If you’re young, single, or in love, you might have heard that the Chicago area is the place to be. Indeed, Chicago and its environs are fantastic locations for just about anyone—including an upcoming retiree. That’s why we combed through company listings, COVID-19 rates, median property prices, senior population percentages, and crime statistics to identify the top 10 Chicago suburbs for retirees.
Palos Heights
Key Stats:
- Doctors: 189
- Senior amenities: 50
- Population 65 and up: 29.4 percent
Palos Heights is perhaps a little younger than you are if you’re about to retire. The community features all the modern conveniences one would expect from a place with modern planning, like tree-lined avenues, wide lawns, and quarter-acre or bigger lots for houses. It’s only been there for about 40 years.
Along Harlem Avenue you’ll find some of the area’s oldest houses, while south of the avenue you’ll find some newer, larger ones. Your location will be determined by your budget, personal desire, and the distance you choose to travel to reach all of the senior amenities. There are four retirement communities to choose from, if that is more to your liking.
No matter what you’re searching for, Palos Heights has you covered with its abundance of doctors and friendly community (the 65+ population is the largest in the county).
Monee
Key Stats:
- Senior amenities: 19
- Cost of living: 93, compared to the Chicago average of 116
- Median home value: $168,900
Monee should be your first and only stop if saving money for retirement is your top priority. The cost of living is far lower than not only Chicago, but the majority of Illinois! Actually, there is no more reasonably priced option in the neighborhood than this one. In addition to the nearby Golf Vista Golf Course, Monee boasts seventeen eateries. You can visit the larger and more adjacent Deer Creek Golf Club if you’re feeling adventurous.
Winfield
Key Stats:
- Doctors: 77
- Senior amenities: 21
- Total crimes per 100K people: 463
Winfield is a wonderful spot for retirees as well as young couples. Reasons for this include a reduced crime rate and cost of living compared to Chicago, as well as an abundance of activities suitable for people of all ages. In the summer, enjoy Klein Creek Golf Club and the park district. In the winter, cozy up in the library.
And don’t miss the over fifteen restaurants, serving everything from delectable southern cuisine that will make you feel like you’re in Texas to the self-explanatory Gnarly Knots Pretzel Co. If you value being part of a retirement community, whether that’s in a real retirement home or simply in terms of the average age of your friends, then you might want to move on to the next item on our list.
Lincolnshire
Key Stats:
- Senior amenities: 44
- Population 65 and up: 29.2
- Total crimes per 100K people: 853
Essentially, Lincolnshire is a retirement community that is already built. Many of the locals are 65 and up; some call the retirement neighborhood Sedgebrook home, while others reside in mansions or more modest townhomes or condos. When it comes to conveniences, Lincolnshire really does provide something for everyone. Lincolnshire has a wide range of amenities to cater to the needs of elders. These include two retirement communities, a library, three golf courses, two nonprofit volunteering opportunities, six cultural venues, and thirty restaurants.
Des Plaines
Key Stats:
- Doctors: 179
- Senior amenities: 236
- Population 65 and up: 17.4
Des Plaines, with a population of nearly 60,000, is by far the largest of the 10 cities we considered, which means there are plenty of things to do. In addition to five golf courses, seven retirement communities, a library, and more than 200 eateries, the area also has a recreation center.
The Des Plaines Historical Society, the picturesque Des Plaines Theatre, festivals all year round, dancing lessons at The Barefoot Hawaiian, and the McDonald’s No. 1 Store Museum (a memorial site to the first Micky D’s ever) are all available to those who prefer the arts to clubbing.
Highland Park
Key Stats:
- Doctors: 199
- Senior amenities: 136
- Population 65 and up: 20 percent
When you retire to Highland Park, you’ll find all you need and more. The Ravinia Festival, a premier summer performance venue, has helped make this city famous as a cultural mecca. The entire summer, beginning in May and ending in late September, is devoted to this musical and dancing extravaganza.
Even if you’re not very interested in art, there are plenty of other things to do: eight golf courses, seventy-five restaurants, a library, a recreation center, and a few nonprofits. Living it up at home is always an option if you’re not into any of that; after all, Highland Park’s neighborhoods provide a wide range of housing styles, from downtown condos to historic colonials built in the mid-nineteenth century.
Lake Bluff
Key Stats:
- Doctors: 29
- Senior amenities: 39
- Total crimes per 100K people: 723
Lake Bluff could be the ideal retirement community for you if you enjoy spending time in nature or if you have a dog that is planning to retire with you. In addition to several beaches and walking paths, this lovely neighborhood has more parks and green spaces per capita than any other city outside of Chicago.
Nearby attractions include the Lake Bluff History Museum, four golf courses, art galleries, a summer farmers’ market, and over thirty restaurants. The homes here may be a bit more costly than the average Chicago area home, but we can understand why given that they are generally mansions with expansive lawns.
Westchester
Key Stats:
- Doctors: 49
- Median home value: $237,200
- Population 65 and up: 22.6 percent
For people who want to live in a nice area but don’t want to spend a fortune on a property, Westchester is a fantastic choice. Everything from goods and services to groceries and transportation is significantly more expensive in Westchester compared to the rest of Illinois.
However, compared to the state average, healthcare and utilities are significantly more affordable. For an elderly person who may have greater medical needs than the average person, this is excellent news. There will be around fifty doctors to pick from, and it appears like you will probably be paying less as well.
