The Best Cities To Retire In New England
Not all retirees want to retreat to an off-grid town in their golden years; some want to stay close to the action, and New England has that covered. The region is frequently ranked highly for quality-of-life factors like low crime rates, strong healthcare, and easy access to nature. The cities below pair those advantages with history, convenience, and plenty to do. Some also offer notably lower-than-expected home values. New Hampshire’s retiree-friendly tax setup adds extra appeal in Manchester and Nashua, while Nashua’s Pheasant Lane Mall draws shoppers from across the region for tax-free finds. Travel is also simple from Warwick, home to T.F. Green International Airport, with easy connections across the US and beyond. Read on to see what makes each city a strong pick for retirement.
Providence, Rhode Island
The capital of Rhode Island is an ideal place to retire in New England, especially for those seeking a lively atmosphere and plenty to do. The third most populous city in the region, Providence is home to major attractions, including Roger Williams Park Zoo. Set within the larger Roger Williams Park, the zoo showcases hundreds of animals representing more than 160 species, making it an easy go-to for relaxed, repeat visits.
Roger Williams Park adds even more reasons to explore, with features like a zip line, a carousel village with food trucks and rides, a natural history museum, a botanical center, gardens, and sports facilities. Arts lovers can catch touring Broadway shows, comedy, concerts, and more at the Providence Performing Arts Center. As one of the oldest cities in the US (founded in 1636), Providence also offers historic stops like the John Brown House Museum, an elegant 18th-century mansion built in the 1780s. Retirees can round out a day in neighborhoods like Historic Federal Hill, known for Italian architecture and local favorites such as the Providence Oyster Bar.
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is Rhode Island’s third-largest city and one of the best places to retire in New England. Located on Narragansett Bay, it offers a pleasant coastal lifestyle and easy access to waterfront recreation. One standout is Goddard Memorial State Park, which covers nearly 500 acres and includes a swimming beach, picnic areas, sports fields, and more than a dozen miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding.
Golfers also have solid options, including the Warwick Country Club, an 18-hole course set right on the bay, with a pool and restaurant. Warwick’s dining scene is another draw, with longtime local favorites like the Crow’s Nest Restaurant serving everything from fried clams and fish to lobster rolls, calamari, pasta, salads, and cocktails. Travel is straightforward, too: the city is home to T.F. Green International Airport, Rhode Island’s main airport, with convenient connections to major destinations such as Los Angeles, Orlando, and Denver.
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is an excellent place to retire in New England for many reasons. For starters, it’s in New Hampshire, a state known for some of the friendliest tax policies in the US—no sales tax, no inheritance or estate tax, and no tax on earned wages. Beyond affordability, Manchester keeps life engaging with attractions like the Currier Museum of Art, which features a sizable collection of European and American works, as well as the SNHU Arena, which hosts events throughout the year.
Outdoor and active retirees will find plenty to do, especially in winter. Manchester is home to McIntyre Ski Area, a popular spot with multiple trails, lifts, and snow tubing. When the weather warms up, Livingston Park offers a one-mile walking trail, a fishing pond, a swimming pool, and sports facilities. The Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is also located here, making it easy to reach destinations in and beyond the region, including Philadelphia, Charleston, and Tampa.
Nashua, New Hampshire
Located on the Nashua River, this city is one of the best places to retire in New England. Along with the lower tax burden that comes with being in New Hampshire, Nashua has a laid-back feel and a low crime rate, plus plenty of ways to stay entertained. Gate City Casino adds a lively option, offering a mix of gaming along with live entertainment and on-site dining.
For fresh air, Mine Falls Park is a favorite local escape, with wooded trails and scenic views along the river and waterfall. Nashua is also home to Pheasant Lane Mall, a popular stop for tax-free shopping—especially for visitors from nearby Massachusetts. The mall includes more than a hundred specialty stores, plus well-reviewed restaurants like Burtons Grill & Bar, serving everything from seafood to steaks, salads, and more. If you want quick access to big-city attractions, Nashua is about a 50-minute drive from Boston, where destinations like the New England Aquarium showcase thousands of aquatic animals.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston, the cultural and financial center of New England, is an excellent place to retire, with access to top-tier healthcare and standout amenities. Retirees can take advantage of renowned medical care at institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital, as well as the convenience of Boston Logan International Airport, a major gateway offering a wide range of domestic and international flights.
The city also keeps life interesting year-round with an impressive lineup of attractions. Highlights include the Museum of Fine Arts, with an extensive collection spanning cultures and time periods, and the Public Garden, a peaceful place to stroll among landscaped greenery, flowers, and a scenic pond. Sports and entertainment fans will appreciate being near Fenway Park, an iconic venue best known for baseball games and concerts, along with other major events throughout the year.
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is a charming city on Long Island Sound where retirement can be both comfortable and engaging. It also stands out for affordability: the area has one of the country’s more accessible housing markets, with an average home value of $314,746 according to Zillow. On the cultural side, New Haven offers a deep bench of institutions and public spaces, from Yale University (founded in 1701) to the New Haven Green, one of the oldest town greens in New England.
Covering about 16 acres, the Green adds beauty and community energy with historic churches and annual events like the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, a multi-week celebration of dance, theater, music, and more. Art enthusiasts can also enjoy the Yale University Art Gallery for free year-round; established in 1832, it’s the oldest college art museum in the US and holds an expansive collection. For coastal scenery, Long Wharf Park is a simple pleasure—ideal for a walk or picnic by the water, with a pier for fishing along the Sound.
Retire To These Cities And Enjoy The Best Of The US, Including Four Distinct Seasons
Factors that make great retirement destinations include safety, quality healthcare, and affordability, and New England is where to find all of these, specifically in these cities. From Nashua to Boston, these cities are excellent places to retire and enjoy life to the fullest, with easy access to natural attractions alongside rich culture, history, and arts. Consider these New England cities if you want four distinct seasons and a high quality of life.
