9 Best Small Towns In Ohio For Retirees

The cost of living in Ohio is estimated to be at least 10% lower than the national average. This makes the Buckeye State an excellent retirement destination, especially in its small towns where the slow pace of life is tailored to senior citizens. But this is just one of the many aspects that will draw retirees to these modest locations. From beautiful natural scenery with an easy-going atmosphere and unique cultural attractions to friendly locals willing to welcome strangers with open arms, the stage is set for smooth sailing into your sunset years.

Marion

If you appreciate a surreal trip down memory lane, Marion will charm you with many historical landmarks chronicling different aspects of the town’s past. It is home to several museums, most notably the Warren G. Harding Memorial, Huber Machinery Museum, and Buckeye Telephone Museum. But Marion also boasts terrific outdoor scenery, which you can best explore along the Marion Tallgrass Trail. This scenic path traverses a beautiful prairie area with fishing and kayaking options. On the right day, you can encounter wildlife species like the bald eagle and trumpeter swan. 

During the annual Marion Popcorn Festival, retirees can join the community to celebrate a long-held tradition, underlining the town’s claim to being the “Popcorn Capital of the World.” The town is relatively safe, with few incidents of violent crime reported. It is also just 50 miles from Columbus, which ensures quick access to premium health facilities and services. 

Warren

Warren boasts a cozy small-town feel but with all the urban amenities retirees may need. This small community sits along the banks of the Mahoning River, offering a serene atmosphere that pensioners will enjoy. The town is famous for housing the National Packard Museum, which honors Packard’s contribution to the auto industry. Downtown Warren is a vibrant neighborhood teeming with several community-centered amenities. A good example is Robins Theater, a popular venue where locals often gather to watch lively performances in a family-friendly atmosphere. 

Thanks to a 17% senior population in Warren, pensioners will fit in seamlessly and make quick friends from the large community of peers. Furthermore, there are approximately 11 health facilities within 25 miles of the city, making it easy for retirees to seek urgent medical assistance. Lastly, Warren has several assisted living centers for its elderly population, including the SCOPE Warren Center. 

North Canton

This small community in Stark County delights with serene green spaces and the ideal environment for retirees to enjoy their golden years. The 18-acre Price Park is an excellent outdoor area where, besides enjoying the laid-back atmosphere, senior citizens can remain active with activities like fishing and playing basketball or tennis. North Canton is famous for once being the chosen home of the Hoover Company, whose legacy is well preserved at the Hoover Historical Center. 

The cost of living is generally cheap in North Canton, 12% lower than the national average, so retirees won’t have to worry about burning through their pension. Additionally, there are over 40 health institutions in and around the North Canton region, making it easy for senior citizens to get quick medical assistance. 

Maple Heights

Maple Heights presents retirees with the best of both worlds: a small-town community with a rural life and access to big-city amenities. This Cleveland suburb comprises peaceful neighborhoods housing a small population of just under 25,000. Retirees will appreciate the strong sense of community in Maple Heights, especially when interacting with members at the Farmer Jones Indoor Market. This is also an excellent place to shop for fresh groceries from local farms, resulting in healthy meals consumed. 

The downtown has several family-friendly attractions and quaint meeting spots where pensioners can meet their peers. A perfect example is Kitchen Social restaurant, which serves delicious gluten-free menu options. Maple Heights is also conveniently cheap, with the cost of living 3% lower than the national average. Meanwhile, its proximity to Cleveland allows senior citizens to enjoy all the creature comforts of the big city.  

Lima

This charming small town in Allen County, 63 miles off Indiana’s Fort Wayne, is an excellent option for retirees looking to adopt the rural way of life. Lima is conveniently cheap, which favors retirees depending on their pension. The cost of living is 13% lower than the national average, while housing is 45% cheaper than America’s average. 

However, this is not all. It boasts some of the best parkland scenery in the state, from the magnificent lake of Schoonover Park to the Biennial Apple Festival, old barn, and farming experience at Allen County Farm Park. A visit to the Lippincott Bird Sanctuary presents the perfect opportunity to explore the beautiful outdoors. It hosts many habitats ranging from woodland to prairie, and seniors can stay active with a lazy stroll along the 0.6-mile trail on-site. Lima boasts a rich railroad heritage and was the home of Lima Locomotive Works. Today, you can inspect the remains of the last steam engine built in the town at the Lincoln Park Railway Exhibit. 

Ashtabula

If you want to spend your after-retirement years in a laid-back lakeside community, Ashtabula is one of the best towns in Ohio retirees can opt for it. This quaint town sits on the shores of Lake Erie and at the mouth of the Ashtabula River, resulting in gorgeous natural scenery with beautiful views. Retirees can stay active with various water-based recreational activities in the town, including swimming, boating, and canoeing. Walnut Beach Park is one of the town’s several park spaces where you can go to relax and unwind in a serene atmosphere. Meanwhile, those who enjoy an active life will love exploring the Western Reserve Greenway Trail. Ashtabula is a relatively safe community, recording approximately 10 crime incidents per 1,000 residents annually. Furthermore, the cost of living is around 9% lower than the national average. Retirees can also access several assisted living centers, such as Lantern of Saybrook. Regarding quality medical care, they can head to nearby Cleveland, about an hour’s drive away. 

Yellow Springs

The close-knit community of Yellow Springs welcomes pensioners to spend the autumn of their years surrounded by delightful natural scenery and friendly people. Outdoor opportunities abound, and retirees can choose from diverse options to be one with nature, including the 1,000-acre Glen Helen Nature Preserve. Yellow Springs stands out for its vibrant art community, with several art openings, theaters, and festivals spread throughout the year, bringing together over 3,500 residents to celebrate local artists and familiarize themselves with one another. One of the most anticipated occasions in the town is the Yellow Springs Street Fair. 

The downtown area features a lovely vibe, and the streets are lined with unique shops and quaint cafes, including the famous Calypso Grill and Smokehouse. Everybody knows everybody in Yellow Springs, making it a safe location with very few crime reports. Although the housing market is slightly costlier than the national average, senior citizens have ready access to multiple health facilities in and around the town, led by the Southbrook Health Center. 

Berlin

Set in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country, Berlin presents a delightful setting for seniors seeking a quiet, down-to-earth lifestyle. Its predominantly Amish population of about 1,164 residents consists of some of the friendliest people on earth, and you can get a sense of the strong community bond when walking its quiet streets housing quaint restaurants, antique shops, and theater venues. At the Berlin Farmstead restaurant, residents often converge to catch up and enjoy wholesome home-style-cooked meals in a simple, family-friendly atmosphere, perfect for retirees. 

Berlin is one of the safest small towns in Ohio, with a crime index 10 points lower than the national average. The cost of living is also quite affordable, and the average adult requires just over $33,000 annually to live a comfortable life in the town. Meanwhile, the community takes great care of its aging population, thanks to multiple senior care centers around the area. 

Oxford

Like its English namesake, Oxford, Ohio, is known for hosting an academic institution of higher learning, Miami University. It is an excellent option for retirees who prefer a more upbeat and lively environment even as they sail into their sunset years. This college town of nearly 23,000 residents has several outdoor spots where older adults can maintain an active lifestyle, including the Oxford Community Park and Hueston Woods State Park, just 15 minutes from the town. 

The Mile Square neighborhood, in the oldest section of the town, forms the heart of the Oxford community. It houses many attractions, including the Hefner Museum of Natural History. Although Oxford is one of the more expensive communities to live in Ohio, the cost of living is almost 12% lower than the national average. The crime rate is also lower compared to the rest of the country, and the town’s proximity to big cities like Cincinnati (about 50 minutes away) allows senior citizens to access quality health amenities quickly. 

The Takeaway

A retirement destination goes a long way in determining the quality of life during your sunset years. Fortunately, these small towns in Ohio present some of the best settings for retirees, thanks to a charming rural feel, lush natural surroundings, and friendly, down-to-earth communities. If you want to spend your post-work life in Ohio, it doesn’t get better than the above locations.