8 Towns Perfect For Retirement In the Great Lakes
Retiring on the water is something most retirees dream of. Waking up to sumptuous waterfront views, going for walks and bike rides by the lake, enjoying an afternoon breeze, and indulging in a refreshing soak on a hot summer afternoon — are experiences not worth exchanging the world for. Plus, areas close to the water often have nice weather, especially because water acts as a moderating influence. Forget about the East Coast and the West Coast. The Great Lakes is a secret water paradise. For specific recommendations, discover the eight towns below that are perfect for retirement in the Great Lakes Region.
Traverse City, Michigan
Just big enough to retain its homey, small-town feel, Traverse City is a beautiful place to retire. It is located along the coast of Lake Michigan at the head of the East and West arms of Grand Traverse Bay. Known as the "Cherry Capital of the World," Traverse City hosts the National Cherry Festival every summer, which draws more than 500,000 people. Clinch Park, the town’s most popular beach, is smack in the middle of the city. It features underground passageways, so one does not have to deal with the traffic and crosswalks. There is Boardman Lake as well, fringed by a scenic loop trail just south of town. For those looking for a nice retirement community, Boardman Lake Glens, located on the quiet shores of this lake, is worth checking out. It is conveniently close to the Grand Traverse Mall and the Munson Medical Center, northern Michigan's largest health care system. In terms of demographics, this town’s median age is 41, which implies a desirable blend of young and old. Still, seniors comprise 30% of the population. Finally, the median listing home price in Traverse City is $450,000.
Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin
The area where Baileys Harbor is located is so gorgeous that it has been nicknamed Cape Cod of the Midwest. Baileys Harbor lies in a peaceful pocket of Door County, which often teems with crowds in the summer. In the winter, the ice captures the lake, and the silence in the air offers an inviting sense of serenity. A retiree here has access to the shimmering waters of Lake Michigan and will enjoy waking up to serene waterfront views. Mud Lake State Wildlife Area, a diamond in the rough accessible by a well-maintained gravel road, is among the best walks in Door County. Other fantastic outdoor venues in Baileys Harbor include the Kangaroo Lake, Door County’s largest lake; Meridian Park State Natural Area, home to one of two 45th Parallel markers in the county; Toft Point State Natural Area, whose trails run alongside the water, and the Ridges Sanctuary, a sliver of peace that comes with a variety of picturesque trails and ecosystems. If you are worried about healthcare access, the award-winning Door County Medical Center is just 20 minutes away. Then again, this town boasts a median age of 52, which means retirees are captivated by this area. The median listing home price in Baileys Harbor is $602,000.
Port Clinton, Ohio
Port Clinton is a charming, small town with lots of natural beauty to enjoy and explore. This town is known as the “Walleye Capital of the World” and offers top-notch fishing opportunities in venues such as Lake Erie, the sheltered Sandusky Bay, and the Portage River. Of course, these water bodies come with plenty of other outdoor adventure opportunities, including swimming and boating. The Little Portage River Wildlife Area is a quiet place to go for a walk, while the Hopfinger Zimmerman Memorial Park provides plenty of space for pups to run and enjoy the sun. Then, there is the Liberty Aviation Museum, where historic planes and trucks are kept in perfect condition. Port Clinton hosts the highly-rated Magruder Hospital; hence, a retiree should never worry about healthcare access. On the flip side, this town’s median age is a calm and mellow 44. In a similar vein, retirees comprise 30% of the population. To sum it up, the median listing home price in Port Clinton is $499,000 — not way out of reach.
Houghton, Michigan
A small, buzzy town of about 7,600 residents, Houghton is among the best places to live in Michigan. This town brims with outdoor adventure activities, including kayaking, boating, and biking. At the Michigan Technological University, seniors aged 60 and above can enroll in two on-campus courses per semester tuition-free. Once in a while, a retiree will enjoy spending a lazy afternoon at the Portage Canal Lift Bridge, if just to watch it opening and closing for ships to pass. Plus, Nara Nature Park, with its well-groomed trails, is a nice place to walk or bike. Hancock Recreation Area is incredibly peaceful for those who want to camp out and enjoy the moon’s scintillating glow. And since Houghton is a college town, the dining scene here is eclectic and vibrant. One of the sweetest parts of retiring in Houghton is the fact that homes here fetch a median listing price of just $262,500. At that tempting price point, an empty nester can access the highly-rated UP Health System - Portage.
Allegan, Michigan
Allegan is a small (almost unknown town) town that does not get a lot of mention. However, its retirement appeal is nearly unmatched. Take accessibility, for instance. Allegan is 40 minutes to Grand Rapids and just about 30 minutes to Kalamazoo. It is like getting the best of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo — but without the big-city pressures. Allegan hosts about 5,100 residents and is famous for being home to the Old Iron Bridge, a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. A retiree has access to several venues of water-based fun, including the Kalamazoo River, Littlejohn Lake, and Miner Lake. Other outdoor venues include the Armintrout-Milbocker Nature Preserve, whose well-maintained trails are designed for walking, mobility devices, leashed dogs, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. In a medical emergency, the Ascension Borgess Allegan Hospital, which is right in town, will come in handy. The town’s median age is 34, so an empty nester should expect to meet young people who are full of life. That said, Allegan is home to a sizeable number of empty nesters as residents aged 60 and above comprise 22% of the population. Finally, In March 2024, the median listing home price in Allegan was $322,500.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
This artsy harbor village has been named America's Coolest Small Town, ranked among the Top 10 Beach Getaways, and identified as the Next Great Adventure Town by different publications. A retiree can spend the whole day browsing the Grand Marais Art Colony or touring the North House Folk School, a small educational non-profit on the shore of Lake Superior. North House Folk School teaches traditional northern crafts, including boatbuilding — and can just be where an empty nester will pick a new skill. Of course, a retiree here will have access to Lake Superior, the largest freshwater body in the world. Other outdoor venues include the Grand Marais Recreation Area, whose clean campground provides unparalleled access to the cobblestone beaches of the harbor. If one wants a furry friend to experience the wild woods of Cook County and enjoy some play time, The Grand Marais Dog Park will come in handy. On healthcare access, North Shore Health, because it boasts a recommendation rate of 94%, is in a class of its own. The town’s median age is a tepid 45, and residents aged 60 and above comprise 32% of the population. Finally, the median listing home price in Grand Marais is $500,000.
Angola, Indiana
A calm, close-knit community tucked away in the Northeast corner of Indiana, Angola is among the most perfect towns to retire in the Great Lakes Region. Angola is ideal for retirees who love an academic environment since it hosts Trine University, a private university that has been around since 1884. Pokagon State Park is a beautiful, convenient place to hike while Village Kitchen serves ample portions of homestyle American entrees and can be a fantastic venue for a Sunday brunch. Water bodies close to town include Fox Lake, Crooked Lake, Glen Eden, Center Lake, and Pigeon Lake. Angola also scores big on healthcare access since it hosts Cameron Memorial Community Hospital, a 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award. While its median age is 32, residents aged 60 and above comprise 22% of the population. Finally, the median listing home price in Angola is $360,100.
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
The thing about Oconomowoc is that one gets to stay in Milwaukee without living there. Oconomowoc is a suburb of Milwaukee; only 34 miles separate them. This is a huge convenience factor since Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s largest city. Downtown Oconomowoc presents like a Hallmark movie while the neighborhoods are mostly safe and peaceful. If one desires to retire on the water, Oconomowoc is likely to provide an unparalleled experience. Empty nesters here can access glittering water bodies such as Lac La Belle (where the town sits), Oconomowoc Lake, Silver Lake, and Okauchee Lake. If under the weather, ProHealth Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital is right in town. It is the 2024 recipient of the Joint Replacement Excellence Award. Oconomowoc’s median age is 41, meaning the social scene is neither wild nor lifeless. In a similar vein, residents aged 60 and above comprise 25% of the population, meaning 1 in 4 residents are likely to be fellow empty nesters. In March 2024, the median listing home price in Oconomowoc was $584,900.
The Takehome
Instead of retiring in a crowded, sooty town, however cheap it is, consider retiring in a serene setting on the water. You will enjoy nice weather, beautiful views, and fun and adventure opportunities. Then again, living by the water induces a sense of calm and well-being and improves the quality of life. But do not rush to the East Coast or West Coast. The Great Lakes Region is a water paradise and is often more laid back, cheaper, and quieter. If looking for suggestions, check out Traverse City, Michigan; Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin; Port Clinton, Ohio, and Houghton, Michigan. These are some of the perfect towns to retire in the Great Lakes.
