8 Best Towns In The Adirondack Mountains For Retirees
Have you ever dreamt of retiring in a location that feels like it has come straight from a Norman Rockwell painting? There is a reason people refer to the retirement period as “the golden years.” There is no need to endure one day of soot, noise, or bumper-to-bumper traffic. With their sparkling freshwater lakes, beautiful rolling hills, and verdant valleys, life in the Adirondacks suits both relaxation and outdoor adventure. The air is fresh and fragrant, while the scenery is one that you will want to wake up to every morning. The trick is to ensure your preferred location has solid healthcare access. Not sure where to start? Check out these 8 beautiful towns in the Adirondacks that each strike the perfect balance between convenience and natural beauty.
Plattsburgh
Most seniors love Plattsburgh for endearing features such as the tranquil shores of Lake Champlain, an international airport, the presence of Hannaford for groceries, and the rustic beauty of the Saranac River, part of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail. In terms of healthcare access, the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital is in town and has an Emergency Services Department equipped for various types of emergencies. SUNY Plattsburgh, which has been around for more than 130 years, brings youthful vigour and vibrancy to the town. The university, through its Third Age Adult Day Center, has programs that help improve the quality of life of seniors, as well, making this a well-rounded option for retirees.
Tupper Lake
Any town with “lake” as part of its name will spark joy for any water enthusiast. Tupper Lake is an idyllic village that sits at the crossroads of the Adirondack Park. You will be watching magical sunsets at the Tupper Lake Waterfront Park, seeing otters swim at the world-renowned Wild Center, or hitting up the trails around the nearby Mount Arab. Moreover, there is always fresh produce at Shaheen's Market, a friendly reminder of what life in a close-knit town should be about. If concerned about access to healthcare, the Adirondack Medical Center, which is 20 minutes down the road in Saranac Lake, is a three-time winner of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award. And with homes in the area selling for a median listing price of $285,000, Tupper Lake checks almost every box.
Saranac Lake
Boasting a regional airport, meaning retirees can hop on a plane to Boston on a whim, the 81-mile Saranac River, and the triad of glimmering water bodies that make up the Saranac Lake make it an ideal spot for retirees. Life here is soft and soothing, convenient and comfortable. Keep in mind that you have the award-winning Adirondack Medical Center, meaning any midnight medical emergency will scarcely be a concern. Aside from the lakes, the area has many scenic trails and well-maintained walkways to keep one fit and active. The median listing home price in Saranac Lake, NY, was $525,000 in April 2025. It may be a tad more expensive than its neighbors, but this price point is still way lower than the statewide median of $699,000!
Keene Valley
The thing with small towns like Keene Valley is that communities are close-knit, relationships are considerably genuine, and folks tend to watch each other’s backs. You will know a shop owner by his first name and treat each other like family. Home to fewer than 1,000, Keene Valley is in Essex County, less than 2 hours from Albany. You will be awestruck by some of the most majestic and highest mountains east of the Rockies. You will be enjoying great views and soothing water sounds at the Roaring Brook Falls, exploring the picturesque Giant Mountain Trail, or floating down the trout-filled Ausable River. What else? You can snug up with a gripping read at the Keene Valley Library, a nice place to chill on a lazy afternoon. Keep in mind that the highly rated Elizabethtown Community Hospital is a short drive away, while the median listing home price in the area is $662,500.
Lake Placid
Picture a retirement location where you are surrounded by the austere grandeur of majestic mountains and the gentle beauty of several shimmering lakes, a town with a beautiful main street and a cool, old-fashioned theatre. That is Lake Placid, but just a tiny fraction of its appeal. This is the place to kick off and enjoy life at its most relaxing pace, or the place to buy outdoor gear and transition into a life of epic adventure. With East Lake, Mirror Lake, and the scenic water body that lends the town its name, an outdoor lover will be like a child in a toy shop. The best part? You have the AdventHealth Lake Placid, ranked among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention Award. The median listing home price in Lake Placid is $633,574.
Saratoga Springs
Fondly called “the Queen of the Spas,” Saratoga Springs knows how to keep empty nesters in excellent shape and mind. Think of jet baths and how they help loosen tight muscles and stiff joints. Think of Swedish massages; their soothing rhythm and relaxing feel. As if that is not enough, once in a while, you can go out for a mid-morning stroll at the Saratoga Spa State Park, paddle the beautiful Saratoga Lake, or enjoy an epic game at the Saratoga Race Course, the site of the oldest major thoroughbred horse race in the United States. Don't even mention healthcare access. Saratoga Hospital, which has bagged the Pulmonary Care Excellence Award for 2025, is at your doorstep. The median listing home price in Saratoga Springs was $740,500 in April 2025. This may sound expensive, but it is good value for money, especially considering the conveniences one gets, and that is not significantly higher than $699,000, the median for the state.
Lake George
Lake George, the glimmering water wonder that spans more than 28,400 acres, is often called the "Queen of the American Lakes.” It is because of its exceptional beauty. People often come here from every nook of the state to experience the historic cruises that go through pristine islands, beautiful inlets, and several white-sand beaches. You will enjoy spending nostalgic moments at the nearby historic Fort William Henry, lounging at the correctly named Million Dollar Beach, or enjoying a great time with friends at Pirate's Cove Adventure, once selected as “the Best Miniature Golf Course in the Capital Region.” Another advantage of retiring here is that you will find high-quality medical care at the award-winning Glens Falls Hospital, a highly reputable facility just 15 minutes away. The median listing home price in Lake George, NY, was $649,000 in April 2025.
Glens Falls
Glens Falls boasts a Walk Score of 89 out of 100, a level that is increasingly becoming rare and difficult to achieve. It means one thing: An empty nester will enjoy ambling through the town on foot. Then you have the addictive small-town feel, a fine example of Hometown USA. You can always enjoy mood-lifting shows at the 300-seat Charles R. Wood Theater, typically the venue for the highly famous Adirondack Theatre Festival. You will also be enjoying floating down the historic Hudson River, sipping cool views at the Harry J. Betar Jr. Recreational Park, and reeling in a tasty catch at the trout-filled Glen Lake, a 320-acre water body with a shoreline that stretches 5.1 miles. On healthcare access, the highly rated Glens Falls Hospital is right in town. You will agree that a median listing home price of $287,500 is incredibly tempting.
The Takeaway
If you want to retire in loving neighborhoods with heart-warming mountain views to wake up to every morning, where you are surrounded by trees and nature’s pristine beauty, consider a location in New York State’s Adirondacks. The good thing is that one does not need to rough it out. Several towns here have fantastic access to amenities, including high-quality hospitals, markets for fresh produce, and other crucial conveniences. While the winters can be cold, no words can describe the amazing outdoor experience when the seasons turn around. If looking for the best towns to retire in the Adirondacks, check out venues such as Plattsburgh, Tupper Lake, and Saratoga Springs.
