10 Best Small Towns To Retire In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania makes retirement work better than most places. The state's median home listing price sits around $280,000, already well below the national average, and the ten towns on this list run lower still. Altoona's median drops to $140,000, and you can catch minor league baseball with a slice of Altoona-style pizza at the same stadium. Doylestown puts a walkable Bucks County downtown next door to three of Henry Mercer's poured-concrete castles, with easy access to Philadelphia hospitals. Each town below offers something specific for retirees: affordable housing, healthcare access, and the kind of community feel that makes putting down roots a real option.
Altoona
Altoona has plenty of history, and it works as a retirement spot. The town has a median home listing price of $140,000, well below the state and national median, making it one of the most affordable places to live in Pennsylvania. The "Railroad City" has plenty of attractions to keep you busy in retirement, including the Railroaders Memorial Museum, full of exhibits about the history of railroads in the area. You can see more of that railroad history at the Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark right outside town, with trains regularly passing by. And the place to grab a slice of Altoona-style pizza and take in a minor league baseball game is at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
Brookville
Brookville is a small Pennsylvania borough with a population of about 4,000. It is the county seat of Jefferson County and one of the more interesting places to live in the state. The most distinctive thing about Brookville is its meticulously maintained Main Street with buildings dating back to the 1830s. On Main Street, you will find local attractions and small businesses, like the Jefferson County History Center to learn about the area, Main Street Revolution to find classic records, and Bloom on Main florist for flowers. And if you need to enjoy the outdoors that Pennsylvania offers, Walter Dick Memorial Park is right on the outskirts of town.
Doylestown
Doylestown is the seat of Bucks County and one of the more livable small downtowns in eastern Pennsylvania. The walkable historic core puts retirees within a few blocks of the County Theater, the James A. Michener Art Museum, and Hattery Stove & Still inside the boutique Doylestown Inn. The town's signature attractions are the three poured-in-place concrete castles built by archaeologist and tile maker Henry Mercer between 1908 and 1916: Fonthill Castle, the Mercer Museum, and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works. The Mercer Museum holds tens of thousands of pre-industrial American tools and artifacts arranged across a seven-story atrium. Doylestown also sits about 40 minutes from Philadelphia, which gives residents access to major hospitals, an international airport, and the cultural pull of a large city without paying for it in housing costs.
Williamsport
If Williamsport sounds familiar, it is likely because of its association with the Little League World Series. Every year, teams from around the world descend on Williamsport to compete for the chance to take home the championship. Williamsport is about more than Little League. It is an affordable place to live and retire, with a median home list price of around $215,000, well under the state's median. You can learn about the history of the area and its railroads at the Thomas T. Taber Museum, take in live music or other performing arts at the Journey Bank Community Arts Center, or take your grandchildren for a fun afternoon at the Kaos Fun Zone.
Lebanon
Near the state capital of Harrisburg, Lebanon is a quiet town for retirees who want to step away from city pace and enjoy the surrounding nature. With a median list price for homes at around $280,000, it sits right around the norm for Pennsylvania. There is plenty to do in town, so you will not run out of options after moving there. The Blue Bird Inn is one of the best places to grab a bite, with steaks and seafood. If you would prefer to cook at home, the Lebanon Farmers Market offers produce from local farms. And to enjoy the local culture, check out the Lebanon County Historical Society or the Lebanon Community Theatre.
State College
State College is a town with two stories. On one hand, you have the bustling downtown centered on the main campus of Penn State University, which brings in tens of thousands of students every year. On the other side are the quieter suburban parts of the town where many retirees choose to live for the small-town feel.
Nicknamed "Happy Valley," State College is a solid place to put down roots, though it can be expensive due to its approximate $455,000 median home list price. If you do choose to move here, you will find plenty to do, including the State College Spikes, the local team that plays at Medlar Field as part of the MLB Draft League. The Arboretum at Penn State has tree species worth a return visit year-round, and there is always a new exhibit at the Palmer Museum of Art. And if you bleed blue and white, you owe it to yourself to see a Penn State football game at Beaver Stadium.
Lititz
Close to Lancaster, Lititz is "the Heart of Lancaster County" and offers a small-town atmosphere in a beautiful part of the state. Perhaps the most famous thing about Lititz is the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, often cited as one of the first commercial pretzel bakeries in the country, which still makes pretzels by hand. In a similar vein is the Wilbur Chocolate Retail Store, with sweets that will keep your grandchildren coming back for more. And when you need fresh air, Lititz Springs Park is a good place to relax in southeastern Pennsylvania. Lancaster is only a nine-mile drive away, making day trips easy. Lititz is an expensive community with sought-after homes, so expect to see a median home listing price of approximately $480,000.
Hershey
Hershey is the first thing many people think of when someone says "chocolate." The town was founded by Milton S. Hershey in the early 1900s as a planned community around his chocolate company, and it still carries his name and his footprint today. There is more here than just Reese's bars, though there are plenty of those to go around. Hersheypark is a theme park sure to be a hit with the grandchildren, with rides and chocolatey treats that will make a lasting memory. Hershey also has a strong outdoor side. Hershey Gardens is a botanical garden with flowers you will not find elsewhere, and ZooAmerica gives you a chance to see different animals, including bald eagles.
Mount Joy
Mount Joy sits in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. If you enjoy scenic views and rustic settings, you will find a lot to like about Mount Joy. It is home to local parks like Little Chiques Park and Cove Outlook Park. And you don't have to give up big city attractions when you move here, since it is close enough to Lancaster and Philadelphia for easy day trips. Dinner options are solid in Mount Joy. Joy's Tavern serves burgers and pizzas. Tres Hermanos Mexican grill handles tacos and burritos. And if you have always wanted a grandfather clock, you will find one at Time after Time Clocks.
Chambersburg
Chambersburg is famous for being the only major northern town that Confederate troops burned down during the American Civil War. Despite this tragedy, the town recovered and is now a solid place to live in southern Pennsylvania.
One of the first places most people visit after retiring to Chambersburg is the over 200-year-old Old Jail, one of the few buildings to survive the Civil War fire and a strong link to the town's history. If you enjoy movies and live performances, the Capitol Theatre Center offers both regularly. And you can find food and fresh produce at Jim's Farmers Market. With a median housing listing price of around $300,000, prices sit just above the state median.
Enjoy Retirement in Pennsylvania
No matter which part of the state you plan to retire in, you are sure to find a small town that meets your needs. From the rural towns of western Pennsylvania to the more suburban areas of the southeast, the state has something for retirees regardless of priorities. Don't wait to move here, because as the old tourism slogan said, "You've got a friend in Pennsylvania."
