11 Best Towns In New Jersey To Retire Comfortably
Suburban towns in New Jersey are quickly becoming attractive retirement options for many who are looking for access to the big city and its amenities without the high price tag! According to Zillow.com, the median home value in New Jersey is $569,000. However, the 11 New Jersey towns discussed here all fall below that median range, making them more affordable than average. New Jersey is a lovely state to live in and has many perks for retired folks— it does not tax Social Security benefits, railroad retirement benefits, or military pensions, and boasts some top-notch medical facilities. From Phillipsburg to Pennsauken, there's more than one reason to move to the Garden State!
Phillipsburg
Situated on the Delaware River, in Warren County, the town of Phillipsburg, with just over 15,000 residents, is 30 minutes from the Pocono Mountains and halfway between Philadelphia and New York City. This, along with median home values way under the state average, at $335,000, is attractive to many retirees looking to move there.
The natural beauty of Phillipsburg's rolling hills, riverside location, and thick woodlands, provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Delaware River Railroad Excursions of Phillipsburg offer a great way to see the beautiful countryside. Shops such as Bloomin' Cottage on Main Street encourage would-be artists to create and take workshops on everything from flower arranging to cake decorating. Invertase Brewing Company, on Broad Street, is a great place to unwind and enjoy a brew on the weekends. If medical services are needed, St. Luke's Hospital-Warren Campus is conveniently located right in Phillipsburg.
Manchester Township
Nestled in the New Jersey Pinelands of Ocean County, Manchester Township lies in between Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and New York City. With a population just over 45,000, Manchester Township has been described as "Ocean County's best-kept secret." Home values here average $534,000, under the state median. One of the not-so-secret facts about Manchester Township is that it is home to Lakehurst Naval Air Station, the site of the Hindenburg disaster in 1937.
Harry Wright Lake in Manchester Township is a quiet park with a beach, swimming, playground, and walking trails. Manchester Township's downtown area is filled with independent shops like Pik Pok Consignment Shop and eateries including Donovan's Bar & Restaurant & Grill. Community Medical Center-Toms River is just 20 minutes east of Manchester Township if medical care should be needed.
Gloucester City
A small town in Camden County, Gloucester City, on the Delaware River, is home to just over 11,000 people. Home prices average $245,000, way under the state median. Those who move to Gloucester City enjoy the vibrant local food scene and the community events held on the Delaware River waterfront. Residents also enjoy the fact that the larger cities of Philadelphia (six miles) and Camden (five miles) are just minutes away.
In the summertime, Gloucester City holds its Summer Concert Series, featuring various local and regional musicians. The Gloucester City Historical Society is recommended for more information on the area's rich history, which includes the Lenni Lenape, the British in the 1680s, and the Dutch in the 1620s. Local eateries such as Soul Rise Cafe and Vitale's Italian Bistro help the town maintain its reputation as having a vibrant local food scene. The nearest hospital to Gloucester City is Jefferson Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia, just six miles away.
Mays Landing
Located in Hamilton Township, the town of Mays Landing, home to just over 5,000 people, is the county seat of Atlantic County. Average home prices here are just $309,000, under the state median. Retirees move to Mays Landing for its affordability, proximity to the Jersey Shore (just a half hour's drive will put you in Atlantic City), and its strong sense of community. In fact, GoBankingRates.com named Mays Landing the best place to retire in New Jersey in 2025.
Lake Lenape Park in Mays Landing contains 2,000 acres of landscapes and a 344-acre lake, with many opportunities for recreation. Many community events take place in Mays Landing, such as the Fall Festival and Family Fun Day each October. Residents and visitors enjoy hanging out at Carmen's Farm Market for its fresh produce and baked goods. Eateries in town are many and include Freddy J's Bar & Kitchen. Shore Medical Center in Somers Point is just 12 miles down the road should medical care be needed.
Hainesport Township
Hainesport Township, in Burlington County, offers a comfortable, suburban environment that appeals to retirees seeking a quiet atmosphere with access to urban amenities. Homes in this town of just over 6,000 residents average $519,000, under the state average. Philadelphia is just over 20 miles away, but the town retains a rural, laid-back feel.
Outdoor lovers will appreciate that Hainesport is home to Long Bridge Park, a 115-acre park with access to nature trails and boardwalks, as well as Hainesport Township Municipal Park, a smaller park with baseball fields, tennis courts, and a kids' playground. Eateries such as Dunleavy's and Tavern & Table will satisfy your hunger and thirst. Virtua Mount Holly Hospital in Mount Holly is the closest hospital to Hainesport Township, just three miles away.
Rahway
If you'd like to live near Manhattan in your retirement years, consider moving to Rahway. This Union County town of just under 30,000 people is just 15 miles southwest of Manhattan, and is served by Northeast Corridor/North Jersey Coast rail lines that link the town not only with New York City but also with Newark, Trenton, and the Jersey Shore. Homes in Rahway average $542,000, just under the state median.
Rahway is home to an array of independent shops such as Millie and Joy and Inspirations-Rahway. Restaurants such as Fork and Il Forno a Legna in the downtown area are sure to please. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway is located right in town and is part of the larger and renowned RWJ Barnabas Health System.
Bridgeton
Cumberland County's small town of Bridgeton, with just under 28,000 residents, combines an urban environment with beautiful natural scenery. Median home prices here are $251,000, way under the average for New Jersey. Bridgeton is the governmental seat of Cumberland County and sits on the Cohansey River near the Delaware Bay in South Jersey.
If you enjoy nature, you'll love City Park, the 1,100-acre park in Bridgeton, with many walking trails and playing fields. Cohanzick Zoo, a wildlife sanctuary and the state's first zoo, is also in Bridgeton, housing over 100 animals representing 45 species. When you're hungry, check out De Olde Town Restaurant or the Bridgeton Family Diner, both located on Pearl Street downtown. Inspira Medical Center Vineland is just nine miles down the road if you need medical care.
Pompton Lakes
Located in Passaic County, the town of Pompton Lakes is home to just over 11,000 residents. It is less than an hour from New York City, but with home prices averaging $540,000, it is much more affordable to live in than the big city. The suburban environment of Pompton Lakes, along with its accessibility to New York City and affordability draw many retirees to move here.
As its name implies, Pompton Lakes has two lakes, Pompton Lake and Twin Lake, as well as three rivers. It is also home to quirky independent shops like The Paper Store and Secondhand Revival, both on Wanaque Avenue. The nearest hospital to Pompton Lakes is Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, just three convenient miles away.
Smithville
A historic town in Galloway Township in Atlantic County, Smithville is home to almost 10,000 people. This quaint village has more than 50 shops and retains a community feel, just 14 miles northwest of Atlantic City in South Jersey. Retirees may be drawn to the lower housing costs, averaging $377,000, in Smithville.
Smithville offers more than just shops, however. Paddle-boating on Lake Meone and riding the Smithville Train around town are two unique ways to see the town in its entirety. During the year, the town holds more than 30 free community events, including Oktoberfest in October and the Art Walk in September. The nearest hospital, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center-Mainland, is just down the road about five miles in Pomona, should medical care be needed.
Haddon Heights
A small borough in Camden County, just 10 minutes from Philadelphia, Haddon Heights has almost 7,500 residents. Its median home prices of $498,000 and proximity to the city prompt many retirees to make the move to Haddon Heights, nicknamed "the friendly community."
The Haddon Heights Farmers Market is held at the corner of Prospect Ridge Boulevard and Lake Street on Sundays from April through November, and features crafts, produce, entertainment, and local business specials. Shops such as My Fair Trade Lady and Station Avenue Antiques & More fill the downtown area. Hungry folk should check out the offerings at Local Links on Station Avenue. Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital is just three miles away in Camden if the need for medical care arises.
Pennsauken
Also in Camden County, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, you'll find the township of Pennsauken, home to just under 38,000 people. Median home values of $280,000 and its welcoming, community atmosphere beckon many seniors to move to Pennsauken during their retirement years.
Cooper River Park is one of Pennsauken's most popular outdoor attractions, with almost 350 acres of land and the Cooper River running through it. Shops such as 2nd Avenue Thrift Superstore on Crescent Boulevard attract many to the town's downtown area. Meadowbrook Farmer's Market, a produce market on Union Avenue, is popular among locals and tourists. Hot Butter Soul Supper Club on Crescent Avenue serves soul food dinners to die for. The closest hospital to Pennsauken is Virtual Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, just two and a half miles away.
Retire to the Garden State
New Jersey is an enticing option for many retirees and offers a diverse array of towns in which to live. Whether you prefer to live closer to the big city in towns such as Pennsauken or Rahway, or opt to move closer to the beach to reside in towns like Smithville or Mays Landing, moving to New Jersey can help you to make the most of your retirement benefits and live more comfortably during your senior years.
