9 Safest Towns In Maryland For Senior Living
Seniors who are seeking a new location in which to live in Maryland have many important factors to consider, and safety often tops the list. Life in smaller towns like Bel Air and Thurmont is keeps you both safe and connected, whether that means walking the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail past public or heading a few minutes outside town for the waterfall trails. In Thurmont, Main Street galleries and the Art Co-Op lead naturally into mountain hikes and quiet evenings in a close-knit community. For seniors looking for places that pair practical amenities with things to do every day, these 9 Maryland towns offer just that.
Bel Air
Bel Air, in Harford County, is just 30 miles from Baltimore, but feels a world away. Thirty percent of the residents in this town of 10,500 are over the age of 60, giving it a special appeal to seniors. Those who want to travel to Baltimore but don't want to drive can easily take the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Commuter Bus into the city. Bel Air also offers public transportation around its own town as well as to other Harford County towns through Harford Transit LINK.
The Harford County Office on Aging is conveniently located in Bel Air and provides support to area seniors, directing them to senior centers (such as the McFaul Activity Center in Bel Air), assisting with Medicare, and helping them achieve other benefits as needed. Bel Air's low property crime rate of 22.66 per 1,000 and violent crime rate of 1.80 per 1,000 attract many seniors to relocate to this active town (SafeWise, from FBI data, Oct. 2024).
Seniors may access inpatient and outpatient specialty care, as needed, at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air. Bel Air's downtown area is highly walkable, with historic walking tours and public art tours available. The Bel Air Armory on Main Street holds fitness classes, big band concerts, and other events. The Ma and Pa Heritage Trail runs 7.75 miles, some of it through the downtown area, and can be an interesting walk for seniors who wish to stay active. Bel Air is a town designed to keep its residents, including seniors, safe.
Brunswick
The Frederick County town of Brunswick is home to 8,450 people, 19% of whom are age 60 or older, according to US Census data. Brunswick is nicknamed "Home of the Iron Horse" because of its history as a classification yard for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. This small town sits along the north bank of the Potomac River, about 20 minutes from the larger town of Frederick and an hour from Washington, DC. The Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Train Brunswick Line connects Brunswick to Washington, DC, making the weekday commute easier for seniors who don't want to fight traffic to our nation's capital.
In 2024, Brunswick's violent crime rate was 2.14 per 1,000 people, and its property crime rate was 5.82 per 1,000 people. The Brunswick Senior Center on East A Street offers support to seniors, such as recreational and socialization opportunities and meals.
Brunswick's walkable downtown area is safe for seniors and leads to shops like Antiques N' Ole Stuff on Potomac Street. Brunswick is just 3.2 miles from the Appalachian Trail access point at Weverton, Maryland, and from there, active seniors can follow the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath for a brisk, scenic walk. While the Brunswick Medical Center on 9th Avenue treats urgent care needs, the nearest hospital is the Frederick Health Hospital, just 15 miles away in Frederick. These amenities and benefits are all contributors to why Brunswick is an ideal, safe town for seniors.
Easton
Sitting at the head of the Tred Avon River on Maryland's Eastern Shore, the charming, historic town of Easton in Talbot County has a population of 17,000 people, with 34% over age 60. It is just under an hour's drive from the state capital in Annapolis. Its historic downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and includes points of interest such as Academy Art Museum on South Street. Although public transportation options are limited in Easton, the Talbot County Health Department contracts with Delmarva Community Services to provide non-emergency transportation for Medicaid recipients to medical appointments.
Easton is considered one of Maryland's safest towns. Violent crime rates were 3.89 per 1,000 in 2024, and property crime rates were 19.63 per 1,000. It also boasts excellent medical care, with the highly rated University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Easton housing 140 acute care beds and a 33-bed Skilled Nursing Unit.
Brooklets Place, Talbot County Senior Center in Easton, gives free membership to seniors over 60. Activities, classes, trips, and meals are available. In addition to being a gathering place for book lovers and hosting programs and events, the Talbot County Free Library in Easton offers AARP Tax Aides to assist senior citizens in filing out income taxes. Seniors who move to Easton will see why, in addition to being a safe haven, the town was named one of Country Living Magazine's "Best Small Towns for 2025."
Frostburg
Frostburg, in the mountains of Allegany County, is not only safe for seniors, but it was recently recognized as one of Maryland's most affordable retirement towns. This town, at 2,400 feet above sea level, is home to 7,000 residents, 20% of whom are over 60. It is just 10 miles from the larger town of Cumberland, and 62 miles from Morgantown, West Virginia. Allegany County Transit's bus system and Alltrans demand response system serve public transportation needs from Frostburg to other Allegany County towns.
For seniors who might wish to broaden their educational horizons, Frostburg State University offers a tuition waiver to Maryland residents age 60 and over. They will be happy to know that they can do so safely, as Frostburg is one of the safest towns in Maryland. As of 2024, violent crime rates in Frostburg were just 1.15 per 1,000 people, and property crime rates were also 1.15 per 1,000.
As Frostburg is a Maryland Main Street community, its downtown is easily walkable and filled with things to do. Seniors might wish to ride the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad from Cumberland to Frostburg for spectacular views. The Frostburg Community Center houses the Frostburg Senior Center, with meals and programs for those 60 and up. Although Frostburg does not have its own hospital, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Western Maryland in Cumberland is just 12 miles away. The hospital recently received American Heart Association recognition for its heart disease and stroke initiatives. Senior citizens who move to Frostburg can feel secure in their health options, as well as feel safe from crime.
Hampstead
The Carroll County town of Hampstead is just 30 miles from Baltimore, but feels much farther from the big city. With a population of 6,200, a quarter of whom are over age 60, the small town provides a quiet, safe lifestyle for senior citizens who wish to be close to the city. Although there are no direct public transportation routes from Hampstead to Baltimore, a combination of a taxi or rideshare to the Owings Mills metro station, about 15 miles away, can get you there via subway. The Carroll Transit System furnishes affordable transportation throughout the county with door-to-door service and fixed route buses available.
Hampstead's safety is evident through its low crime rates of 2.97 violent crimes per 1,000 people and 6.89 property crimes per 1,000 people. These low crime rates, combined with the small-town environment and presence of the supportive North Carroll Senior and Community Center, help to make Hampstead a town in which seniors can feel safe.
Chief Sites Memorial Park in the heart of downtown has walking trails, picnic areas, and a safe, scenic place to relax. The Hampstead Train Station on Shiloh Avenue is a historic station from 1912 that sponsors musical events in the summertime. The nearest hospital is Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster, just 10 miles away.
La Plata
La Plata, the county seat of Southern Maryland's Charles County, is just 35 miles from Washington, DC; 65 miles from Baltimore; and 50 miles from Annapolis. In this town of 10,000, 21% are over the age of 60. Seniors who relocate to La Plata do so for its proximity to major cities and for the safety the town offers. While there is no direct public transportation route to Baltimore from La Plata, the MTA Bus will take seniors directly to Washington, DC when needed. The VanGO bus system shuttles residents within Charles County and to neighboring Calvert, St. Mary's, and Prince George's counties.
La Plata's violent crime rate of 2.01 per 1,000 and its property crime rate of 19.22 per 1,000 help to rank it among Maryland's safest towns for seniors. Those who move here often do so for its small-town, safe atmosphere, which is quite convenient to the far less safe states and the nation's capital cities.
The downtown area of La Plata includes walkable streets with easy access to shops like Market at the Charles, a popular spot for food, drink, and companionship. The Richard R. Clark Senior Center on Charles Street welcomes residents age 60 and over for meals, activities, and programs. Health needs are well served by the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center on Garrett Avenue. The La Plata Branch of the Charles County Public Library holds programs for all ages, and is another place in town where seniors can feel safe while socializing.
New Carrollton
Although often seen as an extension of Washington, DC, the Prince Georges County town of New Carrollton is actually its own municipality that is far safer than our nation's capital. About 13,500 live in New Carrollton, 21% of them over 60. The town is just 10 miles from Washington, DC, yet maintains a small-town, safe atmosphere that is appealing to many seniors. Union Station in DC is easily accessible via MARC Trains from New Carrollton that run every 40 minutes.
New Carrollton's Call-A-Bus service is for disabled and senior residents. Once registered, seniors can schedule free rides to medical appointments, errands, and more. This is another way that the town keeps its seniors safe. Violent crime rates in New Carrollton in 2024 were 3.62 per 1,000. Property crime rates were 20.28 per 1,000.
Annually, New Carrollton maintains its cultural diversity and spirit through celebrating New Carrollton Community Day International Festival in September. A mix of cultural traditions is represented through food, live music, art, and activities. The New Carrollton Branch of the Prince George's County Memorial Library System is a place where seniors and others can access computers, check out books, and attend periodical events. The nearest hospital, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, is in Lanham, just two miles away, should medical care be needed.
Thurmont
The Frederick County town of Thurmont, population 6,200, with 23% over age 60, sits at the foothills of the Catoctin Mountains and is best known as home to the Camp David Presidential Retreat. This small mountain town is the perfect retreat for seniors seeking safety and stability. The larger town of Frederick is about 20 minutes south of Thurmont, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is about 20 minutes to the north. Frederick County Transit provides shuttle bus services throughout the county
Thurmont's low violent crime rate of 0.44 per 1,000 and low property crime rate of 4.58 per 1,000 classify it as one of Maryland's safest cities. Seniors who are looking for a safe, peaceful, rural setting surrounded by beautiful nature should consider moving to Thurmont.
Thurmont's historic, walkable downtown area is centered around Main Street. Walking from shop to shop, as well as to the Art Co-Op, is easily achievable for seniors. The Thurmont Senior Center is a safe, central downtown location for seniors to socialize and participate in activities. Catoctin Mountain Park is just three miles from downtown and filled with scenic beauty, as well as walking trails, for those wanting to remain active. The nearest medical facility, Frederick Health Hospital, is just 20 minutes away in the neighboring town of Frederick.
Westminster
Carroll County's county seat, Westminster, has just under 20,500 residents, with almost a quarter of them over 60. Baltimore is about 36 miles away, and Washington, DC is just over 60 miles away. Those who settle in Westminster do so for its tight-knit community atmosphere, accessibility to larger cities when needed, and, of course, safety.
The Westminster Black TrailBlazer Route is a public transportation service operating every half hour around town. Westminster's low crime rates, of 2.58 per 1,000 for violent crime and 17.54 per 1,000 for property crimes, are a driving force behind seniors moving to this suburban town.
Westminster's historic downtown district is easily walkable, with safe, wide, tree-lined sidewalks leading to shops such as The Shop at Cockey's and eateries like Ernie's Place, both on Main Street. The Westminster Senior and Community Center on Stoner Avenue holds educational, recreational, and nutritional programs for senior citizens. Carroll Hospital on Memorial Avenue serves the town's medical needs.
Safety for Seniors in Maryland
Safety is of utmost importance to most people, and is often even more vital to senior citizens. Those hoping to move to Maryland will be pleased to discover that there are many safe, small, close-knit communities that would welcome them. The availability of supportive services, low crime rates, and opportunities for socialization make each of these nine towns ideal for seniors seeking safety in Maryland.
