8 Safest Towns In Indiana For Senior Living

Indiana is located in the Midwest of the United States and is known as the “cross-state of America,” as it borders Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois. It is a state that enjoys culture, nature, affordability, and taking care of its residents. Retirees will find state-of-the-art hospitals in many towns and cities, well-maintained parts of nature, and engaging retirement options with low crime rates. Here are eight of the safest towns in Indiana for senior living.

Carmel

Carmel is known as a dedicated and professional workforce, where community living is a top priority. Year after year, Carmel is consistently one of the safest towns in Indiana. In fact, crime is statistically trending downward as of 2023—helping seniors and retirees feel secure both in their homes and while out and about. Speaking of homes, the median home cost in Carmel is $568,877—while this price is a little steep for Indiana, there are a large majority of homes between $282,001 and $565,000, making it an affordable option for older folks on fixed budgets. Addiontionally, IU Health North Hospital is an ideal local hospital, with superior senior-focused care offered in its state-of-the-art facilities.

Carmel offers plenty of great opportunities to get outdoors and active, such as the Monon Trail, a scenic and well-groomed trail that's perfect for walking or biking. The Center for Performing Arts offers performances and community events, including live theater, ballet, and jazz and orchestral performances. The Carmel Arts and Design District, filled with boutiques, galleries, and cafes, is perfect for seniors seeking slow afternoons on the town. Leisurely peruse exhibits of local and international artists at CCA Gallery and Kuaba Gallery, where you can sometimes catch art shows—a wonderful way to connect deeper with Carmel's community and possibly even chat with artists working in the area.

Zionsville

Head to just about the farthest southeast point in Boone County, Indiana, and you'll end up in Zionsville. The town is celebrated for its picturesque, lush greenery, tree-lined streets, perfectly maintained parks, and scenic, wooded trails. Zionsville is more than just a town brimming with natural beauty—it's also known for its tight-knit community atmosphere, low crime rate, and access to high-quality healthcare. Ascension Medical Group St. Vincent is the town's primary hospital, offering top-of-the-line services and specializing in cardiology, neurology, and senior health. Zionsville is also a fairly affordable town, making it a worthwhile choice for retirees working with more limited budgets. As of 2024, the median home cost is $647,500, trending around the $500,000 to $600,000 mark for over two years. There are also many options for assisted living in town, such as Zionsville Meadows, Hoosier Village Retirement, Grand Brooke Memory Care, and more.

Brick Street Downtown is known for its charming shops, locally sourced restaurants, and the local parks that surround it. The Zionsville Nature Center is in charge of the community's facilities and the local parks and trails that are a quintessential part of the town's overall character—which helps ensure clean public amenities and outdoor experiences for every resident to enjoy. In addition to Zionsville's beauty, inviting downtown, and well-maintained parks, the Sullivan Munce Cultural Center provides history, art exhibits, and genealogy resources to the public regularly.

Fishers

Fishers boasts old-town heritage and a strong community ambiance for its seniors. The town is highly ranked as one of the safest places to live in Indiana, making it a worthwhile consideration for senior living and retirement options. The town also offers some best-in-class healthcare, notably at the Community Hospital North, known for its superior access to the latest medical equipment and senior in-patient care. With a very affordable median housing median cost, hovering at $400,000 as of 2024, there are many accessible housing options available to those working within specific budgets.

Located in the heart of the Fishers you'll find Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve, an idyllic preserve that covers 127 acres and is home to nine trails. Activities for seniors include strolling, biking, and bird-watching among the forested landscape. The preserve trails wind over small streams, offer picnic tables, benches, and bathrooms, and even a pioneer-era graveyard you can peruse.

If you are looking for interactive activities to familiarize yourself with the region, Connor Prairie is an outdoor museum hosting events and teaching Fishers' history through art, objects, nature, artifacts, and American history. Bringing the community together, The Nickel Plate District Amphitheatre is a nucleus for outdoor events and concerts. Fishers is worth a closer look, as it invests not only in the town but also in its senior residents' quality of life.

Westfield

Westfield, Indiana, is a unique conjunction of nature and modernity. Family-friendly neighborhoods and a healthy dose of old-town heritage make it a top choice for seniors on the hunt for beautiful places to spend their retirement years. Westfield's crime rate has remained low over the past decade and offers a safe community environment for seniors. The Riverview Health Westfield Hospital has been a staple hospital in medical care for over 100 years and offers many services to keep Westfield safe and healthy, including excellent urology, orthopedic, and pain management centers. As of 2024, Westfield has also remained one of the more affordable areas of Indiana, with a median housing cost of $440,000—helping generations find an ideal place to live out their senior years.

Westfield offers leisurely and recreational activities for seniors, namely the Grand Park Sports Campus, where community events are held. Grand Park is a sprawling 400-acre complex that the meandering Monon Trail winds through, a perfect place for nature enthusiasts and cyclists to enjoy the outdoors. Nearby Grand Junction Plaza is a hub of community events as well, featuring ice skating, concerts, farmers' markets, and feature films. Asa Bales Park is also located centrally and is ideal for leisurely nature walks that connect to downtown Westfield, where there are boutiques and cozy cafes to enjoy.

Frankfort

Frankfort boasts a charming small-town atmosphere and affordable living, ideal for seniors who wish to live out their later days in a slow-paced environment. To add to its subtle nature, the median home price in 2024 was well under the national average, coming in at $169,200, which helps seniors and retirees budget more easily and live comfortably. The crime rate of Frankfort is reportedly low, keeping its tight-knit communities safe for its residents. Frankfort is a town that appeals to its senior citizens by creating a safe and secure environment. The IU Health Frankfort Hospital has specialized senior care, including chronic disease management and physical therapy—which could be helpful in your later years.

Keeping yourself fit is vital, and Frankfort has many amenities to make this a reality, such as fitness centers, parks, and community services. The T.P.A Park is an ideal scenic spot overlooking landscaped gardens and features a petting zoo, perfect for afternoon walks, mental clarity, and well-being. The Frankfort Public Library is a meeting spot for the community and offers many resources for retirees and programs to get seniors out on the town. Downtown Frankfort also has farmers markets to get involved with, boutique shops, and local eateries to treat yourself. Frankfort is buzzing with local community projects to get involved with and an idyllic outdoor lifestyle to ensure a peaceful life for seniors.

Greenwood

Greenwood is ideally situated in Indiana, providing access to 75% of the United States within a 1-day drive, making it a great option for retirees who still love to go on road trips and travel. Greenwood is continuously growing, with a population that has a significantly low crime rate for its size. Also on the rise are the senior-focused programs throughout town. Franciscan Health Indianapolis is the local hospital and the only hospital in Southern Indiana that offers a whole heart and vascular care program. Further, the Mid North Shepherd’s Center is a local nonprofit organization that specializes in senior-focused programs to promote independence, well-being, and active living.

Old City Park has recently upgraded its walking trails and creekside boardwalk, providing sprawling spaces to stroll and some in the great outdoors. The park is dog-friendly, too, so you can bring your four-legged friend. Greenwood Park Mall is a perfect shopping option for all occasions, and Greenwood Amphitheatre is one of the top recommended spots for concerts or events, offering free weekly summer concerts, art classes, and holiday events. Greenwood is very community-based and highly focused on infrastructure, economic development, and quality of life for its senior residents. So, if your looking to put down roots, statistics from October 2024 show that Greenwood's median housing cost is around $290,000—making it a highly affordable option.

Plainfield

Plainfield's slogan is “A Community of Values,” as truth and integrity are necessary to its residents, which helps seniors have a trusting relationship with the town. Keeping the city accessible is essential to its growth and its senior community, allowing the aging population to easily get around and engage in local life. The town has also consistently kept crime rates low, making Plainfield a safe place where anyone can enjoy the town and its offerings. Hendricks Regional Health Hospital has advanced care facilities and is a Mayo Research partner, benefiting patients with high-quality medical expertise, advanced research, and expert second opinions. The hospital's excellent physical therapy and rheumatology departments are particular helpful for the community's seniors.

Over the past five years, Plainfield's real estate market has boosted house prices in a slow climb, leaving the median cost at an affordable $489,990 as of 2024. For the ideal low-key afternoon, Hummel Park is a beautifully up-kept local park with green landscapes, trails, and picnic areas. Downtown Plainfield is a picturesque area filled with brick buildings and small shops. You'll also find the Plainfield Civic Center, where you can catch fun concerts and events in an intimate and comfortable setting. Cooper's Hawk Winery is under 15 minutes away and offers visitors highly-rated dining and curated wine tastings in a pleasant atmosphere.

Valparaiso

Northwest Indiana is home to Valparaiso, one of the most dynamic places in the entire state. It offers bustling downtown and tranquil nature spots, perfect for seniors who enjoy sampling both fast and slow-paced lifestyles. Valparaiso has a consistently low crime rate, with a statistic of under 10 per 100,000 people—creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere for its residents. The main hospital is Northwest Health Porter, a highly rated hospital with specialized departments focusing on urology, orthopedics, stroke care, and cancer care. The hospital also features an online scheduling system that's convenient for seniors who don't necessarily want to wait in line.

The median housing cost is $332,500, making it a highly affordable city with a mix of senior communities and independent living options to suit your needs. Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest allows guests to spend time walking the trails and learning about horticulture and ecology. The arboretum is also home to an interesting and well-landscaped miniature railway park that transports visitors back in time through its engaging history lessons. Many other activities and attractions are available in Valparaiso, such as the Memorial Opera House, ideal for community and theatre concerts, and Central Park Plaza, which hosts festivals annually and farmers markets weekly. Valparaiso promises to blend big-city living with rural, out-of-the-way charm and does a lovely job of delivering.

Spending Your Golden Years in Indiana's Small Towns

Each of these handpicked towns is ideal for senior living. They each offer something unique; whether you want more of an activity-based lifestyle, to walk out your front door into nature, or to learn about Indiana's history, there is something for everyone. Choosing the right place to put down your roots is challenging; however, Indiana makes the future brighter as it focuses on healthcare and the well-being of its residents—being safe and cared for counts.