Each senior probably has unique motives for wanting to move to a new location. Examples of reasons you might relocate to Wisconsin include lower cost of living, more outdoor amenities or green space, and available hospitals. You more than likely also want to know that you will feel at home in the community you live.
To ensure your happiness, you will want to spend time comparing and contrasting all the best amenities and features of a location before you decide to move there. Then, you probably will pick the Wisconsin city, village, or town that offers you the features that are of the highest priority to you.
1. Eau Claire – With a cost of living index approximately 10 percent below the national average as of 2016, this city located in Western Wisconsin is another affordable place to live. This community of about 65,883 people has a median home value of about $127,600 as of 2013. The prices of homes have jumped considerably within the past year, though. Still, you can find inexpensive houses here that are still in livable condition. It has foot bridges, waterfalls, age 60 plus college audit classes, and two hospitals. This area is also expanding with new restaurants and has free music concerts in the summer.
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2. Prairie du Chein – Southwestern Wisconsin is another area that sometimes has reasonably-priced homes. This city just east of the Mississippi River, for example, has houses for sale that were $100,000 or less as of 2013. Prairie du Chein is one area where the home value has not risen much in the past three years. The median home prices as of March 2016 are about $119,000. It also is home to the five-star Downtown Deli and four-star Fort Mulligan’s Grillpub if you are looking for a place with good restaurant food. You will have plenty of peace and quiet while living here, too.
3. Eagle River – This Northern Wisconsin location is reported as being one of the best places to retire in the state. Homes in this area might only cost you $80,000 or less for older homes in at least halfway decent condition. However, note that the median list price in this neighborhood has written has risen about seven times since 2013. Still, if you have up to $150,000-200,000 to spend, it is possible that you can still find a suitable condominium or vacation home near Eagle River and Three Lakes. One favorite activity here in the fall is to take a drive and view the fall leaves as they change colors.
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4. Bayfield – This community is located next to the string of Apostle Islands that sit on Lake Superior. This location, which is nestled right on one of Wisconsin’s northernmost tips, is another relatively cheap place to live. It's 2013 median home value was about $161,800, and the cost-of-living overall is 2 percent lower than the national average. Bayfield is about an hour and 43 minutes from Duluth, Minnesota. The median home value has risen six times within the past few years. However, this area still has properties for sale within the $150-250,000 range. If you might prefer canoeing or kayaking, this would be an ideal place for you to live.
5. Madison, WI – Of the 95 largest cities in the U.S., this city boasts being the number one greenest place. It has more than 15,000 acres of lakes and 200 of biking and walking trails. Median list prices as of 2016 are about $229,900, but many available homes are within the $150,000-250,000. This city provides plenty of opportunities for golfing, fishing, and other activities. In addition, this city has one of the best public transportation systems in the county including bike rentals. The University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, which is the best hospital in Wisconsin, is located here.
6. Lake Geneva – If golf happens to be your favorite past time, this might best place for you to retire. This city has 22 golf courses in the area. Median home values in this location were about $175,000 as of 2013. In 2016, these prices are only about $20,000 more, and you can find plenty of houses for less than that. The lake is one of the clearest in the nation, whereas you can see to a depth of 20 feet underwater in some places.
7. Milwaukee – The top hospital in this city found the Southgate neighborhood is The Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center on west Oklahoma Avenue. Some of the safest streets in this city include ones in the Shore Drive or West Mill Road areas. North Shore Park and Little Menominee River Parkway are located in these neighborhoods. Many sections of the city have activities for seniors at parks, places of worship, libraries, and more. One popular place to shop is the Shops of Grand Avenue, and Milwaukee is home to Kohl’s, Marshall’s and other brand name stores.
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8. Wausau – Aspirus Hospital the fourth-best hospital in Wisconsin, is located here. This medical center performs a variety of general medical and surgery procedures on people. One of the largest state parks in the area is found in Rib Mountain about 16 minutes’ driving distance. When driving east or west on Highway 29, you will spot this small range’s panorama from your windshield. You will notice it most as you pass by Lake Wausau and over the Wisconsin River. As of 2016, the median list price for a Wausau home is only $69,900 -- by far one of the best places to retire in Wisconsin on a budget.
9. Green Bay – This reported as being the oldest city in Wisconsin, and it offers much of what retired people might want. For Green Bay Packers fans, there is the Stadium View sports bar near Lambeau field and the Brett Favre’s Steakhouse near the airport. In addition, you could play golf at the Oneida Golf & Country Club or the Village Green Golf Course. Green Bay, WI has a cost of living about 30 percent below the national average. The median home list price right now is about $135,000, and many of these two to four bedroom homes are in good condition.
