12 Best Places To Retire In New Jersey
Located at the heart of the heavily populated Northeast megalopolis, the diverse state of New Jersey ranks high among other U.S. states in various aspects of livability, including an educated populace, hospitals providing top-quality healthcare, and a rich cultural mix. For many senior U.S. residents seeking a dynamic setting to spend their golden years, the numerous small towns dotting the Garden State offer an unparalleled retirement experience, attracting many retirees each year. These small New Jersey communities stand out as desirable retirement destinations because they offer convenient access to urban amenities, sizable senior populations, abundant senior-friendly activities, generally lower housing costs (the average New Jersey home value is $560,000, according to Zillow as of November 2025), and various age-related benefits.
Phillipsburg
Phillipsburg is a quaint Warren County town located by the Delaware River, just half an hour away from the Pocono Mountains, and approximately 70 miles west of New York City. Retirees are especially drawn to this 15,000-inhabitant town, thanks to its attractive setting of undulating hills, thick woodlands, and streaming water, which provides an escape from the frenzied city life, affordable home prices (an average home value of $330,000), and a driving time of about an hour and a half to Philly and the Big Apple. Golden-agers residing at Phillipsburg must embark on the Delaware River Railroad Excursions’ scenic train rides through the beautiful countryside, including the highly popular “Polar Express Train Ride,” and shop for clothing and accessories from Main Street’s Around Again Consignment Boutique. One can also visit the Phillipsburg Senior Center on Firth Street for daily events and meals, and St. Luke’s Hospital - Warren Campus for healthcare requirements.
Mays Landing
Atlantic County’s administrative center, Mays Landing, is a 5,600-resident community within Hamilton Township, situated close to the Jersey Shore and 20 miles west of Atlantic City. Retired persons prefer Mays Landing for its budget-friendly home prices (an average home value of $305,000), proximity to the wide beaches and several boardwalks of the state’s Atlantic coast, and being a closely linked community. While in town, older adults can offer their prayers at the Presbyterian Church of Mays Landing, a 1841-built Greek Revival-style church and a contributing property to the Mays Landing Historic District. Visitors can buy baked goods and fresh produce at Carmen’s Farm Market, enjoy outdoor activities at Lake Lenape Park East and West, and reach Shore Medical Center (a full-service acute care hospital in Somers Point) in about 20 minutes.
Bridgeton
The government seat of Cumberland County, Bridgeton, is set in the Garden State’s South Jersey region, by the tidal Cohansey River, near the heart of the Delaware Bay lowlands. This lovely 27,000-resident community appeals to retirees due to its proximity to Philadelphia, just an hour away, and its reasonably priced housing, with an average home value of $250,000, which is significantly lower than the state’s average. Encompassing a quarter of the town, the Bridgeton Historic District comprises over 2,000 well-preserved properties, such as the Potter’s Tavern, a well-known spot in the years preceding the American Revolution, and the place where “The Plain Dealer,” the state’s first regular newspaper, was published. Seniors can visit the Cohanzick Zoo, the oldest zoo in New Jersey, located within the 1,100-acre Bridgeton City Park, which features over 100 animals representing 45 species. Alternatively, they can participate in the many activities available for community residents aged 55 and above at the West Cumberland Senior Center. Moreover, locals can go 10 miles to the Inspira Medical Center in Vineland for healthcare services.
Belvidere
Warren County’s center of administration, Belvidere, sits along the Delaware River at the western extremity of the New Jersey Highlands. With an average home value of around $385,000, significantly below the statewide average, retirees can procure first-class properties here, in addition to reserving funds for traveling and other amusements. The Warren County Historical & Genealogical Society Museum houses a comprehensive collection of local artifacts that tell the region’s history. Take gentle walks, enjoy picnics, and attend the town’s annual ‘Victorian Days’ event on the first Saturday after Labor Day, in the 4-acre, picturesquely landscaped Garret D. Wall Park. Secure medical attention at St. Luke’s New Health Center and spend an afternoon tasting wines and soaking in the calm vineyard vistas at the Four Sisters Winery at Matarazzo Farm.
Hammonton
Nicknamed the “Blueberry Capital of the World” for its blueberry production, Hammonton sits roughly midway between Philadelphia and Atlantic City, along a former Pennsylvania Railroad line. With a population of 14,700 inhabitants and an average home value of $370,000, approximately $190,000 lower than the state average, Hammonton combines small-town allure with a vibrant, walkable downtown that offers a range of activities suitable for retirees. Take a self-guided walking tour of the downtown, noting conspicuous landmarks like the historic Seth Thomas Clock/Hammonton Town Clock, currently installed at the corner of Central Avenue and Vine Street. Watch musicals, movies, and live dramatic productions at the restored Eagle Theatre, enjoy wine tastings at Plagido’s Winery, and unperturbed nature walks and recreational canoeing on the Mullica River in Wharton State Forest.
Lawrenceville
This enchanting hamlet within Mercer County’s Lawrence Township is situated equidistant from the state capital, Trenton, and the municipality of Princeton. Lawrenceville’s wonderful medley of farmlands, profitable businesses, affordable housing prices (with an average home value of $425,000), strong heritage, and a wide variety of community conveniences makes it a quintessential retirement spot. History buffs must not miss a tour of the National Guard Militia Museum on the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ Lawrenceville campus, which, via historical military artifacts, sheds light on the history of the National Guard and the New Jersey militia. The Colonial Lake Park, the centerpiece of which is the 25-acre man-made Colonial Lake, offers a tranquil setting for strolls, exercising on the jogging paths, or simply unwinding by the water. Taste award-winning farmstead cheese and shop for local, farm-fresh goodies from the Farm Store at the family-owned Cherry Grove Farm creamery, and get involved in a bunch of activities specially designed for citizens aged 60 years and above at the Office on Aging/Senior Center - Lawrence Township.
Collingswood
Collingswood, a charming Camden County borough situated in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area, is approximately 5 miles east of Philadelphia and 35 miles southwest of the state capital. It attracts retirees for its proximity to urban conveniences and an average home value of $450,000, which is noticeably lower than the state average. Head to the 70-acre Knight Park right at the heart of the town for daytime recreations and watching concerts and movies during the summer months. Buy crafts, local produce, and baked goods from the Collingswood Farmers Market, held on Saturdays from May to November, and join the social meetings, events, and seminars throughout the year at the Collingswood Senior Community Center.
Pennsauken
Located about a 15-minute drive from Philadelphia across the Delaware River, Pennsauken offers retirees a mix of open space, convenient amenities, and an average home value of $290,000. Connect with the community’s past at the National Register-listed Burrough-Dover House, which the Pennsauken Historical Society has beautifully restored. Make your way to the Cooper River Park, a 346-acre linear urban park, where you can explore the running trails and tracks, pavilions, recreational fields, go fishing, and watch the sizable open water area. Purchase fresh produce every week from the family-owned Meadowbrook Farmer’s Market, utilize the array of services for older adults by the nearby Senior Citizens United Community Service, and promptly reach for medical assistance at the Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, a few miles away from Pennsauken.
Rahway
Centrally located in the New York Metropolitan Area’s Rahway River Valley region, this small Union County town, a bedroom community of the Big Apple just 30 miles southwest of Manhattan, has a cheaper housing rate (an average home value of $530,000), significantly less than the state average as well as that of New York City. Golden-agers must stop by the Merchants & Drovers Tavern Museum, broadening their knowledge of Rahway’s colonial past through period exhibits and guided tours. Seniors can enjoy concerts, theater, dance, musicals, and classic film screenings at the artfully rejuvenated Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC), and explore the running tracks, multi-use paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas at Rahway River Park. Get involved in varied programs and activities for Rahway seniors (sixty and older) at the Rahway Senior Citizens Center, and access the health and medical services offered at the proximate Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Millville
Situated within the Vineland-Bridgeton Metropolitan Statistical Area, Millville is a pretty Cumberland County town that attracts attention as an art & culture hub in the South Jersey region. Nicknamed “The Holly City of America,” the town of approximately 27,500 residents (with an average home value of $250,000) features the Glasstown Arts District, a vibrant downtown area that offers strolling, galleries, and craft shopping. The internationally recognized WheatonArts and Cultural Center is home to the Museum of American Glass, which boasts an extensive collection of over 20,000 pieces of glass, alongside many working artist studios, the Down Jersey Folklife Center, a pond-side picnic grove, and museum stores selling handcrafted gift items. At the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, seniors can attend art receptions featuring musical performances and refreshments on the 3rd Friday of every month. They can also participate in social activities and recreational programs specifically designed for older adults at the Holly City Regional Senior Center.
Hopatcong
Hopatcong, a peaceful Sussex County borough about 40 miles from New York City, borders Lake Hopatcong, the state’s largest freshwater lake, covering roughly four square miles. The settlement’s waterfront location, reasonably priced housing (with an average home value of $450,000), and laid-back ambiance attract retirees to make Hopatcong their permanent residence. Learn riveting tales about the biggest lake in the state and the town's past as a significant northeastern resort destination in the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum. Seniors can engage in various outdoor activities at the Hopatcong State Park and foster social bonds while playing golf at Lake Hopatcong Golf Club’s 18-hole mini golf course. Retirees will also appreciate quality time with their grandchildren at the family-friendly Tagalongs Play Place, in addition to taking advantage of the support and nutritional services provided by the Hopatcong Senior Center for seniors aged 60 and above.
Hainesport
Initially settled by the indigenous Lenape people on the Rancocas Creek banks, this placid Burlington County township, renamed ‘Haines’ Port’ after the settler Barclay Haines, is currently home to 6,000 residents. Hainesport’s average home value of $515,000, combined with its seamless blend of green spaces, rich heritage, community spirit, and wellness focus, has made it a haven for seniors. Locals can tour the Hainesport section of Rancocas State Park, which offers hiking/biking trails, horseback riding trails, and easy access to Rancocas Creek for fishing and canoeing activities. Covering 115 wooded acres, the Long Bridge Park provides picnicking, fishing, hiking, bird and wildlife watching, and biking opportunities in a bucolic setting along the Rancocas Creek. One can also meet on the second Thursday of every month for Senior Citizen Game Day, and visit the nearest Virtua Mount Holly Hospital in case of any medical emergency.
Settle Down In New Jersey
From Mays Landing, located just a half-hour drive from the Atlantic City Boardwalk, to the quiet haven of Hainesport on the shores of Rancocas Creek, each welcoming New Jersey town appeals to retirees with its affordability, comfort, and strong sense of community. As you plan for the autumn of your life, consider these small Garden State towns for retirement: they offer a balance of manageable housing costs, strong medical care, abundant outdoor activities, vibrant local cultures, convenient access to New York City or Philadelphia, and above all, small-town tranquility.
