Galena, OH 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Galena is a small village in Central Ohio. Residents enjoy the area’s abundant outdoor recreation, ranging from wooded walking trails to challenging golf courses. Besides this, its close-knit community and proximity to the amenities of Columbus make Galena a popular retirement destination.

Climate & Geography

Galena has a humid continental climate. Temperatures in July can reach the 80s while January temperatures dip into the 20s. Galena receives 39 inches of rain and 23 inches of snow per year.

Galena is located on the north end of the Hoover Reservoir where the Little and Big Walnut Creeks meet. Much of the area is on low-lying land, and Galena is 25 miles from Columbus.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment

Active adults will enjoy plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, like biking and walking through the Hoover Mudflats Boardwalk at the Hoover Reservoir and the Galena Brick Trail. There are also several golf courses in the area, including Arrowhead Lakes Golf Club and Royal American Links.

Galena has a mix of shopping, ranging from local coffee shops to large-scale outlet malls. For more entertainment and dining options, Columbus is only a half-hour away.

Cost of Living & Taxes

Galena’s cost of living is higher than both the state and national averages because of high housing costs. Other factors like health care and transportation are below the national average.

Ohio does not tax Social Security benefits, but it does fully tax all other forms of retirement income. Eligible retirees can claim a credit of up to $250 on these income taxes. Property taxes in the state are higher than average, but there is a homestead exemption aimed at retirees.

Health Care

The Columbus metro area ranks in the top 85 communities on Gallup’s Well-Being Index.

There are no hospitals in Galena, but there are several hospitals in neighboring towns that are rated high performing by U.S. News. These include Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital, Mount Carmel New Albany Surgical Hospital, and OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital.

Columbus has two nationally ranked hospitals, which are James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.