The Great Lakes's 12 Best Retirement Towns Ranked
The Great Lakes are a group of freshwater lakes in North America. These five lakes are estimated to be several thousand years old. They consist of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Eight US states border the lakes: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Over 85 million people call the Great Lakes region home. Residents of the region enjoy many activities, including camping, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, climbing, swimming, water sports, and winter sports. Retirees will enjoy all these activities and more in the ranked 12 best retirement towns of the Great Lakes.
Traverse City, Michigan
With a population of 15,707 residents, Traverse City offers small-town charm with big-city amenities. The city boasts a low crime rate and affordable housing. Median home values are $367,600, and median rental prices are around $1,200. The majority of the population is 40 years and up, which is ideal for any retiree interested in making new friends. Traverse City also has the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Mission Point Lighthouse, and the famous Cherry Festival.
Known as a place to play, dream, and refresh, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore provides miles of sand beach and 450-foot bluffs above Lake Michigan. Nature lovers can enjoy rich forests, crystal-clear inland lakes, and a vast diversity of plants and wildlife. Retirees interested in history and lighthouses will enjoy Mission Point Lighthouse. Completed in 1870, the lighthouse began keeping mariners safe on September 10, 1870. Today, the lighthouse has tours and a museum for visitors.
Living in Traverse City would not be complete without attending the annual National Cherry Festival. The festival is a great place to socialize and celebrate. With over 150 events, the festival has cherry pie eating, parades, pet shows, and much more. Retirees looking for a place to call home that offers abundant nature, history, and festivities should look no further than Traverse City.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Located on the magnificent shore of Lake Superior, Grand Marais is a suburban town with 1,700 residents. It presents several opportunities for retirees. The town has bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. Plenty of outdoor adventures are nearby, with miles of hiking and bike trails.
The town is also affordable, with median home prices being $482,000 and rent being $1,013. Retirees can rest comfortably knowing that Grand Marais has excellent healthcare opportunities with North Shore Health. This facility provides several services, including ambulance, chemotherapy, emergency medicine, home health, inpatient care, wound care, and rehabilitation.
Affordability, recreation, and top-notch health care are just a few reasons to consider Grand Marais as your new home.
Mequon, Wisconsin
Located in Ozaukee County and a suburb of Milwaukee, Mequon residents enjoy the feeling of a small town with nearby big city amenities. Residents enjoy coffee shops, parks, golf courses, and beautiful open spaces. The city is also near premier healthcare facilities, such as Columbia St. Mary Hospital, which offers multispecialty care and access to a level IV trauma center.
Mequon boasts a low crime rate, and most residents own their homes. In fact, 84% of Mequon residents are homeowners. Median rental prices are above the national average at $2,271, and home values are at $699,000. Despite housing prices, the city has some of the best-rated schools in Wisconsin and a wide variety of arts, music, and community events.
Two Rivers, Wisconsin
Two Rivers, located in Manitowoc County, has a population of 11,224 residents. The city combines affordability with recreational fun. Median home values are $121,800, and median rental values are $756, both well below the national average. Most residents own their homes (74%) rather than rent (26%).
There is plenty for a retiree to do in Two Rivers, including boating, kayaking, biking, and fishing. Those interested in indoor dining can indulge in the tastes of Waters Edge Restaurant, which features panoramic windows overlooking Lake Michigan. The city is also near several wineries, including Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery and Cold Country Vines & Wines.
Saugatuck, Michigan
If you are looking for a place to retire with a low population along the Great Lakes, Saugatuck may be your city. Located in Allegan County, the city hosts 879 year-round residents. With a low crime rate far below the national average, Saugatuck provides safety and excellent housing options for seniors. Most residents (82%) own their homes, but rental options are available. Median rental prices begin at $505. In addition to affordable housing, the city offers several activities, including the Ravines Golf Club, Oval Beach, and Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area.
Featuring an Arnold Palmer Signature Course, golf enthusiasts can enjoy an 18-hole championship course with rolling fairways, bunkers, and luscious greens at Ravines Golf Club. Retirees interested in leisure beach days can enjoy Oval Beach on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. The beach has rolling dunes and majestic shorelines. Visitors benefit from the modern facilities, easy parking, and concessions. The Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area is a place for outdoor lovers. It includes 173 acres of protected natural area with dunes, remnants of the historic Fishtown pier, wetlands, bird watching, and nature viewing.
Winthrop Harbor, Illinois
Winthrop Harbor is a suburb of Chicago with a population of 6,663. Most residents own their homes, and both median home ($238,800) and rent ($1,262) prices are below the national average. In addition to affordability, the village is known for the North Point Marina and Illinois Beach State Park.
The North Point Marina is the largest freshwater marina in the United States. The marina attracts nearly one million visitors annually and has over 1,500 boat slips, public beaches, a yacht club, and a fishing pier. Adjacent to Winthrop Harbor is the Illinois Beach State Park. The park is a vast 4,160 acres and includes over 650 native plant species and 300 animal species. Winthrop Harbor brings a rural feeling near a big city. So, if you’re a retiree looking for a slower pace near Chicago, Winthrop Harbor may be the place for you.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Frankenmuth is home to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland and the famous Bavarian Inn restaurant. Located in Saginaw County, the city has a population of 5,163. With a crime rate below the national average, retirees can relish in the community's safety. The city is also affordable, with median rental prices at $814 and housing units at $277,600. Retirees 65 and up will enjoy the company of those of similar age, as 29 percent of the population is over 65.
In addition to low crime rates and affordable housing, Frankenmuth is known for the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. The store features over 50,000 items and can be enjoyed year-round. Foodies can enjoy authentic German dining at the Bavarian Inn restaurant, which has operated since 1888. Frankenmuth is an excellent retirement choice if you want hospitality and an escape from stress.
St. Joseph, Michigan
St. Joseph is a great place to retire if you enjoy coastal living and the benefits of living in a cozy community. With a population of 7,729, this city is located on the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan. Residents enjoy golden sand beaches, towering dunes, and many outdoor sports.
The city is also affordable, with median rents around $1,079 and home prices around $422,000. Residents of St. Joseph can sleep easily at night, knowing the crime rate is well below the national average. In addition to safety and affordability, the city also presents a variety of activities for seniors.
Wine tasting, kayaking, and historical site visits are just a few of the activities one can find in St. Joseph. White Pine Winery is an excellent spot for the wine connoisseur. Patrons can enjoy hospitality and red and aromatic white wines, including Riesling and Syrah. History lovers will enjoy visiting the North Pier Inner and Outer Lighthouses, which were constructed in 1907 and became part of the city in 2013. Kayaking in the beautiful blue waters of Lake Michigan will thrill any outdoor enthusiast.
Sister Bay, Wisconsin
Sister Bay is a village town in Door County with 1,016 residents. Many retirees live here, and the city is a mix of urban and suburban areas. Most residents rent their homes, and the schools in the area are highly rated.
The village has plenty of outdoor and water recreation opportunities, including kayaking, sailing, hiking, and swimming. For retirees interested in indoor activities, Sister Bay Bowl is a great spot to indulge in bowling and enjoy great food. Movie lovers can enjoy the Skyway Drive-In Theater, which features movies and a snack bar serving hot dogs, pizza, nachos, pretzels, and much more.
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Located on the majestic shores of Lake Superior, Bayfield is a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With a population of 590 residents, the city brings beauty and nature to your back door. Retirees can enjoy sailing and kayaking the lake and camping on the Apostle Islands, which provide spacious wooded spaces and rental cabins.
Most residents in Bayfield are homeowners, and median home values are slightly above the national average at $479,000. Median rent prices are below the national average at $1,021. Violent and property crimes are well below the national average, so residents of Bayfield can relax knowing they are living in a safe community. Retirees looking to begin their retirement journey along the shores of Lake Superior should consider the natural beauty of Bayfield.
Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Referred to as the Key West of the North, Put-in-Bay is island life at its finest. Located off the shores of Lake Erie on Bass Island, the 787 residents enjoy historic sites, outdoor recreation, and live entertainment. The historic South Bass Island Lighthouse provides a glimpse into the past from when it was first lit in 1897. Retirees interested in nature can enjoy the beauty of the Massie Cliffside Preserve, which offers visitors nature walks, birdwatching, photo opportunities, and fishing.
Most residents (93%) in Put-in-Bay own their homes. Median home values are above the national average at $485,000. However, rental prices are below the national average at $838. Put-in-Bay residents also benefit from healthcare security by the Put-in-Bay Township Emergency Medical Services, which offers full-time paramedic coverage. Put-in-Bay is an option worth exploring if you’re a retiree interested in Island life along the Great Lakes.
Bay Village, Ohio
A suburb of Cleveland, Bay Village, provides residents with the tranquility of rural living close to a big city. Of the 15,992 residents, the majority own their home. Median home values are slightly above the national average at $454,900. Additionally, the city has a low crime rate and top-rated public schools.
Bay Village is a place to enjoy the leisure lifestyle of retirement. Several city parks are a great way to enjoy outdoor sports such as ice skating, basketball, biking, swimming, and tennis. Nature lovers can visit the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, which offers free admission to activities such as a planetarium and wildlife viewing. Art lovers will delight in Bayarts, which features several exhibits throughout the year. If you are a retiree interested in recreation, nature, and the arts, then Bay Village may be the place to call home.
Wherever you live, retirement is a time to enjoy your freedom. The Great Lakes region offers many opportunities for retirees, from sailing to birdwatching. The most important part is to find the place that fits you. The 12 best places to retire in the Great Lakes is a first step to starting a new adventure. From affordable housing to superb healthcare, each city offers something for everyone. So, do not hesitate to find out which city is right for you!
