As retirement comes, a lot of people look for peace, low costs, and a sense of community in the place they choose to live. Minnesota’s beautiful scenery hides a secret gem: places to retire that won’t break the bank. Minnesota has many great places for retirees to live, from cute little towns to beautiful lakeside getaways.
These places will help them make the most of their fixed incomes without lowering the quality of their lives. We show you five of the best places in Minnesota to retire on a budget in this piece.
Not only do these carefully chosen places offer affordable places to live, but they also have thriving towns, lots of fun things to do, and a lot of natural beauty. Join us as we look at the best places in the Land of 10,000 Lakes for retirees on a budget.
1. The Detroit Lakes
People love to do outdoor activities in Detroit Lakes, which is a beautiful place. This is true in both the summer and the winter. The city still has the laid-back feel of a small town, even though it’s busy with summer tourists. The Fargo-Moorhead area is only a forty-minute drive away, so people who live there may get to enjoy both the freedom of the country and the comforts of a big city.
CityData says that the cost of living index in Detroit Lakes is 83, which is a lot cheaper than the average for the whole country. The low cost of living in this area means that most retirees can just relax and enjoy life. However, those who need a little extra cash can find part-time work through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).
2. Little Falls
A lot of retired people move to Little Falls, which was once home to Charles Lindbergh because there are so many fun things to do outside along the lake. Even though Little Falls is close to St. Cloud, most of its residents enjoy the city’s rural setting and small-town feel. At the Little Falls Senior Center, you can have fun with bingo, pool tournaments, dances, and exercise lessons, among other things.
Along with CHI St. Gabriel’s Health, nearby St. Cloud Hospital and the St. Cloud VA Healthcare System are also popular medical options for people in the area. The cost of living is pretty low in Little Falls and most of Central Minnesota. In 2013, Little Falls had a cost of living index score of 80.7, which was lower than the national average of 100.
3. Northfield
Northfield is on Money’s list of the Best Places to Retire, but it is often thought of as a college town. In the end, St. Olaf College calls it home. The pretty town has a lot to offer seniors, even though it’s mostly known for its small liberal arts school, which is often featured on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion.
The city’s great senior center has a lot of fun and interesting classes and events for seniors, like Landscape Drawing, Introduction to Spreadsheets, and AARP Smart Driving.
Aside from the book club, chime choir, hiking club, senior softball league, and card groups, the senior center has a lot of other events. The medical care at the Northfield Hospital is excellent. People who live at Millstream Commons and Valley View Assisted Living and Memory Care usually need more medical care.
4. Rochester, NY
If getting great medical care is very important to you, living in Rochester is the best choice. The world-famous Mayo Clinic alone makes this town one of the best in Minnesota for retirees. Rochester is known for having a great hospital center, but it has more to offer than that.
The typical price of a home is about $166,300, so housing is very cheap. Forbes says that Rochester has a 9.6 percent lower cost of living than the rest of the country. Rochester Community and Technical College has classes for seniors that retired people who want to continue their education can join.
5. Cloquet
Living in Cloquet is like living in a city but with all the beauty of a small town. The town is close to Duluth and the beautiful North Shore. It’s also not far from the huge Black Bear Casino, where many seniors like to play blackjack at night.
The senior center in the city has lots of fun things to do and great ways for people to make money. The US Census Bureau says that the typical home value in Cloquet is a fair $137,400.
Conclusion
When retirees look for peace and affordability in their new homes, Minnesota stands out as a great choice because of its beautiful scenery and low-cost options. From the lakeside charm of Detroit Lakes to the historic draw of Little Falls, each place gives retirees a mix of community, fun, and low costs. Come with us as we look at these top choices for low-cost retirement in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.