Retirees Are Loving Life in These College Towns
Rather than shying away from college towns for something less busy, retirees are heading straight for them. Apparently they’re big attractions for people looking to spend their golden years fulfilled. It makes sense, really; college towns are diversely populated, full of culture and have ample entertainment opportunities for people of all ages. They have other advantages too; part-time employment is higher where colleges are built, and housing is often more affordable to appeal to a frugal lifestyle. If you’re looking for such a place yourself, these college towns would be perfect for an enriched retirement, regardless of your age.
Athens, Georgia
Athens provides a southern charm with indie rock appeal for retirees who want both a friendly atmosphere and an arty vibe - did you know that the bands R.E.M. and The B-52s got their start here? As a result, Athens is richly packed with music venues and theaters. It has other appealing attributes too, though; despite being an entertainment town it has a low cost of living with mild winters, and if you want to continue education, seniors aged 62+ get tuition-free access to UGA classes. In addition, the University of Georgia has excellent medical facilities on hand.
Ithaca, New York
Home to both Cornell University and its titular college, Ithaca has a friendly, progressive feel for retirees who want to experience life’s diversity whilst surrounded by its beautiful waterfalls, lakes and gorges. If you’re expecting education opportunities, you won’t be disappointed; Ithaca has lectures open to the curious public. Ithaca’s also a town of culture; you can expect tons of events and facilities from farmer’s markets to wineries that keep enquiring minds and tastes busy. The community is socially-conscious, so you'll always feel cared for - the access to Cornell and Cayuga Medical facilities are a bonus in that regard.
Burlington, Vermont
If you’re looking to retire to a cozy and forward-thinking town with an active outdoor community, Burlington is the place for you! As well as offering top healthcare through its UVM Medical Center, the University of Vermont attracts open-minded residents, while the area’s natural beauty makes eco-consciousness a given. Physically able retirees will enjoy Burlington’s outdoor pursuits - its famous Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains offer watersports and ample leaf peeping - or visiting walkable downtown’s cafes and jazz scene. If it all gets too much though, you won’t get stranded - seniors get free bus travel!
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Anne Arbor hosts Michigan University (famous for its world class Michigan Medicine facility) and draws in a sophisticated, arty crowd, which will appeal to retirees who need more of that in their life. The result is culture galore - lectures, film festivals and museums offer incredible opportunities for widening your horizons. You can expand your taste buds too, since Ann Abor’s renowned for its diverse eateries. Its community isn’t all student-based, either; there are active senior centers for retirees to join, and those who enjoy a stroll will find Ann Arbor remarkably walkable for a mid-sized city.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Retirees who want to continue their education will have their needs met in North Carolina, home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With mild weather and lovely scenery, it’s the perfect atmosphere to feed your brain, whether that’s with education, arts or music. With regards to education, Chapel Hill offers OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) access for people aged 50+.That’s not the only system in place to support retirees, either; there’s a host of different public services and support programs for seniors, and with Chapel Hill’s close-knit community, you won’t have any problem finding them.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison - home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison - is positioned between two lakes, so retirees who like watersports (or simply enjoy time by or on the water) will feel an instant pull to it. The nature-based location also means you’ll have plenty of biking and hiking trails, should you want to flex your leg muscles. Wisconsin’s affordable healthcare and impressive hospitals offer a safety net in case you have any health problems, and if you want to go out for entertainment, its cultural scene doesn’t disappoint: you have arts, music, more bars than you can shake a stick at and the most epic farmer’s markets you could wish for.
Fort Collins, Colorado
When it comes to Fort Collins in Colorado, you’ll find a friendly atmosphere and down-to-earth charm for those who appreciate a more grounded lifestyle. There’s no airs or graces here, just good, honest camaraderie, and if you like the outdoors, you’ll love it here - It’s the gateway to the Rockies! You will find plenty of physical activities, including fishing, hiking, and even snowshoeing (which, considering the reasonably mild Colorado climate, is surprising). This is a perfect place for pet lovers, too; the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital is located here, so you and your furry friend will fit right in.
Charlottesville, Virginia
The South is known for its hospitality, and Charlottesville in Virginia is no exception! You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere here, with a little bit of something for everyone. You’re close enough to the Blue Ridge Mountain to appreciate the scenery, but the downtown area is walkable without your hiking shoes. You’ll be around top-rated medical facilities (hello, UVA Hospital) should you need it, while those of you who like the history and arts scene have lots to keep you occupied, including nearby Monticello, live music, book stores and wine bars if you fancy a tipple.
Gainesville, Florida
Yeah, we know what you’re thinking: Florida, famous for its overflowing beaches, right? Gainesville might actually surprise you then. iI’s more rural than sandy, with trees, trails and natural springs, yet it keeps the laid-back attitude you’ve come to expect from popular retiree hotspots. Unlike Florida’s coastal areas, Gainesville has a more affordable cost of living, which is made even more attractive by the absence of state income tax, so there’s less strain on your pension. It also shares Florida’s large retiree population, so there’s plenty of friendly communities and senior centers.
Bozeman, Montana
Montana State University’s hometown, Bozeman is the perfect location for retirees with a hankering for the great outdoors; you’ll find an endless amount of recreation, from the more active skiing to more leisurely pursuits such as hiking and fishing. You can even just kick back and enjoy the fresh mountain air! Bozeman’s a small town, but that doesn’t mean it’s unfriendly; quite the opposite, in fact! The community’s used to college students and visitors, so they’ll welcome you with open arms. MSU’s presence also draws in a lot of culture; art, lectures and other youthful pursuits will keep you young in mind and spirit.
Eugene, Oregon
If you used to be a hippie or just find the lifestyle appealing, there’s a lot to love in the bo-ho town of Eugene, Oregon. Do you enjoy walking? Then you’ll appreciate the accessibility of Eugene’s downtown area with its plentiful cafes, craft stores and farmer’s markets. If you’re into cardio, track & field is popular in Eugene, while cycling and walking trails are all over the place. However, material gains are also celebrated - there’s no sales tax in Oregon, so goods are relatively cheaper. PeaceHealth Sacred Heart lives up to its name with world-renowned medical treatment, too.
Lawrence, Kansas
The quirky and artsy scene of Lawrence hosts the University of Kansas and welcomes those who appreciate its culture-rich spirit (it’s known as “mini Austin” for just that reason). Sure, it’s not the largest place in the world, but its healthcare is excellent for a town of its size. Since Lawrence is a smaller town, it also has some advantages over its larger brethren - namely its affordability. It has both a lower cost of living and property taxes than the other alternatives, and the community is tightly-knit. If you love the indie vibe, check out Lawrence’s bookstores, live music and art galleries!
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham’s the site of the Western Washington University, and it’s actually on the coast. Don’t let that fool you, though - its proximity to Mount Baker gives inhabitants the best of sea and mountain life in one friendly location. The summers are beautiful and the winters just dramatic enough to enjoy a fireside retreat. Because of where it’s situated, Bellingham gives retirees access to outdoor markets aplenty and some excellent opportunities you wouldn’t get further inland. For example, there’s a large selection of fresh seafood cuisine, ferries and even whale watching for nature fans who like to get up close and personal with the wilderness.
Missoula, Montana
For the creative, nature loving retirees among you, Missoula - where you'll find the University of Montana - might be just the hidden gem you’re looking for. Its location in the Northern Rockies gives you tons of outdoor pursuits, so pack a fishing rod and a pair of skis if that’s your pleasure. Missoula is one of the most welcoming Montana towns with a progressive attitude and a thriving arts scene, particularly among the local community. Seniors will also enjoy its strong healthcare system, and considering its smaller size, Missoula has an impressive array of senior services retirees can take advantage of.
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Laid-back creatives will find Fayetteville (homebase to the University of Arkansas) syncs up with their lifestyle perfectly; even the taxes are relaxed - there’s no state tax on social security so your pension can breathe easier, and the low cost of living is easy on the wallet. It’s not just a great town for retirees though; Fayetteville is frequently ranked among the best places to live in the U.S.! You have the Ozark Mountains for natural serenity and if you want to get creative there’s plenty of arts, music and foodie scenes to experience.
State College, Pennsylvania
The hometown of Penn State University, State College is nestled in a forested area of the Appalachian ridges, though its scenery is very walkable. If you’re among the retirees who like to experience a little of all four seasons, you can look forward to some beautiful, real autumns! The slower-paced lifestyle of such a relaxing town stretches to all aspects of it; the area is safe, crime rates are super low and thanks to Penn State Health its healthcare network is just as impressive as some other urban towns. There’s even local events such as Art Fest and Football Saturdays to keep you engaged.
Ames, Iowa
What do you get when you mix small-town charm with genius-level science? The answer is Ames, where you’ll find Iowa State University (which has partnerships with none other than NASA). Medical care in such a prestigious place is as high as you’d expect thanks to the McFarland Clinic and Mary Greeley Medical Center. You’d expect to pay over the odds for those qualities in a town, wouldn’t you? Actually, Ames is renowned for its low cost of living and high quality of life! It has greenery for the outdoors lover, community events for the socialite retiree and still manages to maintain a low crime rate!
Lexington, Kentucky
If you have healthcare needs, look no further than the excellent quality provided by the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Of course, that’s not all the town offers - if you’re after rural living, Kentucky’s beautiful countryside will turn your head. Animal lovers may appreciate the horse riding lessons its many farms offer, too. The creative retirees among you can also find something to enjoy in Lexington: its downtown offers a growing arts scene and a burgeoning foodie community. It combines Southern gentility with a progressive charm, so no one will feel left out in Lexington.
Columbia, Missouri
The University of Missouri - or Mizzou - can be found in Columbia, offering excellent healthcare to those that need it and a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere to anyone who settles there. The town’s used to drawing in retirees - its thriving senior centers and cultural events are testament to that. The cost of living in Columbia is low, and if you like keeping fit, there’s plenty of cycling and hiking trails to keep you engaged. Culture lovers have the Roots N Blues Festival and indie cinema scene to enjoy, while sports enthusiasts can paint their faces in Tiger colors to support their local team.
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington knows how to attract retirees to its vibrant cultural scene, and it begins with low housing costs! There’s plenty more to appeal to intellectuals though - if you want to continue your education, Indiana University’s got you covered with its Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. However, learning doesn’t have to stay indoors! Take your books out into nature and read on Bloomington’s beautiful lakesides or forest trails. Since the university’s a renowned music school, you can expect plenty of affordable music concerts; some are even free!
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, the home of the University of North Carolina (UNCA), isn’t the largest locale, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in richness of character and pure bo-ho vibes. Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can’t beat that view and the hiking opportunities, yet its climate is mild! Asheville’s small size also hasn’t impacted on its medical facilities much - they’re very impressive. Actually, the whole area has a “good health” atmosphere with its wellness, lifelong learning and yoga communities. Culture, art, music and food - Asheville enriches the heart, mind and soul.
Tempe, Arizona
You wouldn’t think that desert locale would be refreshing, but consider Tempe like an oasis, and Arizona State University its spring. Ok, so the weather is very warm and dry (that’s good news if you have bad joints) but you get big city amenities thanks to nearby Phoenix and excellent public transport to get there. As for Tempe itself, ASU offers a huge amount of resources for retirees who want to bolster their education. You can attend classes, events and lectures at the university, and if you want more off-campus entertainment, there’s golf courses to visit and botanical gardens to explore.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Soul seekers will just love Sante Fe and its double whammy of St. John's College and Santa Fe Community College. It has a new age vibe perfect for philosophers and open-minded artists alike who want to retire to a place that embraces spiritualists and tightly as scientists. Whether you’re enjoying the clean air and sunny skies, or hiking through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to commune with nature, Sante Fe has what you need to leave you fulfilled. Its culture scene is varied, its community of artists and writers diverse and even its medical facilities offer a great mix of traditional and alternative therapies.
San Luis Obispo, California
Those of you who can’t get enough of an ocean breeze should consider retiring to San Luis Obispo, home of the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). A combination of sunshine and ocean breezes create an appealing Mediterranean climate, and of course provide ample outdoor recreation by land or sea. Land-based activities give you hiking and biking, or you could brave the oceans if you’re a surfer. Alternatively, you can walk the streets, enjoying San Luis Obispo’s downtown area. Soak in the close-knit community vibes and farmer’s markets until your heart’s content! The living options in the area are especially attractive to seniors, so retirees are in a prime position to take advantage of them.
Corvallis, Oregon
For the proud retiring nerd there’s few better options than the friendly town of Corvallis in Oregon, host to Oregon State University (OSU). It’s one of the country’s only three land-, sea-, space-, and sun-grant universities! You’ll be surrounded by nature and considering it’s wine country, you can find plenty of vineyards and wineries. The area’s safe and compact as well, so you’ll never feel too far away from civilization. Thanks to OSU, retirees will find a great balance of research, culture and fun without being bogged down by the hustle and bustle of big city life. There’s also lots of medical resources for those of you with health concerns, so you get the benefit of coverage that would usually come from a larger town.
