A Guide to 55+ Active Living Communities in Illinois

 

Discover Illinois’ Most Attractive Elements for Retirees

Are you seeking an affordable retirement community offering year-round activities? Illinois is full of entertaining things to do for 55+ active adults!

Illinois is rich in both local history and culture. Museums and monuments decorate the streets of cities throughout the state, with each town offering its characteristic personality.

Music and food culture are also important in the state. Chicago-style blues, hip-hop, and R&B highlight the music scene. Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and hot dogs are local favorites for seniors.

Sports fans will love Illinois as it’s home to multiple professional teams. These include the Chicago Bears, White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bulls. Seniors can watch these teams play live year-round at local arenas and stadiums in Chicago.

Alternatively, retirees can pick up recreational sports during retirement. Popular regional choices for active adults include biking, pickleball, and golf. The unique hobby known as trainspotting can be enjoyed around the state’s many transportation hubs.

Traveling to and from Illinois is convenient, thanks to its location in the Midwest. Drive or take a train or bus to neighboring states. If you’re planning a vacation during retirement, Illinois has 11 regional and some international airports. O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the busiest airports in the country, with flights spanning the globe.

One of the most attractive aspects for seniors interested in retiring in Illinois is the low cost of living. Many affordable homes and rentals are available in small towns outside of Chicago. Illinois has both age-restricted and active lifestyle communities, creating an ideal atmosphere for active seniors.

 

Retiree Friendly Regions in Illinois

Illinois communities for seniors are located around the state’s largest metros and most remote agricultural zones. Explore each area's unique history and culture to find the best fit for your future retirement.

Chicagoland

The Chicago Metropolitan Area and its nearby suburbs also use the name Chicagoland. This region is famous for its diversity, food culture, and prominent jazz music scene.

Huntley is known for its friendly population and small-town charm. Thanks to its active adult communities, the area has a large population of seniors.

Those seeking outdoor recreation should consider retiring in Crystal Lake. Parks like the Three Oaks Recreation Area have fishing and hiking spots along the lakeshore. Yorkville offers similar opportunities for senior-friendly water sports like kayaking and rafting on the Fox River.

Rockford

The Rockford region is a heavily forested area that nature-loving seniors will love, with quaint villages and a walkable downtown area. Rockford is a historic and cultural hotspot with museums and classic architecture.

For retirees who love art, Belvidere has a significant public art scene and has garnered the nickname “the city of murals.”

Quad Cities

Quad Cities gets its name from its four defining cities. These are Rock Island, Davenport, Moline, and East Moline.

Rock Island has museums, casinos, and water sports along the Mississippi River. Moline is an industry town that contains the headquarters of John Deere. Local museums pay tribute to its manufacturing heritage and military history through Arsenal Island. East Moline is a rapidly growing city with a small-town feel.

Central Illinois

Central Illinois is agricultural and rural, with small and midsize towns. Decatur is an exceptionally diverse city with farms and markets. Suburbs such as Morton and the larger Champaign-Urbana have parks and small businesses. Quincy is known for its arts and culture scene with live theater venues.

Peoria is a larger Central Illinois town featuring shopping and entertainment venues. It’s also home to restaurants and distilleries for craft beer enthusiasts. Springfield is a historic town Abraham Lincoln once called home. Seniors who enjoy learning about local history will love the area's museums, landmarks, and architecture.

Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois contains some of the oldest towns in the state with ample antebellum period architecture. Belleville is a cultural center with its own Philharmonic Orchestra. O’Fallon is one of the most popular residential communities in the region, with historic park landmarks of its own.

Theater and arts flourish in Alton, which has three historic districts with walkable terrain. Carbondale is a charming college town with a national forest and renowned wineries.

 

Staying Active as a Retiree in Illinois

Illinois offers retirees a variety of indoor and outdoor activities designed to help seniors stay active year-round!

Things to Do Onsite in 55+ Communities

Active adult communities have numerous activities geared toward seniors. Community amenities include indoor or outdoor pools. Courts can be found for pickleball, tennis, and bocce ball.

Golf course communities often have a putting green, a driving range, and an 18-hole golf course. Public courses can also be found throughout the state for seniors looking to play consistent rounds of golf during retirement.

Relax in the Clubhouse

Socialize with like-minded neighbors and pick up a new hobby at the clubhouse! Communities may host senior-friendly live events, game nights, and gatherings for various interest groups.

Exercise at the Fitness Center

Senior communities have on-property fitness centers, making sticking to a workout schedule convenient. Take an exercise class or do strength training to keep yourself healthy as you age gracefully.

Walk and Bike the Trails

Enjoy light exercise by walking around the community's trails. These trails are also suited for biking in Illinois' flat regions.

Entertainment Awaits in Illinois

Illinois has indoor and outdoor activities for seniors to enjoy 12 months a year! Play at casinos like Harrah's Casino and Rivers Casino Des Plaines. Relaxing activities include trainspotting near Illinois' depots and birdwatching in parks and forests.

Adventurous seniors can try rock and ice climbing in the more mountainous regions. Outdoor sports and annual festivities ensure you'll always have ample things to do when you retire in Illinois.

Try Water Sports

Illinois borders Lake Michigan. Waterfront communities lie along the banks of its rivers and lakes. Enjoy a cruise down the Chicago River, or take your boat out on the lake for an afternoon of fishing.

Attend Year Round Festivals

Illinois' annual festivals show off the state's culture and diversity. Peruse the stalls at craft shows, art shows, and farmer's markets. Listen to live concerts and try new dishes at ethnic festivals.

Enjoy Winter Sports

Snow marks the start of the winter sports season in Illinois. Stay active with ice skating and cross-country skiing. Or sit back and relax while ice fishing for trout and bass.

 

Why Illinois is Popular with Retirees

Illinois' endless activities, from its outdoor explorations to professional sports teams, make it a playground for active adults. It's teeming with culture, which you can sample through its history, food, and music scene.

The cost of living is low in nearly all regions outside of Chicago. Head into the city for entertainment, then retire to your cozy small town in a nearby suburb. For seniors looking to travel during retirement, Illinois is also a convenient travel hub to nearby states and into Canada.

 

Community Developments for Seniors

Find ideal senior communities in Illinois for any type of lifestyle. Keep retirement simple with maintenance-free housing. Have the comfortable and convenient accommodations you’ve always wanted in a luxury apartment.

Illinois has a 55+ active adult community perfect for any budget and preference.

Active Lifestyle Communities

Keep busy as an empty nester with communities tailored to your desired active lifestyle. These communities have amenities designed for 55+ active adults, such as an onsite pool, hiking trails, and on-property winter sports courses!

Manufactured Homes

Downsize during retirement to an affordable manufactured home. These communities are frequently located in suburbs of major metropolitan centers. Enjoy the entertainment of the city without paying premium housing prices.

Age Restricted Communities

Age-restricted communities are designed for seniors who want to retire alongside like-minded individuals. Often doubling as a gated community, this housing option is well-suited for retirees who care about having a safe, walkable community with friendly neighbors.

Waterfront Communities

Waterfront communities are located along the river banks and lakeshores of Illinois’ bodies of water. Seniors who retire here will enjoy single-story homes in master-planned communities. Onsite access to water sports like fishing and boating are also common in this type of senior community.

 

Senior Wellness and Healthcare

Multiple Illinois healthcare facilities have earned recognition for their high care standards, especially for seniors. These include the University of Chicago Hospital and Northwestern Memorial.

Other exceptional care centers ready to serve the aging population in Illinois are Rush Memorial Hospital, Northshore, and Loyola University Health System.