8 Best Towns In Maryland For Retirees
Moving to the state of Maryland holds an appeal for many retirees. The state offers a variety of diverse natural landforms, including beaches and mountains, as well as historical attractions, arts, culture, and much more. Social Security income is not taxed in Maryland, making the state even more attractive to retirees. Check out the eight best small towns in Maryland for retirees, based on size, affordability, fun activities, and availability of medical and retirement facilities. They each provide their own unique combination of amenities and charm that many retirees would be remiss not to consider spending their golden years in!
Oakland
In far western Maryland, the county seat of Garrett County, Oakland, is home to under 2,000 residents, a quarter of whom are over the age of 65. Median home values here average just over $306,000 per Zillow.com, under the state average of $435,000. Oakland sits at an elevation of just under 2,500 feet in the Appalachian Mountains, and is the perfect small town in which to spend your retirement years. Check out Garrett County Historical Museum when you get to town to learn the importance of Oakland to the area.
The natural beauty of Oakland draws many retirees to the area. What better way to enjoy it than to spend time in Swallow Falls State Park, with its 53-foot-high Muddy Creek Falls? Deep Creek Lake, just 10 minutes north of Oakland, is another popular destination for travelers of all ages. This 3,900-acre man-made reservoir is a hot spot for boating, fishing, and simply enjoying the peace and serenity of the outdoors. WVU Medicine's Garrett County Medical Center is conveniently located in Oakland for medical needs. Oakland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is also found in town should the need for long-term care arise.
Cambridge
The town of Cambridge sits on the Choptank River in Dorchester County and is home to over 13,000 residents, one-fifth of whom are over age 65. Median home values here are just over $266,000, well under the state average. Cambridge attracts retirees who wish to live by the water and also appreciate the town's history and art scene. One of the most visited sites in Cambridge is the Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center, telling the life story of one of the most famous women in history.
The Dorchester Center for the Arts in Cambridge hosts classes and exhibitions of local and regional artists. Galleries in town, such as Main Street Gallery, are another example of how Cambridge values arts and culture. The University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, a hospital right in Cambridge, serves most medical needs. Mallard Bay Nursing and Rehab is a long-term care facility in town that is also available if needed.
Salisbury
Salisbury, Wicomico County's county seat, is home to just over 33,000 residents, with 13% over age 65. The town is just 45 minutes from the popular Ocean City beach, and about 100 miles from Baltimore, drawing many retirees who like the convenience of living close to both beach and city. Home values just over $264,000 also attract those looking for a comfortable way of life in retirement.
Downtown Salisbury has much to offer, such as quaint shops like Blackwater Apothecary, art galleries, including Salisbury Art Space, and eateries like Market Street Inn. A medical facility, TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, is also located right in Salisbury for most medical needs. Peregrine Senior Living at Salisbury provides extra care for retirement living, if required.
Cumberland
The Allegany County seat, Cumberland, houses just under 19,000 residents, about a quarter of whom are age 65 and over. This valley town by the North Branch of the Potomac River has experienced a resurgence in arts and culture over the past decades. That, along with affordable average home prices just over $151,000, is attracting retirees to move to Cumberland, also known as the "Queen City."
Allegany College of Maryland is located in Cumberland and offers a tuition waiver for Maryland residents age 60 and over. In addition to education, retirees moving to Cumberland may enjoy seeing live performances at the Embassy Theatre or experiencing fine art and music at the Ferleman Gallery and Gallery Stage. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Western Maryland, a top-notch medical facility, is also located in Cumberland. The Kensington Assisted Living Facility in town can provide more monitored care, if needed, for retirees.
Elkton
Cecil County's county seat, Elkton, lies at the head of the Elk River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, and offers a small-town experience for retirees in Maryland who want to live close to larger-city amenities, as well as to Delaware (which the town borders). This small town of just under 16,000 residents, 14% of whom are age 65 and over, has median home values of $366,000, under the state average. It is just 20 miles from Wilmington, Delaware; 55 miles from Philadelphia; and 57 miles from Baltimore. The town's rich history dates back to 1694, when it was known as Head of Elk. The Historical Society of Cecil County, on Main Street, is a good place to visit if you are interested in the town's roots.
Outdoor lovers can enjoy a few different attractions in Elkton, including Fair Hill Nature Center and John P. Stanley Memorial Park (also called Meadow Park). Elkton has its own hospital, ChristianaCare Union Hospital, that can serve most medical needs retirees may have. Abbey Manor, an assisted living facility on Elkton's south side, has monitored care for retirees who need it.
Crisfield
Go as far south as you can in Maryland, and you will find the tiny town of Crisfield, in Somerset County, on Tangier Sound, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. It is home to less than 2,500 people, 18% of whom are age 65 and over. Crisfield is one of Maryland's most affordable towns for retirees, with median home values well under the state average, at $158,000. Founded in 1666, Crisfield is known as the "crab capital of the world." If living on the water appeals to you, Crisfield may be an ideal place to retire. The town is built on a foundation of oyster shells, making its waterfront status even more legit.
Crisfield City Dock, also called the Municipal Wharf, is a great place to sit and watch as crabbers and oystermen bring in their catches of the day to the many seafood packing plants lining the dock. Somers Cover Marina handles boaters and is the largest state-owned marina in Maryland. Crisfield's downtown area includes the J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum, where you can learn more about the waterfront town. TidalHealth McCready Pavilion in Crisfield provides a 24/7 emergency room and rehabilitation, as well as skilled nursing care, if needed. TidalHealth Peninsula Regional is about 40 minutes up the road in Salisbury if more intensive medical care is needed. The Alice B. Tawes Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is in Crisfield for nursing and rehabilitation care.
Boonsboro
Nestled at the foot of South Mountain in Washington County, the small town of Boonsboro, with close to 4,000 residents, one-fifth of whom are over age 65, is a beautiful, tranquil mountain escape suitable for many retirees. It is just 65 miles west of Baltimore, and the average home value is $403,000, under the state average. Outdoor lovers will enjoy visiting Washington Monument State Park at South Mountain's summit. The Appalachian Trail runs through this park. Greenbrier State Park, also in Boonsboro, contains beaches, picnic sites, and a 42-acre man-made lake for those interested in boating and fishing.
Check out the Boonsborough Museum of History on Main Street, referred to as a "miniature Smithsonian," for more information on the town's roots. Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown is just 10 miles from Boonsboro for any medical needs retirees who move to town might experience. Sterling Care South Mountain in Boonsboro provides assisted living care, if required.
Hyattsville
Retirees wishing to be close to our nation's capital should consider moving to Hyattsville, just seven miles from Washington, DC. This small town in Prince George's County of about 20,500 residents, 10% of whom are over age 65, retains a suburban atmosphere. Median home values are around $422,000, under the state average. The town's motto, "The world is within walking distance," is appropriate and draws many retirees to move to Hyattsville.
The Anacostia Trails Heritage Area on Gallatin Street provides a new walking tour of Historic Downtown Hyattsville focused on public artworks. Quaint, independently-owned downtown shops like Nest Proper on Baltimore Avenue offers hours of browsing and buying experiences. There are many eateries in downtown Hyattsville, such as Busboys and Poets, to appeal to all tastes. Hyattsville also has its own medical center, Doctor's Community Hospital, should medical needs arise. Skilled nursing care is available at Sacred Heart Home if needed.
Retire to the Old Line State
These eight towns in Maryland each provide retirees with the means to live an affordable, serene, peaceful way of life. Whether you select a mountain town such as Oakland, a suburban town like Hyattsville, or a coastal paradise like Crisfield, choosing to retire to any of these eight small villages might just be the right place to call home in your retirement years.
