8 Best Places To Retire In Kansas

When one thinks of Kansas, you might think of beautiful rolling prairies with scenic agricultural land. If it's one thing that the Sunflower State is plentiful in, it is beautiful prairies. But did you know that Kansas is also a great place to retire? It offers affordable housing to go along with the scenic agritourism industry. Cities, including Hutchinson and Hiawatha, have median housing costs in the mid-$100,000s. Kansas also features award-winning medical centers and rime rates that are low, especially in places like Osage City and Prairie Village. Kansas offers retirees an incredible quality of life — one that more and more people are learning about. Consider one of these eight best places to retire in Kansas when the time comes to make the next big step in your life.

Manhattan

Home to Kansas State University (K-State), Manhattan conjures a lively college town atmosphere that is also friendly to retirees. Known as the gateway to Flint Hills, Manhattan contains a unique ecosystem made of prairies with tall grass and natural water sources. Take a walk on the Konza Prairie Biological Station to appreciate the lush rolling hills that Kansas has to offer. The K-State campus provides exciting seasonal sporting events like Big 12 football games at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium, basketball games at Bramlage Coliseum, and baseball games at Frank Myers Field at Tointon Family Stadium. Hang around campus and explore the Kansas State University Gardens, featuring almost 20 acres of different varieties of plants to browse through; it's free and open to the public. Manhattan also features a great medical center at Manhattan Surgical Hospital, which was awarded with the Patient Safety Excellence Award in 2023.

Hutchinson

With a median house listing price around $150,000, Hutchinson prides itself on its affordable housing costs. Not only is Hutchinson affordable, but it has a variety of amenities for any retiree. For those who enjoy a round of golf, you can golf at Prairie Dunes Country Club which was ranked the 23rd-best golf course in the nation by Golf Digest. For those who love the outdoors, take a stroll on the walking paths at the Dillon Nature Center that contain 100-acres of unique wildlife such as 200 different species of birds and over 300 different species of woody plants. With the population of Hutchinson containing 19.5% of people over the age of 65 and crime rates that are currently lower than the US average, it is easy to see why seniors are flocking to this affordable town. The nearby award-winning Summit Surgical hospital specializes in joint care, so you are sure to be in good hands as you retire.

Salina

Located near at the crossroads of Interstate 70 and Interstate 135 is the growing town of Salina. Salina has become a hub for cultural and artistic creativity. At the center of this scene, you can find the Theater Salina, which holds stage productions for all ages year-round. If you are a fan of music, you have the opportunity to see the Salina Symphony perform classics such as Bach and Beethoven, while also being able to hear more contemporary pieces. Salina is perfect for those wanting to remain active, as they provide over 1,000 acres of city parks. At any of these, you can reminisce in the beautiful rolling prairies as you gaze upon thousands of different species of flowers that are planted annually. Salina also boasts the award-winning Salina Surgical Hospital, prepped to serve Salina's increasing population, including seniors aged 65 and over, who now make up 17% of the population.

Leawood

Leawood can be found right on the Kansas border with Missouri, and Kansas City, Missouri, is just about 25 minutes to the north, which gives residents easy access to all the amenities of that bigger town (and its twin, Kansas City, Kansas) while providing a smaller, more small-town living experience. Leawood boasts very low crime rates, as well as a median age of 46.5; 22.4% of the population is over 65. Leawood Parks and Recreations Department provides its residents with scenic walking trails like Tomahawk Creek Trail. The trail takes you to three different ponds that are all stocked with fish, including catfish and bass. The city’s parks department also offers residents an Olympic-sized swimming pool. At the heart of Leawood is the Town Center Plaza, which provides residents with a selection of over 90 retail stores, as well as an array of fine dining choices.

North Newton

North Newton is a somewhat quiet college town (Bethel College) with a population right around 1,800. Bethel College is the oldest Mennonite college on the continent, and it provides many activity opportunities to North Newton’s residents. Harvey County East Park Lake offers residents of North Newton a variety of lake activities like walking trails, beach volleyball, and fishing for its plentiful aquatic population of walleye. Entry is free to all residents. North Newton harbors a senior population (over 65) of nearly 37%. Make sure to stop in at Kauffman Museum at Bethel to learn all about the founding of North Newton by Mennonites and how they shaped the culture to make North Newton what it is today. Located only 10 minutes to 15 minutes from the college campus is NMC Health, which was awarded the Outstanding Patient Experience Award for several years in a row.

Prairie Village

Known for its copious event lineup, Prairie Village gives residents activities year-round. Whether you are visiting the annual Jazz Festival in September, attending the Fourth of July VillageFest, or getting in the holiday spirit at the Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting, you are sure to have your schedule booked in Prairie Village. The town provides great amenities to suit an active lifestyle like their Pool Complex which is open from May to August. You can also explore more than 12 public parks that all feature trails to walk, run, or bike. Prairie Village boasts an A crime rating on CrimeGrade.Org, so you will be sure to feel safe in a comfortable environment. Since Prairie Village is just a short drive from Kansas City metro area (in Kansas and in neighboring Missouri), you will have the opportunity to explore all of what those cities have to offer.

Hiawatha

Hiawatha is a town known for its high quality of life as well as its affordability. Hiawatha’s housing costs are some of the lowest in the state, with the median housing cost being about $147,000. The town features a fantastic surgery center at Amberwell Hiawatha, helping retirees enjoy a better quality of life. Hiawatha finds itself near three casinos, these being the Sac & Fox, Golden Eagle, and White Cloud casinos. These casinos are perfect if you want to gamble or if you just want to dine at their classy restaurants. Make sure to stop by the Brown County Ag Museum and Windmill Lane to learn about some of the crops which sustained the residents of Kansas through the centuries. The senior population (65 and over) rests at 22.2%.

Osage City

Osage City is well-known for its beautiful Eisenhower State Park. Named after the 34th President, this nearly 1,800-acre park features huge rolling prairies where visitors can engage in all sorts of activities. The area is well known by equestrians due to their beautiful riding trails. The park also provides exceptional walking trails around Melvern Lake. Make sure to bring your bathing suit, as Melvern Lake is a popular beach destination that includes sand volleyball courts and kayaking. Fishers are more inclined to try their luck at catching the large blue catfish that are found in the lake. Aside from the famous park, Osage City features median housing costs below $200,000. The town also holds an A+ rating from CrimeGrade.Org.

Conclusion

Kansas gives those looking for retirement an ideal opportunity to cash in on the exceptional quality of life that can be found here. Whether it is attending seasonal festivals at a town like Prairie Village or the quiet ambiance of the prairie’s rolling hills in Osage City, Kansas has what you are looking for. The affordable housing and low crime rates in cities like Hutchinson will give your retirement peace of mind and ensure that you live out your golden years in style. So take a look — and a trip — to one of the eight best places to retire in Kansas, and you'll feel at home in no time.