Best counties to retire to in Minnesota
Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.
When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Minnesota using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather. Read more about Niche's methodology here.
Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it's a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.
Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Minnesota.
#25. Lake County
- Top places to live: Two Harbors (B+), Silver Creek Township (B-), Silver Bay (B)
#24. Ramsey County
- Top places to live: Macalester-Groveland (A+), St. Anthony Park (A+), Falcon Heights (A+)
#23. Itasca County
- Top places to live: Cohasset (B+), Grand Rapids (B), Coleraine (B)
#22. Renville County
- Top places to live: Franklin (B+), Renville (B), Melville Township (B)
#21. Chippewa County
- Top places to live: Montevideo (B), Milan (B+), Clara City (B)
#20. Otter Tail County
- Top places to live: Perham (B+), Aurdal Township (B), Fergus Falls (B)
#19. Freeborn County
- Top places to live: Albert Lea (B-), Albert Lea Township (B), Hartland (B)
#18. Pipestone County
- Top places to live: Pipestone (B), Eden Township (B+), Edgerton (B)
#17. Wabasha County
- Top places to live: Plainview (B+), Lake City (B+), Wabasha (B)
#16. Cottonwood County
- Top places to live: Windom (B-), Midway Township (B+), Mountain Lake Township (B)
#15. Koochiching County
- Top places to live: International Falls (B), Ranier (B-), Northome (B-)
#14. Fillmore County
- Top places to live: Chatfield (B+), Lanesboro (A-), Preston (B+)
#13. Cass County
- Top places to live: Walker (B+), Lake Shore (B+), Shingobee Township (B+)
#12. Redwood County
- Top places to live: Redwood Falls (B), Paxton Township (A-), Kintire Township (B+)
#11. Crow Wing County
- Top places to live: Crosby (B+), Baxter (B+), Oak Lawn Township (B)
#10. Brown County
- Top places to live: New Ulm (B+), Sleepy Eye (B), Springfield (B)
#9. Douglas County
- Top places to live: Alexandria (B+), La Grand Township (B+), Carlos Township (B)
#8. Faribault County
- Top places to live: Blue Earth (B), Emerald Township (B+), Wells (B+)
#7. Jackson County
- Top places to live: Jackson (B), Middletown Township (A), Wisconsin Township (B+)
#6. Lincoln County
- Top places to live: Lake Benton (B+), Drammen Township (B+), Hope Township (B)
#5. Lac qui Parle County
- Top places to live: Cerro Gordo Township (B), Baxter Township (B), Garfield Township (B)
#4. Hubbard County
- Top places to live: Henrietta Township (B-), Park Rapids (B-), Todd Township (B-)
#3. Pope County
- Top places to live: Nora Township (B+), Glenwood (B+), Glenwood Township (B)
#2. Martin County
- Top places to live: Fairmont (B), Trimont (B+), Galena Township (B+)
#1. Murray County
- Top places to live: Slayton (A-), Chandler (B+), Chanarambie Township (B+)