World Atlas names Woodstock as one of six “friendly towns” in which to retire:

The city of Woodstock is proud to be a part of the Age-Friendly Livable Community initiative developed by the World Health Organization.

The Woodstock Recreation Center and the Woodstock Public Library offer a range of senior programs, including low-impact exercise, book clubs, educational lectures, and technology assistance, throughout the week.

Local shopping, dining, services, and historic sites sit close together in downtown Woodstock. The Woodstock Square Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It centers around the 1857 McHenry County Courthouse, surrounded by locally owned shops and cafés that meet everyday needs year-round.

The Woodstock Opera House serves as a premier performing arts venue, hosting a variety of events throughout the year, including holiday celebrations like Christmas Guitar Night, film screenings such as The King’s Speech, and full-scale ballet productions like The Nutcracker. 

Outdoor access remains available at Emricson Park, which includes paved walkways and seating areas. Woodstock Groundhog Days continues as an annual tradition celebrating local heritage.

The others are

• Galena
• Ottawa
• Jacksonville
• Quincy and
• Alton