10 Best Places To Retire In New York
When it comes to retirement, location is everything. You want to be able to move around, enjoy milder weather, and be in a safe place. But most of all, you want to be able to stretch your retirement funds as much as possible. Indeed, there are plenty of places to consider, but one that you might not be expecting so much from is the State of New York. Believe it or not, between iconic landmarks like Niagara Falls and the Finger Lakes, and numerous other beautiful sights, there are dozens of small towns where the cost of living is lower than the average New York home value, a cool $505,000, according to Zillow.com.
In addition, with the State of New York being a smaller state, you'll find that living in these small towns offers easier access to metropolitan areas with more amenities and senior care, making them more appealing. Combined with plenty of senior-friendly activities in these towns, you'll surely be able to find a place you'll love in one of the following spots.
Lockport
If you've ever wanted to see Niagara Falls again and again, one of the best places to live is Lockport. With its own unique charm in this part of America, Lockport offers an affordable place to live, boasting home values that average $255,000. Retirees also benefit from access to care at Brooks Memorial Hospital in town, which offers emergency services and inpatient treatment close to home.
Cutting through town, the manmade marvel in question is none other than the Erie Canal. Lockport is the only place where you'll be able to see the Erie Canal as well as the modern-day Locks that control the canal system. Beyond that, a walking tour is available starting at the Erie Canal Discovery Center, where you can learn about the maritime history of the region. If you're looking for a hit of nostalgia, a trip to the Transit Drive-In would be perfect. Open on Friday and Saturday nights, and Tuesdays during the summer, this movie experience offers a classic drive-in theater experience reminiscent of years past. Alternatively, if you prefer a leisurely outing, the Niagara Escarpment at Outwater Park is ideal for a picnic.
Dunkirk
Sitting directly on Lake Erie, you'll find the town of Dunkirk. With small-city friendliness, the town gives you a taste of coastal living without living precisely on the coast, and it does so quite cheaply, too. With home values on average for Dunkirk set at $130,000, Dunkirk is a cheaper coastal living option without having to fully commit to it.
Naturally, because Dunkirk is on a lake, fishing and boating adventures are a staple too, with multiple lakes to pick from, including Lake Erie and Chautauqua Lake. Alternatively, you can walk along the pier via City Pier Park, which is open all year round and serves as a venue for various community events, including live music. A historical landmark you also want to check out is the Dunkirk Lighthouse, alongside the associated park and Veterans Museum, which features a collection of military and maritime artifacts and offers a great view of Lake Erie from the Lighthouse Observation Deck. You can even enjoy weekly farmers' markets where you can pick seasonal fruits and vegetables, local meats, dairy, honey, homemade jams, and more.
Plattsburgh
For those with a love of lakeside views and rich history, you'll find a place like Plattsburgh to be an excellent choice. Similar to Dunkirk, the town is right on the shores of Lake Champlain, where you might be able to witness some shipwrecks. The town also has a median home value of around $240,000, a steal for the scenic views.
For more direct aquatic activities, consider exploring City Beach, one of America's most extensive freshwater beaches, which is well-maintained to keep it that way. For those with a love for history, the Plattsburgh Air Force Base Museum offers a rich history, honoring the forty-year presence of the United States Air Force in the North Country. Alternatively, the Kent-Delord House Museum can give you a glimpse into what living in the nineteenth century was like. Meanwhile, the art appreciator could certainly enjoy walking the Murals Trail, a series of unique murals throughout the city featuring different art styles from multiple artists, showcasing how tight-knit and connected this community really is.
Ogdensburg
Sitting in the upper left corner of New York State and near the St. Lawrence River is Ogdensburg. It's a port city that boasts numerous potential benefits for retirees, offering multiple advantages. For starters, it's not far from Canada, with the border being a few minutes away. Furthermore, it's cheap to live here, with the average home value being about $110,000, the cheapest on the list. Ogdensburg is also home to Claxton Hepburn Medical Center, a regional hospital that provides emergency care, medical imaging, and specialist clinics that are reassuring for retirees who want services nearby.
For the days you're staying in town, there are plenty of things to do. One of the signature stops is the Frederic Remington Art Museum, which has its own display of original sculptures, paintings, and drawings. It also hosts various community events like summer BBQs and has a haunted tour for Halloween. Ogdensburg also features a convenient trail called the Maple City Trail, which runs along the Oswegatchie River. With the path completely paved, it's perfect for people of all ages. And if you're feeling hungry, stop by Wimpy's Inn, home of the original Wimpy sauce. The cozy atmosphere, along with the timeless menu, makes it ideal for everyone's taste.
Cortland
For the more active retiree, one of the better spots for adventure, vibrancy, and the occasional cozy atmosphere, Cortland is a great pick. The average home value in Cortland is about $200,000, making it an affordable place for you to explore the beauty of the area and make some memorable moments, too.
Cortland is a very colorful and quirky place, and you can get a sense of that from the Cortland County Historical Society. It's a museum that contains the Suggett House Museum and the Kellogg Memorial Research Library, which helps to explain the area through a rotating collection of items and exhibits, and hands-on history rooms. The 1890 House Museum is also a noteworthy adventure as it details the 19th-century inventor and industrialist Chester F. Wickwire. Cortland also features some unique art galleries, including Forged from Ashe Studios, where you're invited to participate in creative or craft workshops in addition to viewing various works and meeting the makers.
Auburn
Famed for being Harriet Tubman's town of operation, Auburn is rich in history and isn't far from larger cities like Syracuse. With an average house value of $215,000, living here is quite reasonable and is highly senior-friendly, thanks to many natural scenic views as well as easy access to metropolitan areas. Auburn Community Hospital anchors local healthcare, providing emergency services, diagnostics, and inpatient care that make it easier for retirees to manage their health without long drives.
As mentioned, Harriet Tubman lived here, and after the Civil War, she spent her days in Auburn. You can get a glimpse of her life and the legacy she left behind at the Harriet Tubman Home, located in the national historical park named after her. Another consideration is visiting the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, where they offer a variety of multi-arts programs, including music, film, folk arts, poetry, and storytelling. If you want to tap back into your creative side, the art center is bound to help or, at the very least, impress you with the works it produces. And if you want to get a taste of both history and art, the Cayuga Museum of Art & History has you covered. Through three buildings, they tell the story of how sound on film came to be, as this was the site for the first commercially successful system of sound on film.
Owego
Easy access to both Binghamton and the Finger Lakes, minus the big city traffic, you'll find the small town of Owego. This town is filled with historic charm, with the downtown being lined with 19th-century storefronts that you can leisurely stroll through or shop. And you could easily do that, considering the average home value in Owego is $200,000.
There are several iconic stores in Owego's downtown district, including Black Cat Gallery, home to over 30 local master crafters' and artists' work. The gallery even lives up to its name, with some well-behaved pets roaming around. The Riverow Bookshop in the area can also be a great spot to wander to, as author events are held there plenty of times and bring readers together to enjoy some great books.
But if you prefer to be around nature, Owego has plenty of it. One of the better spots is the Brick Pond Wetland Preserve. It's especially so if you're a fan of birdwatching, as the area is known as one of the best birding sites in New York State, bringing in a tremendous amount of warblers, songbirds, and waterfowl species to the area.
Massena
Finding time to relax and take in beautiful scenery can be hard to come by, but in places like Massena, you get exactly that. With the average home value at $120,000, retirees here can enjoy retirement to the fullest in a town that offers a lot of peace.
To start, Massena is a fisher's paradise, with Massena being considered the best spot to do so. It's easy to see why, considering Massena is situated right next to the St. Lawrence River, alongside two other rivers: the Grasse and Raquette Rivers. The town also has an orchard nearby in Kanebs Orchard, a staple spot to visit during the fall, as they have apple cider donuts, cider wine, and other apple-based products. They're even prepared for winter with trails at the Nicandri Nature Center being cleared for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter months and for hiking during the fall, spring, and summer months.
Oneonta
Vibrant, diverse, and filled with natural beauty, Oneonta is an ideal place for raising a family and for retirement. Because of its youthful energy, there is plenty to see and do, and affordability is reasonable, with the average home value being $205,000. Oneonta is also home to A.O. Fox Hospital and the nearby FoxCare Center, which offer hospital care, outpatient services, and rehabilitation programs that are particularly beneficial for older adults.
You can capture the vibrancy of Oneonta through its plentiful green spaces, trailways, and parks, in addition to the red-brick layout of the downtown area and its historical buildings. In the former, places like Gilbert Lake State Park are perfect for fishing, swimming, and boating during the warmer months. For an easy walk, the Susquehanna Greenway offers a two-mile loop that allows you to take in the view of the river. It's also open in the winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. In one of the many historical buildings, you'll be able to find the Orpheus Theatre, a not-for-profit theater company putting on theatrical shows for the community.
Cooperstown
Nicknamed America's Hometown, Cooperstown has an outstanding balance of small peaceful town charm and great living. To start, living here is a bit pricier than other places on this list, with the average home value being $370,000; however, the price is well worth the investment. To start, it's not too far away from major metropolitan areas, such as Albany (60 miles), Syracuse (67 miles), and New York City (145 miles). For medical needs, there is the Bassett Medical Center, a major regional hospital that provides comprehensive medical care, specialist visits, and follow-up services, making aging in place far more practical.
Aside from being central to several major cities, Cooperstown has a lot of its own to offer. The renowned Fenimore Art Museum boasts a vast collection of works from American and Native American art, representing a diverse and rich cultural heritage. You'll also have ready access to the Glimmerglass State Park, which is open all year round and offers a variety of outdoor activities beyond relaxing near the Otsego Lake. For example, during the winter, you can do some ice fishing or give one of the many hiking trails in the park a try. And you can't leave out one of the most iconic spots of Cooperstown, the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum. Drawing people to Cooperstown since its creation, the museum contains and highlights everything great about baseball and its history.
Settle Down In The Empire State
With winters being harsher, the trade-off is crisp autumns, vibrant springs, and warm summers to soak in the sights. While warmer climates may be nicer, adapting to the Empire State's weather is well worth it when considering all the natural beauty, strong community, and great affordability these towns have to offer. Beyond that, each town has its own unique theme to provide you with. Whether you want to live in the baseball-loving town of Cooperstown, enjoy the great outdoors in Massena, or savor the apples in Cortland, New York State's small towns have rich history, outstanding diversity, and strong communities that make settling here well worth considering. Especially when many of these towns are so close to much bigger ones.
