10 Best Towns in the Adirondacks for Retirees
Retirement savings stretch remarkably far in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. A comfortable home in Malone runs about $150,000. That price buys retirees a lakeside life that most people only picture in retirement brochures. Lake Placid keeps Olympic trails and a brewery-lined main street within walking distance. Saranac Lake surrounds its retirees with galleries, bookstores, and mountain hikes. Glens Falls backs its art museums with a hospital known for dementia care. These ten towns let retirees spend their savings slowly and their days fully.
Lake Placid
The air is thin and invigorating at Lake Placid, the famed site of the 1932 and 1980 Olympics. With an average home value of just $359,204, Lake Placid is an attractive option for active retirees, partially due to its lively downtown strip, which sits alongside Mirror Lake and features a slew of renowned local businesses like Emma's Creamery and the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery. Residents enjoy sweeping views of the High Peaks at every turn and enough hiking options to last a lifetime, not to mention acclaimed restaurants such as Salt of the Earth, serving up an innovative menu of locally-raised eats.
Retirees concerned about health will be pleased to know that Lake Placid Health Center - Adirondack Health is located right in town. Festivals and events are also commonplace at Lake Placid such as The Lake Placid Horse Show, which welcomes nearly 1,000 horses and Olympic-level riders from late June through early July.
Saranac Lake
Often referred to as the "Capital of the Adirondacks," Saranac Lake is perfect for retirees who want a mix of Adirondack scenery and small town warmth. Mount Pisgah and Dewey Mountain Recreation Area are popular spots for hiking, biking, and walking, and the walkable downtown center is rich with independent galleries, bookstores, and intriguing shops like Goody Goody's Toys and Games, a leading provider of creative strategy games.
Adirondack Medical Center, the region's primary hospital, is centrally located, and more advanced clinic-based care can be obtained just a few minutes down the road at Saranac Lake Health Center. As for affordability, the average home value in Saranac Lake is comparable to nearby Lake Placid at just $337,818, according to Zillow. Like Lake Placid, the community regularly comes together for seasonal events, namely the long-running Saranac Lake Winter Carnival in February, giving retirees plenty of opportunities to stay connected to their new hometown.
Lake George
A great deal of Adirondack tourism can be attributed to Lake George, an extremely popular vacation destination for New Yorkers. As a well-established resort community, Lake George's median home price is on the higher side at $550,738, but this is what allows many local shops, restaurants, and services to run on a steady seasonal schedule. While the tourist-heavy Canada Street can be a fun walk with loved ones, Bolton's Landing attracts a more adult crowd with award-winning waterfront restaurants like Beyond the Sea and The Chateau on the Lake, a premier source of fine dining situated in a restored home from the 1800s.
Lake George is also a haven for boating enthusiasts, drawing anglers from all over the world in search of local trout, salmon, bass, and more. If you prefer to spend your falls and summers outside, you'll have a host of festivals on your schedule, from Lake George Music Festival to the Adirondack Wine and Food Festival to Lake George Village Oktoberfest!
Glens Falls
Located at the southeastern edge of the Adirondacks, Glens Falls has the peaceful vibe of a small town with a downtown center that can rival any big city. Its main attractions include The Hyde Collection, one of the most respected art museums in the region, and the Chapman Historical Museum, an eye-opening journey into the history of the Adirondacks. It's also not uncommon to see local seniors walking Feeder Canal Trail or cycling along the Warren County Bikeway, two easily accessible options for exercise.
Though it caters to hikers and shoppers just as effectively as the other three towns on this list, the average home value in Glens Falls is just $269,907. Moreover, Glens Falls Hospital was designated by the New York State Department of Health as a Center of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease, and it's the go-to hospital for longtime residents of several surrounding areas, including Lake George.
Tupper Lake
Tupper Lake offers a more laid back lifestyle than the previous towns, making it an ideal choice for retirees looking for quiet days on the water. A popular spot for walking and relaxing is the walkway at Municipal Park, featuring gorgeous views of Raquette Pond. If you feel like taking a dip in the summer, cool off at Little Wolf Beach, one of the longest beaches in the Adirondacks.
When family comes to visit, head to The Wild Center and watch your grandchildren scurry along its Wild Walk, an elevated campus linked together by swinging treetop bridges. At night, Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory capitalizes on the area's low light pollution, low humidity, and high elevation with year-round stargazing programs. Given its population of just over 3,000 people, a nice home in Tupper Lake costs a little over $295,000, making it more affordable than its more famous alternatives.
Plattsburgh
The largest town on this list, Plattsburgh is the main commercial hub for the northern Adirondack region, so retirees will have access to a more expansive shopping and dining scene. History buffs will have no shortage of things to do in town, like browsing exhibits at the War of 1812 Museum and the Battle of Plattsburgh Interpretive Center. Plattsburgh residents also benefit from a large-sized, full-service health care facility in Champlain Valley Physician's Hospital, part of the University of Vermont Health Network.
When the weather gets warmer, families flock to Plattsburgh City Beach for swimming and sunbathing. For hiking, the Plattsburgh Heritage Trail and Riverwalk Park take you through the history of Lake Champlain while providing magnificent views of the lake itself. The average home in Plattsburgh is valued at just $251,182, a small price for having a thriving city and wide open green space right at your fingertips.
Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga is another particularly affordable town in the Adirondacks, boasting an average home value at just over $200,000, according to Realtor.com. The site of a crucial battle during the American Revolution, Fort Ticonderoga is now a historical museum with nearly 2,000 acres of trails, gardens, and paths along Lake Champlain. For an easy but visually rewarding hike, explore La Chute River Walk, a 3-mile looping trail with multiple historic sites as well as numerous fishing and picnic areas.
If the grandkids are in town, Ticonderoga houses a public beach right on the shores of Lake George. Many local retirees also share an affinity for Ticonderoga Country Club's 18-hole golf course in the Lord Howe Valley, which sits in the heart of the 6 million-acre Adirondack Park.
Malone
Malone is located in Franklin County, about 45 minutes from Lake Placid and further north than any other town on this list. Despite its secluded location, Malone contains a wide range of recreational opportunities for retirees, both indoors and outdoors. Walking along Pearl Street in downtown Malone, you'll find a brimming arts and cultural scene supported by galleries like the Downtown Artist Cellar and the Foothills Art Society, featuring a steady rotation of local exhibits. Automobile enthusiasts will be more than satisfied with AnB Classics, a museum of classic muscle cars, hot rods, roadsters, and convertibles from as far back as the 1930s.
Elderly travelers often make the trip to Malone to tee off at the prestigious Malone Golf Club, a 36-hole PGA Championship golf course divided into two courses. Retirees looking to settle down might choose Malone over other options because Alice Hyde Medical Center is located right in town and has been serving local residents for more than 100 years. Since it's located so far up north, the median home price in Malone ranges from $134,000 to $150,000.
Warrensburg
Known as the "Gateway to the Adirondacks," Warrensburg is a small town of just under 4,000 people set on the banks of the Schroon and Hudson Rivers. Its compact downtown is comprised of 19th-century buildings that have since been converted into shops and restaurants, like The Bond 1786 and Lizzie Keays Kitchen and Cocktails. Seniors can get their exercise at the Hackensack Mountain Trail, a short hike culminating with wide summit views.
With a median home price of $249,354, Warrensburg is more affordable than Lake George, though the latter is just a short drive away. Health care is always within reach thanks to Warrensburg Health Center, which provides essential services across a wide swath of the surrounding Adirondack region.
In July, the Warrensburg Volunteer Firefighters hosts the Smoke Eaters' Jamboree, featuring amusement park rides, games, delicious food, live music, and a fireworks show. Additionally, an early-October weekend brings thousands of bargain hunters and antique lovers to Warrensburg for the World's Largest Garage Sale. The town slogan for this event is fairly straightforward: "If you can't find it, it doesn't exist!".
Old Forge
Old Forge is a strong choice for retirees who enjoy a little more exclusivity and don't mind a sizable influx of tourists during the winter, summer, and fall. Home to just a few hundred people, this hamlet is situated along the Fulton Chain of Lakes, giving swimmers, boaters, and anglers direct access to the water. In the summer, Old Forge attracts families from all over the northeast in search of Enchanted Forest Water Safari, the largest water park in New York. Winters are long and snowy but the community remains active courtesy of McCauley Mountain Ski Area, which contains hundreds of miles of groomed trails for skiing and snowmobiling.
Old Forge also keeps residents busy with a year-round schedule of events including the Old Forge Winter Carnival, Adirondack Christmas on Main Street, and the Classic Car Show. Homes in Old Forge trend higher than most other Adirondack communities, with a median price around $425,000, according to Realtor.com. That's still below the New York State average, but it's certainly influenced by the bustling atmosphere and upgraded commercial centers of a resort town.
Retire in Peace in the Adirondacks
The Adirondacks' best retirement destinations may look alike on the surface, yet each carries its own identity and advantages. Some are urbanized and well established, while others stay secluded and a little eccentric. What they share is a lower cost of living than most of New York, which gives retirees more room for their money. Lake Placid trades on Olympic energy, Malone on rock-bottom home prices, and Old Forge on lakefront exclusivity. Together they prove that a mountain retirement here can suit both an active hiker and a quiet angler.
