Indiana's 3rd Best-Ranked Destination To Retire Is An Affordable Charmer Between Indy And The Michigan Border

If we're lucky, we'll all get to retire. Where do you go and what do you do when you leave that cubicle behind for good, though? Finding the right place to retire is vital to enjoying your golden years, and Wabash County, Indiana, might be just the place for you. Whether you're a lifelong local looking to stay in-state, a Michigander looking to stay close to home, or a wanderer looking for a place to hang your hat, Wabash County presents an enticing opportunity for new retirees.

Niche, a website devoted to sifting through data to rank towns and communities across various metrics, is bullish on Wabash's retirement potential. It gives the county an A- for retirees, calling it the third best Indiana county to retire in. Niche's rankings factor in the cost of living, the weather, access to healthcare, and the number of retirees, among other data points. Perhaps the most crucial point for Wabash is the cost of living; Niche gives the county a score of A- for that, driven by cheap housing costs. The median home value is $157,200 and median rent is $762, both well below the national median. Wabash retirees might also be able to save money through Indiana's state programs for seniors such as CHOICE and PathWays for Aging, which assist eligible people with medical service, meal prep, transportation, adult day centers, and more. And with almost a quarter of the population at retirement age, there's a sizable community of seniors to mingle with. 

The cherry on top: Wabash is also a charming county with a range of fun activities and the warmth of a small community, within an afternoon's drive to a few different metropolitan areas, including one of North America's biggest cities.

If you're looking to retire to a small community, Wabash County fits the bill, as it has barely 30,000 residents according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Roughly half live in the county seat Wabash or North Manchester, with less than 1,000 residents each in Roann, Lagro, and La Fontaine, as reported by World Population Review. There's no shortage of affordable, comfortable retirement destinations in the Midwest, and Wabash County combines the right price with a convenient location and a bustling social calendar.

Wabash might be a small city, but it has 2.5 miles of walkable streets and plenty of things to do. Its downtown cultural district includes the Eagles, which packs a live theater, movie theater, and ballroom into a building dating back to 1906, and the Honeywell Center, which hosts live performances and lectures by talent such as the comedian Jay Leno, travel writer Rick Steves, and television personality Alton Brown. Established in 1951, the 13-24 Drive In remains in action, screening new and classic movies throughout summer and during seasonal events. Even if you aren't in the mood for a show, there's always something happening downtown — you can buy local produce and crafts at a weekly farmers market in summer or enjoy a free festive makeover during the holidays, for example.

When you want to travel, Wabash County sits conveniently near major Midwestern hotspots. It's less than 90 miles from Indianapolis, the state's biggest city in terms of population, so maybe give those Colts' season tickets a thought. Fort Wayne in Indiana is even closer, and home to the nearest international airport. If you can handle longer car rides, Chicago is about 155 miles away, and the city of Grand Rapids, with its art scene, breweries, and mini-Chicago vibes, is almost as close. This proximity helps retirees travel to the fullest, and is yet one more mark in Wabash's favor.