9 Towns in the Great Lakes Region that Are Ideal for Seniors
A stupendous feat of nature, the Great Lakes region hosts the largest freshwater ecosystem on the planet. Not to mention, it boasts some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring natural landscapes in the Northern Hemisphere. This region is studded with a delightful array of charming small towns where retirees can enjoy spending their sunset years, all while being steps away from beautiful sandy beaches and picturesque towns with all the amenities one could need. While it spans eight states, Michigan touches four lakes, a number unrivaled by any other state. Other states include Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, each offering a peaceful environment and slower-paced lifestyle best suited for aging adults. The following nine towns in the Great Lakes Region are ideal for seniors.
Alpena, Michigan
Alpena is a lovely, underrated town that packs a punch as a retirement destination. Featuring numerous wineries in the area, including the much beloved Thunder Bay Winery, whose delicious selection of wines is known to transform first-time patrons into repeat clients. According to Niche.com, seniors comprise 36% of the town’s population, meaning one will not miss a chance to connect with fellow empty-nesters. Encircled by the shimmering beauty of Lake Huron, Alpena is also home to an adequate number of medical facilities, such as the Michigan Medical Center. As to its shopping landscape, while local stores fit the bill, Alpena boasts a Wal-Mart and a Meijer, where one can find practically anything.
Bay Village, Ohio
As a suburb of Cleveland, the quaint Bay Village is just about 14 miles from the big city, offering retirees in Bay Village convenient access to fabulous big-city amenities, including some top-notch hospitals. One of these is the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, one of the best hospitals in the world. To add to Bay Village’s retirement appeal, a whopping 93% of the town’s residents are homeowners. It seems those who set foot here tend to fall in love with the town and stay! Boasting a median age of about 42 years, this town’s social scene strikes the sweet spot between youthful exuberance and the coolheadedness of aging. To top it off, Westlake, and its beautiful parks, is less than 3 miles down the road.
Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania
Cambridge Springs is about 30 miles from Lake Erie, the shallowest of the Great Lakes and the one most known for its seiches. For perspective, seiches are tide-like oscillations in the water level that can be pretty spectacular and dramatic. This laid-back town resides in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania, an area that features lush forests and rolling hills. Since Cambridge Springs is not right on the lake, property prices here tend to be more affordable. Besides, this town is so safe that it boasts an impressive A- Grade in crime and safety measures on Niche.com. If concerned about access to medical care, Erie, which is minutes away, boasts a decent collection of reputable hospitals, including the Upmc Hamot, the highly rated Saint Vincent Hospital, and Millcreek Community Hospital. A paddler’s paradise due to its abundance of inland lakes, creeks, and rivers, retiring here is a water lover’s dream.
Sister Bay, Wisconsin
Chicago might boast the most photogenic waterfront on the Great Lakes, but Sister Bay, Wisconsin, comes remarkably close. Nestled on the Door County Peninsula, a scenic stretch famous for its lush cherry and apple orchards and spectacular waterfront views, living here can make one look half his age. Sister Bay is small and tight-knit — and boasts a population of only about 1,100. Of this number, seniors make up 53% of the population. This means every second person you stumble on will likely be a fellow empty-nester with whom you can reminisce about the good old days. The area has numerous medical facilities, including the highly recommended Door County Medical Center, which, according to Healthgrades, has been recognized for the Outstanding Patient Experience Award.
Traverse City, Michigan
Retiring at Traverse City, the "Cherry Capital of the World," should be among life’s best decisions. For starters, the Bay Area is known to offer a more protected alternative, especially when the lake is too windy or rough. Also, for those who appreciate pristine, natural beauty, winters here are known to come with beautiful pastel-colored sunrises and sunsets. Seniors aged 55 and above comprise about 35% of Traverse’s population. This implies the town’s social scene features a good proportion of individuals in the same age bracket and with whom one can relate. The 442-bed Munson Medical Center, a respectable referral facility for the entire Northern Michigan, is a nationally acclaimed institution. While one may have qualms with property prices here, the town’s natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities make it a good bang for the buck.
Holland, Michigan
Holland is a vibrant town of about 33,400 residents best known for its Dutch heritage—as the name implies—and for the only authentic Dutch windmill operating in the country. The town’s median age stands at about 32 years. As has been established, cultivating connections with a younger generation can help seniors feel a greater sense of fulfillment. Those who put a premium on different viewpoints and perspectives will love that Holland scores a solid A on Niche.com’s measure of ethnic and economic diversity. The town is not short on medical facilities with respectable options, such as Holland Hospital, which, according to Healthgrades, has been recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement Award. Also, Grand Rapids is half an hour’s drive away for even more amenities.
Ludington, Michigan
Picture a setting where, in less than an hour, one can explore the four-season playground of the Pere Marquette River — and enjoy some of the finest fly fishing in the area. In a similar amount of time, retirees will be at the Dobson Bridge River Access, an unbelievably picturesque spot from where one can access one of the most beautiful rivers in the United States. And the Little Manistee will always come in handy for a dash of some fresh air. Suppose you are looking for opportunities to connect with fellow empty-nesters. In that case, you will love that seniors comprise about 39% of Ludington’s population while the town’s median age is about 43 years, not too young and not too old. Finally, several medical facilities, including Spectrum Health Hospital, are within Ludington’s precincts.
Mequon, Wisconsin
Easy access to the Interstate (Interstate 43 runs through the town), abundance of stately homes, and heart-melting bluffs can turn any nondescript town into a much-sought-after retirement destination. Mequon boasts all these, yet it is anything but nondescript. This town is vivacious and boasts a population of about 25,600. For big-city amenities, including premium medical facilities, Mequon is just about 16 miles from Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest city. Expect a sparse suburban feel here, with lots of space and privacy. If worried about support networks, seniors here comprise about 37% of the town’s population, affording opportunities for nostalgic conversations and to make friends with like-minded peers.
St Joseph, Michigan
Besides hosting the Blossomtime Festival, Michigan's oldest and largest multi-community Festival, St Joseph boasts other retirement-friendly features that should pique the interest of seniors desiring to plant their roots in the Great Lakes Region. At Silver Beach County Park, located at the mouth of the river that lends the town its name, one can be coming for some of the most life-renewing sunsets and some of the softest sands in the area. Boasting a median age of 42, the decade where life is supposed to begin, the social scene here is neither turbulent nor lifeless. Besides, countless well-ranked hospitals are within the town or, at most, an hour’s drive from the town. These include Lakeland Hospital Watervliet, which, according to Healthgrades, an impressive 91% of patients would recommend.
The Great Lakes Region is a delicious expanse of natural beauty that offers some of the most retirement-friendly features in the nation. A peaceful retirement a few steps to a shimmering water body where one can paddle every afternoon away, offering delightful activities to spend the Golden Years. Of course, friendliness has long been a signature characteristic of folks from the Midwest. With many quaint towns, affordable living accommodations, and proximity to healthcare, seniors will feel at home and welcome here, no matter their chosen city.
