8 Best Towns In Upstate New York For Retirees
Upstate New York is arguably the best place to retire in New York. Encompassing the Upper Hudson Valley, the Mohawk Valley region, Central New York, the Southern Tier, the Capital District, and the North Country, this vast area is a paradise for senior living. Minus the crowds, this region has everything needed to make retirement fulfilling, from recreation and great weather to friendly locals, considerable senior populations, and high-performing medical facilities. Below, you’ll find eight of the top towns across Upstate New York that further reinforce the region’s reputation as a retirement haven. In addition to the aforementioned features, all of these towns tick the box of affordability by New York standards, with home prices below the state average of $501,980 according to Zillow. Plus, these Upstate New York towns are located amidst the state’s iconic features, like the Adirondack Mountains and the Hudson River Valley, offering easy access to memorable outdoor endeavors. Check out these towns in Upstate New York today and discover why the region is easily at the top of the list of best places to retire in the Empire State.
Pulaski
Pulaski is a charming community on the Salmon River, with many features tailored to please retirees. Around 2,100 people call this town home, with roughly 25% of the population above 65 years old. Plus, the town is easy on the pocket as homes sell for $204,000 on average, according to Zillow. In addition to all of those appealing features, Pulaski’s location on the Salmon River makes it a paradise for fishing. Starting from the Fall, the river comes alive with salmon, attracting anglers from near and far. In January, the Salmon River Festival is held in town, featuring lots of food sampling and live music. Elsewhere, the Sandy Island Beach State Park will delight retirees with its dunes, abundance of birds, swimming beach, and fishing opportunities. The Selkirk Shores State Park is also nearby, with a swimming beach on Lake Ontario, hiking and biking trails, campsites, and opportunities for canoeing and fishing.
Kirkland
The small town of Kirkland in Oneida County is a great place to enjoy a pleasurable post-work life. This town has a rural setting and is naturally beautiful with a creek flowing through it and streets flanked by lush trees. On average, homes in Kirkland sell for around $369,000 according to Realtor, and crime is almost non-existent, making the town one of the safest in New York. Root Glen takes care of the recreational needs of retirees here with its gorgeous scenery. This attraction is in Clinton, a village within Kirkland, and features lots of trees, flowers, birds, and short trails. Additionally, the Brimfield Farm Winery is open to offer delicious wines in a cozy setting, while Clinton Cider Mill is always a great place to enjoy donuts, ciders, soups, fresh fruits, and more. Moreover, Kirkland is around 12 miles from Utica, where some of New York’s best medical facilities, such as Wynn Hospital and WellNow Urgent Care Center, are located.
Lake Placid
Lake Placid, one of New York’s favorite vacation spots, is also a great place to retire. Located in the Adirondack Mountains, this town charms with its impressive natural scenery, characterized by the shimmering waters of Mirror Lake and Lake Placid. Retirees in this town will never know boredom, as Mirror Lake offers year-round recreation, while Lake Placid is open for summer activities like boating and fishing. At the Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex, sports lovers will be entertained with ski jumping activities and partake in zipline or gondola adventures. Also, the Lake Placid Olympic Center is a great place in town to get entertained by skating competitions and hockey events, plus it has a museum featuring one of the continent’s largest collections of winter Olympic artifacts.
As for affordability, home prices in Lake Placid stand at approximately $350,400 according to Zillow, and the town is 30% less expensive than the New York average, according to BestPlaces. Medical facilities such as the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake are nearby and available to meet health needs.
Massena
Massena is one of the smaller towns in Upstate New York that glows in natural beauty, and makes for an ideal retirement destination. For starters, it is incredibly affordable as homes cost a paltry $114,912 on average, according to Zillow. In addition, the town has the high-performing Massena Hospital and the Robert Moses State Park, which has a beach, picnic tables, and access to the St. Lawrence River for boating and fishing. The park will excite retirees as it also has campgrounds, hiking trails winding through woods and wetlands, and the Nicandri Nature Center, which has exhibits, including live fish and turtles. At the town’s Hawkins Point Visitors Center, retirees will be entertained with energy-related interactive exhibits and scenic views of one of New York’s hydroelectric power projects from an observation deck. Those craving entertainment will be in luck as the town is home to the 56 Auto Drive-in Theater, one of the few of its kind in New York State. Additionally, the Massena Golf & Country Club will keep golfers busy, while the Kanebs Orchards is open every Fall to spice things up with music, and delicacies such as apple cider donuts and fresh cider wine.
Glens Falls
Retiring in Glens Falls is one of the best choices anyone can make, and the reasons are not far-fetched. Firstly, over 17% of this town’s population is above 65 years, which bolsters a sense of belonging for seniors. Secondly, the average home value in Glens Falls is $257,435, far lower than the state average of $501,982 according to Zillow. The crime rate in Glens Falls is also significantly lower than the national average, according to AreaVibes.
When it comes to recreation, Glens Falls has the Feeder Canal Trail, a nine-mile trail that’s great for walking, running, or biking along a canal that dates to the early 1800s. The canal is also ideal for kayaking and canoeing. In the meantime, art enthusiasts will enjoy browsing through European and American art at the Hyde Collection, while the exhibits at the Chapman Museum offer a deep dive into the town’s history. Glens Falls even hosts the Charles R. Wood Theater, where a 294-seat auditorium offers year-round performances, dance, film events, musicals, and more.
Queensbury
Queensbury is the largest town in Warren County, yet it remains laid-back and ideal for retirement. Here, the crime rate is low, housing is below the state average at approximately $373,500, and several retirement establishments like Cedars Senior Living Community are available to help seniors enjoy retirement. Moreover, high-performing medical facilities like West Mountain Specialty Care and West Mountain Family Health are in town to offer quality health services.
As for things to do, Queensbury has the Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor to amuse active retirees. This theme park and outdoor water park has over 100 rides and attractions, and hosts several events, including Upstate New York’s largest haunt event in October. Wine enthusiasts have the Adirondack Winery to sample some of the region’s finest wines and food, while plant lovers will marvel at the wide variety of plants at the Northern Gardens.
Watertown
Retirement in Watertown is a pleasurable experience, especially for those who love recreation and affordable housing. While homes here cost $193,500 on average, the town hosts the Zoo New York at Thompson Park, the only one of its kind in the world dedicated to animals that are currently or were historically native to the state. Animals in the zoo include black bears and bald eagles, as well as wolverines and mountain lions, which were once considered native to the state. In the meantime, the town’s Burriville Cider Mill is always a delight to tour as it is one of the county’s oldest establishments, built in 1801. The mill has a beautiful waterfall, as well as delicious cider, donuts, apples, and other goods. As the county seat of Jefferson County, Watertown hosts the Jefferson County Historical Society in an 1870s Paddock Mansion. Retirees will enjoy spending time in this museum as it features more than 100,000 artifacts detailing the area’s rich history. Beyond the recreational facilities, around 14% of Watertown’s population is above 65, making it more inclusive for retirees. Notably, WellNow Urgent Care, arguably the best medical establishment in the region, is right in Watertown to offer impeccable healthcare.
Hudson
Hudson has the most expensive home price on this list at $428,800, yet it is still below the state average. Plus, there are so many things to keep retirees in this town busy year-round. Those who love art will have the Carrie Haddad Gallery to explore paintings, sculptures, and photography. History buffs will enjoy browsing through the world’s most comprehensive collection of firefighting objects at the FASNY Museum of Firefighting, or taking tours to the nearby Hudson Athens Lighthouse, which dates to 1874. At the Promenade Hill Park, retirees can walk with dogs or just relax and soak in the gorgeous sights of the Hudson River.
Hudson is also a paradise for shopping as the town has shops for everything from books to old records, chocolate, and craft beer. Just to mention a few, the Verdigris Tea & Chocolate offers delicious chocolate treats, while the Spotty Dog Books & Ale will delight book lovers with its huge collection of books. Furthermore, the highly-rated Northern Dutchess Hospital is nearby, and the town is around 40 minutes from Albany, where more high-performing medical facilities and attractions are located.
Far from the hustle and bustle of New York City lie several towns that represent what a retirement destination should embody. Spread out across Upstate New York, these towns score high on hospitality and recreation, while offering the cheapest cost of living in the state. In a town like Pulaski, for instance, homes sell for an average of $204,000, which is ridiculously lower than the state average and much lower than New York City, where average home prices stand at a whooping $796,665 as of June 2025, according to Zillow. Retire to any of these today and you’ll be judiciously utilizing your retirement budget, even while living a life full of peace and pleasures.
