Why Northfield, Minn., Is a Great Place to Retire
Just outside the Twin Cities, Northfield is a welcoming college town enveloped by pristine nature.
Population:
20,455
Nearest large city:
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Minneapolis–St. Paul
What $300,000 will buy:
4-bedroom, 2-bath 1920s bungalow with detached garage close to downtown
The Cannon River runs through town, and several parks and walking paths provide access to fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Fitness buffs have plenty of options: In the snowy Minnesota winter, you can cross-country ski along miles of groomed trails or snowshoe through Carleton’s Cowling Arboretum. Too cold outdoors? Run, swim or take exercise classes at the YMCA Community Center. No need to worry about health care, either. If you need access to specialists not available at Northfield Hospital & Clinics, the Mayo Clinic is 50 miles away, in Rochester.
The median home price in Rice County is $217,300, but the inventory of homes for sale is tight, says Jan Stevens, a real estate agent who helped the Davises. A few condos have been built downtown on the river, but they’re multilevel and tend to be high-end, she says. When the Davises couldn’t find what they wanted, they built a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home that will allow them to age in place. The median annual property tax paid in Rice County is $2,057.
Minnesota isn’t a tax-friendly state for retirees. Income and sales tax rates are high, and Social Security income is taxed to the same extent it is on your federal return. The state also has an estate tax, which excludes up to $2.1 million in 2017; the exclusion will increase to $2.4 million in 2018.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
Your MAGI in Retirement: Year-End Tax Strategies to Save Money
Taxable Income Strategic moves now can make a difference in your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) when it’s time to file your return.
By Kelley R. Taylor Published
-
Gifting While You're Alive: Tax Benefits and Practical Tips
Why wait until you're gone to help the people and causes you love? Get a jump-start on gifting and see all the good you can do.
By Jamie Battmer Published
-
457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2025
Retirement plans There are higher 457 plan contribution limits for state and local government workers in 2025 than in 2024.
By Kathryn Pomroy Last updated
-
Medicare Basics: 11 Things You Need to Know
Medicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
By Catherine Siskos Last updated
-
Six of the Worst Assets to Inherit
inheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
By David Rodeck Last updated
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2024 and 2025
SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $69,000 in 2024 and $70,000 in 2025..
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024 and 2025
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2024 and 2025
simple IRA The SIMPLE IRA contribution limit increased by $500 for 2025. Workers at small businesses can contribute up to $16,500 or $20,000 if 50 or over and $21,750 if 60-63.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
457 Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2025
retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2024 is increasing, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated