Michigan is a solid option if you want safer towns, strong hospital networks, and plenty of lakes and green space built into your everyday backdrop. The communities featured here keep crime relatively low while still giving you access to clinics, full-service hospitals, and senior-friendly services that make day-to-day life easier.
This guide highlights the safest places to retire in Michigan so you can line up crime rates, winter weather, and healthcare access with the kind of Great Lakes retirement you actually want.
Our Top Picks for Retirees
• New Baltimore for an exceptionally secure lakeside retirement that features the state’s lowest violent crime rates and specialized senior behavioral health care.
• Grosse Ile Township for a peaceful and protected island living experience where a serene community feel is paired with convenient home health services.
• Midland for a safe and community-focused retirement in a town known for its high-performing cardiac care and well-maintained park systems.
• Ann Arbor for a secure and intellectually vibrant lifestyle that offers access to one of the nation's top-ranked geriatric medical centers.
• Traverse City for a protected and scenic retreat in the heart of wine country, providing elite rehabilitation programs and year-round outdoor beauty.
What Are the Safest Places to Retire in Michigan?
Midland
- Violent Crime Rate: 1.34 per 1,000 people
- Property Crime Rate: 8.3 per 1,000 people
- Extreme Weather Risk:Moderate, with cold winters and occasional storms and flooding risk
Midland is known for its safe neighborhoods and community-focused living.
MyMichigan Medical Center Midland, a 324-bed teaching hospital, offers a wide range of services tailored to seniors. The center is
recognized for high performance in six adult procedures and conditions, including cardiology and rehabilitation services. As part of the MyMichigan Health system, it provides comprehensive care
Midland’s summers in the 70s°F are perfect for enjoying its parks and local cultural events. Winters bring colder temperatures, often in the 20s°F, along with regular snowstorms. Seniors should watch out for occasional severe storms and the
potential for flooding, especially during spring and summer. This weather mix adds variety to the seasons but calls for some preparation, particularly in colder months.
Grosse Ile Township
- Violent Crime Rate: 0.6 per 1,000 people
- Property Crime Rate: 8.9 per 1,000 people
- Extreme Weather Risk: Low, with typical Michigan winters and mild summers
Grosse Ile Township offers a serene island living experience with a strong community feel.
Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital is right nearby, giving seniors easy access to everything from family medicine and heart care to surgeries. They even offer home health care, so you can get medical support without leaving your house. This setup makes it easy for retirees to feel comfortable knowing their health needs are covered, whether it’s a regular check-up or more serious care.
Grosse Ile Township is pretty protected from big coastal storms thanks to its inland spot, but it’s not totally off the hook when it comes to extreme weather. Back on September 25, 2018, an
EF1 tornado hit the area and took down trees and damaged some buildings. Heavy rain can also bring localized flooding, especially in the spring and summer.
Overall, the township has a moderate risk for extreme weather, with the occasional severe storm or flooding now and then.
If a couple of Michigan towns are starting to feel right on paper, it helps to look at where you’d actually feel safe doing everyday things like walking the dog, driving home after dark, or grabbing a quick coffee alone.
Senior living communities in Michigan are often tucked into neighborhoods with low crime, steady traffic, and easy access to doctors and pharmacies, which can tell you a lot about how secure day-to-day life might feel once you’ve settled in.
New Baltimore
- Violent Crime Rate: 0.5 per 1,000 people
- Property Crime Rate: 3.17 per 1,000 people
- Extreme Weather Risk: Moderate, with occasional storms and cold winters
No, this is not Baltimore.
New Baltimore is a small city located in Macomb County, right on the shores of Anchor Bay, which is the northernmost part of Lake St. Clair. It's about 35 miles northeast of Detroit.
McLaren Macomb in Mount Clemens offers plenty for seniors, from cardiology and physical therapy to solid rehab programs. They also have a
Senior Behavioral Health Center that takes care of emotional and mental health needs, with a team of psychiatrists and licensed social workers.
New Baltimore, Michigan, gets all kinds of weather thanks to its spot by the Great Lakes. Summers are comfortable, hanging around the 70s°F, while winters dip into the 20s°F and often come with plenty of snow.
The area can see its fair share of extreme weather, like severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and the occasional tornado. On July 20, 2023, for example, a
waterspout was spotted over Anchor Bay.
Flooding is a real concern too. In
September 2023, heavy rain led to a state of emergency in New Baltimore and nearby Chesterfield Township after the area got hit with significant flooding.
Overall, New Baltimore has a moderate to high risk for severe weather, especially when it comes to storms and flooding. Locals should keep an eye on forecasts and have a plan in place for those unexpected weather events.
Ann Arbor
- Violent Crime Rate: 3.5 per 1,000 people
- Property Crime Rate: 21.5 per 1,000 people
- Extreme Weather Risk: Moderate, with cold winters and mild storms
Ann Arbor is well-known for its vibrant arts scene and academic influence from the University of Michigan.
Michigan Medicine, part of the University of Michigan, is known for top-notch, specialized care. It’s ranked by
U.S. News as one of the best hospitals in the country, recognized for specialties like geriatrics, cardiology, and orthopedics. Plus, it has earned the
Magnet designation for excellent nursing care—something only about 10% of U.S. hospitals achieve.
Summers in Ann Arbor are warm, hitting the low 80s°F, while winters drop to the 20s°F with snow and cold days. Ann Arbor sees high
risks for heat waves and heavy rain, so it’s good to stay prepared, especially in the summer or during stormy weather.
Droughts can be an issue, but the chances of wildfires and major flooding are lower. About 15% of buildings are at risk of flooding, while wildfire risk is pretty low, even though it affects around 81% of buildings at a minimal level.
Overall, heat and heavy rain are the main weather worries here, but big flooding or wildfires aren’t as common.
Traverse City
- Violent Crime Rate: 2.99 per 1,000 people
- Property Crime Rate: 13.25 per 1,000 people
- Extreme Weather Risk: High, with colder winters and heavy snowfall
Traverse City combines natural beauty with a safe, community-focused atmosphere. Retirees enjoy local wineries, lake activities, and seasonal events that keep the community vibrant.
Munson Medical Center provides excellent healthcare, including cardiac care, rehabilitation, and emergency services.
Munson Medical Center in Traverse City is a choice pick for retirees looking for quality care now and down the line. The center is known for its excellent heart care, with a range of treatments and procedures. Seniors can also appreciate the strong rehab programs that help with recovery after surgeries or injuries, plus 24/7 emergency services for those unexpected moments.
What Are the Best Healthcare Facilities in Michigan for Seniors?
- Ann Arbor: Michigan Medicine offers comprehensive geriatric care, cardiac services, and advanced orthopedic programs.
- Midland: MyMichigan Medical Center focuses on cardiology, rehabilitation, and senior wellness programs.
- Grosse Ile Township: Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital provides emergency care, cardiology, and wellness resources.
- New Baltimore: McLaren Macomb features services like physical therapy and specialized cardiac care.
- Traverse City: Munson Medical Center offers emergency services, cardiology, and extensive rehabilitation programs.
Is Michigan Senior-Friendly and Accessible?
Michigan’s got a lot going for retirees—lower living costs, beautiful scenery, and a good mix of city and country life. The state is part of the
AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, which means it’s serious about making life easier for older adults.
One big perk? It’s pretty affordable, especially if you’re outside the bigger cities. Seniors have access to community centers, meal services, and public transportation, which often come with handy features like ramps and lifts. A lot of areas also offer paratransit services for those who need it.
If you love the outdoors, Michigan’s got accessible parks, trails, and beaches designed to be
accessible for everyone.
The downside? Winters can be rough. Snow and ice might make getting around tricky, so it’s something to plan for.
All in all, if you don’t mind bundling up for the winter, Michigan’s mix of affordability, solid healthcare, and active communities makes it a pretty great place to retire.
What City Has the Lowest Crime Rate?
New Baltimore stands out as one of the safest places to retire in Michigan, with a violent crime rate of just 0.5 per 1,000 people — 82% safer than other cities in the U.S.
Ready to Explore Michigan Senior Living Options?
When you’re ready to move from researching cities to looking at real options, our
Michigan senior living directory can help you see which communities actually fit your safety comfort level, budget, and care needs. Use it to narrow a long list of “nice-sounding” towns down to a handful of communities that feel safe enough for real life, not just for a weekend visit.
Subscribe to Our Blog
Exploring senior living solutions? At the Ultimate Senior Resource, we're keen to learn about your individual needs and discuss how we can support you in achieving them. Our blog is just one of the valuable tools we provide to educate and motivate seniors to lead enriching and prosperous lives. Contact us today to book a virtual tour.
