INDIANA - Affordable Places To Live For Active Retirees

Anyone who might be thinking of Indiana as their retirement destination will immediately discover that there are a surprising number of very hospitable and affordable small towns spread across the state that are worth considering as places to retire. This fact is especially true for anyone who enjoys a four season climate, scenic farmland and the fun and excitement of big time college football weekends on bright autumn Saturday afternoons.

Lafayette, South Bend and Bloomington are just a few of the college towns that one might mention as being both affordable and packed with things to do. South Bend, and its smaller neighbor, Mishawaka, provide a setting that is rich in history and tradition, especially for anyone who relishes the pageantry and excitement of Notre Dame football. Also, retirees who enjoy spending their leisure time outdoors will find ample opportunities for hiking, biking, canoeing, cross-country skiing and a host of other sporting activities, including whitewater rafting.

Lafayette-West Lafayette, with a combined population of about 150,000 people, is consistently rated as one of the overall best places to live in the United States. With beautiful turn-of-the century architecture, historic neighborhoods and inviting public areas, this locale has been said to be a historian’s dream. Home to Purdue University, it has a distinct “college-town” feel with an interesting collection of retail shops, restaurants and community festivities. Like many towns in Indiana, it is rated as one of the country’s safest places to live, as well being among the more affordable.

Perhaps at the top of our list for best places to retire in Indiana would be Bloomington, a college town with less than 70,000 people that has been described as having “… the soul of big city, but the heart of a small town…” With its cobblestone streets, old fashioned front porches and Indiana University’s beautiful campus, combined with such attractions as the state’s oldest and largest winery, the country’s only Tibetan Cultural Center and a world class music festival, there is definitely a high level of cultural energy and scenic beauty that will appeal to a great many retirees.

In fact, the campus has been hailed by one author as one of the five most beautiful college campuses in the U.S. The University’s Art Museum was designed by the noted architectural firm of I. M. Pei and its collection includes works by such renowned artists as Monet and Jackson Pollack. Also, the IU Auditorium hosts an assortment of entertainers, musicians, lecturers and performances each year and adds to the rich cultural landscape of the city.

Another area that offers a small town atmosphere with proximity to big city amenities is Hamilton County, a collection of eight inviting communities just outside Indianapolis. Fishers, one of the fastest growing communities in the nation, was selected by Del Webb Communities as the site of its only Indiana active adult neighborhood, and together with the nearby towns of Noblesville and Carmel, provides an exciting array of cultural attractions, beautiful golf courses and recreational venues. Just a short drive from the shops, restaurants and professional offerings to be found in Indianapolis, Hamilton County is definitely a place that active retirees will want to consider as a potential retirement destination.

In addition to these locations, there are a number of other interesting and unique communities scattered throughout Indiana that are worth exploring for your own personal retirement needs. Muncie, in the eastern part of the state, is home to Ball State University and has been recognized as one of the best places to live and work by several national magazines. Madison, in southeast Indiana, is an engaging community where boats and barges still navigate the great northern bend of the Ohio River. Nestled amidst the tree-covered hills and farmlands, this charming village of approximately 13,000 still retains many of the grand homes and historic commercial buildings that were in use during the Victorian era. Another great place to live is Mooresville, located just ten miles southwest of Indianapolis. With its beautiful Midwestern setting and a high quality of family life, retirement here offers a small town atmosphere with the benefit of living near a big city.

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