Retirees are rethinking where to settle down in Missouri—and the shift is more pronounced than ever. New 2025 data reveals a growing exodus from a surprising mix of towns, many of which once seemed like quiet, affordable places to spend the golden years. Some towns struggle with noisy streets or a lack of walkable amenities, while others lack healthcare access, cultural attractions, or reliable public transit.
The rankings ahead are based on Missouri’s Overall Retirement Score (ORS)—a detailed evaluation that considers quietness, walkability, cultural offerings, vibrancy, and transportation friendliness. These 24 towns rank lowest in the state and are becoming less attractive for retirees looking for comfort, connection, and quality of life.
24. Ferguson – Cultural Amenities Lag Behind
Located in northern St. Louis County, Ferguson is a suburban town with a mixed reputation. While it offers easy access to the city and fairly strong walkability, it falls short in areas that retirees care about, such as cultural enrichment and peace and quiet. The town has seen limited growth in senior-oriented services and lacks tranquil spaces, making it less than ideal for those seeking a restful retirement.
Ferguson has been working on revitalization in recent years, but many retirees are choosing more serene and slower-paced alternatives in the region that better cater to aging populations.
Ferguson – ORS 30.77
- Overall Retirement Score: 30.77
- Quietness: 34.09
- Walkability: 70.44
- Cultural amenities: 28.92
- Vibrancy: 72.52
- Car-Friendliness: 76.84
- Transit-Friendliness: 54.89
Ferguson’s relatively high walkability and vibrancy don’t offset the low scores in quietness and cultural resources. For retirees, the noise and lack of enrichment options can be draining.
23. Lathrop – Quiet but Isolated
Lathrop, a small town north of Kansas City, is peaceful but lacks the infrastructure to support an aging population. It offers a quiet environment and great car accessibility, but limited walkability and zero public transit options. Cultural and entertainment opportunities are also minimal.
While the town might appeal to younger families or remote workers seeking space and calm, retirees may struggle to stay active and connected without a car or nearby services.
Lathrop – ORS 30.6
- Overall Retirement Score: 30.6
- Quietness: 76.31
- Walkability: 30.12
- Cultural amenities: 46.31
- Vibrancy: 19.06
- Car-Friendliness: 89.69
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
The lack of vibrancy and transit makes daily life isolating for retirees, especially those no longer driving.
22. Fordland – Remote and Underserved
Tucked in southern Missouri, Fordland is a rural town with few amenities for older adults. While it’s undeniably peaceful, the town scores abysmally in vibrancy and culture. Basic conveniences, healthcare access, and public gathering spaces are few and far between.
Retirees looking for engagement or accessible services may find Fordland’s rural charm more of a burden than a benefit.
Fordland – ORS 30.25
- Overall Retirement Score: 30.25
- Quietness: 72.69
- Walkability: 24.52
- Cultural amenities: 8.67
- Vibrancy: 5.54
- Car-Friendliness: 94.63
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Strong car access aside, the extremely low walkability and cultural scores make it a poor choice for retirees hoping to age in place actively.
21. Leadwood – Lacking in Senior Resources
Leadwood is a small mining town in eastern Missouri that offers a quiet life—but not much else. Its infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with changing needs, and amenities for seniors are minimal. Though car-friendly, the absence of transit or enriching activities stands out.
This town may suit those wanting solitude, but retirees seeking community or stimulation will likely feel isolated.
Leadwood – ORS 29.99
- Overall Retirement Score: 29.99
- Quietness: 78.25
- Walkability: 40.55
- Cultural amenities: 19.05
- Vibrancy: 9.47
- Car-Friendliness: 87.15
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Leadwood’s low vibrancy and nonexistent public transportation can quickly lead to a disconnected lifestyle for retirees
20. St. Ann – Low on Peace and Culture
St. Ann is a small suburb in northwestern St. Louis County. Though it benefits from good walkability and public transit options, retirees may find the low quietness score challenging. The town sits near busy roads and commercial zones, contributing to noise pollution that can make relaxation difficult.
Cultural offerings are limited, and the area’s higher vibrancy reflects younger, more fast-paced activity—something that may not align with retirement goals.
St. Ann – ORS 29.46
- Overall Retirement Score: 29.46
- Quietness: 29.52
- Walkability: 73.96
- Cultural amenities: 24.14
- Vibrancy: 71.02
- Car-Friendliness: 75.90
- Transit-Friendliness: 53.08
Despite the good walkability and transit, St. Ann lacks the calm atmosphere and cultural depth many retirees are looking for.
19. Moscow Mills – Sparse and Car-Dependent
Moscow Mills is a fast-growing town in Lincoln County, northwest of St. Louis. Its rural roots still show, especially when it comes to infrastructure for aging residents. Walkability is low, cultural resources are limited, and there’s no transit system—meaning everything requires a drive.
For retirees looking to downsize driving or find easily accessible community spaces, this town can be difficult to navigate.
Moscow Mills – ORS 28.57
- Overall Retirement Score: 28.57
- Quietness: 61.69
- Walkability: 22.81
- Cultural amenities: 36.54
- Vibrancy: 21.54
- Car-Friendliness: 86.24
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
It’s a commuter town at heart, and that leaves little appeal for retirees who want low-maintenance, walkable living.
18. Cadet – Quiet but Isolated
Cadet, in Washington County, offers plenty of quiet and space, but not much else. The town’s extremely low walkability and cultural scores highlight a lack of places to go or things to do. Access to healthcare, social events, or public resources is also minimal.
This rural community may suit individuals used to living off the grid, but for most retirees, the isolation can become a real issue.
Cadet – ORS 27.81
- Overall Retirement Score: 27.81
- Quietness: 79.06
- Walkability: 4.29
- Cultural amenities: 6.33
- Vibrancy: 10.88
- Car-Friendliness: 82.41
- Transit-Friendliness: 4.65
Despite its peaceful atmosphere, Cadet’s lack of basic services and amenities makes it difficult for retirees to remain active or independent.
17. Strafford – All Drive, No Walk
Strafford is a small town just east of Springfield. While it has great car access, the rest of its profile is less friendly to retirees. Cultural and community activities are sparse, and the lack of public transportation means seniors without a car may struggle to run errands or meet friends.
The town’s low walkability and vibrancy make it less appealing for those seeking an engaging, convenient retirement.
Strafford – ORS 26.76
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.76
- Quietness: 66.20
- Walkability: 10.81
- Cultural amenities: 36.17
- Vibrancy: 19.49
- Car-Friendliness: 98.38
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Strafford is ideal for drivers but lacks the livability features—like sidewalks, cafes, and gathering places—that help retirees feel connected and active.
16. Dellwood – Unsettled and Uneven
Dellwood, located in north St. Louis County, has a mixed urban-suburban feel. While its walkability and transit options are decent, the town struggles with noise and limited cultural offerings. Seniors may find the environment too chaotic for a restful retirement, with limited access to peaceful green spaces or community hubs.
Though the area is affordable and well-connected, the lack of enriching activities and a calm atmosphere can be major downsides for retirees.
Dellwood – ORS 26.56
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.56
- Quietness: 37.51
- Walkability: 53.36
- Cultural amenities: 13.93
- Vibrancy: 52.51
- Car-Friendliness: 75.98
- Transit-Friendliness: 48.37
Dellwood may serve younger commuters well, but retirees seeking a low-stress, engaging lifestyle may find it lacking.
15. Bloomsdale – Peaceful but Disconnected
Bloomsdale, a small community in Ste. Genevieve County, offers a calm and quiet environment that some may find ideal—at least on the surface. But with extremely low walkability and no public transit, nearly everything requires a car. Cultural opportunities are also minimal, making social life harder to maintain.
Retirees who no longer drive or who crave easy access to events, parks, or cafes may feel stranded in Bloomsdale.
Bloomsdale – ORS 26.22
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.22
- Quietness: 81.21
- Walkability: 7.95
- Cultural amenities: 22.57
- Vibrancy: 13.86
- Car-Friendliness: 88.90
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Despite its serenity, Bloomsdale’s isolation makes it a tough place to enjoy a vibrant retirement lifestyle.
14. Barnhart – Walkability Woes
Barnhart is an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, just south of St. Louis. It scores well on cultural access compared to many other towns on this list, but walkability is dismal and there’s no transit available. Its suburban sprawl makes running even basic errands a challenge without a car.
For retirees hoping to ditch driving and embrace a more walkable routine, Barnhart simply doesn’t deliver.
Barnhart – ORS 26.18
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.18
- Quietness: 66.75
- Walkability: 8.56
- Cultural amenities: 54.22
- Vibrancy: 33.70
- Car-Friendliness: 80.82
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
While cultural offerings are solid, the need to drive everywhere can lead to isolation and inconvenience for older residents.
13. Park Hills – Middle of the Road, but Not for Seniors
Park Hills, located in St. Francois County, is a former mining town with a modest blend of urban and rural qualities. Though it has decent walkability and car-friendliness, the town lags in cultural amenities and has no transit system in place. The vibrancy score suggests there’s some life here, but retirees may struggle to find events or spaces suited to their lifestyle.
Park Hills may suit younger families or workers commuting to nearby cities, but older adults may feel overlooked.
Park Hills – ORS 26.11
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.11
- Quietness: 54.75
- Walkability: 51.63
- Cultural amenities: 18.68
- Vibrancy: 41.69
- Car-Friendliness: 85.20
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Without cultural stimulation or transit access, Park Hills doesn’t offer the kind of convenience and enrichment most retirees seek.
12. Windsor – High Car Dependence, Low Stimulation
Windsor is a small town in Henry County, central Missouri. It’s the kind of place that thrives on self-reliance—great if you’re behind the wheel, but not so much if you’re trying to age in place. Despite a peaceful setting, Windsor lacks both cultural amenities and vibrancy. Public transit is nonexistent, making it difficult for non-drivers to stay connected.
For retirees wanting more than just quiet, Windsor doesn’t provide enough engagement or ease of access to be practical long-term.
Windsor – ORS 23.87
- Overall Retirement Score: 23.87
- Quietness: 64.89
- Walkability: 43.74
- Cultural amenities: 20.41
- Vibrancy: 26.67
- Car-Friendliness: 96.36
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Its solid quietness score is offset by poor cultural and transportation offerings, leaving retirees with limited options for active living.
11. Riverside – High Energy, Low Comfort
Riverside sits just north of Kansas City and comes with plenty of hustle—but not the kind most retirees are looking for. While it has strong vibrancy and moderate walkability, it’s not particularly quiet, and transit services are absent. Cultural amenities are few and far between.
The town is better suited to young professionals or commuters than those looking to downshift into a calm, enriching retirement.
Riverside – ORS 22.49
- Overall Retirement Score: 22.49
- Quietness: 34.94
- Walkability: 36.21
- Cultural amenities: 14.97
- Vibrancy: 74.51
- Car-Friendliness: 58.14
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
The energy is high here, but for retirees, that can quickly become overwhelming—especially when comfort and calm are top priorities.
10. Whiteman Air Force Base – Not Built for Retirees
Whiteman AFB in Knob Noster is a military installation, not a traditional town—and it shows in the metrics. With extremely low walkability, limited cultural offerings, and little to no vibrancy, it’s a challenging place to age into retirement.
The infrastructure is designed for service members and their families, not older adults looking for community amenities, healthcare access, or leisurely activities.
Whiteman Air Force Base – ORS 21.66
- Overall Retirement Score: 21.66
- Quietness: 23.21
- Walkability: 4.68
- Cultural amenities: 16.65
- Vibrancy: 16.98
- Car-Friendliness: 81.24
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
It’s simply not intended for retirement living, making it one of the least appropriate environments for seniors in Missouri.
9. Berkeley – Urban Stressors Overshadow Walkability
Berkeley is another St. Louis suburb that looks good on paper when it comes to transit and walkability—but the reality is more complex. High traffic, noise, and limited green spaces make this area stressful for retirees seeking peace. Its low quietness score and sparse cultural offerings don’t help.
Even those who want an urban lifestyle might find Berkeley more draining than energizing in their later years.
Berkeley – ORS 20.86
- Overall Retirement Score: 20.86
- Quietness: 41.25
- Walkability: 53.56
- Cultural amenities: 14.52
- Vibrancy: 56.10
- Car-Friendliness: 68.63
- Transit-Friendliness: 59.80
Though well-connected, the lack of calm, enriching spaces makes Berkeley hard to recommend for retirees.
8. Hayti – Culturally Sparse and Underdeveloped
Located in the Bootheel region of southeast Missouri, Hayti suffers from years of economic stagnation. Cultural amenities are nearly nonexistent, and there are few community events or attractions. Its quietness and walkability scores are average, but the town lacks the depth retirees typically want in their surroundings.
This is a place where retirees might feel forgotten and disconnected from the kinds of programs or services that support healthy aging.
Hayti – ORS 19.69
- Overall Retirement Score: 19.69
- Quietness: 54.94
- Walkability: 41.80
- Cultural amenities: 3.46
- Vibrancy: 32.48
- Car-Friendliness: 85.14
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Hayti’s extremely low cultural score is a major red flag for seniors looking to stay engaged and stimulated.
7. Fort Leonard Wood – Temporary by Nature
As another military community, Fort Leonard Wood wasn’t built with retirees in mind. It’s highly transient, lacks cultural depth, and offers few services geared toward older adults. Walkability is low and transportation options are almost nonexistent.
Most civilians—even younger ones—don’t stick around here long. For retirees, the lack of roots and structure can feel particularly disorienting.
Fort Leonard Wood – ORS 19.37
- Overall Retirement Score: 19.37
- Quietness: 25.28
- Walkability: 26.88
- Cultural amenities: 17.07
- Vibrancy: 41.97
- Car-Friendliness: 51.60
- Transit-Friendliness: 7.24
Its institutional layout and transient population leave little support for aging residents who want to build a lasting, connected life.
6. Riverview – Good on Paper, Poor in Practice
Riverview, in north St. Louis County, scores well for walkability and public transit—but retirees say it doesn’t live up to expectations. The town is noisy, with safety concerns and a lack of local services tailored to seniors. Its vibrancy reflects younger demographics and fast-paced living.
Despite strong infrastructure metrics, the day-to-day experience can feel stressful and out of sync with retirement needs.
Riverview – ORS 18.89
- Overall Retirement Score: 18.89
- Quietness: 44.60
- Walkability: 73.64
- Cultural amenities: 22.02
- Vibrancy: 43.29
- Car-Friendliness: 75.79
- Transit-Friendliness: 44.38
It looks functional on the surface, but retirees often find Riverview lacking in comfort, security, and ease.
5. Jennings – Active Streets, Absent Amenities
Jennings boasts some of the best walkability and transit access on this list—but it’s still one of the worst towns in Missouri for retirement. Why? Because amenities and quiet spaces are hard to come by. Cultural offerings are limited, and noise, traffic, and urban stress can make life challenging for seniors.
It’s a commuter town at heart, with little investment in senior services or community life for older residents.
Jennings – ORS 16.86
- Overall Retirement Score: 16.86
- Quietness: 31.78
- Walkability: 82.96
- Cultural amenities: 13.75
- Vibrancy: 59.98
- Car-Friendliness: 71.63
- Transit-Friendliness: 67.64
Despite being well-connected, Jennings lacks the comfort and calm that retirees typically seek.
4. Wellston – Strong Transit, Weak Support
Wellston may surprise some with its excellent transit score, but don’t be fooled—this St. Louis suburb has serious shortcomings. Cultural and recreational offerings are scarce, and the town struggles with infrastructure issues and safety concerns.
Public transit can only do so much when there’s nowhere enriching or relaxing to go once you step off the bus.
Wellston – ORS 11.72
- Overall Retirement Score: 11.72
- Quietness: 47.23
- Walkability: 66.30
- Cultural amenities: 11.69
- Vibrancy: 47.63
- Car-Friendliness: 81.52
- Transit-Friendliness: 93.27
For retirees, Wellston may feel more like a place to pass through than a place to stay.
3. Woodson Terrace – Fast, Loud, and Lacking
Located near the St. Louis airport, Woodson Terrace is constantly buzzing with traffic and noise. While it’s highly walkable, quietness is almost nonexistent. Public transit is missing entirely, and cultural attractions are few.
For retirees craving relaxation or a sense of belonging, this town’s high-paced atmosphere can feel jarring and exhausting.
Woodson Terrace – ORS 8.2
- Overall Retirement Score: 8.2
- Quietness: 18.92
- Walkability: 79.03
- Cultural amenities: 22.20
- Vibrancy: 74.97
- Car-Friendliness: 82.35
- Transit-Friendliness: N/A
Woodson Terrace is lively—but that energy doesn’t translate into comfort or connection for seniors.
2. Pagedale – Active Transit, Passive Appeal
Pagedale has strong transit scores and a decent walkability rating, but quietness, culture, and amenities for seniors are sorely lacking. The town is still recovering from years of economic disinvestment, and that’s reflected in its low ORS score.
It’s a place that feels transitional, not permanent—certainly not what most retirees are looking for in a final home.
Pagedale – ORS 6.92
- Overall Retirement Score: 6.92
- Quietness: 16.90
- Walkability: 73.06
- Cultural amenities: 4.59
- Vibrancy: 44.52
- Car-Friendliness: 83.73
- Transit-Friendliness: 91.08
Transit can’t fix what’s missing: comfort, stimulation, and meaningful community for seniors.
1. Pine Lawn – Missouri’s Least Retirement-Friendly Town
Pine Lawn ranks dead last for retirement in Missouri. It scores abysmally in quietness, cultural access, and overall livability for older adults. Though it’s highly walkable and car-friendly, retirees here face a noisy, overstimulating environment with very few resources dedicated to aging populations.
Those seeking a peaceful, supportive, and engaging place to enjoy their later years should steer far clear of Pine Lawn.
Pine Lawn – ORS 1.05
- Overall Retirement Score: 1.05
- Quietness: 3.11
- Walkability: 83.13
- Cultural amenities: 4.03
- Vibrancy: 51.85
- Car-Friendliness: 90.82
- Transit-Friendliness: 55.09
It might be easy to get around—but there’s very little worth reaching for retirees in Pine Lawn.
References and Sources
- Redfin – Housing Market Trends in Missouri
- Zillow – Missouri Home Values
- Walk Score by Redfin – Walkability, Transit, and Car Friendliness Scores
- Missouri Department of Transportation – Transit Provider Directory
- AreaVibes – Livability and Amenities Ratings
- National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) – Missouri Services Map
