10 Most Comfortable Towns in New York for Seniors
Those who are approaching retirement are often looking for a more relaxed pace of life, as well as a community offering comfort, safety, and convenience. Although New York is known for its bustling cities, there are tranquil towns within the state that provide seniors with a mixture of scenic, natural beauty; access to health care; many social activities; and a welcoming environment. Whether you are looking for a peaceful lakeside town or a small town filled with culture, you can find it in New York.
Stony Point
Stony Point is a peaceful, suburban town along the Hudson River in Rockland County of just over 12,100 people, with about 20 percent of them age 65 or over, according to the US Census Bureau. This is what draws many retirees to the town. Monthly rent prices in Stony Point are a bit higher than the median, averaging $3500, and median home values are also higher, at $595,000 (both figures per Realtor.com). Seniors who relocate to Stony Point and have money to spend on housing realize that they face a trade-off: paying more for housing to be with a larger percentage of people in their age bracket.
History buffs who move to Stony Point have many landmarks of historical significance to explore. The Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site marks the location of the 1779 Battle of Stony Point. The Stony Point Lighthouse, built in 1826, is also at this site. All of these are easily accessible to the elderly.
The town pool is open from June to Labor Day. Summer concerts are held each Wednesday at Riverfront Park. Six town parks are available for recreational activities. River Front Park provides scenic views of the Hudson River, as well as a fishing pier. Charles S. Eccher Park offers a walking trail, exercise equipment, basketball courts, and horseshoe pits.
Good healthcare is accessible in Stony Point, with Good Samaritan Hospital about 15 miles to the northeast in Suffern and Nyack Hospital approximately 17 miles to the south in Nyack. Stony Point also has its own senior center, the Patriot Hills Senior Center, at the Patriot Hills Golf Course. With more than 65,000 people in Rockland County over the age of 60, the Rockland County Office for the Again maintains an Access and Functional Needs Registry of residents with limited mobility or special needs in case of emergency.
Elmira
Elmira is the county seat of Chemung County, with a population of just over 26,500. About 15 percent of that population is over the age of 65. Elmira, which is in southern New York, near the Pennsylvania border, offers relatively affordable housing, with a low rent average of $1,200 and a median home price of $134,900. This is one of the main attractions for older adults who want to move to Elmira.
Historic downtown Elmira is readily accessible on foot. Shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions are all within walking distance. Art galleries, such as Arnot Art Museum, are also found in the downtown area. Literature lovers will want to visit Mark Twain's gravesite in Elmira.
The Chemung River, which flows through the town, has its own scenic walking trail passing through wooded areas and meadows. It is well-stocked and popular with fishermen, as well as bird watchers. The Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum, which maintains 10 miles of trails and provides homes for over 40 exotic and native animals, is also a favorite Elmira nature destination.
In addition to all of that, there are six hospitals that are either in or within a mile of Elmira. They include St. Joseph's Hospital in Elmira, and Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira. The Chemung Valley Senior Center and the Chemung County Library District are also popular with seniors who move to Elmira.
Binghamton
The city of Binghamton is home to 47,969 people as of 2020. About 17 percent of those are age 65 or older. Living in Binghamton is affordable, with rent averaging $1,305 monthly and home prices averaging $145,000. Its affordability is a big draw for seniors to move to Binghamton.
Binghamton is often referred to as the "Parlor City" for its well-maintained neighborhood communities and beautiful Victorian architecture. The Phelps Mansion Museum, in Binghamton's historic area, is a three-story Victorian home from the 1870s that can be toured. Retirees will also appreciate Antique Row, a downtown city street packed with antique and collectible shops.
Opportunities for outdoor recreation are plentiful in Binghamton. The Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers meet in Binghamton, and Confluence Park, where they meet, is a popular park for kayakers and canoers. Binghamton's River Trail, connecting Confluence Park with Cheri Lindsey Park, runs for 1.5 miles and can be traveled by foot or bike. Binghamton is also known as the "Carousel Capital of the World, as six antique carousels are housed within its parks.
Educational opportunities exist for seniors in Binghamton, as they may audit free classes at Binghamton University. Top-notch healthcare is also available in Binghamton, with UHS Binghamton General Hospital, Guthrie Lourdes Hospital, and UHS Wilson Medical Center all in the area.
Ithaca
Situated on the shores of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes, Ithaca was ranked the number 7 small city in the nation for successful aging by the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging. Just over 32,100 people live in Ithaca, with about eight percent age 65 or over.
Being a college town (both Cornell University and Ithaca College are here), some older adults like the fact that the median age skews lower to 22.8, as it keeps them feeling young. The town has a stimulating, youthful vibe and intergenerational feel. Although the town is a bit more expensive to live in, with home prices averaging $475,000 and monthly rent averaging $2,350, its beautiful natural scenery, community focus on health and wellness, and supportive network for seniors make Ithaca a great town to retire.
Its location on the Finger Lakes means that Ithaca is surrounded by picturesque landscapes with waterfalls, lakes, and gorges. The Allan H. Treman State Marine Park runs next to the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, an eight-mile ADA-compliant trail for hikers, bikers, and joggers. There are also charter boat services and angling zone services for those who want to get out on Cayuga Lake.
Retirement communities abound in Ithaca, from independent living at Cayuga View Apartments to more supportive living at Beechtree Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. The Tompkins County Office for the Aging is also in Ithaca and can help the elderly with a variety of issues.
Fine medical centers are found in Ithaca, including the Cayuga Health System, Cayuga Center for Healthy Living, and Guthrie Cortland Medical Center in nearby Cortland. Older adults may also audit classes at Cayuga Community College in Auburn for free and at Cornell University for a discounted tuition fee.
Schuylerville
The village of Schuylerville is in eastern New York, 150 miles north of New York City and 40 miles south of Saratoga Springs. Schuylerville has a population of just under 1,400, with almost 13 percent aged 65 and over. Although home prices average over $400,000 in Schuylerville, rent is a more affordable $2,300 per month. This quiet, close-knit community appeals to many seniors looking for small-town living with access to larger city amenities.
Opportunities for outdoor recreation and historical education can be found at Fort Hardy--Schuyler's Canal Park, the site where the British surrendered to the Americans. The park lies between the Hudson River and Champlain Canal and hosts recreational events and activities. Hudson Crossing Park, just outside of Schuylerville, is another recreational and educational destination with picnicking, fishing, and birding sites, as well as two miles of panoramic nature trails.
The Saratoga Seniors group in Schuylerville holds yoga classes, line dancing classes, a trail walking group, and a kayaking group. It also books trips to nearby Niagara Falls and Lake George. The Saratoga Senior Center in nearby Saratoga Springs, just 20 minutes away, offers activities, classes, and events designed for older adults.
The existence of good health care nearby, such as Saratoga Hospital in Saratoga Springs and Saratoga Hospital Medical Care in Schuylerville, is a major enticement for older adults to move to Schuylerville. Four senior living communities can be found within 10 miles of Schuylerville, including Argyle Center for Independent Living and Summit at Saratoga.
Piermont
A mere 30 miles from Manhattan, the village of Piermont is home to just over 2,500 people, almost a quarter of whom are age 65 or over. This population distribution and proximity to the city are what attract many retirees to Piermont. You need to have a bit of money to live here, however. Home prices are higher in Piermont, averaging $670,000. Rental prices are a bit lower, averaging $2,962.
Piermont is situated between the Hudson River, Tallman Mountain State Park, and the Clausland Mountains, providing beautiful scenic views. Tallman Mountain State Park also offers a walking trail, hiking areas, picnic areas, a running track, and tennis courts. The Piermont Marsh, within the park, is part of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Preserve, protecting two miles of shoreline along the Hudson River. Great birding opportunities and wildlife spotting can be found here.
Piermont's downtown area is filled with railroad trails, shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Piermont Pier, which was the embarkation point for soldiers leaving for Europe in World War II, is a popular attraction. The Drawbridge on Bridge Street, built in 1880, is a single-leaf, manually operated drawbridge that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Healthcare is not far away for those living in Piermont. Just 10 minutes to the north are Montefiore Nyack Hospital and Highland Medical, both in Nyack. Senior living, including independent, assisted, and memory care, can be found in Yonkers at Sunrise of Crestwood, just six miles from Piermont.
Dunkirk
In Chautauqua County in western New York, on the shores of Lake Erie, Dunkirk has just over 12,700 people living within its city limits. About 18 percent of them are 65 years of age or older. Rent averages $2,250 monthly, and home prices are an affordable $139,900.
Positioned along Lake Erie, Dunkirk's two most popular city parks are Point Gratiot, offering beaches, sightseeing, and picnicking; and Wright Park, with all of Point Gratiot's amenities plus pickleball courts, basketball court, futsal court, and ballfields.
Lakefront views can be seen in Dunkirk's downtown area, which also hosts shops, restaurants, art galleries, and a farmer's market. The Dunkirk Historical Museum and Dunkirk Lighthouse are also in the area and are open for guided tours.
Dunkirk has a well-established senior center that holds events and activities and houses a library. The Brooks-TLC Hospital System is in Dunkirk, and Chautauqua Medical Services has offices there as well. A multitude of senior living options exist in Dunkirk, such as Lincoln Arms Apartments, Fredonia Place, and Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Plattsburgh
Situated in the Adirondack Mountains along Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh's population is just over 19,800, and 16 percent are over the age of 65. Rental prices average $3,200 per month, but homes have a more affordable median price of $259,900. The combination of affordable living and senior-focused facilities attracts retirees to this town.
Plattsburgh City Beach allows you to explore Lake Champlain by hiking, boating, and swimming. The Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area is a protected area where eagles, turtles, beavers, and deer live. Trails are available there to enable you to see these animals up close. Trails for every ability exist across the Adirondack coast region, with easier walking trails found at Point au Roche State Park and the demanding 3.4-mile Lyon Mountain Fire Tower Trail in the Chazy Highland State Forest.
Plattsburgh's walkable downtown area, with its shops, restaurants, and galleries, appeals to many older adults. History buffs will want to visit the Kent-Delord Museum, the oldest house in town, which was built in 1797.
AARP's Senior Planet Center in Plattsburgh is a community center focusing on technology for the elderly. Courses and activities are offered. A wide variety of living facilities are also found in the town, such as the Lake Forest Senior Living Community and Pine Harbour. The UVM Health Network has many highly respected medical facilities throughout the town.
Glens Falls
Also, in the Adirondack Mountains, Glens Falls in Warren County has a population of 14,830. Fifteen percent of residents are age 65 or over. Home prices average $219,000, and rent averages $1,395, making this an affordable suburban town for retirees. It is easy to see why Glens Falls was dubbed "Hometown USA" in a 1944 Look magazine article.
Glens Falls has a vibrant, walkable downtown area with shops, restaurants, and arts and culture. Glen Falls City Park, which hosts events during the year, is also downtown. The Charles R. Wood Theatre downtown presents live performances. The Crandall Library, also found downtown, is attractive to many seniors.
Two larger parks, Crandall Park and Cole's Woods, offer various recreational opportunities. A pond, fields, courts, courses, pavilion, and amphitheater are all found here. Historical monuments such as the Korean Veterans Memorial are in Crandall Park, as is the Peace and Victory Monument.
The Greater Glens Falls Senior Citizens Center offers those age 50 and up educational, recreational, and health-related services and activities. The award-winning Glens Falls Hospital is easily accessible on Park Street. Assisted living facilities, such as The Pines at Glens Falls Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, are also in town.
Rotterdam
In Schenectady County in the eastern part of the state, Rotterdam is a suburban town that is home to just under 23,000 people. Eighteen percent of them are age 65 or over. The median rent price is an affordable $2,200, and home prices average $250,000. What attracts many seniors to Rotterdam is the Senior Citizens Exemption, which states that property within the town of Rotterdam owned by those 65 or over is exempt from town taxes.
Rotterdam was once part of the larger city of Schenectady, just three miles away. In 1820, Schenectady's third ward became Rotterdam. Today, visitors can tour the Mabee Farm Historic Site on Main Street to learn about farming and life in Schenectady County in 1705.
Those looking for outdoor recreation can visit eight town parks, including Boxwood Park, which has a basketball court and pavilion. The Plotter Kill Nature Preserve is a must-see, covering 645 wooded acres and containing three waterfalls, a gorge, and hiking trails. Nature lovers should also visit the Great Flats Nature Trail, a wetland habitat with a four-mile-long trail.
The Rotterdam Senior Citizens' Center is open to all aged 55 and over and offers classes and bus trips. Senior apartments and living facilities, such as The Village at Whispering Pines, are also in Rotterdam. Good medical facilities can be found in nearby Schenectady. They include Ellis Hospital and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital.
More Reasons to Love the Empire State
It is not surprising that, within New York's 54,555 square miles, you can find towns like these that offer retirees the perfect blend of relaxation, security, and lifestyle amenities. From a small village close to the big city, like Piermont; a municipality near the Finger Lakes, such as Ithaca; or a town within the mountains, like Plattsburgh, these towns in New York provide senior citizens with the relaxation, security, and lifestyle amenities they desire. You can find many reasons to fall in love with the Empire State and live there in your golden years.
