6 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire In Vermont

With its New England lifestyle and those oh-so-pretty rolling hills, Vermont has long been a dream retirement destination for East Coast Americans. Boasting four distinct seasons, a deep-rooted sense of community, and easy access to practical considerations like healthcare, the benefits of retiring to Vermont are certainly plentiful. And while many might consider Vermont's median home sale price to be on the high side at $427,600, there are many exceptions if you’re prepared to do your homework. Dig a little deeper, as we have, and you’ll find several small towns across the state that will provide you with more affordable options, without having to sacrifice the quality of life you’re looking for.

St. Johnsbury

Positioned in Vermont's rural northeast corner (aka, the “Northeast Kingdom”), St. Johnsbury is undeniably one of the state’s prettiest small towns. It’s also one of the more affordable places to live in Vermont, with a median home sold price of $284,500, significantly cheaper than the average home in the state. That means money in the bank while you enjoy the attractive Victorian-era architecture along Main Street and the Saint Johnsbury Historic District.

Green spaces in this town are plentiful. The Saint Johnsbury Municipal Forest alone provides almost 100 acres of nature trails adjacent to the Passumpsic River for residents to enjoy. For indoor fun, consider modern attractions like the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, which features unique artifacts and specimen collections, as well as daily weather broadcasts and planetarium shows. Volunteering at attractions like this and the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, a National Historic Landmark built in 1871, also helps the wallet with free admissions and other perks.

Bennington

Though it’s a tad larger than St. Johnsbury, Bennington is equally charming. Here, you can pick up a decent home at a median home sale price of $255,600, with options improving the higher you’re prepared to go. And once settled, there’s no end of fun stuff to keep you busy, especially if you’re interested in history. Highlights include the Bennington Battle Monument, a 306-foot stone obelisk completed in 1889 that commemorates the 1777 battle that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War. The tower viewing platform is open from April to October, while the grounds can be explored year-round.

You’ll also enjoy downtown Bennington's Four Corners district, home to classic Victorian-era architecture housing businesses like the Bennington Theatre, the Bennington Museum, and the impressive red-brick Bennington Free Library (they all regularly put out calls for volunteers, too). And think: all that money you’ll have saved by purchasing a home in this wallet-friendly town can be put to good use, making new friends at fun places like the Madison Brewing Company Pub & Restaurant.

Newport

Its location on the southern shore of Lake Memphremagog near Vermont’s border with Quebec makes Newport an ideal spot for retirees seeking affordable international travel. With the US dollar worth around 35-40 percent more than the Canadian equivalent, your new northern neighbor presents great value when the urge to travel strikes. Add to this the lower-than-average cost of a home in Newport (expect to pay about $290,000 for a median home sale price), and this town is not without its appeal.

Sure, you could pay substantially more for waterfront property, but you don’t have to. Public access points to Lake Memphremagog include Gardner Memorial Park, the closest to the Newport Downtown Historic District, featuring pleasant walking paths, a boat launch, and even a cool, covered pavilion for summer concerts. If boat ownership’s not for you, Newport Marine Service offers daily rentals so you can get out on the lake and fish. The town’s Prouty Beach features an accessible fishing platform if you prefer to stay on shore.

Rutland

Despite being Vermont's third-largest city, home prices in Rutland remain below the state average, making it a budget-friendly destination for retirement. You’ll find a decent selection of homes with a median home sale price of $283,300, making it an affordable retirement destination. It’s also home to one of the state’s nicest downtown areas.

Rutland's Merchants Row district has been re-imagined as a pedestrian-friendly shopping and entertainment district and is also home to the renowned Paramount Theatre. Set in a restored 1913 venue, it hosts everything from Broadway shows to concerts (and yes, senior matinee pricing is often available). Another wallet-friendly perk is that the historic Rutland Free Library offers services for seniors, including home delivery, guest speakers, and seniors’ book clubs.

Springfield

Springfield is another great choice for retirement living in Vermont. It’s especially popular among older individuals who enjoy a riverside setting, with the Black River providing an idyllic backdrop to this town. Highlights include the restored 1930s Comtu Falls hydroelectric dam and the Black River Falls, both of which are especially attractive when viewed from Comtu Falls Park and its scenic overlook. Hiking or biking along the Toonerville Rail Trail is another great way to make the most of your time in this river town; it follows the Black River for three paved miles all the way to neighboring Charlestown, New Hampshire.

Springfield is also surprisingly affordable in terms of housing. At the same time, riverside homes are few and far between, with many inexpensive options, and a median home sale price of $281,000. You can make the dollars saved stretch even further by joining groups like the Springfield Food Co-op and buying fresh, often local groceries, while also spending time in its café.

Brattleboro

When it comes to cultural offerings for seniors, few towns in southern Vermont can beat Brattleboro. This Connecticut River community is well-known for its first-rate arts and creative scene. Walk along Main Street to Brattleboro Downtown Historic District and you’ll discover a tight-knit community of over 50 locally-owned shops and galleries, along with attractions like the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center.

Housed in a former railway station, seniors enjoy free admission on Thursdays as they check out the center’s contemporary art exhibitions. The Latchis Theatre, a 1938 Art Deco movie palace, is another great place to hang out for classic and independent film screenings. From here, you can also pick up the West River Trail, a 16-mile-long multi-use route following an old railroad line to neighboring Dummerston.

What’s all this fun going to cost you? Despite being one of the more expensive spots in which to purchase Vermont real estate, you can still expect to pay far below the state average, with a good home with a median home sale price of $330,00. That means a lot of spare change to spend on yourself in your retirement years, especially if moving from larger urban areas like New York City or Boston.

If downsizing to a more manageable home is in the cards, you can’t do much better than consider making a move to Vermont. And, despite what you might think, this lovely area of the Northeastern United States is an ideal location for those seeking a more affordable place to live. Take a browse through these six communities and you’ll not only find home prices that are significantly below the state average, but you’ll also have an opportunity to enjoy that sought-after New England lifestyle without breaking the bank.