11 Safest Places to Retire in the United States (2021)

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Retirement can be rewarding if you are well-prepared for it. If you have enough money, finished off all your financial commitments, and finally have plenty of time to do all the things you want to do in your golden years. However, retirement can be stressful if you do not choose the right place to retire. The right place is where you feel happy and, most importantly, safe.

Some of the safest places to retire in the United States are Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York. Some of these places do not have the cheapest real estate, but the safety level they offer makes up for that. You should also take into account the quality of life that each safe place has to offer.

Read on to find out the safest places to retire in the United States. We hope that this list will provide insights that will help you choose a safe and happy retirement settlement.

Luzerne, PA

According to SafeWise, Luzerne is one of the safest places in the United States. Luzerne has a population of 5,940 people, with zero violent crime and property crime in 1,000 residents. That means Luzerne is an excellent place for people who want to retire in a safe neighborhood in the United States.

Luzerne is a quiet place, with not much happening, but it is a safe place to live. The town is perfect for those who value peace, privacy, and quietness. You will have everything you need in Luzerne, like a place to shop, eat, or drink at night.

The police of Luzerne is very active, so locals will always feel safe living in the area. There’s plenty of things to do there, like exploring its natural parks, attending concerts and hockey matches, visiting historical sites, and more. There are also beaches in the area, so retirees can always relax or walk their dogs at the beach.

20% of the population in Luzerne is 65 years or older, so you’ll certainly find fellow retirees to hang out with.

Wayland, MA

With zero violent crime per 1,000 residents and only 0.22 property crimes per 1,000 residents, Wayland is one of the safest places to retire in the United States. The small town in Massachusetts is safer than 97% of U.S.cities.

Real estate here is one of the most expensive in the country. Many of its residents are well-educated, with many of them working as scientists. Wayland might be the right place for retirees who would like to live with scientific-minded people.

Wayland is also home to many wealthy people. The residents speak English, but some use other languages as a means of communication, too.

Because crime is low, Wayland is a very safe place for raising children or retiring, and people can comfortably hang out at coffee houses and parks. Wayland doesn’t have a frenetic nightlife, so even if it seems a little boring for younger people, retirees might like it for its quiet, calm life. Wayland also has a lot of natural beauty, making it an ideal retirement location.

Commute-wise, Wayland’s residents spend an average of 34.87 minutes for daily work commutes. That can be stressful, but retirees who are not in a rush have the option to take the local public transit instead of driving. Overall, Wayland is an excellent place for retirement, and it is safe for retirees.

South Salem, NY

While it is not the cheapest place in New York or the entire country, South Salem is one of the safest places to retire in the United States. South Salem is safer than 97% of U.S cities. There is only 0.11 violent crime per 1,000 residents and 0.21 property crime per 1,000 residents.

This small town in New York has a population of 9,441 people and two constituent neighborhoods, making it New York’s 196th biggest community.

There are many artists (such as designers) living in South Salem. It would make a great retirement place for retirees who want to engage in artistic activities. There are many educated and wealthy people living in South Salem; most of them are wealthy seniors.

Because South Salem is very safe, it is a great place to retire. The only downside of South Salem is housing affordability, so you will need a lot of retirement money to live here. The lifestyle can be a little too crowded for retirees’ liking, and commuting can be time-consuming.

Matawan, NJ

Matawan in New Jersey is one of the safest places to retire in the United States. It is safer than 97% of U.S. cities. There is zero violent crime per 1,000 residents and less than one property crime per 1,000 residents.

8,640 people are living in Matawan. There are 8 constituent neighborhoods in Matawan, and Matawan is the 226th biggest community in New Jersey. Although real estate in Matawan is not cheap, it is still more affordable than most of New Jersey’s most expensive neighborhoods.

Many professionals live in Matawan, so do families with young children. Matawan is family-friendly, which also means it is the right place for older people to retire. Train services are available in Matawan, giving its residents the option to travel to other cities by train, be it for work or leisure.

Many different ethnicities are living in Matawan, like White, Asian, and Black. There are also about 11% Hispanic living there. Matawan is an excellent option for anyone looking to live among people with different cultural backgrounds.

There’s plenty of things to do in Matawan. You can visit pubs, lakes, historical attractions, and more. Many people are friendly, and there is a great sense of community there, making it exceptionally suitable for retirees. Since there’s a lot to do in Matawan, retirees will always have something to keep them busy.

Campton Hills, IL

Another good option for retirees is Campton Hills. Campton Hills is a small village in Illinois that is safer than 97% of U.S. cities, according to NeighborhoodScout, with less than 1 violent crime and property crime per 1,000 residents. SafeWise, on the other hand, listed Campton Hills as the top safest cities in Illinois.

The village has 11,091 people and two constituent neighborhoods, making Campton Hills the 205th biggest community in Illinois. Real estate in Campton Hills is among the most expensive in the country, so this is not an affordable option for retirees on a tight budget. Still, Campton Hills is likable for its safe and peaceful environment.

Most of Campton Hills’ residents are college-educated and work in computers and math. Campton Hills is family-friendly, which means it is excellent for retirees who want to live safely.

Zionsville, IN

One of the U.S.’ safest places is Zionsville, about 17 miles north of Indianapolis. Zionsville has a population of about 28,000. People like the city for its peaceful neighborhood and beautiful scenery.

Reader Digest has named the city one of the “Most Charming Small Towns in Every State.” Zionsville received a Bronze level award from the League of American Bicyclists for being bicycle-friendly. Retirees who don’t want to drive can cycle around the city anytime or to nearby markets.

Zionsville is a very good place for safety, making it the ideal retirement place for American retirees. Zionsville is safer than 95% of American cities, according to NeighborhoodScout, and the FBI had reported almost no violent crimes in 2018 for Zionsville. Property crime rates in Zionsville were also meager.

Zionsville is a great place for families. The city offers good schools, and many college-educated people live in the neighborhood — 70.79% of adults are college graduates.

The city is also ideal for people who like warm and cold weather. Plus, there are many places to shop and dine. And the city offers seventeen parks and facilities, with more than 400 acres of parkland.

Hutto, TX

Hutto is about 28 miles north of Austin, Texas. The town offers relaxing rural vibes as well as fascinating history. There are many shops, parks, and restaurants to visit there.

According to a NeighborhoodScout’s report, Hutto is safer than 91% of other cities in the U.S. There is less than one violent crime per 1,000 people, and there are less than four property crimes per 1,000 people. That said, Hutto is a safe place to retire in the United States.

Retirees will also appreciate Hutto’s weather — July is the warmest month (95°F on average), and January is the coldest month (57°F on average). March and November offer good weather, with average temperatures between 68°F and 77°F.

In Hutto, retirees can enjoy a relaxed ambiance and feel safe when walking in parks. Hutto’s safe and peaceful environment is an excellent place for families with young kids. If you have grandchildren, Hutto is where you will feel safe enough for them to visit and explore with you.

Getting to the downtown area is also not much of a hassle as you will only need a half-hour to reach it. There are several places of interest nearby like the Old Settler’s Park, YMCA, Rock N River Aquatic Center, and more.

Lake in the Hills, IL

According to NeighborhoodScout, Lake in the Hills is safer than 87% of U.S. cities. There is less than 1 violent crime per 1,000 residents and less than 4 property crimes per 1,000 residents. That makes Lake in the Hills another great place to retire in the United States.

28,634 people are living at Lake in the Hills. The village is the 70th biggest community in Illinois. Although Lake in the Hills has some of the priciest real estate in Illinois, the homes there are not the most expensive in the U.S.

Lake in the Hills is excellent for families and retirees. That is because the village has low crime, and neighbors are mostly education-oriented. The place also has 34 parks where retirees can spend their days exercising, walking, or relaxing.

There is a private golf course where retirees can golf with their friends — golf is good for seniors. Lake in the Hills also throws fun events for retirees to participate in, like the Rockin’ Rotary Ribfest in early July, concerts, and more. There’s always something to do at Lake in the Hills for retirees, and because it is safe, retirees can enjoy their days stress-free most days.

Johns Creek, GA

Johns Creek is one of the safest places to retire in the United States. It is safer than 76% of U.S. cities. There is less than 1 violent crime per 1,000 residents and less than 7 property crimes per 1,000 residents.

This medium-sized city has a population of 84,579 people within ten constituent neighborhoods, making Johns Creek the 10th biggest community in Georgia. The real estate in Johns Creek is among the most expensive in the United States. Regardless of expensive rent or homeownership, many people like Johns Creek for what it has to offer.

Many of Johns Creek’s residents are college-educated and have good jobs. The city’s environment is lovely and safe, making it the perfect place to raise kids or retire. About 14.1% of 55 to 64 years of age live there, and 9.7% of people of 65 or above live there.

Johns Creek has a diverse community, making it great for retirees who want to live with people from different cultural backgrounds. Johns Creek received many positive reviews on Niche for the second-best places to raise a family in Georgia. Any place right enough to raise kids is good for seniors or retirees.

The city has plenty of restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, movie theaters, service clubs, and more. Due to many Johns Creek family-friendly, diverse, safe environments, more families move to the city, causing home prices to increase. The city is not the cheapest place to retire, but it is worth considering the quality of life it offers.

Milton, GA

Milton is safer than 71% of U.S. cities, with less than 1 violent crime per 1,000 residents and less than 8 property crimes per 1,000 residents, according to NeighborhoodScout: Milton. The medium-sized city has 39,587 people living, making them the 25th biggest community in Georgia. The city is stable, with a robust economy and a considerably safe and lovely environment.

Real estate in Milton may not be the cheapest in the States, but the city has a lot to offer to anyone looking for a safe place to retire in the United States. Many adults living in Milton have a degree or an advanced degree. Milton could be the right place for seniors who want to read, write, learn new skills, or take up new hobbies.

Milton is a city with diverse ethnicities, suitable for retirees who want to meet people from different cultural backgrounds. Milton’s residents have access to jobs in the state’s biggest city, which means Milton has a low jobless rate in the state. When residents thrive economically, the neighborhood becomes safer.

Milton has a small-town feel, but it has a lot to offer. It has excellent schools, shopping places, restaurants, recreational parks, and more. Retirees can also drive to the major city of Atlanta in about 30 minutes only.

Bella Vista, AR

Bella Vista is safer than 68% of U.S. cities, with 1.7 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 6.51 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Although it is the least secure on this list, it is still a good option for those looking for a safe retirement place in the United States. Real estate in Bella Vista is some of the most expensive in Arkansas, but it is not among the most expensive real estate in the United States.

Bella Vista is home to 28,872 people, with seven constituent neighborhoods. The city is Arkansas’ 17th biggest community, and it is family-friendly and peaceful. Life here is not very hectic, so if you like that frenetic nightlife, this town might not be very suitable.

White makes up 92.3% of Bella Vista’s population, followed by 3% Hispanic or Latino. There are also other ethnicities living in Bella Vista, but they only make up a small portion of the Bella Vista population.

What makes Bella Vista perfect for retirees is that most of its residents are older people, between the age of 55 and above 65 years old. Bella Vista provides many amenities for both young and older residents to enjoy together, such as golf courses, hiking trails, fishing places, recreational parks, and more. The community spirit in this town is strong, too.

The police in Bella Vista are very strict about driving speed limits. That said, all residents have to be careful when driving. On the bright side, that shows how safe the town is.

Final Thoughts

The safest places to retire in the United States are low in crime and offer a good quality of life. While many of the safest places are not always the cheapest or the most affordable, they are worth investing extra into to ensure you have a good, stress-free, and peaceful retirement in the United States.

11 Safest Places to Retire in the United States