Posted in Triplett & Carothers on April 4, 2025

For many people, retiring to a cold weather place feels like just the right move. The trend now is for people to age at home or as long as they can, even if that means dealing with harsh weather conditions.

If you asked people if they would consider retiring to Minnesota, a place with long dark snowy winters, chances are most would say no. However, AARP reports that most Minnesotans over age 50 remain in the state after they retire. In fact, many move from other states to retire to Minnesota. What’s the big draw? People who fell in love with Minnesota’s lakes and woods while on summer vacation see it as the ideal place to call home.

Winter festivals are another reason to get out during the winter doldrums and participate in the community. Minneapolis is home to the Loppet Foundation, which sponsors cross-country ski races for people of all ages throughout the winter. St. Paul has been throwing a midwinter event for the past 100 years featuring a torchlight parade and precision drill teams marching in formation while pushing snowblowers. Every 10 years, St. Paul builds a snow castle, with the whole town turning out to celebrate. Another important feature of living in Minnesota is the accessibility to one of the premiere health care facilities in the world: the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Plenty of choices

A recent Kiplinger newsletter published a list of the best-rated cold-weather communities for retirees. The list was based on average temperature, cost of living, share of population over age 65 and Kiplinger’s rating for tax friendliness.

• The top-ranked place was Juneau, Alaska. Not only does it offer endless outdoor activities, including whale watching and kayaking, but it is very tax friendly as well. Alaska does not have a state income tax or a state sales tax. The state does not levy taxes on inheritance or estates. Alaskans have a front-row view of the northern lights and wildlife at any given time.

• Des Moines, Iowa, placed second on the list. Boasting a cost of living that is 13% below the national average, Des Moines is easy on the budget. This city has many cultural institutions to enjoy, including museums and arts venues. It is also home to the second-highest-ranked medical center in the state.

• Bangor, Maine, is a place to consider if an average January temperature of 9 degrees Fahrenheit doesn’t scare you away. With a relatively small population, Bangor is more affordable than some of the other well-known Maine cities such as Kennebunkport. In the winter, Bangoreans head to the great outdoors to enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding and snowmobiling. In the summer months, the same trails can be used for hiking, walking or biking.

• Great Falls, Montana, is a great place for adventurous retirees. Located in the Rocky Mountains Front Range, Great Falls allows retirees to enjoy hiking, skiing, mountain biking and kayaking. The area is home to some 60 parks, including two national parks, Yellowstone and Glacier, which are driving distances away. The cost of living makes this an affordable location to retire.

• Peterborough, New Hampshire, is the quintessential small town, with a population of only 6,500. There are plenty of dining choices and outdoor activities to enjoy. Also, there are incredibly scenic mountain views, along with snowshoeing, skiing and hiking areas. The town’s recreation department offers a senior fitness program with exercise classes.

Offering everything from scenic mountain vistas to cultural institutions to world-class health care, there are plenty of cold weather places you can call home. Remember, you can always head south for a respite from the cold if you want to. But with so much to enjoy in the colder climes, who would want to?

Reach out to Roz Carothers and her team at Triplett & Carothers to learn more.

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