Photo courtesy of Greg Boerboom Greg and Paula Boerboom relaxing outside their Marshall home. They recently moved from the family farm.

MARSHALL — Greg and Paula Boerboom didn’t have to look far when they considered moving off their farm for retirement.

They moved from their farm in Stanley Township east of Marshall after building a house on Parkside Drive in Marshall’s Horizon Addition. They purchased their lot last year.

They obtained one of only several empty lots in Horizon Addition, most of which was developed in the 1980s. Their lot remained vacant since property owner Jack McLaughlin wanted green space behind his house on Horizon Drive.

After McLaughlin died, his family decided to sell the Parkside Drive lots. A lot at Parkside and Sunrise Lane, the final vacant one, is subject to a pending sale.

“This is a perfect location for us,” Greg Boerboom said. “We were interested in something near the center of town. This was a spot where we could build.”

They said the decision to move off the farm was an easy one because of how their daughter, Laurie, was interested in moving to the farm house. It’s the house where Greg spent his entire life prior to this spring.

Marshall became their first choice for retirement because of a combination of family ties and attractions found in the community.

“We never seriously considered retiring anywhere else,” Greg said. “Family was our number one reason to stay. It also made a difference that Marshall has a lot to offer. There’s the college, the YMCA, a lot of social opportunities. We wanted to be part of it.”

They said they’re adjusting to the change from country life to a residential neighborhood. They don’t mind the closer proximity to neighbors because of how everyone has welcomed them.

“We have a great neighborhood,” Paula said. “It’s an established neighborhood with mature trees. We knew some of the neighbors and have enjoyed meeting the others. We’ve even been thanked for choosing Marshall.”

Area professionals who work with retirees said Marshall is very marketable to all types of senior citizens. It can serve those who want to live in senior housing, as well as others who want to have their own homes.

Boulder Estates senior housing Director Jim Knudson said Marshall has a good combination of outstanding health care facilities, senior housing options, and social and recreational opportunities.

“We have almost everything senior citizens want,” Knudson said. “There are plenty of good options for housing. The community also has a wide range of businesses, services and things to do.”

Adult Community Center Director Katie Brusven said she’s noticed that a sizable number of senior citizens move to Marshall to be close to family members.

She’s found that some come to Marshall from smaller communities. Others move to Marshall from larger cities and enjoy the more relaxed pace of small city living.

“It works well either way,” Brusven said. “They often find that Marshall is exactly the right size. It’s big enough to have services and social opportunities, but it’s not so big that it’s overwhelming.