Considering a Safe Retirement Community? Consider Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri! The Midwest Coast (2024)

FAQs

Considering a Safe Retirement Community? Consider Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri! The Midwest Coast? ›

The lake is a place you can live that offers plenty of things to do while staying away from large crowds of people that are present in so many other retirement areas. The lake is made up of many midwesterners from numerous adjoining states as well as those from farther away.

Lake of the Ozarks is perfect for those who want to settle down and have a family or those hoping to retire in a peaceful setting.

Columbia: Home to the University of Missouri, Columbia is a vibrant and affordable city that offers retirees a high quality of life. With a low cost of living, excellent healthcare, and plenty of cultural events and outdoor activities, Columbia is a great choice for retirees who want to stay active and engaged.

Lake Ozark is a town in Missouri with a population of 2,628. Lake Ozark is in Miller County and is one of the best places to live in Missouri. Living in Lake Ozark offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes.

Missouri is a good place to retire, and you can benefit from the low cost of living, delicious cuisines, plenty of beer and wine, four-season weather, and moderate taxes. If you plan to live entirely on Social Security payments and public pensions, you will be eligible for a full exemption on state income taxes.

The top-rated towns to retire in the Ozarks include Bella Vista, Arkansas; Branson, Missouri, and Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Due to climate change, alligators could re-inhabit the Missouri River and the Lake of the Ozarks in around 30 years. Missouri is currently too cold to foster crocodilian life, so there's no reason to fear alligators in your backyard yet.

Florida has regained its status as the best state for retirees in 2024. That's according to WalletHub's latest “Best and Worst States to Retire” study. In 2023, Virginia took the top spot and knocked Florida down to No. 2.

On Monday, WalletHub put out its ranking of the best states to retire to and Illinois came in No. 45 with a score of 44.27 out of 100, with neighboring Missouri No. 17 with a score of 52.13.

1. Iowa. Iowa ranks as the number one state to retire to. It offers an affordable cost of living and home prices and a strong economy, making it an attractive place to make retirement savings last longer.

Why do people like Lake of the Ozarks? ›

About the Lake. The biggest attraction at the Lake of the Ozarks is the Lake itself. From boating to fishing to watersports to beaches, the Lake draws millions of tourists every year from all walks of life to experience what this manmade wonder has to offer.

According to the Department of Natural Resources, Lake of the Ozarks has been shown to contain high amounts of E. coli. In the past three years, though, there have been no confirmed cases of sickness from the E. coli bacteria due to swimming in the Lake of the Ozarks.

While it may be the natural beauty of the Lake of the Ozarks that first catches your eye, a closer look will reveal a strong lakefront economy with abundant year-round employment opportunities and an exceptional quality of life. You can learn more about schools, hospitals, cost of living, housing, and more here.

Depending on their level of income, retirees living in Missouri may not have to pay state income taxes. Most seniors who live entirely on Social Security retirement benefits are eligible for a full exemption, while those with income from a public pension also enjoy a substantial deduction.

In 2021, Lake Ozark, MO had a population of 2.36k people with a median age of 51.1 and a median household income of $74,094. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Lake Ozark, MO grew from 2,317 to 2,355, a 1.64% increase and its median household income declined from $75,694 to $74,094, a −2.11% decrease.

Ozark's housing expenses are 14% lower than the national average and the utility prices are 13% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 11% lower than the national average.

Tennessee and Arkansas can also be deemed as some of the best places to retire on the lake. Looking for something further west? Venture to Washington, Colorado, or California. Wherever you land, boating, fishing, swimming, and other outdoor activities will always be waiting right outside your front door.