6 Best Cities To Retire In New Jersey
For those seeking a retirement destination that has a bit more excitement than a quaint small town, New Jersey has cities that make wonderful places to settle down, with the vibrancy of a city that you are looking for. Affordable, friendly communities that can keep up with your active lifestyle, these cities offer unexpected amenities, whether you want to live by the beach, in a city full of history, a lively cultural community, or a place close enough to Manhattan to see it from your window, but far enough away to know you are somewhere else entirely.
Trenton
Trenton is in a great location, situated between New York and Philadelphia. The city would make an excellent place to settle down for retirees who want to access the culture and history of large cities. Trenton is relatively affordable compared with much of New Jersey, with housing prices slightly below the national median, making it an attractive option for retirees seeking value. The diversity of its neighborhoods provides many options for food and entertainment, with friendly communities and a historical city.
As the state capital, Trenton has a decidedly cosmopolitan feel to it, with many government buildings, historic buildings, and advanced cultural attractions. Trenton is the home of the New Jersey State House, the third-oldest state house in continuous use in the United States. Built in 1792, the building housed the New Jersey Legislature's Senate and General Assembly chambers, the offices of the governor, and other state government departments. A striking building, it consists of two parallel structures connected by the dome-capped rotunda, and features period furniture in the chambers.
Directly opposite the State House, the World War II Memorial is a solemn structure dedicated to those who fought in the war. Nearby, the Patriots Theater, part of the Trenton War Memorial complex, features a two-level proscenium stage and hosts a wide range of concerts, performances, and community events. Historic Cadwalader Park houses the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie. The museum’s collections include fine art and artifacts from Trenton’s historical, industrial, and cultural past.
With permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museum is also host to community events, such as performances, talks, and art workshops. Admission is free. The museum is in the Ellarslie Mansion, an Italianate villa built in 1848. Grounds For Sculpture is a 42-acre sculpture park with contemporary sculpture and two museums with seasonal exhibitions. There is also an arboretum.
Vineland
What is now Vineland was staked out by Charles K. Landis in the late 1850s, who saw some potential in the South New Jersey wilderness. He wanted his town to welcome people of high moral standards, who were industrious and entrepreneurial, and many religious denominations were welcomed. In the 20th century, chicken farming in particular became a big industry, earning Vineland the name Egg Capital of the World.
Today, Vineland remains a diverse community with a strong local economy and a cost of living near or slightly below the New Jersey average, making it an attractive option for retirees. As a retirement destination, Vineland continuously ranks high in affordability, with low taxes and a mixed suburban-rural feel, combining cosmopolitanism with small-town charm. With a history spanning over 165 years, Vineland offers plenty of activities and attractions for active retirees. For a nostalgic slice of Americana, the Delsea Drive-In Theatre is one of the last drive-ins in New Jersey, featuring two screens and still showing first-run movies.
You can take more history home at the Vineland Flea Market that draws visitors from all over the county and beyond. Vendors sell antiques and vintage goods, but there is also local produce and food trucks. Just outside Vineland, WheatonArts is an art center set on 65 acres of woodland, hosting a glass museum, artists’ studios, and plenty of hiking and picnicking opportunities. Don’t let the name scare you off: the Palace of Depression refers to the Great Depression. The building was constructed in the 1930s by a former Alaska gold miner who lost his fortune in the Wall Street crash of 1929. His building material was junk. The building has been restored in recent years.
Clifton
Clifton has much to recommend to the retiree looking for an urban and cosmopolitan place to settle. As a mid-size city, Clifton has the dining, culture, and entertainment you would expect. Many residents in Clifton own their homes, and while housing prices are higher than the national average, they remain relatively reasonable compared with neighboring New Jersey metro areas.
The Hamilton House Museum is a 19th-century Dutch-style house that covers three time periods, Victorian, Federal, and Colonial, in its construction. Now a museum, the house features rooms displaying different time periods and ways of life. The museum grounds have extensive gardens open to the public, plus a spring house and a granary. The focus of the museum is 200 years of rural life in America. The museum hosts events and community programming throughout the year.
First opened in 2000, the Clifton Arts Center and Sculpture Park is built on a former dairy farm. Its 14 brick barns now house the Arts Center, as well as the Clifton Animal Shelter, Adult Opportunity Center, Senior Center, and Recycling Center. The Art Center features temporary exhibitions, performing arts, classes, and other art-related events. The Sculpture Park has over 30 sculptures on the Clifton Municipal Complex grounds.
For seniors seeking an active lifestyle that includes outdoor activities, the Garret Mountain Reservation is a 568-acre park located on Watchung Mountain, extending from Clifton to Paterson, New Jersey. While the Garret Mountain Reservation itself is mostly wooded hills and trails, it lies near the Great Falls of Paterson, a National Natural Landmark, making the area rich in natural and scenic attractions. There are several miles of hiking trails, a pond stocked with fish for anglers, plus basketball courts, picnic areas, and an Equestrian Center with horseback riding.
Bayonne
Bayonne is highly desirable for retirees as a place to settle. For active seniors, the city is very walkable, and they offer many services specifically for seniors, including the Office for Aging, plus centers, and apartments and condos specifically for the retired. The cost of living in Bayonne is higher than the national average but still lower than New York City, while the city maintains a friendly, close-knit feel that many residents describe as "small-town."
There is also accessible transit, such as the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. Residents can reach Manhattan conveniently via the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, nearby ferries, or bus connections, though the Cape Liberty Cruise Port is primarily a cruise terminal rather than a commuter route. Its position on a peninsula provides an active waterfront and parks, such as the 100-acre Bayonne Park, with a lake, walking trails, and sports facilities.
The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway offers views of natural and city sights, with paths for walking or cycling, and views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. There is also an abundance of wildlife drawing birdwatchers and photographers. A gift from Russian artist Zurab Tsereteli and the Russian people, the Tear Drop Memorial honors the victims of 9/11. The formal title is "To the Struggle Against World Terrorism"; it stands on the waterfront, at the end of the former Military Ocean Terminal.
For those with an interest in engineering history, the Bayonne Bridge connects the city to Staten Island. Opened in 1931, it is one of the longest steel arch bridges in the world. The bridge offers views of the Kill Van Kull waterway, a tidal strait between Staten Island and Bayonne. During the colonial period, the strait was an important connection between New York and the southern colonies.
Toms River
Toms River is a city that has a mix of maritime history and culture, with scenic nature trails. For retirees, it is a popular community to settle down in, with an active senior community. For its size, Toms River offers a relaxed atmosphere, with more of a small-town vibe. Downtown Toms River is lively, with locally-owned boutiques, antique shops, and the weekly Toms River Farmers’ Market, with local produce, honey from area apiaries, and local wineries, distilleries, and breweries, such as Toms River Brewing, who have a downtown beer garden as well.
The area’s maritime history is the focus of the Toms River Seaport Society & Maritime Museum, with educational opportunities and exhibits. The museum features exhibits highlighted in publications such as "Sea History" magazine, which covers maritime heritage nationwide. For 19th-century history, the Ocean County Historical Museum is housed in a 1800s home. For active seniors looking to explore the outdoors, Cattus Island County Park is a 530-acre park on the water, with boardwalk trails and a nature center.
Jakes Branch County Park, known as The Gateway to the Pines, has the Jakes Branch Nature Center, focusing on the famed Pine Barrens, an ecosystem supporting pitch pines, oaks, and rare plants. It is one of the most significant remnants of the Atlantic coastal pine barrens, showcasing rare plants and unique ecosystems. The park has over eight miles of nature trails and a five-story observation deck on top of the nature center.
Union City
Union City is an urban center that is also part of a natural wonder. Located on the ridge of the lower Hudson Palisades, from Union City you have stunning views of the New York City skyline and the New Jersey Meadowlands. For seniors with an active lifestyle, Union City is a vibrant and cultured community.
The lively downtown area is walkable and features all the urban amenities you would expect, including a great dining culture. Union City has a number of urban parks in its downtown and elsewhere, including Washington Park, with its gazebos and gardens, and Union City Reservoir Park, a 14-acre park with New York City skyline views. New Jersey does not tax Social Security and has low income tax rates for seniors’ savings.
The Union City Historical Museum focuses on the preservation and protection of the architectural, cultural, and historical heritage of Union City. In addition to its collection and exhibitions, the museum is also active in the preservation of historical homes. The Park Performing Arts Center is a cultural center located in the historic Park Theatre, built in 1931 as an extension of the Holy Family Church complex by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.
The Park Performing Arts Center hosts local, national, and international artists as well as community events. There is also a small gallery dedicated to the craft of embroidery, plus other gallery spaces, and programs in performing and visual arts. The annual Union City International Film Festival promotes independent filmmakers from around the world and provides development programs for marginalized youth.
An Active Retirement
Whether you are seeking culture or to maintain an outdoors lifestyle, seniors interested in an active retirement may want to look beyond small towns and quiet retirement communities. New Jersey has several cities that offer amenities and services ideally suited for retirees who want to enjoy culture and the outdoors, to take part in vibrant dining scenes, expand their horizons, and learn new skills, or take in the history of the city. Retirement does not necessarily mean serenity, and some communities serve the active senior well.
