The Best Small Towns To Retire In New York
New York is a versatile state, from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple to the vast forests of the Adirondack Mountains. If you are looking for the perfect place to settle down, these best small towns to retire in are known for affordability. Which one will suit your ideal retirement lifestyle?
Dunkirk
Dunkirk is a small thriving town on Lake Erie that is known as one of the best Great Lakes. It features a tranquil setting and tons of recreational opportunities for all ages. The town of 12,000 offers affordable lake-side living for the Golden Years, attested by its 17% retiree population. With a lower median rent rate and median home value, it is a great place to try out or make the decisive move to buy.
Two hospitals are located within a mile of the city, while the nearest airport is just 44 miles away, making it convenient for out-of-state family visits. The charming town offers a diverse range of activities for all preferences, including scenic shoreline walks, lighthouse views, enjoyable beach outings, and relaxing family-oriented activities. Additionally, a quaint boardwalk market adds to the town's appeal, delighting visitors of all ages.
Elmira
Elmira is one of the state's nicest places to retire, with a convenient location in the southern tier of New York, close to the border with Pennsylvania. The region's ex-transportation hub in the nineteenth century, along the New York City to Buffalo route, is now a thriving town of 30,000. Elmira boasts low cost-living, with an average house price of $100,000, along with several independent retirement communities. The town is home to baseball and hockey teams for the sports fans, while the drive-in movie theater is a beloved nostalgic pastime for the evening.
There's also the Chemung Valley History Museum on Civil War, along with the Arnot Art Museum and the Tanglewood Community Nature Center and Museum. The active retirees greatly enjoy the fresh-air Harris Hill Park with biking, walking, and running trails. The retirees comprise 13% of the population and get access to great healthcare with six hospitals within one mile of the city. The larger population signals liveability, while the lovely town stays the epitome of small-town living. There are the intriguing historic downtown and fun community parks, along with Mark Twain's study for those wishing to take a mental trip back to childhood with Tom Sawyer's adventures.
Fairport
Fairport is a great and scenic place to retire. The town comes with a high 21.6 percent retiree population, along with one of the highest concentrations of retirement communities in the state. The small Rochester suburb houses 0.75 locations to retire with comfort and care per 1,000 residents, along with 3.54 recreation centers per 1,000 residents. The adequate healthcare system in town features 8.39 medical centers available per 1,000 residents, while the renowned expansive University of Rochester Medical Center is only 15 minutes away by car.
Great Neck
The aptly-named town is a "great" place to retire on the northern side of the state's "neck", Long Island. Great Neck is perpetually considered the best spot to retire in the state, as well as one of the top in the whole country. The 18 percent senior population rate makes it easy to meet and keep good company in the Golden Years for fun, scenic outings and strolls through the picturesque downtown area.
Great Neck boasts some of the highest access to medical care, with 28 medical centers. Staying active and engaged is convenient with 3.76 recreation centers per 1,000 residents, though only 0.20 retirement communities are available per 1,000 residents. The town is upscale for buyers, with a higher tax rate of 18.5 percent. Despite this, its location, picturesque views, and excellent healthcare make it an ideal place to retire.
Huntington
Huntington's coastal location makes it an attractive retirement destination for many. The town, with 19% of its population being seniors, is situated on the northern bay side of Long Island. Retirees enjoy numerous activities to stay active and engaged, such as various parks, a large golf club, and 3.35 recreational centers for every 1,000 residents. Although there are only 0.06 retirement community locations per 1,000 residents, access to healthcare is strong, with 10.33 medical centers per 1,000 residents.
Ithaca
Ithaca is an excellent retirement destination for those eager to feel youthful in their Golden Years. With a population of 30,600, the town exudes a lively atmosphere and offers many amenities that become even more accessible during the summer months when Ithaca is less crowded. Visitors can enjoy peace and quiet, open space, and plenty of opportunities for various year-round activities. The charming yet vibrant town is centrally located in the state, providing easy access for day trips and family visits. As a rural and cultural center, it offers diverse recreational options suited to all tastes and all ages. Residents and visitors can explore a variety of excellent restaurants, bookstores, and shops, as well as enjoy numerous concerts and educational programs, making the Golden Years truly enriching.
Cayuga Lake is a nature lover's paradise with the best of the Finger Lakes' scenery. With the slogan "Ithaca is Gorges," one will have a time of life chasing waterfalls, discovering gorges, and exploring the meandering trails through 25,000 acres of forests. There is a prominent wine culture in town, while Dalai Lama chose Ithaca for serenity to build a temple for students of Tabetian Buddhism. The lower living cost and median house price of $160,000 make it affordable to retire in the known hub of the region.
Jamestown
Jamestown is a charming town in western New York with a vibrant senior community that makes up about 17% of the population. The town features beautifully historic architecture and a classic downtown area perfect for leisurely walks. There is an enjoyable riverwalk lined with attractions and scenic views of the water. The Lucille Ball Museum offers lively displays, and the many historic homes are worth exploring or admiring during a stroll. The town also has five hospitals within a mile, providing peace of mind for seniors, along with an affordable median home value.
Mechanicville
The historic town was established in 1721 in eastern Saratoga County, along the Champlain Canal. Mechanicville was once home to a large flour mill, a paper mill, and auto repair shops, as well as a major transfer yard for the railroads. The town, with its industrious history, now offers a wide range of attractions and activities for people of all ages. With a population of just 5,100, retirees have plenty of space and easy access to numerous services for their Golden Years.
There is a city dock for fishing and vistas, fresh-air parks, walking trails, great restaurants and shopping, rustic and popular pubs, along with a nearby casino. The average home price is $155,000, while the low cost of living makes Mechanicville an affordable place to retire and invest in what the heart desires. The town boasts its own Alzheimer’s Care center, along with several retirement communities to keep engaged in good company, under care, and with comfort.
Middletown
Middletown is located in the scenic Hudson Valley, just north of New York City. It is one of the most picturesque towns in the state for retirement, situated along the foothills of the Shawangunk Mountains near the Wallkill River. The town developed around the extended railroad in the 19th and 20th centuries, which drew small manufacturers and businesses to the area. The charming historic town, with a population of 28,000, offers a low cost of living and easy access to the amenities of New York City.
The median house price of $180,000 is worth it for many to access quality health care at the Orange Regional Medical Center right in town. The scenic streets brim with neighborhood churches, downtown ethnic eateries, bowling, a library, and movie theaters. The renowned historic Paramount Theater is perfect for catching an afternoon flick or spending an atmospheric evening in good company. The nearby harness horse racing center is beloved by the equestrians.
New Hyde Park
New Hyde Park, with 14.4% of the general population over 65, is located just south of Great Neck. Despite the same tax burden as its northern neighbor, and only 0.10 retirement communities per 1,000 residents, it is an ideal place to retire right in the outer city limits of New York City. One can easily access all of the Big Apple's amenities via a quick drive or a short and convenient commuter train ride. The retirees will find plenty of ways to stay active in town, with 2.86 recreation centers per 1,000 residents. New Hyde Park also boasts wonderful healthcare access, with 23 medical centers per 1,000 residents.
Ogdensburg
Ogdensburg is set on the northern border of New York State, with 16.3% of retirees of the general population calling the town home. The lower median house value than in other small towns around makes it great for those looking to buy and settle along the water-bound location. The lovely town is a paradise for outdoor lovers, with striking natural vistas and lush fresh-air parks for stroll and relaxation. The St. Lawrence River also offers many ways to stay active and healthy, while four hospitals within one mile of the city give easy access to care when needed.
Ogdensburg is one, and only United States port-town along the St. Lawrence River, offering strolls to cast longing glances at ships docking and departing. The town features many wineries for a well-deserved chill evening with a glass of vino after an active day along the riverfront, golf, or hiking. There are great shopping options and a choice of restaurants with varied cuisine, along with art places to peruse for a diversified pastime. The beautiful town with 11,000 residents is an affordable place to retire, with an average house value of just $100,000, along with several active retirement communities.
Peekskill
The suburb of New York City is perfect for those who wish to retire in a small-town environment but still occasionally crave "a bite" of the Big Apple. The town played an active role in American Industrialization, with major companies like Crayola calling it home. Following a setback, Peekskill grew up in the late 1980s with a renovated Hudson Valley Hospital and an arts scene along the city's main street. Peekskill, with 24,000 residents, boasts an ideal location on the eastern side of the Hudson River for a water-front retirement with the world hub at a hand's reach.
Many artists and other creative minds from SoHo join the thriving arts community thanks to the affordable renting in town. Moreover, the city established great artist lofts for artists to stop commuting and stay in the city after 5 pm. There are many wonderful attractions, including highlights of the Peekskill Coffee House for a morning cup 'o Joe and the Center for the Arts, set in a 1930s movie theater that features dramas, comedies, and independent films.
These small towns offer great retirement living to spend the best Golden Years in the state. One will have plenty of opportunities to stay active and find good company to share fun and relaxing pursuits.
