Safe Small Towns
Looking for a safe place to enjoy retirement? You’re not alone - many seniors want safety more than anything else when it comes to their golden years. Or course, though, it doesn’t hurt to find somewhere friendly, warm and welcoming as well. Across the USA, some small towns are hidden gems with low crime rates. Here are some of the safest, happiest places for older adults to settle down in.
Pinehurst, North Carolina
With a low and evermore declining crime rate, and nearly 40% of residents over 65, the golf paradise of Pinehurst is truly senior-friendly. It’s not exactly cheap - homes average around $517,000 - but you get nice senior centers, a friendly vibe, and great medical facilities.
Dover, New Hampshire
Dover in New Hampshire is scenic, safe, and great at keeping the crime rate down. Its senior center is buzzing with bingo, book clubs, mahjongg, and more. Healthcare’s sorted at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, and there are large retirement communities ready to welcome you.
Brandon, South Dakota
Brandon is a quiet, tight-knit town just east of Sioux Falls, with about 11,000 residents in all. It’s seriously safe - violent crimes are well below US averages, and overall crime is even more modest. And it’s a pretty place with plenty of things to do, including lots of golf.
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is the laid-back “Kentucky distilled” part of the state - with low crime, affordable homes, and around 15% of locals over 65, it’s definitely a place to take into consideration. There’s bourbon tours, museum outings, and public art trails on offer for the senior population and young people alike.
Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Fergus Falls has a population of around 14K, with about 25% of them being seniors. That’s a good foundation to build a retired life on. There are great hospitals around to keep you healthy, and there's outdoor fun too - from trails to wetlands to ruins-turned-parks - making it a great choice for active seniors.
Montpelier, Vermont
Vermont’s smallest capital is cozy and quiet, with a nice low crime rate. Its senior activity center hosts meals, cafés, and classes (including self-defense classes!) while the best local hospital is just a few miles out. It’s quite expensive, unfortunately, but many would say it was worth it.
Cary, North Carolina
Cary is often cited among the safest midsized towns in the USA - crime rates are impressively below state averages. There’s plenty to do there for senior people, including volunteer programs that work out very well, and there’s a strong arts scene too.
Jonesborough, Tennessee
Jonesborough is not only safe, it’s fun to be in as well. It’s full of events (it’s the International Storytelling Capital of the World!) and has multiple museums you can visit. It’s also reasonably cheap, and then there’s the big bonus of Tennessee not taxing social or retirement income.
Columbia, Maryland
Columbia scores big on safety. Not only is there a low rate of violent crime, the town is well prepared for natural disasters as well. And in addition to knowing they’re in a safe place, seniors can enjoy walkable roads, good healthcare, and a friendly community of both old and young.
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene is a gem - safe, beautiful, and tax-friendly, with around 18% of residents over 65 so there's a built-in community. The senior center offers fitness, swimming, and even choral sing-alongs, and there’s a strong healthcare hub here.
Brandon, Mississippi
Brandon is warm in more ways than one - it has low crime, pleasant weather, and homes at around $272K. The town is great for entertainment as it has a strong theater scene. There’s a lot of activities for seniors and it’s just lovely all-round.
Irvine, California
Irvine is consistently one of the safest big cities in the USA, with very low violent crime rates and reliable local policing. Seniors benefit from top-notch hospital access and fitness centers for older adults. Plus, California, with its heat and its beaches, is the perfect place to retire to.
Beatrice, Nebraska
There’s so much more to Nebraska than just farms. Beatrice offers natural beauty and a low crime rate, so it’s no wonder seniors are flocking there. There’s loads to do, as well. History buffs can explore the Homestead Monument, and outdoor lovers can take a boat out on Rockford Lake.
Naperville, Illinois
Naperville totally gets senior safety. The community offers practical programs like fire-safety home surveys and emergency lock box access to support older people. There are good healthcare options, and many people report a friendly community.
Waldwick, New Jersey
Tucked into Bergen County, Waldwick may be small - just over 10,000 people - but it's impressively safe. Crime rates are far below state and national averages, making it one of the safest towns its size – it was once even ranked the “Safest Small Town in America”.
