6 Towns Perfect for Retirement in Massachusetts

In the heart of New England lies the great state of Massachusetts. Massachusetts is home to great cities like Boston and Springfield but also boasts a great small-town life out in the countryside. Surrounded by pristine forests, rich culture, and friendly locals, Massachusetts has tons of great towns to settle down in for retirement.

West Chatham

Only an hour and a half south of Boston is the sleepy seaside town of West Chatham. Home to roughly 1,500 people, life in West Chatham moves slowly and that's just how the locals like it. Being right by the ocean, it should be no surprise that there is a thriving community of fishers and sailors.

There are a surprising amount of amenities in town. In the north of town is the great Eastward Ho golf course. Eastward Ho is perfect for novices and experienced players alike with various holes that range in difficulty.

West Chatham even has its own airport. Albeit small, the Chatham Municipal Airport gives its residents the opportunity to see the surrounding area in guided air tours and even offers lessons on how to fly planes. Living in such an ideal place does not come cheap, however. The average house here costs roughly $605,000.

North Falmouth

Just an hour west of Chatham is another coastal town called North Falmouth. North Falmouth has about twice the population size of Chatham but still manages to be just as relaxing and slow-paced. The locals here are very friendly but tend to keep to themselves.

The town itself is packed with plenty of shopping and is equipped with a fantastic boardwalk that grants the perfect viewpoint out into the sea. There are also plenty of parks and trails that wind across the tame woodland.

Most of the town's residents spend most of their time either on Magensatt Beach or out on the water. At least when the weather permits it. Buying a home here is quite expensive. The average house costs around $837,000. That being said, if it is within your price range, North Falmouth is certainly worth a look.

Manchester-by-the-Sea

One of the better-known small towns in Massachusetts, Manchester-by-the-Sea is New England in every sense of the word. Brimming with charm and history, the old downtown of Manchester-by-the-Sea is filled with interesting shops and businesses that are usually operating out of buildings that are more than 100 years old.

Manchester-by-the-Sea is connected to a railway that runs from Boston to Newburyport in the north. This makes travel, both into the big city and other towns relatively easy. Especially if you don't drive or have access to a vehicle.

There are also great staple community restaurants and coffee houses such as Boo Bird, Cala's, and Laughing Gull Cafe. Golf is big in town too. The Essex Country Club is a world-class establishment that hosts one of the best courses in the state along with top-notch tennis courts. The high standard of living here does come at a premium. The average home costs 1.2 million.

Stockbridge

Located in western Massachusetts, the small town of Stockbridge is a great candidate to retire. With a population that tends to hover around 2,000, anyone who ends up making the move to Stockbridge is guaranteed a quiet and peaceful life.

Stockbridge is surrounded by small forests and farmland. This picturesque town has plenty of trails that run along its limits and serves as a great place to go for short walks or long hikes. You are sure to run into some of the local wildlife along the way.

The Stockbridge Gold Club and Berkshire Botanical Gardens are probably the two largest attractions in town. They are both great places to go and unwind for the day. Settling down in Stockbridge is relatively affordable with the average home costing around $670,000.

Newburyport

Newburyport is certainly on the larger side of small towns. It has a population of around 18,000 people. Its larger size can be off-putting to some who want to total peace and quiet of countryside living but it also gives the appeal of having all the bells and whistles of a city without all the congestion noise pollution, and crime.

There is tons to do in Newburyport. Often just going for a quick walk along the town's stellar boardwalk is more than enough to convince someone to move here. The Market Square Historic District is one of the standout attractions. This part of the old town is full of charm and allure as its red brick shops and cobblestone streets are sure to keep visitors coming back for more.

Its infrastructure is surprisingly robust as well. Newburyport has its own hospital, Anna Jaques, which is something that many retirees appreciate. It is also connected to the rail line that runs south in Boston and Manchester on the Sea. The average home in Newburyport costs $792,000.

Orange

Located in the north of Massachusetts, the small town of Orange is a criminally underrated part of the state. Home to around 7,500 people, Orange is a great place to retire if you want to live in a hardnosed working-class town that also has access to the finer things in life.

Orange has just about everything someone might want in a town to retire in. Orange is a relatively close-knit community that is known for its openness and hospitality to newcomers. In the summertime, the town comes alive and flocks to the shores of the Millers River which runs through the center of town.

The old-school rustic architecture from decades past is still on display and has been well maintained all things considered. Orange even has its own airport in town and has plenty of campgrounds and parks surrounding the outskirts. Living here is relatively cheap too. The average home in Orange is $282,000.

Conclusion

It is no wonder that Massachusetts is often at the top of the list for retirees. The climate might be a bit cold during the winter, but the classic New England charm is almost impossible to beat. The community, culture, and history of the region are like nowhere else in the United States.