Street view in Westerly, Rhode Island (via peeterv / iStock.com)

The Best Small Town In Rhode Island For Seniors

Rhode Island is one of the smaller states in the nation, and not surprisingly, is home to many small towns. One excellent town to live in as a senior is Westerly, situated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and just minutes away from the border with Connecticut. Seniors in Westerly have a lot to look forward to, with plenty of fun activities around High Street and a supportive Senior Center that keeps the community active. Here are just some of the reasons you should consider moving to Westerlay if you are a senior.

Shopping

Downtown Westerly, Rhode Island.
Downtown Westerly, Rhode Island. Image credit: English Wikipedia user Daniel Case via Wikimedia Commons.

A cluster of shopping and dining options is located along High Street, where new residents can spend the day. The Eagle’s Nest Gallery specializes in jewelry and tableware, making it the perfect stop for those looking to add a touch of elegance to their wardrobe or home. Just across the street, you can find ReReads Bookshop. This bookshop specializes in used books across a wide range of genres, including fiction and nonfiction. And as you continue up High Street, you will arrive at Windie’s. This fun gift store offers a wide selection of tableware, glassware, linens, cookbooks, and other items to enhance the home. Visitors will also find snacks to purchase, as well as a variety of dips, spreads, oils, and vinegars.

Dining

Downtown Westerly, Rhode Island.
Downtown Westerly, Rhode Island.

Just next door to Windie’s, you can stop in for a meal at The Café. There is something for everyone at this restaurant, which sources products from local farms. Visitors will find plates featuring local baby beets, pasture-raised pork belly, and crab at the tailgate. The Café also serves up glasses of wine and cocktails, as well as desserts like cheesecake for those who want to indulge their sweet tooth. Steps south of the Café, you can also find Koi Japanese Cuisine. Koi is the spot to go to when you want Japanese cuisine. A friendly bar fills the center of the restaurant while tables line the windows that look out onto the street. Guests can expect to indulge in chicken tempura, koi wontons, and tuna rolls, among other items.

Entertainment

Westerly Memorial & Public Library.
Westerly Memorial & Public Library.

One of the best parts about being on High Street is that you will not be far from some fun things to do. High Street runs around Wilcox Park, so you will always have somewhere to go if you just want to take an afternoon stroll. It is also a convenient place to stop by if you happen to be on High Street for shopping. Just across the street, you can find The United Theatre. The theatre screens popular movies, such as “Avatar,” but also hosts numerous community events, including nights where couples can draw their significant others or performances by live musicians.

Senior Services

Bay Street in downtown Westerly, Rhode Island.
Bay Street in downtown Westerly, Rhode Island. Editorial credit: Yingna Cai / Shutterstock.com.

Westerly has a strong senior community that is very supportive of any seniors moving to the area. The Westerly Senior Center offers a range of local services. Their transportation services provide medical rides and trips to the center for shopping, banking, hair styling, and other purposes. The Center also offers a variety of recreational activities for seniors, including bingo, mahjong, shuffleboard, bridge, and billiards. However, the fun does not stop there. The Center hosts trips to the nearby Warwick Mall, making the Center a great way to connect with others while enjoying a day out. Finally, the Center hosts themed lunches for you to stop in for a meal and connect with your neighbors.

Towns Nearby

The iconic Narragansett Towers in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
The iconic Narragansett Towers in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Image credit: ajay_suresh via Wikimedia Commons.

If you want to head out onto the water, then you can easily reach Narragansett by heading east to the coast. Naragansett is truly the destination for anyone who enjoys time along the shore. Point Judith Pond, Upper Pond, Bluff Hill Cove, and Aguntang Brook are just some of the bodies of water to be found on the city’s western border. The area is renowned for its woodlands that line the water, and visitors to town often enjoy a stroll along the shores from Marina Park. Of course, with an eastern border on the Atlantic Ocean, you can head to beaches like Scarborough State Beach if you want time in the sun while watching the waves roll in.

 Aerial view of the beautiful sandy beach in Charlestown, Rhode Island.
Aerial view of the beautiful sandy beach in Charlestown, Rhode Island.

Charlestown is closer, but it also offers plenty of access to the water, with Green Hill Pond, Flat Meadow Cove, and Tautog Cove just a few of the bodies of water that can easily be accessed from town. If you want to access the ocean, the Charlestown Beach includes picnic tables where you can have lunch when you are not heading out for a dip in the water.

Senior Life in Rhode Island

You cannot run out of things to do in Westerly as a senior. The local Senior Center is highly supportive and does a lot to bring the senior community together. However, even if you just head out on your own, you will find plenty of places to enjoy your time in town. For instance, High Street is a perfect destination for shopping and dining all in one place. If you are a senior looking to make your next move, come to Westerly and see how great life can be.

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