6 Charming Kansas Communities To Retire Around Wichita

If you’re looking toward retirement, there are several reasons to consider settling down in Kansas. People don’t pay it much attention, but the Sunflower State is pockmarked by quiet, peaceful towns, where life is slow, relaxing, and stress-free. Also, with a median home listing price of $301,126, Kansas is among the most affordable states to retire. But where to? Because of access to big-city amenities, it is advisable to check out the small towns and communities around Wichita. Plus, the area around Wichita is still relatively affordable, especially compared to places like Douglas, Butler, and Lawrence. This means you can snap up some decent property and remain with lots of cash for adventure. For specific recommendations, the following are 6 charming communities to retire to around Wichita.

Augusta

Augusta is also an excellent retirement destination, especially because downtown Wichita is only a little more than twenty miles away. The town boasts a charming community vibe and a plethora of senior-living alternatives, including Homestead Assisted Living & Memory Care of Augusta, which provides high-quality assisted-care services in an environment without stairs or elevators. An empty nester can relax with a good book at the Augusta Public Library, kayak Augusta Lake, or play a spontaneous afternoon round at the well-kept Augusta Disc Golf Course. In September 2025, the median listed property price in Augusta was $220,000, which includes access to the Kansas Medical Center in adjacent Andover, as well as numerous other alternatives in Wichita.

Goddard

Godard, located 20 minutes west of downtown Wichita and featuring a shockingly gorgeous lake, offers the perfect balance of big-city amenities and small-town charm. A retiree here is conveniently close to the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, making flying to see relatives a quick and easy business. There is Lake Afton, which covers over 250 acres, and Lake Afton Park, which provides 720 acres of recreational opportunities for the whole family.

Tanganyika Wildlife Park, home to Kansas’ third-largest animal collection, welcomes retirees and their grandchildren to interact with lemurs and penguins. The zoo has more than 400 animals and 37 successful breeding projects. In addition, the centrally located Goddard Linear Park features a splash pad and a wonderful walking trail to explore. Meanwhile, various restaurants ensure that an empty nester is never without dining options. In September 2025, the median listing property price in Goddard was $248,500, which included access to the globally renowned Wesley Woodlawn Hospital and ER.

McPherson

McPherson is an outstanding retirement destination, thanks to highly ranked senior communities like Northgate Manor and a private liberal arts institution (McPherson institution) that offers life and diversity. McPherson is a little, tranquil town that seems like it sprang straight out of a Hallmark movie. Keep in mind that there are decent shopping options, including Dillon’s, as well as various outdoor venues, such as the well-maintained Turkey Creek Golf Course, Wall Park, which is a great spot to start a walking routine, and Meadowlark route, which is clean and quiet and has a decent bike route. The 104-year-old McPherson Center for Health is conveniently located for any medical emergency. In September 2025, the median listing price in McPherson was an affordable $255,500.

Newton

A vibrant community of about 19,000 residents, Newton (and neighboring North Newton) will impress empty nesters for several reasons. The area has an active arts community, the iconic Bethel College, celebrated as the first Mennonite college in North America, Kauffman Museum, an interesting place to mill around on a lazy day, and Sand Creek Station Golf Course, a championship golf course that doubles up as one of the greenest in the entire state. Other fun spots to spend time include the Chisholm Trail 8 Theatres and the R. Michael Rhoades Wetland Park, a cool spot to mingle with waterfowl. Newton also boasts a thriving downtown and is home to the award-winning NMC Health, a Million Hearts® Health System recipient for its work in preventing heart attacks and strokes. To cap it all, the median listing home price in Newton was $195,000 in September 2025, which is a steal, even by Kansas standards.

Valley Center

Retiring in a safe environment is typically a big win. It comes with no concern and allows you to enjoy your retirement years without worrying about periodic break-ins or similar situations. Fortunately, SafeWise has ranked Valley Center as the safest municipality in Kansas for 2025. With its small-town vibe, closeness to Wichita (14 miles south), and plethora of local businesses on Main Street, you have everything a senior individual could possibly want.

In addition, there is the Little Arkansas River, where one can paddle, the centrally located Lions Park, a fun place to take grandchildren for all kinds of activities, several restaurants to pop inside for a spontaneous brunch, and the cozy Valley Center Public Library, which has a 5-star rating on Google Reviews. The best part? You don’t have to break the bank. In September 2025, the median listing price for Valley Center homes was $285,000. In terms of healthcare, Wichita, only a blink away, has a plethora of options, including Wesley Woodlawn Hospital and ER, the nation’s No. 1 community teaching hospital.

Hesston

Hesston is an excellent retirement destination, particularly because it is a college town with a robust economy and a sense of community. Hesston College, a Mennonite liberal arts college founded in 1909, adds vitality and youthful enthusiasm to the community. Hesston is currently one of Kansas’s most thriving local business communities. It is also conveniently located near downtown Wichita (36 miles) and Newton (8 miles).

According to realtor.com, the median listing price in Hesston in September 2025 was $254,900, which was much lower than the statewide median of $301,126. Retirees can spend time in Hesston at various locations, including the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, which transforms interested visitors into aspiring naturalists, the Hesston Public Library, the Hesston Golf Course, and the Hesston Aquatic Center, which is ideal for a whole day of uninterrupted family fun. In terms of healthcare, adjacent NMC Health serves the neighborhood and has a dependable emergency room that is open 24 hours a day.

In Summary

In your golden years, the last thing you want to be surrounded by is noisy, busy areas with nothing but strip malls and chain businesses. You require easy access to a reputable hospital. However, you must be close to tranquil outdoor locations where you may kayak a lake, listen to the sound of rustling leaves, or see breathtaking sunsets and sunrises. That’s one reason to pay attention to Kansas, particularly the little towns and communities surrounding Wichita.