from the Fargo airport.
Lake Region Health Care Co. is recognized as among the top 100 rural community hospitals in the nation, and there are numerous rehabilitation and comprehensive care communities. With one-third of its residents over the age of 60, Fergus Falls is committed to caring for its seniors.
Hutchinson
Just an hour from the Twin Cities, Hutchinson is a picturesque town found along the Crow River. With a cost of living at 13% lower than the national average, and a median home listing price of $282,500, it appeals to retirees seeking affordable housing in a scenic, small-town atmosphere.
There is a wide range of independent and assisted living facilities with on-site healthcare, as well as being just an hour from the top-notch healthcare in the Twin Cities.
Active seniors will want to check out Woodstone Active Living and Village Cooperative, while those who need more assistance may enjoy Harmony River.
Hutchinson offers a calendar of over-55 events and clubs, including The Senior Center, which provides book groups, outings, lifelong learning opportunities, and computer classes, plus pickleball, gardening, and outdoor pursuits. The Hutchinson Sculpture Stroll is primarily located in the historic downtown area and features 13 rotating sculptures. Also, downtown is the state's largest owner-operated antique district. An amphitheater, community theater, and farmers market enhance the town.
Hutchinson is ideal for seniors seeking a slower, more tranquil pace of life.
Minnesotans. They love their Vikings, Twins, Wild, Timberwolves, Lynx, Frost, and Gophers. Get out your tater tot hotdish recipe, bake a pan of bars, brush up on your Ole and Lena jokes, and you'll feel at home in this beautiful, four-season (ok, winter is maybe a bit longer than 3 months) state of 10,000 lakes and one giant otter. You'll be saying 'Ya, ubetcha, don'tcha know' in a Minnesota minute.
