I'm surprised there are so many weather wimps on here. OP is LOOKING for the midwest. They totally know it snows sometimes!
I'm surprised there are so many weather wimps on here. OP is LOOKING for the midwest. They totally know it snows sometimes!
Lawrence, KS.
East Lansing MI or Grand Rapids MI (not as much a college town, but still with benefits) ... or a small college town in Western Michigan: Holland (Hope College)
Brrrr wrote:
I'm surprised there are so many weather wimps on here. OP is LOOKING for the midwest. They totally know it snows sometimes!
Not everyone understands, especially if you don't travel a lot. I've been everywhere, man.
Cincinnati, OH is the Midwest, but it is WAY warmer and the winter WEEKS shorter than Madison, WI.
And it's not just the snow, but the BRUTAL cold weather. Cold weather gets more difficult to tolerate in old age. Maybe this dude retires at 55, fit and healthy, but at some point he'll be 80 or if he's lucky 90 or older. He could move again, I suppose, but why not get to a place that's easy to live that long now.
of your 3 Madison by far. I myself am looking much more at Bloomington. More activity, allow seniors who live in county to take 1 course pre semester for free. Full row of restaurants from around the world. If you're willing to live more than a mile from campus the housing becomes more reasonable. Plus - and this is big as we age - IU Health is more organized in town and in state than some of the other universities based on my research. I like the idea of having an IU specialist in Indianapolis an hour away still in network.
the smaller schools mentioned - are they the full experience for the retired person? Appleton is a great town - the whole Fox Cities are decent - but I don't think college when I think them.
I am sure nobody would think about Memphis.
But Memphis might be actually a great place to retire.
There are lot of smaller house for sale from 40-150,000. Some might need some upgrades but it's nothing most could do or organize themselves.
Memphis has also one of the biggest running cCubs in the Country.
Check it out.
High crime, though.
Neta wrote:
OKBloomer wrote:
Consider Bloomington, IN. Cool town, outdoor activities and better weather.
Thanks. I hadn't thought of IU since the movie Breaking Away.
Great movie.
I lived in Memphis for a few years BEFORE crime took off. Not enough to do. I liked the ppl (non-criminals). But despite Beale St. which is for visitors, city's too bland.
Neta wrote:
Can someone offer suggestions. Specifically, how would you rank: Ann Arbor, Urbana Champaign, Madison. Weather seems more or less the same. What are the perks/drawbacks of each? I'm mainly interested in affordability, running/fitness scene, etc.
Thanks.
This is mind boggling as to why anyone would want to move to the midwest... on purpose.
Jerry Maguire wrote:
This is mind boggling as to why anyone would want to move to the midwest... on purpose.
Why? The midwest might not meet your needs and that's fine, live where you want. Others want the midwest feel/weather/etc...
Any reason you are looking for a college town for retirement?
(hot young women to look at?)
Try South Bend , Indiana. Housing is more affordable than any other places I've seen named. If you're into college sports Notre Dame has them all. Not too far from Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes and a about a 90 minute drive to Chicago.
Go to the midsouth: Fayetteville, Arkansas
blatz40 wrote:
Try South Bend , Indiana. Housing is more affordable than any other places I've seen named. If you're into college sports Notre Dame has them all. Not too far from Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes and a about a 90 minute drive to Chicago.
Notre Dame alum and I couldn't disagree with you more. Would be nicer to live in Bloomington, by a large margin.
Nope......... wrote:
I lived in Memphis for a few years BEFORE crime took off. Not enough to do. I liked the ppl (non-criminals). But despite Beale St. which is for visitors, city's too bland.
That was in the 80ies?
Memphis has changed quite a bit. Yes there are a lot of really poor neighborhoods but it's not dangerous at all. Maybe the crazy driving Memphians are dangerous. I would agree with that.
Anyway you can get nice smaller houses with decent sized lots and a couple of oak trees here for around $100,000.
Try that anywhere else.
So yes it is a great place for retirement.
Other towns to consider that seemed pleasantly midwest in my passings through:
Decorah, IA
La Crosse, WI
Ashland, WI
Waverly, IA
Winona, MN
Dubuque, IA
Neta wrote:
Can someone offer suggestions. Specifically, how would you rank: Ann Arbor, Urbana Champaign, Madison. Weather seems more or less the same. What are the perks/drawbacks of each? I'm mainly interested in affordability, running/fitness scene, etc.
Thanks.
I'd say Madison and Iowa city would be my first choices. Ann Arbor a close second. Champaign Urbana would be my last choice. I lived there in the 80's the only thing that has changed is it looks more run down now.
Athens, OH.
Though it's really more of an extension of West Virginia than Midwest.
Hunke wrote:
Other towns to consider that seemed pleasantly midwest in my passings through:
Decorah, IA
La Crosse, WI
Ashland, WI
Waverly, IA
Winona, MN
Dubuque, IA
I was going to say Decorah and La Crosse. If you want something bigger, the Twin Cities could be another option.