9 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire In The Poconos
The Pocono Mountains offer a serene retreat that has long attracted vacationers, but is now becoming one of the Northeast's most appealing destinations for retirees seeking affordability. The average home value in Pennsylvania is $278,018, according to Zillow.com. The nine Poconos-area small towns featured here all feature home values under the state average. Whether you are dreaming of a peaceful lakeside community, ample outdoor recreation, or a cozy mountain town with a strong sense of community, these nine Poconos towns are each an ideal retirement getaway without the high price tag.
Bushkill
The Pike County town of Bushkill is best known for Bushkill Falls, a collection of eight waterfalls that some have nicknamed the "Niagara of Pennsylvania." This town, filled with natural beauty, is fairly close to some large cities, being a little over an hour's drive from Allentown, Pennsylvania; an hour and 45 minutes' drive from New York City, New York; and around two hours from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With a median sale price of $257,582 and its proximity to cities, many retirees are moving to Bushkill.
Another attractive feature of Bushkill Falls is its extensive hiking trails, which appeal to active retirees. Bushkill is home to Poconos Park, a 10,000-seat amphitheater hosting concerts and other live performances. Boaters will appreciate that the Bushkill Boat Launch is located within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and offers two launch points to the Delaware River.
Lehighton
Located in Carbon County along the Lehigh River, Lehighton's natural beauty and low average home values of $272,770 draw retirees to the town. This town, founded in 1746 as the Moravian mission of "Gnadenhuetten," It is just an hour and a half's drive from Philadelphia and a bit less than an hour from Scranton. Active seniors will enjoy the abundance of outdoor activities available in Lehighton.
Beltzville State Park, spanning over 3,000 acres near Lehighton, provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, and fishing. If you'd rather bike your way around town, check out Lehighton Outdoor Center, which sells and rents bicycles. If you want to take a break and pet some gentle creatures, Picnic Woods Alpacas, a family farm with 20 alpacas, offers farm visits (currently $10 per person) as well as a store that sells alpaca yarn and clothing items.
Jim Thorpe
The Carbon County town of Jim Thorpe was named after Native American athlete and Olympic gold medalist Jim Thorpe. In fact, one of its most famous landmarks is Jim Thorpe's Grave, which sits on the outskirts of town. The average home value in Jim Thorpe is $275,641, just under the state average, attracting retirees to relocate to this town.
Another site known to visitors and locals in Jim Thorpe is Lehigh Gorge State Park, with over 6,100 acres of parkland along the Lehigh River. Opportunities for hiking, biking, and sightseeing are here. History enthusiasts should visit the Old Jail Museum, dating back to 1871, which offers tours of the interesting and historic structure. You can even see the handprint of a prisoner who claimed innocence when you visit.
Palmerton
Palmerton, in Carbon County, is another Lehigh Valley town in the Poconos. The average home value of $253,672 draws retirees to move here, as does its proximity to New York City (two hours away) and Philadelphia (an hour and a half away). Founded in 1898 due to its proximity to anthracite coal, today, Palmerton is known as a tight-knit, welcoming mountain town.
Annual events in Palmerton showcase the town's friendliness, including the Rolling Cruise car show in June and the Community Festival in September. The Palmerton Area Heritage Center is a museum exhibiting the town's historical society collections, educating visitors on its rich history. Active retirees will be happy to know that the Lehigh Gap Trailhead for the Delaware & Lehigh Trail, also a starting point for the Appalachian Trail, is located in Palmerton.
Mount Pocono
Mount Pocono, in Monroe County, is a little over two hours from Philadelphia and just under two hours from New York City. Average home values here are $242,963. The town of Mount Pocono is named after the area's Lenape heritage, as the word "Pocono" means "stream between two mountains." It is this quietude and relaxing vibe that attracts retirees to relocate to the small town of Mount Pocono.
One of Mount Pocono's most visited landmarks is Knob Overlook, just off Knob Road, which offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the Pocono Mountains, New Jersey, and New York. Big Pocono State Park is just 20 minutes away and is filled with over 1,300 acres of rugged terrain for hiking, biking, boating, and more. For retirees who prefer indoor entertainment, Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono offers a range of amenities, including casino games, live entertainment, diverse dining options, and a hotel.
Dingmans Ferry
The village of Dingmans Ferry in Pike County is in Delaware Township, along the Delaware River. Average home values here are an enticing $252,953. The Dingmans Ferry Bridge, connecting Pennsylvania and New Jersey, crosses the Delaware River and is one of the oldest privately owned bridges in the country. The quirky uniqueness of Dingmans Ferry is just one of the reasons that invite retirees to move here.
Dingmans Falls, the second-largest waterfall in Pennsylvania, is another popular attraction in town. A staircase takes visitors to the top of the falls, if desired. For a less strenuous option, the George W. Childs Park in Dingmans Ferry features a 1.4-mile trail that winds through the park's hemlock forests. Three waterfalls, Factory Falls, Fulmer Falls, and Deer Leap Falls, exist in this park.
White Haven
The borough of White Haven on the Lehigh River is a small, family-oriented town in Luzerne County. The average home value of $233,518 is just one factor attracting retirees to White Haven. Its abundant natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities also draw retirees to this area. White Haven is just 30 minutes from the larger city of Wilkes-Barre and around 40 minutes from Scranton.
Hickory Run State Park has just under 16,000 acres and over 40 miles of hiking trails. Miles of trout streams also exist here, as does Hawk Falls, a 25-foot waterfall in the park. The Francis E. Walter Dam in White Haven offers a boat launch, picnicking, hiking, and fishing opportunities. Golfers can hit the links at Stone Meadows Golf Course, a modified links-style golf course in White Haven.
Mount Pleasant
Initially developed as a "crossroads town" due to its location at the intersection of two Native American pathways, the borough of Mount Pleasant is situated in the Laurel Highlands area of Pennsylvania, in Westmoreland County, approximately 45 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The average home value of $176,555 in Mount Pleasant is a significant attraction for retirees seeking to save money. Once a glass manufacturing town, Mount Pleasant is now a welcoming and friendly village.
Each fall, the Mount Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival celebrates the town's heritage. The Mount Pleasant Glass Museum provides a more in-depth education on the area's glassmaking history. Veterans' Park, located in the heart of town, features a wall honoring the town's veterans, as well as a gazebo and fountain. Wine lovers should visit Greendance the Winery at Sandhill for tours and tastings.
Gouldsboro
Located in Lehigh Township in Wayne County and the Coolbaugh Township in Monroe County, the village of Gouldsboro in northeastern Pennsylvania is best known for Gouldsboro State Park, which houses the 250-acre Gouldsboro Lake. Average home values in Gouldsboro hover around $221,221, attracting retirees to the area. Its proximity to the larger city of Scranton, just a half-hour drive away, is another draw to move here.
The Historic Gouldsboro Train Station, run by the town's historical foundation, is a great place to learn more about the town's history and heritage. The Gouldsboro Historical Society operates the Old Town House Museum, another source for historical information on the town, which is open on Saturdays in summer. Union Park in Gouldsboro spans 16 acres and offers recreational facilities for all ages, featuring ball fields and outdoor spaces. A picnic pavilion is currently being built there, making it a perfect spot to spend an afternoon.
Retire to the Poconos
The nine budget-friendly Pocono Mountains towns explored above are affordable havens for retirees looking to relocate. The picturesque surroundings, historic charm, natural beauty, and accessible outdoor recreation, along with lower average home values, in each of these towns entices retirees to move to the Poconos. Pennsylvania's outstanding healthcare systems, rich history, and culture also draw retirees here. If you're searching for practical, wallet-friendly living during your retirement years, consider moving to the Pocono Mountains.
