海角社区

The Prairie Region of North America has been called the Breadbasket of the 海角社区. Aside from that tongue-tingling appellation, if you have a thing for vast, open spaces, beautiful wildflowers, and diverse wildlife, you will quickly fall in love with this underrated region of the continent. It may lack the furious beauty of states like Colorado, but its landscapes come with some of the most beautiful sunsets in the 海角社区. That said, you have to choose wisely, especially if retirement is in the cards. You will need access to amenities and, most importantly, safe neighborhoods. Starting with Glendive, Montana, discover below the these eight safest towns In the Prairies for seniors.

Glendive, Montana

Glendive is a small, tasty town named for nearby Glendive Creek. Depending on how cooperative the weather is, a retiree will enjoy wonderful views of Makoshika State Park, the largest state park in the entire state. Occasionally, there is the chance to reel in a yummy catch at the Yellowstone River or go for evening walks across the historic Bell Street Bridge. At over 1,300 feet, the 99-year-old Bell Street Bridge is among the longest of its kind in Montana. Moreover, the median listing price of houses in Glendive is $224,833, a price point many retirees will want to jump at. For healthcare access, you have the highly rated Glendive Medical Center, a 25-bed critical access hospital that has been serving the Eastern Montana community since before the First 海角社区 War. With a median age of 41.4, the social scene here is a melting pot of almost all demographics. Finally, according to the website of the FBI Crime Data Explorer, the latest recorded burglary rate in Glendive (December 2023) is essentially 0 per 100,000 residents.

Dickinson North Dakota

Dickinson is a small but vibrant college town with safe and quiet neighborhoods. Dickinson State University, whose origins go back to 1918, is among the town鈥檚 most loved features. The town is on the Heart River, about 100 miles west of North Dakota鈥檚 capital, Bismarck. A retiree here is a blink away from Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which, although lacking the terrifying grandeur of the Grand Canyon, is still incredibly beautiful. There is the walleye-filled Patterson Lake and the adjacent Patterson Lake Recreation Area, a tranquil space ideal for walking and camping. A median age of 34.5 means the social scene leans more toward the youthful, burbly side of life 鈥� while a median listing price of $316,167 means a retiree can own a house without breaking the bank. On healthcare access, CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson is at your doorstep. As of December 2023, the burglary rate in Dickinson was 16.28 per 100,000 residents, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which compares favourably with the statewide rate of 27.84.

Kearney, Nebraska

With the University of Nebraska at Kearney among its notable features, this cute, underrated town is a bright spot in the Prairies. A retiree here has several waterbodies to wake up to, including the 310-mile Platter River, one of the longest rivers in Nebraska. You also have Kea Lake, Yanney Lake, and the Kearney Reservoir. Also, the Fort Kearny State Historical Park, where one can savor some moments of calm and clarity, adds to the area鈥檚 delicious menu of outdoor offerings.

The burglary rate in Kearney is 8.7 per 100,000 residents, way lower than the statewide rate of 11.7. A median age of 31.9 means Keaney suits retirees who wish to remain young at heart 鈥� while a median listing price of $312,450 means owning a home in Kearney is not an unrealistic goal. Don鈥檛 even talk about healthcare access. You have several excellent facilities to choose from, including the award-winning CHI Health Good Samaritan, which has been serving area residents since 1924.

Great Bend, Kansas

Don't underrate a town with 鈥淕reat鈥� as part of its name. Great Bend has a clean and roomy movie theater 鈥� Golden Belt Cinema 6 鈥� where an empty nester can catch an epic show and mingle with residents. At Veterans Memorial Park, a cool, tranquil space encircles a pristine lake stocked with trout. If that is not enough, there is the Arkansas River, a top-tier destination for trout fishing. If you are worried about healthcare access, as every empty nester should, the University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus is at your doorstep. It is a 33-bed facility with an emergency room. Residents here have a median age of 36.5, implying a social scene filled with oomph and pizzazz. But wait for the clincher: the median listing price of houses in Great Bend is $175,250. Finally, Great Bend has a burglary rate of 20.8 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the statewide rate of 28.8.

Milbank, South Dakota

You will enjoy spending your golden days in Milbank, a relaxing town on the south fork of Whetstone Creek with a zero burglary rate as of December 2023. Known for baseball, Milbank is a blink away from Hartford Beach State Park, which has clean campsites and a fantastic network of trails to explore. Water lovers have the Big Stone Lake, a recreational spot that dabbles up as the source of the Minnesota River 鈥� and River Lake Farley Park, where a retiree can swim, walk, or rest. Moreover, you are at the doorstep of the highly rated Milbank Area Health Care Campus, a 25-bed critical access hospital. Although Zillow does not give the median listing price of houses in Milbank, the average home value is just $197,335. On the social side, Milbank residents have a median age of 42.3, implying a social scene that is mellowed out but not lifeless.

Guthrie, Oklahoma

If you are not sold by the fact that Guthrie boasts the largest contiguous Historic Preservation District in the United States, other features may tip the scales in its favor. For one, you are a doorbell away from Mercy Hospital Logan County, a 25-bed critical access hospital with excellent facilities and equipment. Secondly, although the median listing price of houses is $303,250, the median sales price is an irresistible $196,333. On the social side, residents have a median age of 39.3, meaning an empty nester will mingle with the old and the young, the prudent and the curious. Plus, you will be looking forward to the monthly Art Walks throughout the downtown area, exploring the lovely trails around Liberty Lake, or enjoying midweek road trips along the Dry Cimarron Scenic Byway, which features yummy views of heart-gripping mountain canyons and high, expansive plateaus. Finally, Guthrie has a zero burglary rate as of December 2023, meaning an empty nester can lead an enjoyable, worry-free life.

Wahpeton, North Dakota

Wahpeton, home to the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), will suit those who enjoy an academically stimulating environment. The North Dakota State College of Science was founded in 1903 and, hence, is among the oldest institutions of its kind in the nation. Avid golfers will enjoy spending slow-paced afternoons at the Bois de Sioux Golf Course, a beautiful 18-hole golf course that straddles two states: North Dakota and Minnesota. The Bois de Sioux River adds a touch of rustic charm to the area 鈥� while the Harry Stern and Ella Stern Cultural Center, on the North Dakota State College of Science campus, regularly presents some awesome performances.

Wahpeton has a zero burglary rate. On healthcare access, you have the highly rated CHI St. Francis Hospital in Breckenbdridge, just a hop-skip-and-jump away. On the flip side, what kind of folks will you mingle with? Residents have a median age of 34; therefore, expect to mingle more with the young and gushy. Houses in Wahpeton have a median listing price of $270,300.

Blair, Nebraska

Blair is a small, slow-paced town with a peaceful and pastoral backdrop. One of the most tempting aspects about Blair is that it is a short, 20-minute drive from Omaha, Nebraska鈥�s largest city. This means you don鈥檛 have to worry about access to hospitals, shopping venues, and other desirable amenities. Pleasure spots include the 295-mile Missouri River (for boating and fishing), Black Elk Neihardt Park, a hidden gem with well-maintained trails and priceless views, and the River Wilds Golf Club, which features an immaculate course with nice fairways.

Keep in mind that residents here have a median age of 39.4, almost where life begins, while houses have a median listing price of $314,167, which is not off the charts, especially considering you can get to Omaha on a whim. Finally, Blair鈥檚 burglary rate is 3.42 per 100,000 residents, way lower than the statewide rate of 11.73.

The Takeaway

Many don鈥檛 appreciate that the Prairies is one of the rarest and most endangered ecosystems on the planet. This sea of waving grass, which features rolling landscapes and blond, gold-colored views, is strewn with tasty small towns that most retirees will find charming and relaxing. From the Canadian provinces up in the north 鈥� down to Texas, options here are wide and varied. That said, for those who prioritize safe neighborhoods, the above-listed towns are hard to beat.