Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Retire in Northfield, Minnesota?
Overview: Less than an hour south of Minneapolis in southeastern Minnesota, Northfield is a classic, inviting college town. St. Olaf College (3,200 students) and Carleton College (2,100 students) anchor its northern borders.
The town square on the Cannon River is the heart of Northfield. It is peppered with fun shops and helps showcase the local sidewalk poetry contest, as well as the high school sculpture project. The town also puts on market fairs, a vintage band festival, and a tuba Christmas. Northfield's Art Guild sponsors galleries, a gift shop, an orchestra, and a theater. The parks department manages about 35 parks, an ice arena, soccer fields, and an outdoor pool. Northfield has also collaborated with other municipalities to build the 25-mile Mill Towns State Trail. In 1876, Northfield thwarted a robbery attempt by the James-Younger Gang, and the annual Labor Day event celebrates the defeat of outlaw Jesse James. It is of the state's largest outdoor celebrations.
Both local colleges have a strong liberal arts program. St. Olaf's music ensembles range from a Javanese Gamelan to chamber jazz and choral groups. Its Flaten Art Museum has a permanent collection of more than 4,000 pieces from around the world. Carleton's theater program produces traditional and experimental pieces. Its Cowling Arboretum has a system of trails perfect for walking or cross-country skiing. St. Olaf's "natural lands" include a restored prairie and a big woods habitat. Both preserves are open to the public.
Neighborhoods are well-tended and populated primarily with ranch ramblers and raised ranch ramblers.
Population: 21,000 (city proper)
Age 45 or Better: 30%
Cost of Living: 3% above the national average
Median Home Price: $275,000
Climate: Summer temperatures are delightful with temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Winter temperatures are in the single digits and teens. On average, the area receives 32 inches of rain and 42 inches of per year.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? Yes
At Least One Accredited by Joint Commission? No, but Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, 20 miles away, is accredited.
Public Transit: Yes
Crime Rate: Below the national average
Public Library: Yes, and it receives rave reviews.
Political Leanings: Liberal
College Educated: 46%
Is Minnesota Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? No
Cons: Longtime locals complain about growth, traffic congestion and rising prices.
Notes: Northfield is a cute town and popular with tourists. It has grown by 4% during the last decade. The senior center has a warm water pool, fitness studio, dining program, and art classes. The Cannon Valley Elder Collegium offers a full slate of life long learning programs.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes
Minnesota:
Known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," Minnesota is in the Upper Midwest, bordered by North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. More than half of the state's residents live in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area.
After Alaska, Minnesota is the second northernmost U.S. state and the northernmost contiguous state. It has 90,000 miles of shoreline, more than California, Florida and Hawaii combined.
Minneapolis' famed skyway system connects 52 downtown blocks and makes it possible to live, eat, work and shop without going outside. Minneapolis has more golfers per capita than any other metropolis in the country, and its Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is the country's largest urban sculpture garden. Rochester is home of the world famous Mayo Clinic.
Stats:
Population - 20,612,439
Persons 65 years old and over - 20%
High school graduates, persons age 25+ - 87%
Bachelor's degree or higher, persons age 25+ - 27%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin - 24%
White persons, not Hispanic - 58%
Median household income - $47,525
Median home value - $159,900
Social Security taxed? No
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Webwerxx, Inc. Copyright (c) 2006-2020. All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc. Reproducing any original part of this publication without written permission from Webwerxx, Inc. is plagiarism. Numerous attempts were made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this website, but some information may have changed since each article and/or report went online, and Webwerxx, Inc. is not liable for inaccurate information contained in its articles and/or reports.