8 Best Cities To Retire In Massachusetts
If you dream of retiring to a mid-size city with culture, history, and world-class healthcare, Massachusetts just might be the place. Various destinations allow retirees to live comfortably in the cities of the Bay State. From the western region of the state to the coast, these welcoming communities allow seniors to manage their daily expenses, housing costs, and utilities on a fixed income without fuss. Beyond world-class education, Massachusetts delivers exceptional healthcare, a rich history, and cultural depth that few states can match.
Retirees benefit from access to top-ranked hospitals, walkable town centers, coastal scenery, and vibrant arts scenes rooted in centuries of tradition. Furthermore, the four distinct seasons add charm, while strong local communities foster a sense of oneness and peace of mind. Whether you prefer a seaside city like Quincy or a historic suburban settlement like Plymouth, here are the best cities to retire in Massachusetts.
Springfield
This vibrant city in western Massachusetts, situated along the banks of the Connecticut River, assures retirees of top-notch healthcare facilities, highlighted by the Baystate Medical Center. Home to the region's sole Level 1 trauma center, this 700-bed teaching hospital provides specialized geriatric care to address complex conditions affecting seniors. This also means access to the latest clinical trials and innovative treatments arising from research by the UMass Chan Medical School. The hospital boasts exceptional outcomes for heart and vascular care, hip and knee replacement, and cancer care, featuring the Lynn Katz Oncology Unit.
Springfield's rich cultural scene assures retirees of year-round engagement and entertainment at the Springfield Museums. This world-class complex features five museums that cover art, science, history, and the works of Dr Seuss. From the Springfield Science Museum to the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the cultural hub is a one-stop shop for indoor entertainment. Meanwhile, North Riverfront Park is the perfect outdoor escape for active seniors, inviting them to exercise along the 3.7-mile Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway. The sanctuary offers picnic benches and a serene atmosphere for those who simply want to disengage and enjoy time alone, taking in the scenic views of the Connecticut River.
Lowell
Lowell's suitability as a retirement destination stems from its reliable medical facilities and access to comprehensive services at Lowell General Hospital. Leveraging its exceptional care in geriatrics, cancer, and neurology, retirees enjoy a one-stop shop for the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions. The facility is ranked highly for its knee replacement, heart failure, and COPD treatment procedures, and was recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for its nursing excellence. Several serene neighborhoods in Lowell were designed with senior citizens in mind. Centralville is an excellent example, offering a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere with tree-lined streets and maintained sidewalks for joggers, green parks, and down-home coffee shops.
Year-round entertainment at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre keeps senior citizens engaged in a dynamic mix of music, drama, comedy, and cultural narratives performed on the 279-seat Nancy L. Donahue Theatre. Retirees contemplating a new hobby can take advantage of the welcoming opportunities at the venue to get started by attending classes and workshops, surrounded by a community of budding performers.
Newton
Newton is part of the World Health Organization Age-Friendly Communities Network, which means it was designed and planned to support older adults with access to top-notch housing, transportation, and services. Naturally, over 40% of the city's population consists of residents aged 65 and above. Unique outdoor areas create numerous opportunities for recreation, including the 230-acre wooded wilderness of Webster Conservation Area. The park features a mix of ponds, wetlands, open fields, and a green garden, where residents come to cross-country ski, jog, rock climb, and birdwatch.
A deep feeling of nostalgia compels retirees to visit the Durant-Kendric House and Grounds. This Georgian-style farmhouse, constructed in 1734, retains its authentic structural integrity, featuring high ceilings, Victorian-stencilled floors, and a stone fireplace. It takes guests on a rare journey through time, vividly bringing the period back to life. The Newton-Wellesley Hospital, in conjunction with Harvard Medical School and Tufts University School of Medicine, utilises top-of-the-line research and physician expertise to deliver up-to-date medical services. Among its specialities are cancer care at the Mass General Cancer Center, orthopedics, surgical services, gastroenterology, and a myriad of other comprehensive services.
New Bedford
New Bedford is perfectly suited for retirees who'd love to settle down in the South Coast region of Massachusetts. It is designated as an age-friendly city and uses various initiatives to improve the welfare of senior citizens by providing easy access to transportation, housing, outdoor spaces, and other social services. New Bedford's West Beach serves as the ultimate recreational escape in the city. Boasting an expansive, sandy shoreline with wide open views and a tranquil atmosphere, families often come here to relax, swim, birdwatch, stroll, and ride along the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail.
The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center is the heart of New Bedford's buzzing cultural scene. This grand entertainment venue provides a full calendar of events, featuring music, drama, and opera performances by regional and national acts, including the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra. Thanks to Southcoast Health, older adults benefit from clinical excellence and personalized care to be in tip-top shape. The hospital specializes in heart and vascular health, endocrinology, neurosurgery, and a full spectrum of oncology treatments, backed by a large multi-speciality network of physicians.
Cambridge
This beautiful city on the Charles River is anchored by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, two high-calibre institutions of higher learning in the United States. Senior citizens enjoy lifelong learning opportunities, courtesy of the Cambridge Center for Adult Education and the Harvard Institute for Higher Learning in Retirement, with enriching programs ranging from culture and health to art for their academic satisfaction. The Cambridge Health Alliance, affiliated with the Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital, is one of the leading medical facilities in the city. Through cutting-edge technology, the facility achieves high outcomes in services such as breast imaging and mammography, cardiology, nephrology, neurology, and vascular surgery.
Retirees get the full cultural experience at Harvard Square, a vibrant commercial center where Cambridge locals, Harvard students, and tourists come together. The triangular plaza hosts a mix of eateries, shops, bookstores, theaters, and pubs, creating a melting pot of cultures with plenty of things to see and do. However, pensioners who prefer seclusion can retreat to Fresh Pond Reservation for moments alone. This tranquil natural space is an excellent escape from the crowds, offering 162 acres of open fields surrounding a 155-acre reservoir. A paved pathway runs along the lake's shore, inviting walkers, joggers, and cyclists to enjoy the area.
Quincy
Quincy is one of the best cities to retire in Massachusetts, strategically located just south of Boston, to benefit from all the creature comforts of the state capital without being overwhelmed by its chaotic scene. A well-developed transportation network ensures a seamless commute anywhere in the Boston metropolitan area, supported by the MBTA Red Line. Older adults can apply for the Senior CharlieCard to enjoy discounted fares and monthly passes when commuting on the Red Line. South Shore Medical Center contributes greatly to the high-quality healthcare services in Quincy, specializing in dermatology, cardiology, infectious disease, and gastroenterology. With on-site lab and imaging services, patients get quick results for their diagnosis, and integration with the South Shore Health system ensures access to a single network of clinical research and disease management.
Another special attribute about Quincy is access to outdoor recreation at several natural spots, such as Squantum Point Park. This repurposed Naval airfield provides a tranquil waterfront with scenic vistas of the Boston skyline. It offers cycling lanes, picnic areas, walking paths, and a fishing pier in a serene environment.
Somerville
This beautiful city, northwest of Boston, leverages urban convenience, cultural vibrancy, and excellent healthcare provision to create the perfect retirement pad. Its stacked annual arts calendar is headlined by the ArtBeat Festival, a weekend-long affair that attracts over 70 vendors to Davis Square. It is an excellent time to socialize, providing retirees with a sense of belonging as live performers, food vendors, and kids' activities take over the streets. Beyond the festival, Somerville provides retirees with premier indoor entertainment at The Rockwell, which seats an audience of about 150 and showcases comedies, dramas, and burlesque performances in an underground theater.
Despite its richly urbanized atmosphere, Somerville offers retirees access to several natural spots where they can breathe clean, fresh air. This includes Lincoln Park, a refurbished green area along the Central Street Community Path. It offers the perfect urban respite, with modern play structures, for seniors seeking recreation and nature within the busy city. Ultimately, the CHA Somerville Campus effectively delivers comprehensive care with notable retiree-friendly options like the CHA PACE program, which leverages coordinated care, medication, transportation, and doctors to ensure quality medical services reach seniors in need of home-based care.
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city deeply rooted in history, remembered for being the first Pilgrim settlement and the site of the Mayflower's landing in 1620. It is chock-full of historical markers that fill retirees with nostalgia, such as the iconic Plymouth Rock, which preserves the actual landing site of the Mayflower. This unassuming landmark has become a world-renowned symbol, marking the entry into the New World. Brewster Gardens offers a delightful urban oasis in downtown Plymouth, featuring serene walkways through well-maintained gardens and landscaped yards that encourage retirees to slow down and dwell in the tranquillity. Covering approximately 2.9 acres, it offers a relaxed walking path that straddles Town Brook and features grassy picnic areas, providing an alternative to sidewalk strolling.
Senior citizens with a love for theatrical productions will be thoroughly entertained when attending a live show at the Americana Theatre Company. This professional venue breathes life into Plymouth's cultural atmosphere by hosting plays, concerts, and dramas. Lastly, the 170-bed Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital is responsible for medical care provision in the community, serving more than 250,000 residents from across the region. It features an extensive list of specialities, such as neuroscience, cardiovascular care, and orthopedics.
Retirement Destinations in Massachusetts
From the world-class healthcare in Cambridge to the vibrant cultural scene in Springfield, the best cities to retire in Massachusetts demonstrate that senior citizens can thrive in urban environments. Whether they prioritize walkable neighborhoods, coastal living, or intellectual engagement, there is a community to match every lifestyle. Strong public services, rich history, and access to top medical care support ageing in place. Together, they showcase that Massachusetts offers seniors rewarding, secure, and fulfilling retirement options.
