20 Great Places Where You Can Retire on a Lake
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
January 4, 2020 — Who wouldn’t want to wake up to a loon calling in the distance. Or the sound from the gentle lap of waves on the shore. Here are 20 great places to retire on a lake where you can do all of these things. Having the grandchildren up to enjoy some fishing or a boat ride. Not to mention the pleasure of an early morning dip in velvety lake water.
Lakes to retire on are everywhere.
The good news is the country is packed with lakes and ponds of every size and character. Some sit beside big cities like Chicago or Madison, Wisconsin, while others are ringed by small towns with a marina, a hardware store for dock repairs, and a Friday fish fry that doubles as the week’s social calendar. There are also lakes with almost nothing around them beyond the occasional camp or cottage. Limiting this report to just 20 lake towns means we left out dozens, if not hundreds, of worthy options. We focused on places where it’s realistic to live on or near the water and still have a nearby town for everyday needs and a bit of entertainment, whether that’s porch time, a quick check of sports betting, or an easy drive for groceries and routine appointments. Several of these lake towns came directly from member suggestions.
Comments on "20 Great Places Where You Can Retire on a Lake"
Bob says:
What is not mentioned are drawbacks. Take Kentucky and Tennessee Lakes. Beautiful boating and hiking. BUT, lots of deer ticks and lyme disease. People need to know things like that too, not just the good stuff.
RichPB says:
Bob, yes, folks should be aware, but ticks and other pests (insects, rodents, arachnids, animals and bad people exist everywhere). Some folks are affected, others aren't.
Bubbajog says:
We have WAY TOO MANY HUMANS here in Southern California; but bugs and other pests are not really a problem compared to other parts of the country. However, anybody considering moving to Southern California for retirement should be well aware of overpopulation, horrid traffic, and extreme cost of living. But GOD BLESS our climate and sunshine!
RichPB says:
Bubbajog,. You forgot to mention the imminent threat of earthquakes. The BIG one could happen anytime between today and 250,000 years from now (give or take). ?
Bubbajog says:
RichPB - I experienced two big earthquakes; Sylmar in February 1971, and Northridge in January 1994. Sylmar and Northridge are communities within the San Fernando Valley. The San Fernando Valley is a major population center within the city of Los Angeles. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley during the 50's and 60's, our school's grilled us on a regular basis for earthquakes and nuclear bombs. Those were the days! Now kids are being coached on how to deal with an active shooter!
RichPB says:
Bubbajog, I lived in Monterey briefly when in 3rd grade in the 50s and remember those nuclear drills. So sad that everywhere today we must all deal with the active shooters.
Today we live in NC not far from Jordan Lake. No lakeside homes, but just a few minutes to the state park. Not funny, but rising sea levels may eventually put us lakeside, though not in our lifetimes hopefully.