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If your housing search includes the Midwest, don’t overlook Ohio senior housing. Bordered in the north by Lake Erie, Ohio is a great place to retire—known for its friendly people, its several large cities, and its low cost of living.
Major landmarks in Ohio include the southeastern shore of Lake Erie as well as the Ohio River and the Appalachian Mountains—both of which provide ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in beautiful natural settings. Summers are usually hot and humid, with winters that can be fairly mild—when they’re not cold.
Ohio has plenty of small towns, but it’s got major cities as well—and some of the country’s best public libraries. The Columbus Metropolitan Library, the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, and others have all been ranked on numerous top ten lists for the nation’s best libraries.
Ohio’s housing prices are significantly less expensive than the national average; as is the cost of living. Income taxes are high—some of the highest in the country—but Social Security and military retirement incomes are exempt from taxation. Ohio offers some very small credits for qualifying senior pension income, up to $200 or $50 depending on age. Some homeowners 65 years of age or older may qualify for a homestead exemption that reduces property taxes.
There are several areas that are ideal for Ohio retirement communities. These include:
Home to Miami University, Oxford has all the charm of a typical college town—with a bit less of a crowd. This has kept prices down while preserving its small-town ambiance and its pastoral and forested surroundings. There’s plenty going on in and around Oxford, including the weekly Summer Music Festival, shopping, farmers’ markets, movie theatres, and fine dining. There are also 3,000 acres of natural wilderness at Hueston Woods State Park, where residents can enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, and fossil hunting.
Another small town, Fairborn is close to the Wright Patterson Air Force Base and draws a lot of military retirees from all over the country. Still, Fairborn is a small town—with only a little more than 32,000 residents.
Situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie, Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—but that’s not all. With a population just under half a million, it’s the second largest city in Ohio. There’s plenty to do; Cleveland offers a bustling theatre district including the second largest performing arts center in the United States, as well as opera, concerts, art museums and galleries in a busy arts district, and more. Cleveland is a mecca for independent film production, and often doubles for other, more expensive cities such as New York and Los Angeles in major motion pictures. Cleveland has a particularly active culinary scene, influenced by various immigrant groups from Italy, Eastern Europe, and more.
The state’s largest city and capitol, Columbus is named for Christopher Columbus—and senior living in Columbus has a lot to offer. It’s home to the country’s largest college campus at Ohio State University, and it has been named on top-ten-places-to-live lists from Forbes, BusinessWeek, Relocate America, and more. There are plenty of attractions, including the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the Columbus Museum of Art, and numerous sporting, cultural, and entertainment events year-round. There are also plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, with numerous parks, golf courses, and green spaces throughout the city.
If you’re interested in senior living in Ohio, you’ve come to the right place. Our database of Ohio independent living and senior living communities is exhaustive and free. Check out our listing of senior living communities in Ohio, and find your perfect retirement community today.
