Key Takeaway
Burr Ridge, Illinois, ranked as the most livable Midwest town to retire in a new GOBankingRates.com report. The suburb earned high marks for its upscale lifestyle, walkable amenities, and easy access to Chicago.
In recent years, the Midwest has emerged as a desirable—and affordable—place to retire. However, with so many towns to choose from, seniors may find it overwhelming to select the best community to settle down.
But a new GOBankingRates.com report highlighted the town of Burr Ridge, Illinois, as the most livable place to retire in the Midwest. The company compiled a list of 50 U.S. towns with a population of at least 10,000, where 33 percent or more are aged 65 or older, and then ranked them for overall livability.
While Florida dominated the top 10, Burr Ridge came in strong at No. 17, the highest-ranked Midwest community on the list. The town received a livability score of 75 out of 100. The median household income in Burr Ridge is $154,508, and 35.82 percent of its residents are of retirement age.
The suburban community, home to a population of 11,000, has many restaurants, cafes, and parks, making it an enjoyable place for retirees in the Midwest to settle down. At the same time, it is only 20 miles from Chicago, offering easy access to the Windy City’s bustling cultural, culinary, and sports scenes.
According to Niche.com, Burr Ridge is the seventh best place to retire in Illinois, with perfect scores for public schools, family-friendliness, outdoor activities, and health and fitness. However, investing in a new home in Burr Ridge doesn’t come cheap. The median home price here is $826,883, a whopping $500,000 more than the median for Cook County, where it’s located.
The only other Midwest location to crack the top 50 of GOBankingRates.com’s ranking is Huntley, Illinois, which came in at No. 19 with a livability score of 74 and a median household income of $86,349.
The top 50 most livable places to retire in the U.S. were dominated by locations in Florida, which claimed 26 spots on the list, including the first three. Arizona also had a strong showing with eight locations on the ranking.
You can see full report on gobankingrates.com.
