4 Best Towns Near Philadelphia For Retirees

Retiring in Pennsylvania comes with a financial advantage the state does not advertise loudly: Social Security benefits, pension income, and retirement account distributions are all exempt from state income tax. Combined with home prices that remain below the national average, this makes many of the state's smaller towns worth a closer look. In Bristol, nearly one in five residents is 65 or older, while in Easton, the country's oldest continuously running open-air farmers' market has operated since 1752, suggesting these towns offer more than affordability alone.

Easton

Possessing some of the most dramatic scenery in southeastern Pennsylvania, Easton is located where the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers meet, 60 miles north of Philadelphia. Home to roughly 28,000 residents, median home sale prices here run at $230,000 and are within reach of many retirees. Alternatively, several seniors' communities are located nearby, including Morningstar Living.

Healthcare services are also worth a mention. St. Luke's University Hospital, a full-service facility in neighboring Bethlehem, is available for emergency, cardiac, and oncology services when needed.

Easton is also home to the oldest continuously running open-air farmers' market in the United States. Founded in 1752 in the town square in the same year as the town itself, it is still a great place to shop for local produce and fresh prepared menu items. Center Square is also where you will find the Crayola Experience, a hands-on attraction celebrating the legacy of Binney & Smith, who produced their first crayons in Easton in 1903.

Another notable town attraction (and one which also offers volunteer opportunities) is the Sigal Museum. Its impressive collections cover Native American artifacts, colonial-era furniture, and exhibits on the area's industrial heritage. The State Theatre Center for the Arts is also worth noting. Opened in 1910 as a vaudeville house, it now hosts a year-round lineup of comedy, theater, and musical performances.

Hugh Moore Park runs along the Lehigh Canal and offers a genuinely enjoyable afternoon with walking trails, picnic spots, and mule-drawn canal boat rides operated by the National Canal Museum. Lafayette College is here too, and seniors can drop in on lectures, performances, and games without any fuss.

Bristol

Settled in 1681, a full year before William Penn turned up and founded Pennsylvania's largest city (yes, Philadelphia), Bristol's population of a tad under 10,000 people contains a surprisingly high proportion of older folks: nearly 20 percent of residents are aged 65 or older. It is a sure sign that the town really does work well for people in retirement. Its location on the Delaware River, just 23 miles northeast of Philadelphia, also helps, with those big city amenities never too far away.

That proximity to Philly, however, comes at a price, with median home prices slightly above average at $300,000. If (and when) senior living facilities are needed, there are several in the area, including Chandler Hall Health Services in nearby Newtown. For healthcare, Jefferson Bucks Hospital in neighboring Langhorne is an easy 10-minute drive away and offers emergency, surgical, and rehabilitative services.

Much of the fun stuff to do here takes place along Bristol's waterfront. Here, on the Delaware River, you will likely spend hours enjoying the views, strolling its paved paths, and taking in those free summer concerts. If wildlife and birdwatching are more your style, Bristol Marsh is a rare tidal freshwater marsh that is home to herons, turtles, and migratory birds.

Delaware Canal State Park is another popular outdoor attraction. The former towpath here is part of a 60-mile trail that follows the historic canal along a level, well-maintained route that is also great for cycling. The Bristol Riverside Theatre is also worth checking out, producing a full season of professional musicals, dramas, and comedies.

Pottstown

Founded in 1752 on the banks of the Schuylkill River, Pottstown's industrial past makes it one of the more interesting places to retire near Philadelphia. Just 37 miles northwest of the big city and home to just over 23,000 people, median home prices here average around $255,000, making it one of the more affordable options on this list. Practicalities like healthcare are met by Pottstown Hospital, which provides emergency, surgical, and specialty services. Philadelphia's major hospital networks are not too far away either (you can reach any of them in under an hour).

The main tourist attraction here is Pottsgrove Manor. Built by the town's founder in 1752, this attractive Georgian mansion is now a museum that also hosts educational programs, including colonial crafts (volunteer opportunities also exist). A short walk from the manor, the restored Carousel at Pottstown dates to 1905, took more than 20 years to refurbish, and makes for a memorable day out with the grandkids. They will also get a kick out of The Very Best Weiner Shop, a local staple that has been dishing up delicious hot dogs for over 100 years.

Outdoor lovers will want to know about the Schuylkill River Trail, a 19-mile paved route that stretches from Pottstown's Riverfront Park to Reading. The park at the trailhead is worth lingering in, with pavilions, picnic areas, an amphitheater, and kayak and canoe launches.

Norristown

As the county seat of Montgomery County, Norristown has an infrastructure advantage over many of its neighbors. Just 17 miles northwest of Center City Philadelphia and connected to it by the regional rail network, this town of 36,000 residents is also affordable. Homes sell for around $262,450 here, well below the state average, while the cost of living is on par with that of the nation as a whole.

Senior housing is not hard to come by, with Montgomery Park Senior Apartments and a handful of assisted living communities close by. Healthcare is well covered, too; Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital handles everything from cardiology and orthopedics to emergency care and acute services.

You will not get bored here, either. When the grandkids come to visit, head to Elmwood Park Zoo. Founded in 1924 and spread across 16 acres, they will enjoy seeing critters ranging from bald eagles to jaguars, and even red pandas. Daily giraffe feedings are also fun, as is the zoo's rope and zipline course.

Norristown Farm Park, a 690-acre green space, is another sure-to-please local attraction. In addition to its historic working farmstead, there are miles of walking and cycling trails to explore. Another plus: Valley Forge National Historical Park is less than 10 minutes away by car and spans 3,500 acres, with trails and historic structures.

Retirement-Friendly Towns Within Reach of Philadelphia

In addition to being affordable places to retire, these four small towns are all within easy driving distance of Philadelphia. And that is perfect if your idea of retirement includes the occasional big city outing. Boasting enough local character to make daily life interesting, each of these small towns is worth considering if you are looking to lay down new roots.