10 Best Towns In The Poconos To Retire Comfortably
If you are finally about to log out of the rat race and start a new phase filled with fun and freedom, there's every reason to consider the Poconos. From the fresh, fragrant air to the beautiful rolling hills and sparkling waterfalls to the verdant valleys and pine-speckled forests, the Poconos will make you look way younger than your age. Although the whole area is quiet and peaceful, you will enjoy fantastic access to several big cities, including New York, Philadelphia, and Newark. Life here is slow-paced but full of adventure, probably just what you have always wanted . Keep reading to discover the 10 best towns in the Poconos to retire comfortably.
Honesdale
Honesdale is a cute town with nice people, fun local flair, artsy ambiance, and a decent number of drinking holes. It is a culturally interesting place with epic outdoor opportunities. Wallenpaupack, Lackawaxen, and the Upper Delaware rivers are all accessible for fun and pleasure, and at any time you are in the mood. The well-kept Central Park is a cool place to relax, people-watch, or enjoy the free Roots and Rhythm Music Festival, typically held on the third Saturday of June. There is Apple Grove Park, a quaint attraction just outside of town, and Wayne Memorial Hospital, which has been around for over a hundred years. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Honesdale was $350,000, a reasonable price point, especially considering the comforts and conveniences that the town offers.
Dingmans Ferry
If you wish to live out in the woods but enjoy decent access to so many East Coast cities and vacation spots for weekend trips, then consider retiring in Dingmans Ferry. The town is small, safe, and intimate. Dingmans Ferry has shops and other places where you can find essentials and other basic amenities. However, for even more options, Milford is a whisper away. You will have immediate access to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which boasts sparkling waterfalls, bountiful wildlife, and 100 miles of trails along streams, ridges, and mountains. Besides, Stokes State Forest is a cool place to drift into bliss, while the Dingmans Ferry Bridge is an attractive place to bike across or mill around because of its incredibly beautiful views. On healthcare access, Dingman's Medical Center is right in town, while the award-winning Bon Secours Community Hospital is in neighbouring Port Jervis. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Dingmans Ferry was $277,400.
Bushkill
Bushkill is famous for Bushkill Falls, a heart-gripping waterfront wonder billed as the "Niagara of Pennsylvania." It is a unique series of several waterfalls, nestled deep in the wooded Pocono Mountains. Around it is an excellent network of hiking trails and bridges, many of which afford fabulous views of the falls and the surrounding forest. Other nearby outdoor options include the highly rated Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the nearby Pocono Hills Golf Course, where you can play a midweek game while catching up with fellow empty nesters. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Bushkill was $299,000. This price point comes with immediate access to the Bushkill Center for Active Adults, a wonderful community resource, and Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono, just southwest of Bushkill. The hospital has been in business since 1915.
Tobyhanna
Tobyhanna plays host to the Tobyhanna Army Depot, a major U.S. Department of Defense facility and the area's biggest employer. It is the DoD's biggest, full-service electronics maintenance center. The facility gives residents a little sense of security, although it is only involved with logistics. Tobyhanna itself is a cute, nature-themed town with wonderful outdoor venues, including Tobyhanna State Park, a tranquil space with woods and wildlife. Tobyhanna Lake, which spans about 170 acres, is a cool spot to float or enjoy waterfront views. For even more options, residents have easy access to Gouldsboro Lake, Lake Watawga, and Stillwater Lake. Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono is minutes away in East Stroudsburg. It is among a few hospitals in the nation to receive the Leapfrog Group’s Top General Hospital Award. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Tobyhanna was $348,000, within a reasonable range of the state median.
Palmerton
You will love Palmerton for its tight-knit community, the sense of continuity and shared history, and the eye-catching historic buildings, some of which date back to the early 20th century. Palmerton is nestled against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains, and you know what that means for outdoor lovers. Opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping are simply in the dozens. The nearby Appalachian Trail and Beltzville State Park also provide ample space for exploration and adventure. You will enjoy the changing seasons and relish the transition from the vibrant fall foliage to the serene winter snowscapes. Lehigh Gap Nature Center offers an unforgettable sensory garden and opportunities for birdwatching. For any medical emergency, the St. Luke's Health Center - Palmerton is just around the corner, while St. Luke's Carbon Campus, a heartbeat away in Lehighton, has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Primary Stroke Center Certification. The median listing home price in Palmerton was $231,000 in August 2025, about $90,000 lower than the statewide median.
Bangor
Bangor is a small town with friendly folks and neighbours, plenty of open spaces, and clean, fresh air. Although quiet and peaceful for the most part, Allentown, Pennsylvania’s third-largest city by population, is just 30 minutes away. This means you can access all kinds of big-city amenities and cultural attractions on a whim. A retiree in Bangor will enjoy hiking or canoeing down the Delaware River, occasionally reeling in a yummy catch at the Minsi Lake Wilderness Area, or exploring the Delaware Water Gap, an outdoor wonderland with countless recreational activities. In August 2025, the median listing house price in Bangor was $265,000, a pocket-friendly price point that comes with easy access to the highly rated Lehigh Valley Hospital - Poconos.
Tannersville
Tannersville is a solid choice for retirement and especially for its retiree-focused features. You would think it was designed for empty nesters. The highly rated St Luke's Hospital-Monroe Campus is a blink away in Stroudsburg and is part of a health network that has been in business since the 1870s. You are close to Camelback Mountain, the largest ski area in the Poconos, Pocono Premium Outlets, which feature over 100 designer and name-brand outlet stores, and Rail Gap Pocono Creek Nature Preserve, a hiking area with mind-rousing views of the surrounding landscapes. If you thought the outdoor opportunities were already enough, wait till you hear that Tannersville Cranberry Bog Preserve is a 1,000-acre space with some of North America's most beautiful Native orchids. Tannersville may not be the cheapest place to retire, but it's not outrageously expensive, either. The median listing home price in Tannersville is $365K. Considering what the town offers, this is excellent value for money.
Mount Pocono
Even if you are not an empty nester and not about to pull the plug on your work life, you will love Mount Pocono, especially if you have an affinity for water. The experience of being surrounded by what feels like endless water parks is always such a draw. There's the phenomenal Kalahari Indoor Waterpark, one of the nation’s best and largest indoor waterparks. Its inspiration was a memorable trip to Africa, where the continent's vibrant culture, spirit, and artistry filled the founder with awe and admiration. From waterslides of all thrill levels to a beautiful lazy river to a nice wave zone, Kalahari has it all. Yet Honesdale is not all about water. Devil's Hole Trail is in the vicinity and is an out-and-back trail with beautiful woodlands and old historic ruins. There is also the Fieldstone Farm Trail Loop, which runs parallel to Tank Creek. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Mount Pocono was $319,000, slightly below the statewide median. To cap it off, St Luke's Hospital-Monroe Campus is a heartbeat away in Stroudsburg.
Jim Thorpe
Even if you did not know a thing about Jim Thorpe, its nickname, the "Switzerland of America,” is something that doesn't easily go away from the mind. It conjures the image of a rugged landscape, of a beautiful mountain home with rustic views, of Switzerland. Nestled along the Leigh Gorge's Lehigh River, Jim Thorpe lives up to its evocative nickname. You can claim that it is a little bit too touristy, but that's part of the draw. You have the chance to meet new folks every day, and a cultural scene that will be forced to up its game to meet the need. Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital is about 10 miles away in Lehighton and accepts Medicare patients. Aside from a wonderfully elegant cityscape, you can float down the Lehigh River, explore the Lehigh Gorge State Park (it has amazing hiking trails and beautiful views), or drift into bliss at Beltzville State Park, which offers a sandy beach and 15 miles of hiking trails. The median listing home price in Jim Thorpe was $331,000 in August 2025.
Plains
Plains is in a safe, pastoral area with beautiful mountain backdrops and an environment that is beautiful and rejuvenating. There is a small but cute library, where you can hide and enjoy a read, a calm and enjoyable atmosphere, and a variety of stores for all your basic needs, including the nearby Schiff's Marketplace. The town's recreation board maintains five parks, meaning you have spots to rest, people-watch, or enjoy a light mid-morning stroll. These include Plains Township Municipal Park, one of the best parks in the Wilkes-Barre area. Once in a while, you can float down the Susquehanna River, or hit up the trails that crisscross the Seven Tubs Recreation Area - Pinchot Forest District. The best part is that healthcare access is not an issue, especially with the presence of the Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Northeastern Pennsylvania's largest community hospital, with 369 beds. The median listing home price in Plains was $200,000 in August 2025, about two-thirds of the statewide median.
So, if your version of a good life is misty forest strolls, quiet trails punctuated with the rustling of the leaves, or heart-ravishing sunsets that slide down beautifully on glittering lakes, few spots will fit the bill like the Poconos. The northeastern corner of Pennsylvania is an outdoor playground with stunning views and charming towns. The trick is to look for a place with ready access to a good hospital. If anything, you deserve to be comfortable; to flourish and bloom, to age like fine wine.
