News & Trending Mortgage & Loans News

14 Midwest Cities for Retirees Looking to Balance Rural Charm with City Life

Retirees really can enjoy the best of both worlds in these Midwestern cities.

Indiana skyline
Updated Nov. 19, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Finding the perfect place to retire is no easy feat. Many retirees want to avoid the hustle and bustle of major cities but still be close enough to great dining, entertainment, and healthcare.

To help you prepare for retirement, consider these 14 Midwestern cities that blend quaint rural or suburban life with the perks of their nearby cities.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources

Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Ankeny, Iowa

Duane/Adobe Iowa Corn Fields at sunset

Ankeny is a suburb of Des Moines where retirees can enjoy all the benefits of being close to a big city — like entertainment, access to healthcare, and more — without the drawbacks.

It’s a small town packed with beautiful trails, golf courses, top restaurants, and craft beer, so there’s plenty to do even without making the trek into the city.

Bloomington, Indiana

Susan Vineyard/Adobe Overlooking Bloomington Indiana

Home to Indiana University, Bloomington also has plenty of features that attract retirees — from stunning natural beauty to art and museums to a top-notch dining scene.

The cost of buying a home is less than the national average, and the city is about a one-hour drive from Indianapolis.

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Platinum Images/Adobe Eau Claire Wisconsin downtown

Eau Claire touts itself as the “Indie Capital of the Midwest” and could be an excellent retirement location for outdoorsy and artsy types.

Where the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers meet, residents can enjoy plenty of water activities, hiking, an array of art galleries and museums, breweries, and much more.

Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.

If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Fort Wayne, Indiana

gnagel/Adobe Allen County Courthouse in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Located in northeastern Indiana, Fort Wayne offers many of the perks of a city while maintaining a small-town vibe and low cost of living. There is an eclectic mix of neighborhoods, plenty of great places to eat, and many outdoor attractions.

It’s also within driving distance of Toledo, Indianapolis, and Columbus.

Green Bay, Wisconsin

digidreamgrafix/Adobe Green Bay Wisconsin City skyline

Even if you’re not a football fan, Green Bay has plenty of perks for retirees. The city offers a low cost of living, a walkable downtown, plenty of restaurants and shops, and access to healthcare facilities.

Plus, another Midwestern gem, Milwaukee, is less than a two-hour drive away.

Lawrence, Kansas

jzehnder/Adobe University of Kansas in Lawrence

Just about a half-hour drive from Kansas City, Lawrence is attractive for retirees for a few reasons.

While it can be lively — with a thriving arts scene, festivals and parades, plenty of restaurants, and live music — it offers a sense of tranquility with just enough distance from the city.

Lincoln, Nebraska

mandritoiu/Adobe lincoln skyline and nebraska capitol

Lincoln may be a larger city than many of the others on this list, but with a low cost of living, access to healthcare and social services, and plenty to do, it’s still a top option in the Midwest.

Nebraska’s capital city is packed with stunning parks and trails, an array of restaurants and shops, a thriving arts scene, and more.

Mankato, Minnesota

Adobe/Evan Meyer A train station in Minnesota

If you can handle the winters, Mankato is a great retirement destination for those who love to spend time outdoors.

It’s packed with parks, trails, and prairies — and it’s developing its offerings of shops, restaurants, and entertainment lately as well. Plus, it’s just about 80 miles from Minneapolis.

Medina, Ohio

Kenneth Keifer/Adobe southwestern-ohio-autumn-landscape

While Medina is close to some of Ohio’s major cities — including Cleveland and Akron — it offers a calmer life and a healthy distance from the city.

With a lively historic Main Street, hundreds of acres of parks, and proximity to museums, theater districts, and more, it’s an excellent choice for retirees looking to stay connected (or just connected enough).

Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)

Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.

No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.

Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.

Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.

Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.

But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).

Apply for the SELECT card today

Peoria, Illinois

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Peoria, Illinois, USA Downtown Skyline

From restaurants to shops to museums and entertainment, there’s just enough going on in Peoria to keep retirees happy and fulfilled.

The small city is located in central Illinois, but if retirees ever find themselves missing those big city vibes, the drive to Chicago is just about two and a half hours.

Prairie Village, Kansas

Michael Rolands/Adobe A place in Missouri

Just outside of Kansas City, Prairie Village offers a healthy mix of suburban tranquility and urban excitement.

The city is known for being one of the safest in the Kansas City area, and it has plenty to entertain retirees of all sorts, from beautiful parks to golf courses to local festivals.

Rapid City, South Dakota

malajscy/Adobe A city in South Dakota

Aside from having Mount Rushmore and the Badlands in your backyard, there are plenty of other reasons to consider Rapid City for retirement.

The cost of buying a home in the city is lower than the national average, and according to data from U.S. News and World Report, residents 65+ make up 20% of the population.

Stillwater, Minnesota

Wirestock/Adobe Croix River in Stillwater, Minnesota

Known as the “Birthplace of Minnesota,” Stillwater is a small town in Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.

The city sits on the bank of St. Croix River and has plenty of beautiful trails for outdoorsy types. It also has a lively downtown area with art, museums, and plenty to eat and drink.

Troy, Michigan

Davslens Photography/Adobe Sunset over the pond

A suburb of Detroit, Troy is located about 22 miles north of the city’s downtown area.

The proximity means that residents will have easy access to all the healthcare, great dining, entertainment, and sports the city has to offer — but only when they want it.

Bottom line

Alexey Stiop/Adobe Wheat sunset

Relocating to a city or state with a better tax situation and/or lower cost of living is often touted as one of the best money moves for homeowners looking to retire. Still, quality of life should be considered as well.

Each town on this list offers its own charm and is close to the convenience of larger cities.

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Benefits

Card Details

  • $0 annual fee
  • Simple, flat-rate rewards
  • Flexible redemption options
  • Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
  • Apply Now
  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Bank of <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>America<sup>®</sup></span> Travel Rewards credit card
4.1
info
Apply Now

on Bank of America’s secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Annual Fee

$0

+

Why we like it


Author Details

Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore

Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore is a seasoned freelance writer who also teaches writing courses at Rutgers University. She's based in Jersey City and enjoys travel, live music and, of course, spending quality time with her pup.