Minneapolis Area 55+ Retirement Communities

Active adults who enjoy boating, fishing and other watersports will feel at home in a 55+ community in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area . It is also a great location for those who enjoy a distinct four season climate or who want to be near family in other parts of the midwest. Southeast Minnesota is full of activities and entertainment options for all tastes and the Twin Cities cost of living is comparable to other parts of the country.

Cost of Living

Twin Cities is slightly more expensive than other U.S. cities, BestPlaces puts the area at 5.5 percent more expensive than the national average. Housing and transportation are the two areas that are higher than average. However healthcare is significantly lower than elsewhere in the country.

Minnesota's sales tax ranges from 5.35 percent to 9.85 percent and retirement benefits, including Social Security, are taxed. Sales tax and property tax are higher than the national average and Minnesota has an estate tax. There are some income tax deductions and property tax programs to assist lower income seniors. 

Active adult retirement communities in the Twin Cities area are outside of or are suburbs of Minneapolis or St. Paul. Prices vary depending on exact location and amenities but in general 55+ homebuyers can expect to be in the mid $200s to high $500s range. 

Climate and Geography

The Minneapolis - St. Paul area experiences the coldest climate of any major metropolitan area. Winter temperature averages range from 7 to 25 degrees with an average snowfall of 48 inches. Summers are warm and somewhat humid with average temperatures ranging between 59 and 81 degrees. The coldest temperature ever recorded for the area was -34 degrees, the hottest was 108 degrees, both extreme temperatures occurred during 1936. The Twin Cities are in the path of many types of extreme weather events including tornados, thunderstorms, blizzards, droughts, and flooding. 

The Minneapolis - St. Paul area is near the confluence of three rivers; the Mississippi, the Minnesota, and the St. Croix. The area is generally flat with elevation ranging from 666 feet near the Mississippi River to over 1,300 feet in the northwest corner of the area. Minnesota is also known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes and over 100 of them lie within the Twin Cities area.

Recreation, Culture, and Entertainment

Minnesota's nickname is the land of lakes and the outdoor recreational opportunities in the Twin Cities area helps the state to live up to the nickname. In addition to hiking, boating and fishing, active adults can enjoy multiple golf courses, cultural activities, museums, professional sporting events, and more.

Golf Courses

• Chaska Town Course
• Dahlgreen Golf Club in Chaska
• Daytona Golf Club in Dayton
• Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park
• Emerald Greens Golf Course in Hastings
• Fox Hollow Golf Club in St. Michael
• Manitou Ridge in White Bear Lake
• Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove
• Valleywood Golf Course in Apple Valley

Visual and Performing Arts

• Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul
• Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis
• Minneapolis Institute of Art
• Minnesota Museum of American Art in St. Paul
• Minnesota Orchestra in Minneapolis
• Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul
• Park Square Theatre in Minneapolis
• Walker Art Center in Minneapolis
• Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis

Museums & Historical Sites

• Bell Museum in St. Paul
• Foshay Museum and Observation Deck in Minneapolis
• Hennepin History Museum in Minneapolis
• Historic Fort Snelling in St. Paul
• Mill City Museum in Minneapolis
• Minnesota History Center in St. Paul
• Minnesota Transportation Museum in St. Paul
• Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul
• The Bakken Museum in Minneapolis

Outdoor Recreation

• Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minneapolis
• Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul
• Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis
• Lyndale Park Rose Garden in Minneapolis
• Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield
• Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve in Lino Lakes
• Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington
• Mississippi Gorge Regional Park in Minneapolis
• Mississippi National River & Recreation Area in St. Paul

Other Activities

• Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Visitor Center in St. Paul
• Mall of America in Bloomington
• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
• Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley
• Saint Anthony Falls in Minneapolis
• Seaquest Roseville in Roseville
• Target Field home to the Minnesota Twins MLB team
• U.S. Bank Stadium home to the Minnesota Vikings NFL team
• Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul

Healthcare

The Minneapolis-St. Paul area has many hospitals to choose from, including teaching hospitals, facilities with emergency trauma centers and other medical specialties. Hennepin Healthcare Medical Center and M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center are in Minneapolis. United Hospital and Regions Hospital are in St. Paul. Regina Hospital is in Hastings and St. Francis Regional Medical Center is in Shakopee. Hennepin Healthcare Medical Center and Regions Hospital are Level I trauma centers.