Tucked Away Treasures to Retire in Michigan

Finding the best place to spend your retirement years is essential for enjoying this major life transition. Whether you’re already in the state or planning to relocate there, you can find many tucked-away treasures to retire in Michigan.

You’ll experience exciting season changes, with different scenery for each, so you’ll never get tired of your view. Another perk is that you won’t run out of things to do in Michigan because there are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities no matter where you are. Michigan also offers beautiful places to relax and find peace during your retirement, allowing you to embrace each moment.

1. Saginaw is One of the Tucked Away Treasures to Retire in Michigan

Retiring to Michigan can be an idyllic experience, especially if you choose a city like Saginaw. When you get there, you’ll find plenty of entertainment, including parks, zoos, and museums. They also have wildlife refuges you can explore, making it perfect for anyone who loves nature and wildlife.

2. Menominee

Menominee is near the southern tip of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, making it more remote than other locations. It provides a quiet, peaceful place to retire with an interesting historic downtown area. Aside from enjoying the sights, you can enjoy the shops and restaurants while embracing the town’s vibe.

Menominee is the place to choose for retirement if you want a large yard or acres of land, giving you personal space to enjoy the outdoors. The home prices are lower than other places in Michigan, allowing you to choose what you want on a budget.

3. Midland

Retiring in Midland offers the chance to regularly explore Dow Gardens, where you can go on a canopy walk suspended above the forest floor. You can also go shopping at local boutiques, enjoy restaurants, and engage in countless other local activities.

4. Grand Haven

You can find plenty of outdoor activities and waterfront festivals if you retire to Grand Haven, so it’s the place to be for nature lovers. The city also boasts historical museums and great restaurants, so you’ll always have something to do indoors, too.

Even better, Grand Haven’s cost of living is lower than in other waterfront towns throughout Michigan. Grand Haven also has a low crime rate, so you can feel safe in your home and while exploring your town.

5. Chelsea is One of the Tucked Away Treasures to Retire in Michigan

Chelsea is a small town with only 5,400 residents, close to Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. It has a historic downtown area to spend your time exploring.

You can check out the local boutiques and restaurants, or head out of town to Ann Arbor for a busier environment. Chelsea also has parks and recreation areas if you enjoy outdoor activities.

6. Brighton

In the suburbs of Detroit and only 20 miles north of Ann Arbor, there’s always something to do in and around Brighton. You can check out shops and restaurants or go golfing at one of the courses or country clubs in the area.

7. Northville

Northville is a suburb of Detroit that is one of the tucked-away treasures to retire in Michigan. It has many recreation centers for citizens to use, and you can find plenty of other things to do. It also has an area called Mill Race Village with replica buildings, including a blacksmith shop, school, church, and a general store.

8. Saugatuck is One of the Tucked Away Treasures to Retire in Michigan

Located along the Lake Michigan shoreline, Saugatuck offers a beautiful place to spend your retirement years. The population is only around 865, but tourists sometimes make it seem higher, especially during the summer.

You can visit the Saugatuck beaches or watch the sunset over Lake Michigan. Another option is to explore all the exciting things the town has to offer. If you enjoy an adventure, you can kayak on the Kalamazoo River.

Downtown Saugatuck is another exciting area in Michigan to explore, so you won’t want to skip it. Some of the things you’ll find include:

• Boutiques
• Galleries
• Antique stores
• Music venues
• Restaurants
• Chain Ferry Museum

9. Flint

Flint has a lower cost of living than other areas in Michigan, with median home values being lower than many other places in the state. You’ll never run out of things to do because you can explore art and museums here.

Plus, you can spend time outside at Michigan’s biggest county park system, Stepping Stone Falls. This park system boasts 11,000 acres of nature, including:

• Forests
• Rivers
• Lakes
• Trails
• Campgrounds
• And more

10. Grand Ledge

Located near Lansing (home of Michigan State University), Grand Ledge offers a quiet town to retire in that isn’t far from the bustle of busier towns. Grand Ledge offers beautiful sights, and you can go on a cruise down the Grand River or explore nature in the many parks around town.

11. Petoskey

Retiring to Petoskey allows you to view the beautiful sights of Lake Michigan every day. You can also enjoy the historic downtown area where you’ll never run out of relaxing places to enjoy your time. Petoskey also has plenty of boutiques and restaurants, so you’ll never get bored if you go downtown.

You can explore Petoskey State Park for hiking or biking if you’re interested in outdoor activities. Boat cruises on Little Traverse Bay also offer a beautiful sight of the area and allow you to spend time relaxing in nature. Petosky has year-round festivals, including a Classic Car and Boat show, attracting many people to the area.

During the summer, you can enjoy the busy marinas with boats coming in and out. In the fall, you can enjoy the leaves changing to red, orange, and yellow. In the winter, you can engage in outdoor winter activities in the area.

Summary of Tucked-Away Treasures to Retire in Michigan