9 Best Places To Retire In The Great Lakes Region
For many people, retirement in a small beach town is a dream come true. The Great Lakes are a great spot for retirees looking to make this dream a reality. There are many small towns near the shores, each with a unique community and culture. Port Rowan is a small town near the shores of Lake Erie that is perfect for retirees looking to spend their days birding and enjoying wildlife. Munising, Michigan, is a small town for retirees on a budget who still want to spend their retirement on a beach, relaxing. These are only a couple of the small towns perfect for retiring too in the Great Lakes. The towns near the Great Lakes shores are both in Canada and the United States, so there are great retirement options for residents of both countries. Here, we explore the nine best places to retire near the Great Lakes.
Port Dover, Ontario
Located on the shores of Lake Erie on the Canadian side of the border, Port Dover is a small town with a beachy vibe. The town's laid-back atmosphere makes it a perfect retirement spot. The town is the perfect spot for beach bums who want to retire in a small town. There are several cute homes and condos only a few minutes walk from the beach. Active retirees will enjoy spending the summer mornings kayaking on the lake or walking on the Lynn Valley Trail. Downtown Port Dover is charming and has everything from great dining options to quaint shops. The Beach House, Knechtels, and the Erie Beach Hotel are some local favorite restaurant spots.
While Port Dover is a quiet town, in the summer, the town comes alive. The town hosts festivals and events, including The Lighthouse Theater Festival. This festival features a series of plays at the Lighthouse Theater that are usually lighthearted. Port Dover also has lots of cute shops along the main strip, including Beach Reads Bookshop, and Grand Trunk Station.
Munising, Michigan
Located on the South Bay of Lake Superior, Munising is a gorgeous yet affordable beach town for retirees on a budget. The town is home to beautiful beaches, including Sand Point Beach, Chapel Beach, and Miner’s Beach. Enjoy the sandstone cliffs on the Lakeshore, which stretches for 42 miles. Enjoy kayaking or canoeing down the Au Train River Canoe Pathway. This offers 10 miles of paddling down through the Hiawatha National Forest. Munising is also home to some spectacular waterfalls offering a quiet place for reflection or a nice spot for a day of hiking. Some of the beautiful waterfalls nearby include Sable Falls, Whitefish Falls, and Wagner Falls. Not feeling like cooking one night? Munising has many local eateries to try, such as Border Grill.
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Bayfield is a charming town that serves as the gateway to the Apostle Islands, a group of 21 islands on Lake Superior. The town is a perfect spot to retire for nature lovers and people who love art. There are several galleries and studios around town. Some of the most unique include Silverwaves Jewelry’s Creator Studio, Eckels Pottery and Fine Craft Gallery, and Woods Hall Art Gallery. In the summer months, spend the days hiking, walking on the harbor, and visiting local farms. In the bluffs of Bayfield, there are over a dozen orchards and berry farms. This area is known as the "Fruit Loop." Spend time getting locally produced blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and apples. Afterward, hit up the Bayfield Peninsula and spend time strolling on the beaches. Some local favorite beaches include Friendly Valley Beach, Little Sand Bay, Cornucopia Beach, and Meyer’s Beach. Bayfield is also an excellent spot for a lazy afternoon fishing. Cast a line into Lake Superior and try to catch some trout or whitefish.
Goderich, Ontario
Goderich is considered one of Canada's prettiest towns. Located on the shores of Lake Huron, the town has a storybook charm. Retirees looking for a historic town with markets and a vibrant community will love Goderich. The heart of Goderich lies in its historic downtown. At the center of the downtown is the Courthouse Square, nicknamed The Square. The Square has a unique octangular shape with eight streets radiating out. Most of the buildings around this area date back to the 1850s. Some of the buildings downtown have beautifully colored murals, brightening up the downtown area.
Nearly 200 shops and eateries line this part of Goderich's downtown, making it a great place for retirees looking to spend an afternoon browsing local goods. In the summertime, The Square also hosts farmer's markets. Besides shopping, Goderich has other entertainment, from museums such as the Huron County Museum to theater performances at the Goderich Little Theater. Of course, one of the main draws to Goderich is the beach. Goderich has three beaches: The Goderich Main Beach, Rotary Cove Beach, and St. Christopher’s Beach. There is a long boardwalk uniquely connecting all the beaches. A stroll on the boardwalk is a great way to start a summer morning.
Port Stanley, Ontario
Port Stanley is another town on the shores of Lake Erie on the Canadian side of the border. The town is great for retirees who want the laid-back atmosphere of a beach town but who do not want to be too far away from the city. Port Stanley is just thirty minutes away from London, one of Canada's larger cities. There are a few beaches in Port Stanley where you can enjoy soaking in the sun. The Port Stanley Main Beach is usually the busiest, but the long stretch of sand is worth the crowds. Port Stanley's Little Beach is usually less crowded and perfect for a stroll or afternoon swim. Retirees can enjoy walking on the town's pier and walking along the town's charming streets. Downtown, there are cute restaurants and shops. From May to September, Port Stanley's former town hall building, the Port Stanley Festival Theatre, comes alive with a vibrant theater scene. Enjoy evenings of entertainment with comedies, dramas, and musicals at the Festival Theatre.
Port Stanley is a great town for bikers. The nearby town of St Thomas is just a 45 45-minute bike ride away. Here, retirees can enjoy a change of scenery and learn about the railway history of the region at the Elgin County Railway Museum. There are many farms near Port Stanley, which makes the town a great place to get fresh produce. In the warmer months, some of the farms even have pick-your-own options or allow family visits. Great Lakes Farms is a great spot to go for family fun. There is apple picking and a playground, making it a great spot to take the grandkids.
Port Clinton, Ohio
Another great spot to spend days of retirement fishing and relaxing is Port Clinton. Cast your line on the shores of Lake Erie in what is known as the “Walleye Capital of the World.” Fishing is a lifestyle in this town, and Port Clinton is home to some of the best anglers.
Beyond fishing, there are many charming shops and eateries throughout the town. Stop at the local treasure, the Listening Room, to listen to world-class music. While Port Clinton possesses lots of small-town charm, it also has lots of entertainment and activities for when the grandkids come to visit. Check out Liberty Aviation Museum and African Safari Wildlife Park.
Silver Bay, Minnesota
Retirees looking for a peaceful retirement and settling in by the beach surrounded by nature will love Silver Bay, Minnesota. The small beach town is home to around just 1,800 residents. Settled on the shores of Lake Superior, the town of Silver Bay is full of beautiful beaches and unique natural places. The town is near a wide array of state parks, offering the opportunity for lots of outdoor recreation activities, from hiking and biking to skiing and enjoying sightseeing trails. One of the town's most unique outdoor attractions includes a drive to the top of Palisade Head. This is one of Lake Superior's tallest cliffs, and it offers a spectacular, panoramic view of Lake Superior and the nearby shoreline. From seeing the stacks at Tettegouche State Park to enjoying the shores of Black Beach, Silver Bay's laid-back atmosphere offers retirees a chance to reconnect to nature and enjoy a quiet retirement.
Port Rowan, Ontario
Port Rowan is a quiet community surrounded by beautiful nature. This is one of the best towns for retirees who want to spend their days unwinding in a small community full of cute eateries and wildlife. Anyone who loves birding will love Port Rowan. The town is in a region rich with biodiversity and is near the Long Point Bird Observatory. This is a great spot to go to observe birds or volunteer for those looking to be more involved in conservation. Long Point Provincial Park is also a short walk or bike ride from Port Rowan. This is a great summer destination for beach walks and birding. North of Port Rowan is Turkey Point Beach. Turkey Point is a great spot for swimming in the summer months or a beach walk any time of the year. Port Rowan is home to many hidden gems. Port Rowan's Lion Park is a beautiful little park where you can go fishing. It is open to the public in the mornings and evenings. There are many trails around Port Rowan, making it the perfect place for a hike on the trail or a bike ride. Some of the best trails include Turkey Point Trails, Big Creek National Wildlife Area, and the Attawandaron Cycling Route.
Watertown, New York
Watertown is one of the most affordable places in New York to retire to. The small town is a quieter alternative to the bustling cities in New York State and has a cost of living of 34% lower than the state average. While the town is quieter than New York's thriving cities, it is still vibrant with community life. The town is home to new hotels, restaurants, and big retail stores. The town has several outdoor recreation activities for residents to enjoy. In the wintertime, residents over 65 can enjoy a discount skiing at the Watertown’s Dry Hill Ski Area. There are trails throughout the town where you can enjoy waterfront views along the Black River. Head over to the town's historic Thompson Park to enjoy scenic views.
Why Retire to The Great Lakes Region
Retirement is the golden age many people look forward to. After years of hard work, people deserve to retire to a place where they can relax, unwind, and slow down their lives. There is no better spot to do this than the Great Lakes region. From fishing on the shores of Port Clinton to birding on Long Point beach in Port Rowan, each of these towns in the Great Lakes Region has something for everyone. If you are planning your retirement, consider checking out one of these small towns. The beautiful nature, peaceful atmosphere, and vibrant communities make these towns the perfect places to retire to.
