More and more seniors are researching towns across the U.S. where they could settle down. There are many important factors that retirees have to consider such as proximity to family, health care, costs, and safety. All of these and more play a huge role in the decision to relocate and there’s no wonder that there are many prominent contenders out there.
Many of the “best” big cities for retirees may not be everyone’s cup of tea, though, especially if you’re looking for a nice, off-the-beaten-path town. If you’re a fan of mountainous regions with a tight-knit community and want to escape tourist traps that become entirely too crowded, then you’ve come to the right place.
Today, we decided to showcase 9 mountain towns across the U.S. that you’ve probably never heard of before but that will make for the perfect retirement destination!
Ouray, Colorado
Many mountain towns in Colorado have ski resorts, which means that come what may, the tourists will come barreling through come the beginning of the season. If you want a more laid-back retirement, then relocating to Ouray, Colorado, is the best decision you could make.
This former mining town has a ton of recreational activities to offer such as hiking, biking, ice climbing for more adventurous and daring seniors, rafting, fishing, and off roading to name a few. If your muscles will feel a little sore of a full day of activities, you could always visit the Ouray Hot Springs Pool or Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa & Lodgings, where you’ll find vapor caves.
But when you’re not partaking in any sporting activities, you may want to visit some of the town’s breweries, distilleries, restaurants and coffee houses.
Even better, nearby Ridgway is another mountain destination you could visit in your spare time when you’re looking for a change in scenery!
Sandpoint, Idaho
Sandpoint, Idaho, is one of the best mountain destination for senior who love a little bit of everything. If you’re a fan of the great outdoors, it’s a great place to live, but it’s also an equally heavenly retirement destination if you’re an arts aficionado. Of course, the town also offers plenty of leisure spots for those days where all you want to do is kick back and relax.
In terms of where you can eat and drink, locals always recommend the Floating Restaurant in nearby Hope, located on the banks of Lake Pend Oreille. The Fat Pig, located in Sandpoint, is another much-loved eatery, with locally crafted beer and seasonally rotating menus.
Even better, the town is just a 30 minute drive away from a theme and water park, so you can see how its versatility may attract other seniors such as yourself!
