8 Best Places To Retire In Minnesota

While Minnesota is probably not the first spot that you would think of finding a practical place to retire, it surely has its fair share of comfortable getaways. Aside from the colder weather than some other popular retiree states, Minnesota provides affordable housing and beautiful scenery that will make your retirement destination perfect. Known as “The Land of 10,000 Lakes”, Minnesota offers many picturesque lakeside destinations. Minnesota boasts some of the cheapest housing costs in the country! To go along with this, Minnesota is renowned for its healthcare facilities. Whether you are enjoying a day of fishing on Lake Pepin in Lake City or browsing the year-round festivals in Caledonia, Minnesota gives retirees an assortment of activities throughout the year.

Mendota Heights

Mendota Heights is located on the southern border of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The town finds itself at the convergence of the scenic Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. The city contains 17 public parks, including Big Rivers Regional Trail and Fort Snelling State Park. If you're feeling adventurous, you can take a walk to the Overlook at Quarry Island for picturesque views of the rivers. If you take a stroll at any of these parks, you just may spot a white-tailed deer, foxes, woodchucks, or even turkeys! Mendota Heights contains a vibrant senior population, with 24% of the city over the age of 65. Since Mendota is within such close proximity to Minneapolis and St. Paul, top-rated hospitals are just a short drive away. Hospitals with multiple awards that are only about 7 miles away include United Hospital and Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Caledonia

Known as the “Wild Turkey Capital” of Minnesota, Caledonia offers a diverse mix of beautiful scenery and local fun. Caledonia prides itself in its low property costs. The median housing cost is only $220,000, which is about half of the national median cost! Seasonal fests are common in Caledonia making the official motto of the town, “A City for All Seasons”. In June, you can enjoy the Founders Day Fest, while in October, you can celebrate Turkey Fest! Caledonia’s Houston County Fair is the largest rural fair in Minnesota, and it includes bandstand entertainment and farming exhibitions. Walking distance from the fairgrounds is History Lane, where you can learn about the city’s history by visiting an old schoolhouse building, a pioneer cabin, church building, and a town hall.

Lake City

For those who love the fishing lifestyle, Lake City might be the place for you. Lake City can be found on the banks of Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River and provides a heavenly oasis for fishermen. Lake Pepin contains over 85 different species of game fish that can be angled year round. In 2015, Cabela’s National Walleye Tour made a stop at Lake Pepin, so walleye fishing is very popular among the locals. If you are interested in cycling, you can join the Tour de Pepin which takes cyclists around all of the trails near Lake Pepin. Be sure to keep an eye out for the plentiful wildlife of Lake Pepin as you ride! 24% of the population in Lake City is 65 or older, so you are sure to be surrounded by like-minded seniors.

Wayzata

Tucked on the shore of Lake Minnetonka lies the picturesque town of Wayzata. Wayzata harbors a median age of 56, as retirees find the calmness of the lake to be their greatest attraction. Lake Minnetonka provides the retirees of Wayzata with the perfect avenue for a plethora of water-based activities that include paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating. On the shore, you can find Wayzata Beach, which is a perfect place to get a tan or enjoy the relaxing ambiance of the lake lifestyle. After you are done relaxing, take a walk on the Panoway at Wayzata Beach, which allows partakers to enjoy the beautiful scenery while walking on specially designed trails. Along the Panoway, learn about the rich history of Wayzata via the historical markers on the walking path. These historical markers include the Section Foreman House and the Wayzata Depot.

Grand Marais

Located on the coast of Lake Superior is the adventurous town of Grand Marais. Ranked in the “Top 10 Beach Getaways” by Outside Magazine and also named “America’s Coolest Small Town” by Budget Travel Magazine, this town has quite the rapport. If you are looking for beautiful lake views, then Grand Marais Recreation Area is the perfect area for hiking on the cobblestone beaches of Grand Marais. You can also stroll the romantic avenues at Sweetheart’s Bluff Nature Trails, located adjacent to the Recreation Area. Walking distance from the recreation area lies Downtown Grand Marais, which contains an array of retail shops and restaurants and is located just off Wisconsin Street. Try some of Grand Marais’ world-renowned donuts at World’s Best Donuts, and see if these donuts are what they claim to be! Grand Marais also has a great healthcare center at North Shore Health, located 0.3 miles from the downtown area.

Albert Lea

Albert Lea is a quaint lake town located in southern Minnesota, which contains six lakes in and around the area. Albert Lea is a perfect place for those seeking to take advantage of the lake lifestyle. The town is built around Fountain Lake, which offers a variety of water-based activities, including canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Adjacent to Fountain Lake is Myre Big Island State Park, which features a natural oak savannah landscape that is home to large varieties of wildlife, including 234 different types of birds. The area also has many hiking trails at all of the 43 public parks in Albert Lea. Aside from the great outdoors, housing costs are very affordable compared to the national average. Housing costs in the area are extremely low, with the median home selling price at $190,000. Albert Lea also boasts a great medical facility in the Mayo Clinic Hospital, which won the Patient Safety Excellence Award in 2024.

Fergus Falls

Named after its beautiful natural waterfall, Fergus Falls provides its residents picturesque views of nature while also providing a vibrant downtown district. Bicyclists and hikers have ample trails to cover, as Fergus Falls showcases a scenic Riverwalk Trail where you can see the original falls that the town was named after. Wildlife lovers will also enjoy other hiking opportunities, including the North Country National Scenic Trail, Pine to Prairie Birding Trail, and the 55-mile-long Central Lakes Trail. Fergus Falls has a rich agricultural history that is celebrated every year at the historic Phelps Mill Festival, which brings fun for the whole family and gives an all-american festival experience. To experience more of the town, take a walk on East Lincoln Avenue and browse some of the great retail shops and restaurants. Stop in at Stella’s Restaurant for great food or shop at the stores on the Riverwalk! Fergus Falls also has the award-winning Lake Region Healthcare facility, which is very close by.

Minnetonka

While Minnetonka is not an especially small town with a population of around 50,000, it remains a great getaway for retirees. With a median age of 42, Minnetonka has a diverse group of younger and older residents, which gives the town a sense of suburban community. Minnetonka is about 10 miles outside of Minneapolis, so you are not far from some of the great amenities the city has to offer. Even though the town has a higher population, it boasts an A- grade on CrimeGrade.Org for its extremely safe environment. Minnetonka is still outside of the city, which is enough to have great parks and nature preserves such as Lone Lake Community Park and Preserve. Here, you can take an adventure on the trails or fish in the tranquillity of the lake environment. Explore what makes this vibrant community tick at their year-round Farmers Market, which showcases not only its fresh local produce but also a rich live music scene.

Minnesota’s “10,000 Lakes” provides retirees with a plethora of scenic lake views as well as water-based activities. Towns like Wayzata, Lake City, and Grand Marais give retirees great accessibility to appreciate the beautiful nature that can be found in Minnesota and enjoy a lake lifestyle. Minnesota is not only for those looking for the stereotypical lake life; it is also for anyone looking to retire somewhere affordable and safe. A town like Albert Lea is great for those looking to retire but not break the bank in the process. Minnetonka has extremely low crime rates and is also close to Minneapolis if you are looking to enjoy the amenities of a bigger city. Whether it is nature or nightlife you are looking for as you retire, Minnesota has much to offer at a price that is reasonable for any retiree.