9 Best Towns In The Finger Lakes To Retire Comfortably

Many Americans dream of retiring on a lake — and you can't fault them. The rustic beauty around such places is the stuff of magic. From the soothing breeze to the lush scenery to the epic recreational opportunities throughout the year, life on a lake always feels like a long vacation. While people fork out top dollars to retire in such locations, you don't have to really break the bank. The Finger Lakes Region of New York is insanely beautiful and relaxing, yet unbelievably affordable for the most part. In some spots, the median house listing price can go as low as $200,000, or even below. But you have to be careful. To retire comfortably, proximity to a decent hospital is non-negotiable. So, which are the best spots? Keep reading to discover 9 towns in the Finger Lakes Region to retire comfortably.

Canandaigua

Canandaigua is a neat, nice town of about 10,000, just about 30 minutes northeast of Rochester. This means you can access a decent variety of big-city amenities and cultural attractions on a whim. The trick is to combine the convenience with the opportunity to enjoy a slower pace, easy access to the outdoors, and small-town charm. F.F. Thompson Hospital has been offering medical services to area residents for over a century, so no need to even drive down to Rochester. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Canandaigua was $483,900, lower than the statewide median. Instead of lounging on the couch all day, you can enjoy a mid-morning stroll around the Canandaigua City Pier, or a brisk walk at Kershaw Park, an incredibly lovely spot with equally lovely views. Of course, the vibrant beauty at the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park can make you feel like a kid in a candy store. It's the perfect place to escape reality for a while and simply bask in nature's breathtaking splendor.

Ithaca

If you are like most retirees, you probably want to retire in a vibrant college town with a lot of culture and a lively atmosphere. Also, the chance to mingle with the youth always has a way of making people feel young. Ithaca is among the most beautiful small towns in America. More than that, it hosts Cornell University, an Ivy League institution with a stunning campus. The university has several attractions to occasionally explore, including the 200-acre Cornell Botanic Gardens, the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, which houses one of the finest collections of art in New York State, and the Liberty Hyde Bailey Conservatory.

Ithaca’s Lifelong Program (formerly called the Senior Citizen Center) offers retirees aged 50 and older a decent range of classes, workshops, presentations, field trips, and travel-study opportunities. Once in a while, you can gasp at the thundering beauty of Taughannock Falls, explore Robert Treman State Park, known for its rugged and stony gorge, and spend the whole afternoon at Buttermilk Falls State Park. On healthcare access, the award-winning Cayuga Medical Center is right in town. Finally, in August 2025, the median listing home price in Ithaca was $491,900, about 75% of the state median of $650,000.

Auburn

Auburn is a small, inviting town with almost all the necessary ingredients for retirement life. With its suburban-looking streets and a charming, old Main Street with elements of yesteryear, an empty nester will enjoy ambling through the town, if just to stretch and chat with local business owners. Shopping here is decent. But for even more options, Syracuse, the fifth-largest city in the state of New York, is just 40 minutes down the road. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Auburn was $249,9000, an incredibly tiny fraction (38%) of the state median. Places like Owasco Lake offer a delicious range of outdoor recreational opportunities, as does Emerson Park, where one can occasionally reel in a yummy catch, bob on a boat, or just spend a lazy afternoon by the water. For something different, you can catch a mood-lifting matinee at Auburn Movieplex 10, loved for its reclining seats. Take note that Auburn Community Hospital is in town, along with other excellent options in nearby Syracuse.

Hammondsport

Although tiny, Hammondsport is life at its best. Think of a beautiful downtown with architectural charm, epic outdoor opportunities, and, best of all, several wine spots. Talk of aging like fine wine. You will be spending your evenings at places like the Bully Hill Vineyards, a cool place for enjoying the view of a beautiful lake with delicious wine, or Keuka Lake Vineyards, where high-quality Rieslings and Cabernet Francs always hit the taste buds with a punch. Keep in mind that Birdseye Hollow State Forest offers hunting and hiking opportunities, while the pine-speckled Urbana State Forest is an unspoiled environment with quiet forest trails. Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital is in the area and has been offering excellent healthcare to residents for a while. The town's median listing home price is $599,000, slightly lower than the statewide median

Corning

Even if you don't really appreciate glass art, you will want to pay attention to Corning because of one thing: affordability. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Corning was $199,900, less than a third of the statewide median. You also have immediate access to a library, where you can occasionally hide with a heart-gripping read, and seven city parks. The Corning Museum of Glass is a phenomenal space. However, you also have Corning Country Club, a photo-worthy space to tee away an afternoon, the 45-mile Chemung River, a decent fishing venue, and the Palace Theatre, a charming indie theatre that can transform a dull afternoon into one filled with belly-shaking laughter. For any medical emergency, Guthrie Corning Hospital is right in town.

Watkins Glen

Tucked away in the southernmost end of Seneca Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes, Watkins Glen’s setting is always something to drool over. The town was originally called "Salubria" before changing its name to "Watkins" to honor Dr. Samuel Watkins, who was a passionate promoter of the area. "Glen" was later added because of the spectacular gorge in the center of the Village. There is Seneca Lake, billed as the Lake Trout Capital of the World, and the phenomenal Watkins Glen State Park, which, according to new Google Maps data, is the most visited state park in America. You can also enjoy the sight of birds wheeling about in the air at the Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area, whether bald eagles, ospreys, or the pied-billed grebe. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Watkins Glen was $320,000, about half of the state median. To crown everything, Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital is in neighboring Bath.

Seneca Falls

Seneca Falls is a peaceful little town with a lot of interesting history as the Birthplace of the Women's Rights Movement. It has several good restaurants for enjoying a spontaneous brunch, warm and kind people, and a family-friendly vibe. Seneca Falls hosts the award-winning Northeast College of Health Sciences, one of the most prestigious chiropractic colleges in the United States. With Rochester less than an hour to the west, and Syracuse about the same distance to the east, an empty nester here enjoys awesome access to all kinds of big-city amenities. There is Cayuga Lake, an outdoor playground with countless recreational opportunities, Van Cleef Lake, and Cayuga Lake State Park, where one can rest, boat, fish, or just listen to the rustling of the leaves. The 132-bed Geneva General Hospital (GGH) was founded in 1898 and provides both primary and specialty care services to area residents. With houses fetching a median listing price of just $224,000, one can get a decent home and remain with lots of cash for adventure.

Geneva

Geneva is quite a special place. You can walk for a few minutes and be at the shores of a gorgeous lake, enjoy a culinary scene with far more great bars and restaurants than a city of its size would typically have, and live year-round in a place that folks from all over the world travel to for vacation. More than that, it is easy to get involved and feel like part of the community. The median listing home price in Geneva was $332,500 in August 2025, a price point that is lower than the statewide median by about half. Also, the award-winning Geneva General Hospital is right in town and is a recipient of the Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award. At the slightest excuse, you can dash for a mood-lifting show at the iconic Smith Opera House, explore the Seneca Lake State Park, which adjoins the largest Finger Lake by volume, or practice golf at the Geneva Country Club Golf Course.

Montour Falls

The median listing home price in Montour Falls was $179,500 in August 2025, an insanely pocket-friendly price point, especially considering the setting of Montour Falls and what it offers. For example, Seneca Lake is just 5 minutes down the road and offers epic recreational opportunities. You also enjoy easy access to the Watkins Glen State Park, one of the best outdoor spots in North America. It has gorges, up to 19 heart-gripping waterfalls, and several miles of picturesque hiking trails. There is Shequaga Falls, a 165-foot water wonder that drops dramatically at the end of Main Street, while north of town, Havana Glen Park offers trails, pavilions, and a playground. Schuyler Hospital is right in town, so no need for a 3-hour trip over some unforgiving terrain to just see a physician.

Retire Well By The Water

So, if you are about to retire, you have two options: To continue living in a drab place with minimal amenities, or opt for a waterfront location with stimulating scenery. While retiring on the water can set you back millions, the Finger Lakes Region of the United States is incredibly affordable. The trick is to have a proper hospital around the corner, so you don't endure a three-hour trip to see a doctor. The good news is that it's possible to find such a spot. You just need to be intentional.