12 Best Places To Retire In Vermont

Vermont is a beautiful state. But with so many cities to choose from, which one can you truly pick for retirement? Well, here are the 12 best places to retire in Vermont. These smaller towns all share a few commonalities: they have lower populations and median housing values below the state's median of $387,000. Not only are these 12 towns a bargain, but they also offer a slower pace of life, affordable living, plenty of nature, and a wide range of activities. Read on to see which cities are on this list.

Brattleboro

With a population of approximately 12,000 residents and a median household value of $323,000, Brattleboro is a quaint town that's perfect for retirees. While the value is right for housing, the city offers a lively art scene, a farmers' market, and strong community programs. Brattleboro also benefits from having Brattleboro Memorial Hospital within the community, providing retirees with access to reliable healthcare, rehabilitation services, and specialty care, all just minutes from home.

A few not-to-be-missed specifics include the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Fort Dummer State Park, the Madame Sherri House, and a charming downtown area you'll love exploring. While the downtown has plenty of galleries, restaurants, and vintage stores to explore, you'll love walking up the ruins of Madame Sherri House, located in the nearby forest. It makes for a one-of-a-kind moment that'll make you feel like an explorer.

Rutland

Another fantastic town to consider is Rutland. It's a gateway to ski country in Vermont, offering a range of other outdoor activities to choose from. Not to mention the median home value is around $270,000, making this city an absolute bargain. Retirees will also appreciate that Rutland is home to several senior living communities, including The Gables, which offers independent living and wellness programs in a warm and supportive setting.

So what's there to do in Rutland? How about visiting a castle? You can visit Wilson Castle in nearby Proctor, but if you prefer staying in Rutland, there's a beautiful storybook house that almost looks like a castle and doubles as an art space. It's called the Chaffee Art Center, and it offers plenty of programs for art lovers, hobbyists, and beginners. For outdoor enthusiasts, consider Pine Hill Park, featuring over 19 miles of single-track trails and more than 325 acres of terrain. The park has terrain for mountain biking, trail running, hiking, walking, and snowshoeing. If you're worried about injury while you're trekking, there's no need to worry. Rutland has some of the best medical facilities, like the Rutland Regional Medical Center, which partners with the University of Vermont Medical Center to bring you everything you're looking for.

Bennington

Just like the city of Rutland, Bennington has an approximate population of 15,000, giving it a slower pace of life and a small-town vibe. However, Bennington's median household value is cheaper than Rutland's, standing at around $242,000 according to Zillow. Bennington is also anchored by Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, a full-service hospital that provides comprehensive care and ensures residents never have to travel far for medical attention.

Apart from the small-town vibe, why retire in Bennington? Community events like Garlic Town USA, which takes place each Labor Day, bring the town together for live music, beer, food trucks, and a curated group of over 100 garlic-centric vendors throughout downtown Bennington. If you're into a community feel, Bennington provides. Bennington also has a large Senior Center that partners with the YMCA to bring many retirees together for activities everyone will enjoy, such as potlucks, lunches, and more. To get your art fix, don't forget to check out the Bennington Museum.

St. Albans

St. Albans is a lakeside community with festivals and riverfront parks with a cozy vibe. According to Zillow, the median home value is approximately $358,000, and the population is around 7,000. However, this small town has plenty of outdoor activities to help you "stop and smell the roses."

Burton Island is a beautiful island filled with nature. It is a 253-acre park off the southwestern tip of St. Albans Point. As the name suggests, it's an island only accessible by boat. It's a 10-minute boat ride from Kill Kare State Park, another park where you can picnic with your significant other, in case you wish to stay on the mainland. If you prefer to stay in the city, St. Albans has a historic downtown with plenty of restaurants to try. Mimmos is an excellent pizzeria for lunch. Follow that up with an espresso from Catalyst Coffee Bar to fuel the rest of your day. St. Albans is further supported by Northwestern Medical Center, a modern hospital offering emergency care, diagnostic services, and specialist appointments that cater well to older adults.

Barre Town

The city of Barre is surrounded by the town of Barre, which is a separate municipality and incorporated separately. While Barre City has a population of around 8,500, Barre Town has a population of 7,900. To make matters a little more complicated, the entire area is considered a micropolitan region with a total population of 59,000, comprising a collection of towns that feel like a bigger metropolis, each with its own unique small-town feel and character, while offering all the big-city amenities you require.

While the Barre area is more populated than other, more isolated towns in Vermont, the median home value is still lower than the state average at $302,000. However, the area also features an active senior center, a thriving arts scene, hiking opportunities, and excellent regional healthcare. For instance, Central Vermont Medical Center is part of the University of Vermont Medical System, which has branches throughout the area, making it convenient for all your healthcare needs. The Barre Area Senior Center has a calendar full of activities for people 50 and over. It is a resource serving all seniors in Barre and nearby towns, making it a busy hub for meeting like-minded individuals. If you wish to retire and create art, check out Studio Place Arts. It's not just a museum to view what's on display. It's a center with studios for budding artists, classes, workshops, and an educational center for all.

Newport

Newport is a peninsula surrounded by Lake Memphremagog. Because it's sandwiched between water, it doesn't have a lot of room to grow, which means the population is low, around 4,400 residents. Although most of the city is located near the waterfront, property values are around $250,000, making this town very affordable. Retirees in Newport have close access to North Country Hospital, a community-focused medical center that offers primary care, cardiology services, and therapy programs for long-term wellness.

Since it's near the water, Newport is ideal for those who love water activities. For starters, you have Northern Star Cruises for an evening of education and touring the nearby lake. If you have your own boat, you can take it out at your leisure. What makes Newport shine is its year-round community activities. Even during the winter, Downtown Newport's Hometown Holidays are perfect for the entire family. And if you choose to retire in this town, the community activities are the ideal opportunity to make friends. The proximity of Jay Peak Resort (located in Jay Peak) also means you have plenty of tourists who visit the town, explore the indoor water park, or ski in the winter.

St. Johnsbury

Want to retire to a Northeast Vermont cultural hub? How about St. Johnsbury? With a population of 7,300 and a median home value of $257,000, St. Johnsbury offers not only a less expensive area to retire to but also plenty of outdoor trails, museums, theaters, and activities for the retired community.

The Fairbanks Museum has tons to see. It has a planetarium, historical galleries, and collections. Not to mention, you can always volunteer if you're a museum and history lover. It's a great way to stay busy while doing something you love. If staying active is important to you, Vermont is home to many natural sites and trails, and St. Johnsbury has plenty of trails in the Municipal Forest, like the Dog Mountain Yellow, Green, and Blue Loop Trail, and the Observatory Knob Trail. St. Johnsbury is a town with a little bit of something for everyone.

Vergennes

Let's talk about Vergennes, Vermont. Vergennes is a gorgeous, storybook town with only about 2,500 in population. The town straddles a river, making the scenery look incredible. It has a historic downtown, art walks, and, since it's near the water, you can enjoy water activities or biking.

Even though the median housing value is still below the state's median, it is not that much lower (around $351,000). Some examples of what the city is like include the walkable downtown, which has many locally owned small shops and restaurants. Snake and Buck mountains offer a variety of recreational activities, including hiking and biking, along with stunning views. Nearby Lake Champlain provides opportunities for paddling, sailing, and swimming. It's also considered one of Vermont's smallest towns.

Windsor

For an even smaller Vermont town, try Windsor. Boasting a small population of 3,500, Windsor might be small, but it packs a lot into a small area. Windsor is also home to Cedar Hill, a well-regarded retirement community that offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care in a peaceful environment overlooking the rolling hills.

Mt Ascutney has several trails for staying active and enjoying the scenery. The mountain towers over the Connecticut River and the neighboring towns. It provides hikers with challenges to keep their hearts pumping. If you want something different, stay at Fat Sheep Farm and Cabins on one of your anniversaries. It's a vacation rental surrounded by sheep. They offer cheesemaking and sourdough classes, along with other wholesome activities that help reduce the stress of city living. Windsor has plenty of history to take in at the American Precision Museum. With a median home value of $285,000, Windsor is an inexpensive place for retirement.

Bellows Falls

Bellows Falls is like living in an artsy village on the river. It has a population of roughly 3,000 and a median home value of $237,000. The Bellows Falls Historical Society is where all the historical records and information are held in case you want to learn more about the land you currently reside in. And even though the entire town has a lot of history, it also has a cute, quaint downtown with an independent bookstore (Village Square Booksellers) for book lovers. The Halladays Harvest Barn sells great ingredients for the cook in all of us. There are also regular community events that bring the town together. Even the Harvest Barn throws community events. For any medical requirements, the Springfield Hospital is just 20 minutes away in Springfield.

Johnson

Johnson, Vermont, not to be confused with East Johnson, a nearby town, is a small community with a population of around 3,500. However, it has an art scene in an outdoorsy environment, offering a slower pace of life. Additionally, the median household value is approximately $340,000.

What should you expect as a retiree in Johnson? For starters, the art scene in Johnson, Vermont, is primarily defined by the presence of the Vermont Studio Center, the largest, internationally recognized residency program for writers in the United States, offering programs, studios, and opportunities for residents to connect with a global community. So, if you are in the process of writing a novel, this is a great place to find your muse. If you prefer staying active, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail offers miles of biking trails. While there is a lot of history and outdoor trails to discover, such as the Scribner Covered Bridge, Johnson offers a rural and suburban way of life.

Hardwick

Hardwick is another small rural New England town in Vermont with a small population of approximately 2,900 and a median housing value of $240,000. It is a beautiful, serene, outdoorsy, artsy town with an active community. Hardwick also benefits from close access to community healthcare through the Hardwick Area Health Center, which offers primary care, wellness visits, and ongoing support for aging residents.

Want to know if Hardwick is right for you? As with all towns, it depends on what you're looking for in retirement. If you are looking for outdoor adventures and hiking trails, such as the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, which passes through Hardwick, or the numerous Hardwick Trails for outdoor enthusiasts, Hardwick might be a good fit. From May through October, the outdoor Hardwick Farmers Market feels like you are transported back in time. The scenery is perfect, the fruit is fresh, and the vendors are friendly.

And That's 12 Best Places To Retire In Vermont

Those are 12 of the best places to retire to in Vermont you might want to consider. Not only are they inexpensive, but they also provide plenty of opportunities for artistic growth, making friends, or having some alone time during your retirement years. Not to mention that each town is relatively small, with housing values below the state's median. Whatever your taste is, Vermont has something for everyone. So, what does retirement look like for you? Any of these strike your fancy?