Mentor, Oberlin named among top affordable cities for retirees in Ohio

CLEVELAND - The Wall Street Journal’s SmartMoney.com has named two northeast Ohio cities among the top affordable retirement havens in the state.

Mentor (Lake County) and Oberlin (Lorain County) were two of the four cities listed in the report filed Sunday.

The story’s author said Mentor was among the top because of its proximity to Lake Erie, Headlands Beach and Ohio’s wine country. It had the largest population of the cities in Ohio listed, with 52,154 residents.

City spokeswoman Katie Pohl told SmartMoney.com that retirees have more than 160 restaurants from which to choose, and the senior center is very active with 4,000+ members.

Oberlin was recommended for any retirees who consider themselves progressive environmentalists, with Oberlin College’s spirit permeating into all areas of city life, the report said.

Janet Haar, director of the Oberlin Main Street Chamber of Commerce, told SmartMoney.com that the city in 2011 became only one of 18 in the world to join Bill Clinton’s Climate Positive Development Program, which is attracting environmentally-conscious retirees.

Two other cities cited in the report include Oxford, home of Miami University, and Yellow Springs.

Read the full report here: http://on.wews.com/LrYFx8