Chicago IL Metro 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Active adults looking to spend their retirement years near family and friends in the Midwest will enjoy the variety of community sizes, home options, and home prices. Most of the active adult communities in Chicago range from 100 to 5,400 homes and offer a variety of clubs, interest groups, classes, events and social opportunities to appeal to almost anyone over the age of 55. Active adult homebuyers are drawn to Illinois age-restricted communities near Chicago because they live in quiet areas without having to travel far for entertainment, recreation, and culture.

Climate & Geography

Geographically speaking, the Chicago area lies within the Chicago Plain, a flat and broad area. There are few hills and Lake Michigan makes up the eastern border.

Chicago experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. It’s wet in the spring, hot and humid throughout the summer, cold during the winter, and pleasant throughout the fall.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

Named the Best Sports City by Sporting News, Chicago is home to many major league sports teams including the Bulls (NBA), Sky (WNBA), Cubs and White Sox (MLB), Bears (NFL), Blackhawks (NHL), and Fire (MLS). The Chicagoland Speedway hosts NASCAR Cup Series and IndyCar Series races as well.

The city of Chicago offers endless opportunities for recreation, culture, and entertainment. It’s home to a variety of cuisines including some that are very laid-back as well as fine dining restaurants. There are dozens of museums, art galleries, and tourist attractions. Popular entertainment venues like the Chicago Theatre, Navy Pier and Millennium Park host concerts and events throughout the year.

Naperville is a popular Chicago suburb that offers great options for nightlife, dining, and entertainment as well. Whether checking out one of historic buildings, strolling the charming Riverwalk, or attending an event at the Wentz Concert Hall & Fine Arts Center, Naperville offers even more entertainment for Chicago area active adults outside of the congestion of the big city. Additionally, state parks, lakes, and trails are found all throughout Northern Illinois and offer limitless options for outdoor adventurers.

Cost of Living & Taxes

Like most metropolitan areas, the cost of living closer to Chicago is higher than other Illinois regions. However, the cost of living in the state is about average with the nation. Income tax is collected at a flat rate of 5% and the sales tax average is about 6.5%. Property tax is collected at a local level based on county, township, municipality, school district, and other special districts.

Health Care

The physician to patient ratio in the Chicago area is higher than the national average and retirees have access to quality health care at the 119 hospitals in the Chicago metropolitan area. There are 36 hospitals that have been ranked for high performance and ten of which are nationally ranked.