7 Cost-Effective Retirement Towns In Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a state overflowing with opportunity for the newly retired. For those who love water, there are more cities than just Boston right along the ocean's edge, and for those in pursuit of an active lifestyle, chances for hiking and wilderness exploration are plentiful in state forests. As always, the question remains: what about the cost? Well, this list seeks to put minds at ease. Massachusetts has plenty of small towns with affordable housing, ensuring that the next chapter of your life can be every bit as enjoyable as it is cost-effective.

North Adams

Located in the northwest corner of the state, North Adams is this list's first entry. Its biggest claim to fame is the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, the largest contemporary art museum in the nation. First settled in the 1700s, this historic town is a hub of tourism and recreation, making all visitors feel welcome whether they are there for days or decades. With a rising housing market still significantly below state average, retirees can feel secure in their futures, living in one of the beautiful neighborhoods of North Adams.

The Western Gateway Heritage State Park is a site that focuses on the formation and history of the area, showcasing natural beauty and the creation of the Hoosac Tunnel in the process. The Fall Foliage Festival, and the Solid Sound Festival, are both annual events to eagerly anticipate.

Holyoke

With a median property price well below average, Holyoke is a great starting point for those looking for an affordable way of life. The town has plenty more to offer, however: the Wistariahurst Museum, for one, is a 19th-century mansion that hosts exhibitions, performances, and private events throughout the year. The Holyoke Country Club offers scenic views of the nearby mountains as golfers battle its undulating greens, and the Mount Tom State Reservation is a beautiful place for fishing, hiking, or picnicking.

Holyoke is a small but affordable town that offers many amenities and adventures of a big city, and all in a range of architectural styles, too. Many buildings feature motifs of Renaissance Revival, Gothic Revival, and Victorian.

Pittsfield

An artsy, vibrant town with leisure and nightlife, Pittsfield combines the best of all worlds. Those looking for relaxing, carefree days are in luck, with downtown Pittsfield offering the Berkshire Museum and the gilded age Colonial Theatre, home to world-class shows in an ornate turn-of-the-century interior. The First Fridays Artswalk is a monthly visual arts event that transforms local businesses and downtown retailers into art galleries.

The town also presents visitors and residents alike with the opportunity to experience what's been called "an architectural icon and agricultural wonder" by the folks at Hancock Shaker Village: the Round Stone Barn, the only circular barn the Shakers ever constructed. Even American authors Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville were drawn to its high, curving walls.

Not to be outdone, Pittsfield's more daring side shines through in all-seasons outdoor adventure. Pittsfield State Forest has hiking trails and lakes, while nearby mountains provide chances for skiing and other sports. Pittsfield is a retirement town just waiting to be explored and adored.

Adams

The town of Adams (not to be confused with nearby North Adams) is very small and extremely affordable. Only 15 minutes from the New York and Vermont state borders, with Mount Greylock to the west and the Hoosac Range to the east, Adams is a valley town rich in splendor and natural wonder. Local attractions are plentiful, as well: the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum is a historic landmark in town, as is the Quaker Meeting House.

A Senior Parking Pass (for residents who are 62 and older) costs just $10 per year; it covers "day-use parking fees at most Massachusetts state parks managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)," according to the Massachusetts government website. That's a perfect microcosm for the affordability of the town overall. With all of beautiful Berkshire County to explore, and a thriving cultural scene in and around town that includes fresh flavor-driven local food from Bascom Lodge, Adams is rife with retirement activities.

Gardner

Gardner is a retiree's delight. The city has renovated an old rail bed for use as a bike path, built in conjunction with the neighboring town of Winchendon, so those with an active lifestyle have miles of smooth surface and scenic sites to enjoy. The state-of-the-art Levi Heywood Memorial Library opened in 2003, while the Gardner Golf Course has been in operation since the 1930s.

Sitting around 21,000 people, this moderate-sized town also comes with Dunn State Park as well as Gardner Heritage State Park, a history-focused area that showcases the town's industrial past as a center for furniture manufacturing. Cost-effective and quaint, the town of Gardner welcomes anyone looking to call it home.

Greenfield

Located in the heart of the state, Greenfield lives up to its name. With verdant valleys abound and the Green River nearby, the area is lush and thriving and waiting to be explored. Greenfield's Main Street historic district displays a variety of architectural styles throughout the town's centuries-long history, while the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra and Green River Festival are must-see events. The festival, featuring several local and national music artists, has blossomed into a large event that draws thousands every year.

With an accessible, below-market-average housing market on top of everything else Greenfield offers, the town ensures that those seeking a new chapter to their lives have a wonderful opportunity at hand.

Fitchburg

Last but not least, Fitchburg is a below-median, affordable city teeming with arts, culture, and dining experiences. The Fitchburg Art Museum, for example, was founded in 1925 and features over 20,000 square feet of galleries and displays. The Fitchburg Historical Society houses hundreds of thousands of items related to the history of the town dating back to the 1700s, including a Civil War collection, photographs, scrapbooks, and family genealogies.

It is not all just the ability to travel back in time in Fitchburg, however. Dario's Ristorante is an Italian fine-dining experience that feels straight from the streets of Italy, while Marcello's blends Italian with Greek and has been family owned for decades. The cost-effective town of Fitchburg combines its deeply rooted past with its expansive present, making sure that people of all ages are not just welcome on its historic streets, but can find endless sources of recreation as well.

Massachusetts is rife with scenery and history and everything in between. Its towns are vibrant and beautiful, welcoming and charming. But with such a volatile housing market across the nation, financial concerns might impact a prospective retiree's choice of long-term stay. The seven towns on this list, however, are below market median, easy to get into, and more than welcoming of new additions to its friendly neighborhoods. Best of all, they each come with their own stories, attractions, and scenic delights.