8 Best Towns In New England For Retirees
New England offers retirees natural beauty, rich history, cultural attractions, and excellent healthcare. Although some areas in the New England region have a higher cost of living, the eight towns profiled below have each been selected based on their affordability, abundance of beauty, and amenities. Many retirees are also drawn to New England's four distinct seasons and proximity to major metropolitan areas. Read on to discover the eight best New England towns for retirees.
Bangor, Maine
The county seat of Penobscot County, and the third most populous city in Maine, Bangor is about 135 miles northeast of Portland. Its population is just under 32,000, with 20% of that population over 65. One of the draws to retiring in Bangor is its affordability. While Zillow notes the median home value in Maine is just under $417,000, Bangor's home values average a much more affordable $288,000. The natural beauty of the area and welcoming community are two more attractions to seniors who decide to move to Bangor for retirement.
Bangor's picturesque waterfront, which sits along the Penobscot River, is best viewed from the Brewer Riverwalk. Downtown Bangor has unique shops like The Rock and Art Shop and eateries like Judy's. Should medical needs arise, St. Joseph Hospital is on Broadway, conveniently located in town. Solstice at Bangor fits the bill if more monitored retirement living is needed.
Barre, Vermont
Just about seven miles from the Vermont state capital of Montpelier is the smaller town of Barre in Washington County. Its population is almost 8,400, and 20.5% are over 65. Per Zillow.com, Vermont's median home value is just over $403,000. In Barre, it is far less, averaging $308,000. This, the town's natural beauty, and community feel attract many retirees to move to Barre.
The "Granite Capital of the World," Barre is home to the Hope Cemetery, known for elaborate, ornately sculpted grave markers made of Barre Gray granite. Visiting the cemetery is like a trip into the past, with many markers dating from the 1800s. The Vermont Historical Society Museum is another place that history lovers will enjoy. If you'd rather spend time hiking in nature, check out Barre Town Forest. If medical care is needed, Central Vermont Medical Center is in Berlin, just 10 minutes northwest of Barre. Skilled nursing care can be found at Barre Gardens, a nursing and rehabilitation center.
Berlin, New Hampshire
Situated along the Androscoggin River, near New Hampshire's northern border with Maine, Berlin, the only city in Coos County, is in the state's North Country region. Berlin is also near the U.S. border with Canada, and some residents speak a variation of French known as "Berlin French." Berlin is about 180 miles from Boston and is home to just under 10,000 residents, 19.4% over 65. The peaceful, small-town atmosphere, combined with average home prices of $193,000, well below the state average of $507,000, draws many seniors to move to Berlin during their retirement years.
Jericho Mountain State Park is a popular spot for nature lovers, offering spectacular views of the White Mountains. The Local Works Berlin Farmers' Market takes place every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is a townfolk's favorite meeting spot. Those interested in history might wish to tour St. Anne Church, a grand Roman Catholic Church built over 100 years ago in the downtown area. Berlin has a hospital, Androscoggin Valley Hospital, for medical care, and if you are seeking retirement living solutions, check out St. Vincent de Paul Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Central Falls, Rhode Island
The smaller town of Central Falls, Rhode Island, is just about six miles from Providence, the state capital, in Providence County. It is home to just under 23,000 people, 9% of whom are aged 65 and over. While the median Rhode Island home value is close to $496,000, that of Central Falls is a much more affordable $378,000. This, along with the arts and culture scene of Central Falls, draws many retirees to relocate to this town.
The arts are essential to Central Falls, as evidenced by the city's vibrant and diverse murals. La Galería del Pueblo @RILA is an art gallery in downtown Central Falls showcasing Latino artists. The town also participates in Art in the Park, a series of community events to bring the arts to families. Check out Chocolate Mill Overlook Park, at the intersection of Charles Street and Roosevelt Avenue in nearby Pawtucket, celebrating one of North America's earliest water-powered chocolate mills. Hospitals like The Miriam Hospital can be found just down the road in Providence. The Mansion Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Central Falls offers skilled nursing care, if needed.
Lewiston, Maine
The most populous town in Androscoggin County, Lewiston, Maine, lies halfway between the larger cities of Augusta and Portland. Its population is just under 38,000, with 18% over age 65. Median home values in Lewiston are around $300,000, well under the state average. Affordability, access to healthcare, and quality of life are all draws to retirees considering a move to Lewiston.
The tight-knit community of Lewiston attracts many who wish to retire there. The Lewiston-Auburn Metro Chamber of Commerce promotes business in town, including independent shops like Blush Beauty and Baraka and eateries like DaVinci's Eatery and Forage Market. Central Maine Medical Center is the flagship facility of Central Maine Healthcare and is designated as a trauma center. Montello Heights offers independent and assisted living solutions if supervised living is needed.
Mystic, Connecticut
The village of Mystic, Connecticut, is in New London County, near the towns of Groton, Stonington, and New London. Founded in 1654, Mystic was a shipbuilding center for many years, and it still enjoys its maritime heritage today. Of its almost 4,400 residents, 38% are over age 65. Home values in Mystic average $410,000, under the state average of $436,000. Its Old-World charm, combined with its maritime feel, makes Mystic attractive to retirees looking to relocate.
Mystic Aquarium is the only aquarium in the continental U.S. that houses Steller sea lions and is also home to New England's only beluga whales. Olde Mistick Village, a shopping complex designed as an open-air Colonial village, is home to shops like The Cloak and Wand and eateries like Jealous Monk. If you need medical care, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, a top-ranked Yale New Haven Health hospital, is approximately 12 miles away in New London. StoneRidge Senior Living in Mystic provides retirement living options, if desired.
Newport, Vermont
On the eastern shore of Lake Memphremagog, a 27-mile-long lake straddling the U.S. and Canadian border, Newport in Orleans County was founded in 1793. Its history is evident in the leftover buildings from when Newport was a giant in the lumber industry, still standing in the downtown area. Newport is home to under 4,500 people, a quarter of whom are 65 and over. While the average home values in Vermont are around $403,000, Newport's homes average a much more affordable $259,000.
Newport's community enjoys a Summer Concert Series on the waterfront. Independently owned shops in Newport's downtown area, like Eden Ciders and Nevermore Bookstore, can be found alongside eateries such as Le Belvedere. If you need medical attention, check out North Country Hospital right in Newport. Retirement living options can be explored at the Bel-Aire Center.
North Adams, Massachusetts
Nestled in Berkshire County, just 20 miles from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and 18 miles from Bennington, Vermont, North Adams is home to just under 13,000 people, 23% of whom are age 65 and over. While home values in Massachusetts average a hefty $662,000, in North Adams, they are much more affordable, averaging $254,000. Affordability, community, and a lively arts and culture scene draw many retirees to move to North Adams.
The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, or MassMOCA, is in North Adams. It holds exhibitions, events, and programs. Other places of interest in North Adams include Natural Bridge State Park, an abandoned marble quarry with a naturally-formed arch and man-made dam made of white marble, and the Houghton Mansion, the former home of Albert Charles Houghton that is known as the most haunted mansion in town. Medical care is provided at North Adams Regional Hospital. Skilled nursing care is offered at North Adams Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Each of the New England towns described above offers a haven for retirees. Whether you prefer a city in the country, with easy access to the Canadian border, like Berlin, New Hampshire, or a town that is closer to larger cities and their amenities, such as North Adams, Massachusetts, any of these eight New England towns can provide the ideal home for you in your retirement years.
