12 Best Towns In Pennsylvania For Retirees

While finding the perfect place to settle after retiring proves daunting for many, Pennsylvania has a handful of charming towns that make it easy for fresh retirees. Unlike the chaotic lifestyle in the city, these lovely destinations let you slow down and enjoy your sunset years at a comfortable pace. Furthermore, the people are more receptive and kinder to strangers, allowing them to settle into the community without fuss.

If you are seeking a fresh chapter in your post-work life, the Keystone State has something to cater to your preferred lifestyle. From historic boroughs steeped in heritage to lakeside havens with unmatched serenity, the 12 best towns in Pennsylvania for retirees offer the perfect balance between affordability, safety, health access, and outdoor recreation.

Ashland

Ashland is a former railroad town in Northeastern Pennsylvania with an interesting heritage and lovely outdoor spaces. Newcomers can learn about the past years at the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train, where a preserved steam engine provides tours into a defunct mine. There is more to explore at the Museum of Anthracite Mining, whose exhibits and artifacts showcase the mining heydays in northeast Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Higher Ups Park is where everybody comes to enjoy the outdoors. It offers benches with lush greenery, walking, and hiking trails.

The Good Fellowship Club serves as a hub for social connection by organizing events and activities for members of the community. Also, a nice home in Ashland costs around $157,500, lower than the state average of around $281,820.

Gallitzin

Between its pleasant outdoor scenery and rich historical heritage, Gallitzin provides retirees with a charming home to spend their golden years. The town was established in the mid-19th century and harbors a railroad heritage preserved at the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. This important landmark represents the first railroad built through the Allegheny Mountains. However, you can find out more about the community's railroad days at the Gallitzin Tunnels Park & Museum, home to three historical tunnels built in the 1850s.

While there are no major hospitals in the town, it takes less than 30 minutes to get to Altoona and Conemaugh Nason Medical Center in nearby Roaring Spring. Finally, Gallitzin's median home price is $127,500, making it one of the most affordable towns in Pennsylvania for retirees.

Brackenridge

This tiny village on the Allegheny River presents a rich rural atmosphere for retirees who prefer a low-key location. However, it is only half an hour from Pittsburgh, meaning access to urban amenities remains within striking distance for residents. At the heart of the downtown square, the Brackenridge Memorial Park offers an oasis where you can relax in a green space and spend peaceful moments. Those who fancy a workout or walk along the scenic Three Rivers Heritage Trail to stretch their legs and admire the water views.

The Salvation Army Allegheny Valley Worship and Service Center provides vital social services to the community to benefit the needy, including the elderly. Also, buying a home in Brackenridge will cost you about $150,000.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a small borough in Allegheny County with a slow pace of life, designed for retirement living. However, it offers enough pursuits to keep everyone busy, with adequate opportunities for outdoor lovers at the 1,000-acre Round Hill Park. This site offers hiking, horseback riding, and other recreational activities. Also, performance art enthusiasts can catch invigorating stage shows at Mon River Arts while mingling with fellow community members.

There are enough assisted living facilities to cater to pensioners when old age diminishes their ability to navigate life alone, including Grandview Estates of Elizabeth. This also offers a cheaper accommodation option for those who can't afford a home at the median price of close to $200,000.

Brentwood

Settling in Brentwood means you can access the creature comforts offered by Pittsburgh but enjoy a small-town atmosphere without the city chaos. This suburban community enjoys a series of serene natural areas, including Brentwood Park. Here, residents of all ages meet up to make the most of a swimming pool, picnic pavilion, tennis courts, and other public amenities. Retirees will fancy stimulating their minds with new knowledge at the Brentwood Library, home to an array of resources with information about different subjects.

The AHN Brentwood Neighborhood Hospital serves as the primary care provider in the town and offers a spectrum of services, from emergency to inpatient care. Also, a decent home in Brentwood goes for approximately $200,000.

Derry

Derry is the perfect town for pensioners with a penchant for outdoor adventure. Its abundance of natural spaces allows residents to live an active lifestyle. You can find multiple biking and hiking trails winding through the 1,200-acre Keystone State Park. This houses a pristine reservoir with scenic shores designed for picnicking and fishing. Those who want to pass the time with family will prefer the environment of Derry Community Park. This is closer to the downtown square and offers all the necessary amenities.

Interesting railroad heritage awaits at the Derry Station Railroad Heritage Park, which pays homage to the diligent men and women who constructed the railroad. Meanwhile, buying a home in Derry costs about $180,000, cheaper than the national average of about 417,000.

Sunbury

Sunbury is a small town along the Susquehanna River with a dynamic heritage intertwined with the inventions of Thomas Edison. Its history is elaborately preserved at the Northumberland County Historical Society and interpreted by a vast collection of archives and memorabilia accumulated over the years. Every Friday to Saturday, the Sunbury Market House brings together locals for a fun day of trade and socialization, offering an opportunity to make new friends.

Those looking to step outside can head to Keithan's Bluebird Gardens for quiet moments in a pleasant green oasis teeming with birds. Meanwhile, the Sunbury Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a godsend for old residents who need support in their vulnerable years. Retirees will be glad to learn that the median home price here is around $130,000.

Tyrone

Tyrone's beautiful outdoor scenery is punctuated by the scenic banks of the Little Juniata River and lush greenery. It is a great spot for outdoor-loving pensioners, who can spend their days roaming the quaint nature trails of the Tytoona Cave Nature Preserve Area. This unique cave system is perfect for isolation to discover a unique natural wonder. Tyrone was a prominent commercial hub in the 1900s, and this rich heritage is interpreted inside the Tyrone Area Historical Society and Museum. Inside lies a timeline of photographs, artifacts, and archives spanning at least a century.

Townsfolk constantly converge at Tyrone Golden Eagles Football to catch exciting high school and varsity football games in an electric stadium atmosphere. The presence of Penn Highlands Tyrone allows residents access to quality health care locally. Lastly, the median home cost is $165,000.

West Hazleton

West Hazleton is a relaxed suburb in Luzerne County, situated about 30 miles from Wilkes-Barre. It has a lively downtown district with plenty of hangouts, including 4th Street Pub. This welcoming neighborhood serves delicious comfort foods to go with refreshing cocktails. Retirees can also meet up with family or friends at Cinema & Drafthouse, a unique movie house where you can catch the latest films with a glass of craft beer or a plate of food in your hands.

The Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton is less than 10 minutes from the town and assures incoming residents of ready medical care when needed. Finally, a home in West Hazleton costs approximately $170,000, way lower than the United States average of about $430,000.

Sharpsville

This quaint borough of western Mercer County lies on the banks of the Shenango River and provides a tranquil atmosphere to spend your sunset years. Sharpsville invites pensioners to get on their bikes for a jaunt along the Trout Island Trail, which stretches about 5 miles along an old rail path. Alternatively, they can link up with peers at the Buhl Park Disc Golf Course and challenge themselves on the 18 holes or enjoy roaming around the isolated open spaces.

Meanwhile, the Sharpsville Historical Society educates newcomers on the town's rich past using a curated catalog of artifacts. Also, those planning to buy a permanent home can expect to spend around $191,500 on a decent property.

Scottdale

Situated about 45 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, this vibrant suburb is designed for those who appreciate a balance between small-town serenity and big-city amenities. It has a busy downtown area with plenty of attractions, and residents can support local theater talent at the Geyer Performing Arts Center. The West Overton Village provides a look into the industrial evolution in southwestern Pennsylvania and offers guests a site tour with various artifacts to check out.

Outdoor enthusiasts converge at the small but popular Chestnut Street Park, a nice green space with playground equipment for kids. The Scottdale Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center provides care programs to support pensioners in their later years. Also, Scottdale's median home cost is $182,500.

Etna

This small village on the Allegheny River sits across from the bustling city of Pittsburgh to ensure retirees have access to all its conveniences. Nevertheless, it maintains a winning mix of rural charm and affordable living. Its median home price is only $175,000. An evening or morning walk along the scenic Dougherty Nature Trail Extension allows retirees to keep active in a serene natural space.

Meanwhile, the Etna Technical Center runs educational programs and initiatives designed to foster the welfare of the community by bringing people of all ages together. While there are no major health centers in Etna, you can easily find reliable services in nearby Pittsburgh. For instance, West Penn Hospital is only 15 minutes away.

There is no shortage of ideal places around the Keystone State where pensioners can establish a retirement home. A far cry from the chaos in the city, these hidden gems blend small-town flair with rich natural setting and low-cost living to promise the elderly a comfortable lifestyle throughout their golden years. From bustling downtown streets to quiet riverside scenery, these lovely towns in Pennsylvania for retirees are making retirement fun and fashionable.