9 Best Towns In New England To Retire Comfortably
We often associate retirement with the sunny state of Florida, but for seniors seeking all four seasons, a laid-back lifestyle, and good-old-fashioned hospitality, New England is another retirement haven. On one hand, some are deterred from retiring here due to the region’s higher cost of living. However, if you know where to look, New England is home to a range of cost-effective, storybook towns to live out your golden years in bliss. Coupled with vibrant downtowns, stunning state parks, accessible healthcare, and welcoming locals, these are 9 of the best towns in New England to retire comfortably.
Berlin, New Hampshire
High in northern New Hampshire along the Androscoggin River, Berlin is a mountain town ideal for nature-loving retirees on a budget. While New Hampshire’s median home price hit a record high in 2025, Berlin’s homes remain very affordable by comparison. Compared to the state’s median sale price of $497K in July, Berlin’s was just $175K the month after. Additionally, with the Androscoggin Valley Hospital right in town, retirees can save on any healthcare-related travel expenses.
With savings this great, it is easy to see why NewHomeSource named Berlin the #1 "Best Place to Retire in New Hampshire in 2025." Moreover, Berlin is celebrated for its access to the White Mountains and outdoor playgrounds like Jericho Mountain State Park. While the park is mainly known for ATVing, it also offers scenic overlooks and tranquil hiking trails along Jericho Lake. Living in Berlin will also afford more time to discover the park’s hidden secrets, like the tucked-away Jericho Falls waterfall.
North Adams, Massachusetts
Much like Berlin, mountain scenes and affordability are hallmarks of North Adams, a Massachusetts town in the beautiful Berkshires. Straddling the Hoosic River, the town is renowned for its breathtaking backdrops and natural wonders, including the Hoosac Range and Natural Bridge State Park. The latter is a treasure in the US park system, spotlighting North America’s only natural white marble arch and a massive 60-foot gorge, “one of the best demonstrations of glacial erosion in New England.”
Coupled with its natural beauty, North Adams is a vibrant center for art and culture. It is famously home to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, the largest museum of its kind in North America, set inside a converted factory building. Luckily, despite having attractions this grand, housing in North Adams remains well below the Massachusetts median. Compared to the state’s median sale price of $642K in July 2025, homes in North Adams sold for a median of $248K in August.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Pittsfield is another Massachusetts town blending art and nature, earning it a spot on Travel + Leisure’s list of “50 Best Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2025.” Around 40 minutes southwest of North Adams, Pittsfield is the largest Berkshire County town by population, with over 43k residents as of 2023. It is perfect for seniors seeking a small town atmosphere with big-city attractions, especially if you love the theater. From the Barrington Stage Company to The Colonial Theatre, there is always an exciting live show to see in Pittsfield.
When you need a break from people or simply want to reconnect with nature, Pittsfield is also a gateway to Pittsfield State Forest. Spanning 11,000 acres, it offers 30 miles of scenic trails perfect for staying active. With this blissful blend of attractions and atmospheres, life in Pittsfield will cost you a bit more than life in North Adams; however, it is still well below the state median. In August 2025, the median home here sold for $287K, leaving plenty of room for savings.
Lewiston, Maine
While many associate Maine with high-cost coastal living, inland towns like Lewiston offer affordability without sacrificing a high-quality lifestyle. Much like Pittsfield, Lewiston features a small-town feel with big-city leisure, blending the best of both worlds. Home to nearly 38,000 people as of 2023, it is the second-largest community in Maine, offering cultural attractions like the Bates College Museum of Art and The Public Theatre. Balancing this, the Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary and Androscoggin River give the town a more spread-out, natural atmosphere.
Compared to Maine’s median home sale price of $412K in July 2025, Lewiston’s was $322K the month after. Coupled with this financial security, Lewiston offers peace of mind as a healthcare hub. The town is home to countless top-notch hospitals and healthcare facilities, including the Central Maine Medical Center and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center. The latter emphasizes itself as an Age-Friendly Hospital, promoting services and care specialized for older adults.
Augusta, Maine
Not far from Lewiston, Augusta is another inland river town ideal for retirees on a budget. Despite being Maine’s capital city, housing in this Kennebec River community remains extremely affordable compared to the state median. In August 2025, Augusta’s homes sold even lower than Lewiston’s, with a median of $280K, making it the better choice for retirees on a tight income. Portland is also just 1 hour away by car, granting access to its attractions, amenities, and waterfront without the high cost of living associated with big cities.
For history lovers, life in Augusta stands out that much more. The town is home to a variety of remarkable landmarks, including Fort Western, the country’s oldest wooden fort. Perched along the Kennebec River, the former British colonial outpost is now a spirited living history museum. Also bordering the river, Downtown Augusta blends history with 21st-century New England charms, including Victorian-era structures and charming riverfront restaurants like Otto's on the River.
Torrington, Connecticut
As of July 2025, homes in Connecticut sold even higher than in Maine, making Torrington a cost-effective option if you have your sights set on retiring in the Constitution State. Selling at a median of $292K in August, Torrington’s homes are well below the state median of $426K the month prior. This affordability is just one of the many reasons why Money Digest named it “One Of The Best Places For Retirees” in 2025.
Beyond its reasonable housing expenses, the Connecticut town is also a great place to retire if you love to stay active outdoors. Situated in the scenic Litchfield Hills, this New England town is teeming with gorgeous outdoor spaces, including several state parks. Burr Pond State Park is its most popular, boasting easygoing hiking trails, tranquil picnic spots, and fishing, all anchored by Burr Pond. For a change of scenery, Sunnybrook State Park encompasses the East Branch Naugatuck River, offering its own picturesque trails and scenes.
Bennington, Vermont
Known for its quaint covered bridges, rich heritage, and serene mountain scenes, Bennington is one of the best places to soak up Vermont’s quintessential New England charms. Situated in Southwestern Vermont between the Taconic and Green Mountains, it is the kind of place you can settle into life’s simple pleasures. As Vermont’s oldest town, it is also home to a range of classic New England landmarks and sites, including the Historic Silk Road Covered Bridge and Bennington Museum.
Vibrant fall foliage is another Bennington staple, best viewed from spots like the Bennington Battle Monument. The site pairs autumnal views with the 306-foot Revolutionary War monument, the tallest manmade structure in Vermont. With so many significant landmarks and scenes to enjoy year-round, some find Bennington’s affordability surprising. With a median home selling price of $290K in August 2025, this is well below the state’s July median, at over $393K. With higher chances to save, retirees can also enjoy more leisure time, including road trips and getaways to New York and Boston, both of which are under 4 hours away.
Rutland, Vermont
Inside the valleys surrounding the Killington and Pico mountains, Rutland is a small and underrated Vermont town with a massive heart. With the Green Mountain National Forest and Pico Mountain Ski Resort just a short drive away, retirees can enjoy recreation in every season. Back in town, outdoor fun can be enjoyed on the wooded trails in Pine Hill Park, or by teeing off at the Rutland Country Club. For indoor activities, Rutland also boasts an eclectic range of cultural attractions, from the Paramount Theatre to the Chaffee Art Center.
While this close-knit Vermont town lacks the buzz and glamour of city life, its cozy atmosphere and slow pace might sound like music to your ears. If you want to spend your golden years in a welcoming community with laid-back attractions, Rutland could very well be the slice of bliss you’ve been looking for. Better yet, in August 2025, Rutland’s median home sold price was just $282K, making it more affordable than the state median.
Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Ending our New England journey in Rhode Island, Woonsocket provides the comforts of an urban-suburban feel and affordable housing. While some are wary of life in Little Rhody due to its higher cost of living, towns like Woonsocket feel more doable. Looking at Rhode Island’s median home sale price of $469K in July 2025, Woonsocket’s median was far lower, at $376K in August.
Bordering the beautiful Blackstone River, Downtown Woonsocket is the heart of this Rhode Island town. The Theatre District, its “pulsating epicenter,” is an indulgent hub of entertainment, lined with venues like the historic Stadium Theatre and Rhode Island Stage Ensemble. Across town, River Island Art Park is a sweet little escape from downtown along the winding waterway, close to waterfront restaurants like River Falls. All in all, much like Rutland, life in Woonsocket promises the easygoing nature New England is famous for.
Retire In New England On A Budget
If you love the idea of retiring to New England but worry its housing market is too out of reach, these 9 towns can help bring your dreams to fruition. While New England is not necessarily one of the most affordable regions to retire in the United States, these small, tucked-away towns offer the chance to buy a home below each state's median. More importantly, each is brimming with its own distinct merits and charms, proving retirement on a budget does not have to mean sacrificing on quality.
