2021 Best Places to Retire in Ohio

Bellbrook

• Suburb of Dayton, OH
• Rating 4.04 out of 5  25 reviews

Current Resident: This has been a very unified but safe community! I am happy that my children can go outside an not have to worry about anything. The neighbors are so nice, and welcoming. The area is quiet. The community is always clean. There is hardly ever any trash or litter anywhere. The communities often have festivals or get togethers and they are public. I really like this city. We don't have to pay city taxes. Its truly a great place. Plenty of places to live and raise your family. the surrounding school systems are great as well.
Read 25 Reviews

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• 7,212 Population

Centerville

• Suburb of Dayton, OH
• Rating 4.36 out of 5  72 reviews

Current Resident: Centerville is a great place to raise a family. The great thing about a suburb like Centerville is that there is a nice balance between nature and industrialization. There are plenty of beautiful parks and neighborhoods with plenty of greenery, but there are still a lot buildings and restaurants. Basically you could live your entire life without leaving Centerville because anything you need is just a few minutes away. I will say though that it is not a very exciting place to live. If you are one for new experiences and adventures I would not recommend living here. However it is a very safe area and it is not terribly expensive either. Centerville has a lot of great schools and the large public high school allows kids the freedom to pursue any interests they have. The last thing I will mention is that if you are not from the Midwest you may find the weather unpleasant because it is unpredictable. But having four seasons in a year may be a positive for some.
Read 72 Reviews

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• 23,796 Population

Sixteen Mile Stand

• Suburb of Cincinnati, OH

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• 2,746 Population

Ottawa Hills

• Suburb of Toledo, OH
• Rating 4 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: A great community that provides outstanding safety and service for its residents, excellent walking and cycling routes along it's streets, and the top school system in Ohio year after year. Shopping and dining is abundant in the area along with cultural and sporting venues events. You really feel like you are part of a community!
Read 12 Reviews

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• 4,450 Population

Rossmoyne

• Suburb of Cincinnati, OH

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• 1,815 Population

Rocky River

• Suburb of Cleveland, OH
• Rating 4.08 out of 5  77 reviews

Current Resident: My childhood was shaped by Rocky River and it's an ideal place for children. I went to a Catholic grade school and currently am in a Catholic high school which has helped me develop my faith. It's provided me with great educational opportunities! The diversity is low and could easily be improved, but it is getting a little better. There is a lot to do for such a small town which makes it a fun place to live!
Read 77 Reviews

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• 20,198 Population

Sylvania

• Suburb of Toledo, OH
• Rating 4.29 out of 5  48 reviews

Current Resident: I loved growing up in Sylvania. The schools and the neighborhood is great. We live in a neighborhood where everyone looks out for each other and we have a lot of fun having neighborhood parties. The Sylvania school system is a great place to grow up in and attend. The teachers are great and very helpful. Whenever you need help with something, they always made time to be available for you. There is always something to do in Sylvania like sporting events, shopping and parks. We have one of the nicest parks called Wildwood Preserve Park. It is very clean and beautiful. I would recommend it for anyone visiting Sylvania!
Read 48 Reviews

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• 19,143 Population

Westlake

• Suburb of Cleveland, OH
• Rating 4.26 out of 5  65 reviews

Current Resident: Pros: Westlake is a quiet suburb with convenient access to downtown Cleveland. I moved here from the Northeast after I graduated college and took a job downtown, and I like the easy access via I-90. There is a strong business tax base, so residential taxes are very reasonable considering the public services we benefit from. The rec center and parks are amazing and serve as a gathering place for residents.

Westlake has convenient access to Lake Erie, which was a major factor for me in choosing to move here. Westlake puts you within a 5-10 minute drive of Huntington Beach, with a beautiful view of the city skyline. I originally looked into Bay Village for this reason, but found Westlake to be more my crowd.

Cons: Cost of living is fairly expensive, but you get what you pay for. The street plan is confusing with too many curvilinear streets and cul-de-sacs (yes, I realize this is intentional, but it's frustrating for a new resident trying to get a feel for where things are.)
Read 65 Reviews

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• 32,275 Population

Wetherington

• Suburb of Cincinnati, OH
• Rating 3.71 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: Beautiful neighborhood. Can walk to mall and shopping. Affordable. Beautiful golf course. Everything including the highway only minutes away.
Read 14 Reviews

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• 1,399 Population

The Village of Indian Hill

• Suburb of Cincinnati, OH
• Rating 4.83 out of 5  6 reviews

Nearby Resident: The Village of Indian Hill is very nice, it is definitely a great place to raise your family and establish a great foundation for your children. The houses are amazing and some sit just around the corner from some of the multiple suburbs within Cincinnati, OH.
Read 6 Reviews

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• 5,762 Population

Orange

• Suburb of Cleveland, OH
• Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: nice town to raise a family. Close to the highway so easy commute. local restaurants, shops, grocery etc all within 5 minute drive. recently added sidewalks to many major streets within the village.
Read 2 Reviews

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• 3,276 Population

Beachwood

• Suburb of Cleveland, OH
• Rating 4.27 out of 5  44 reviews

Current Resident: What I like about Beachwood is the school district. I have two children and their education is my number one priority. The teachers go out of their way to make sure my kids' needs are met. With us being in the middle of Covid 19 pandemic, I believe the district really gave a lot of thought and have a well laid out plan how to keep the kids safe and healthy. My kids are still learning and have adapted well to what Beachwood has put in place for their students.
Read 44 Reviews

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• 11,663 Population

Bluffton

• Town in Ohio
• Rating 4.43 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: Bluffton is a close knit community with an encouraging atmosphere. The smallness provides the opportunity to develop close relationships with your neighbors and other members of the community. There are many public events held on main street that bring people together. All events are family friendly and provide a wonderful location to raise a family. There are various places for families to enjoy, including two parks, a public pool, and the local movie theater. The popcorn is amazing! The public school system provides a great place for children to learn and find good role models, as well as the numerous local churches of many different denominations. Bluffton is a fantastic community to reside in.
Read 7 Reviews

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• 4,122 Population

Kenwood

• Suburb of Cincinnati, OH
• Rating 4.14 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: Kenwood is a more affluent area with more diversity than the surrounding suburbs. If you want to live in a neighborhood that is about 99.9% white, Madiera or Indian Hill is your place. Kenwood is between Blue Ash and Indian Hill. It's close enough to get the amenities in a West Chester or Mason without living 30-1hr away from the city core. Extremely safe and plenty of restaurants and coffee shops near. Used to lean conservative, but 2020, pretty progressive and more moderate. Also, split between districts but parts are in Indian Hill (highest Ohio Public School District), also near Seven Hills and Cincinnati Country Day (top two private schools). Lot of parks and space. Only knock is that there are deers everywhere.
Read 14 Reviews

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• 7,344 Population

St. Clairsville

• Town in Ohio
• Rating 3.62 out of 5  26 reviews

Current Resident: Saint Clairsville is overall a very decent place to live. There are plenty of historic monuments (Saint Clairsville Court House, Bike Trail, Underground Railroad Houses), and housing is available nearby both the high school and many small, unique shops. It is nearby Ohio University Eastern as well. There is a drive (about 5-10 minutes) to Walmart, Kroger, most restaurants, etc... so I recommend you have a car. There is no public transportation aside from an occasional taxi.
Read 26 Reviews

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• 5,072 Population

Amberley

• Suburb of Cincinnati, OH
• Rating 4.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: My family moved here from neighboring Pleasant Ridge after outgrowing our starter home. Amberley offers the best of the city with a rural, private feel. Its centralized location, diverse neighbors and close proximity to shopping, restaurants and night life make it an ideal place to live and work.
Read 4 Reviews

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• 3,540 Population

Fairlawn

• Suburb of Cleveland, OH
• Rating 3.81 out of 5  16 reviews

Parent: Fairlawn is one of the best places I've lived. It is a very well kept area, people take good care of their lawns and the roads are in good condition. The atmosphere is a peaceful one, yet it is extremely convenient to a wide variety of shopping and restaurants. The city services are fantastic! Our neighborhood side street is plowed by 5:00AM when it we experience a heavy snowfall. The police force is courteous and helpful, and they do a great job of patrolling. I used to live in West Akron and the city services were practically non existent. The snow had to melt off of the street, regardless how much accumulation there was, the police would only come right away of there was a gang related problem, otherwise they would come assist you in two hours. The panhandlers would harass you at practically every intersection.

Fairlawn, to the contrary, has a very good city government where reason prevails and the police genuinely want to help people. I believe this area will remain vital and vibrant for years to come!
Read 16 Reviews

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• 7,514 Population

Montgomery

• Suburb of Cincinnati, OH
• Rating 4.37 out of 5  19 reviews

Current Resident: Montgomery has the character of a quintessential suburb! It is safe, diverse, friendly, and filled with every amenity imaginable. Our home here in this school district and community continue to be one of the best investment we have ever made.
Read 19 Reviews

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• 10,782 Population

Forestville

• Suburb of Cincinnati, OH
• Rating 3.83 out of 5  35 reviews

Niche User: I rank my current residence as a great place to live. I live in a nice suburban area, with a good school district, and a safe and comfortable place to live. If I were to go back in time are relive my first 18 years of life I would definitely choose to live where I grew up and currently live. I have enjoyed my hometown and have been blessed with an amazing community to grow up around. My community is very generous, caring, and involved. People of my hometown come around for high school sporting events and have great pride of where they came from. Compared to the rest of the country, I live in a pretty average community where people have two stories, four bed room homes, and nice sized yards. However, my community also has some lower end neighborhoods that give out area diversity and character. In the future I see my residence growing more and becoming a place where people seek to live. Even today I can tell the interest that is arising given the new neighborhoods being built and the new restaurants and businesses emerging. I truly believe that my area will continue to grow and become an even better place to live.
Read 35 Reviews

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• 10,415 Population

Worthington

• Suburb of Columbus, OH
• Rating 4.35 out of 5  48 reviews

Current Resident: I recently moved to Worthington from the New Albany area and I feel right at home! I live in an apartment complex and have easy access to all major road and highways. Even with the freeway so close, the neighborhood is nestled back in a way that there is almost no noise! Close by there is downtown Worthington, a quaint area with antique shops, small cafes, and even a historic looking Dairy Queen. On Saturdays, the community hosts a farmers market to support local businesses and farmers sell their stock. One of my favorite parts about Worthington is the access to a wide variety of activities. Spend your day strolling through the park, or catch a movie at Crosswoods! The overall small community holds new opportunities around every corner. Stop off at at a pub for a drink and some evening entertainment, or head to the mall and shop until you drop! Worthington is a great place for anyone to live for individuals and families. It's my recommendation to consider Worthington as your next move
Read 48 Reviews

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• 14,621 Population

Mulberry

• Suburb of Cincinnati, OH
• Rating 3.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Niche User: I believe Milford / Miami Township area has great schools, affordable housing, low crime rate and just an overall wonderful place to live. If I had kids I feel this is a place where I'd want them to grow up. Family friendly atmosphere.
Read 3 Reviews

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• 4,143 Population

Upper Arlington

• Suburb of Columbus, OH
• Rating 4.08 out of 5  59 reviews

Nearby Resident: One of the best Columbus suburbs! Excellent schools with great athletics, tons of shops and restaurants with a close proximity to downtown! Only downside is the real estate market is competitive and easily finding housing can be tough to come by. Would recommend for any family to move to!
Read 59 Reviews

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• 35,299 Population

Blue Ash

• Suburb of Cincinnati, OH
• Rating 4.31 out of 5  39 reviews

Current Resident: Great place to raise a family! Amazing new Summit park with dog park, concerts, restaurants, nature trails, and playgrounds! Free outdoor concerts and exercise programs too. Love the blue ash recreation center too.
Read 39 Reviews

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• 12,252 Population

Munroe Falls

• Suburb of Cleveland, OH
• Rating 3.93 out of 5  28 reviews

Current Resident: Munroe Falls is a family-friendly, quiet neighborhood. Growing up in Munroe Falls has made me see what a neighborhood should be: friendly neighbors, schools within walking distance, and parks!
Read 28 Reviews

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• 5,057 Population

Chagrin Falls

• Suburb of Cleveland, OH
• Rating 4.23 out of 5  22 reviews

Former Resident: I love Chagrin Falls! I went to high school there and continue to return to my family home. I have many fond memories, experiences, and passions that bring me back to this small town.
Read 22 Reviews

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• 4,032 Population