With its low cost of living and numerous recreational areas, Ohio offers retirement-minded people a budget-friendly way to enjoy their new-found freedom without sacrificing quality of life. Arts, culture, entertainment, and outdoor activities are in close proximity to several of the state's most retiree-friendly locales, including both major cities and small towns.
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Many of Ohio's cities and towns offer a laidback, low-key vibe combined with big city offerings that ensure retirees can continue their active lifestyles well into their golden years. Here are just four of the perks of retirement in Ohio.
- You Won't Pay a Lot to Live There - According to PayScale, the overall cost of living in Ohio is 8 percent less than the national average as of 2015. Housing costs are 21 percent lower than the national average, with the cost of utilities ranking 12 percent lower than the national average.
- There's Plenty of Culture -
Ohio is home to several colleges and universities, creating college towns where arts and culture abound. MarketWatch recommends one of these towns, Oxford, for its vibrant artistic offerings, which include a free summer concert series, an art museum, and a college theater scene that lasts all year.
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- You Can Stay Active - Throughout Ohio, outdoor activities are plentiful, giving the outdoor enthusiast year-round opportunities. Bike trails course throughout the state, with 330 miles of connected trails in Yellow Springs and Dayton alone. The state even has a beach, Headlands, located near the town of Mentor. There, residents can swim and fish at the beach, and at the nearby 450-acre Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve & Marina, they can hike 3 miles of trails or spot rare plant life at its mile and a half of wetlands.
- There Are Plenty of Senior-Friendly Activities - Community and senior citizens centers offer several events, organizations, and groups just for their more mature residents. Real estate blog Movoto cites one of these cities, Lakewood, for its Division of Aging that organizes senior-only activities such as photography clubs. The division's website lists several other offerings, including lectures, movies, book clubs, poker, and tai chi.
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