Northfield is One of the Top Ten Places to Retire

Recently Kiplinger Personal Finance, an American finance magazine, released its 10 Great Cities to Retire for 2017 and Northfield made the list.

Along with a select group of other fine cities to retire to including Galveston, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Springfield, Massachusetts; and others, it's easy to see why the site that hosts the Defeat of Jesse James Days each year was chosen. As Kiplinger's stated, "Home to St. Olaf College and Carleton College, Northfield seamlessly blends town and gown" and it does this while staying quaint and keeping a historic appearance to their downtown. With an active arts community in both colleges and at the Northfield Arts Guild Center for the Arts Northfield offers dozens of opportunities each week to immerse yourself in theater, music and a diverse world of art.

Throw in a bustling Saturday morning open-air market during Riverwalk Market Fair on Bridge Square, which is set alongside the Cannon River as it lazily makes it way through the heart of the town. This same river is also a great place to fish, kayak or canoe, and don't forget to take advantage of the many parks and trails that are scattered across the community. Great health care is also readily available at the Northfield Hospital and Clinics.

On the negative side, Kiplinger notes, "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."

On the other hand you can forget about the high taxes and enjoy yourself with family and friends at the craft brewery, distillery, winery, cider house or coffee shop or one of the many restaurants.