6 Budget-Friendly Towns In New England For Retirees
Retirees will fall in love with New England for many reasons. They will love the region’s beautiful scenery and pretty beaches — and that is up to Maine's rocky coast. They will love the region’s delightful array of charming small towns, with their beautiful old buildings, restaurants serving fresh seafood, and rich history. What’s more? New England tends to be much safer than many other parts of the country. But there is one downside. This laid-back corner of the country can be quite costly. Still, that does not mean there is zero chance of getting an affordable spot. Discover six budget-friendly towns in New England for retirees.
Manchester, Connecticut
In May 2024, the median listing home price in Manchester, Connecticut, was $309,000. This price point comes with access to Union Pond and its park, a lovely site for fishing, kayaking, mid-morning walks, and picnicking. Manchester Memorial Hospital, conveniently located on the main drag, has been recognized for the Patient Safety Excellence Award. Center Springs Park has a disc golf course, a waterfall, and a small, glimmering lake ideal for fishing.
For seniors with visiting grandkids, CAST Children's Theatre is an excellent venue for young ones to express their creativity. There is also the Little Theatre of Manchester at Cheney Hall, an intimate space with plenty of parking. Although the town’s median age is 36, empty nesters aged 60 and above comprise 21% of the population. Finally, Manchester is enticingly diverse, with Whites, Hispanics, and Blacks comprising 51%, 23%, and 17% of the population respectively.
Middletown, Connecticut
Although Middletown had its start as a busy port, today, it is largely residential and is known for its historic architecture and charming downtown area. In May 2024, the median listing home price in Middletown was $315,000. A retiree here will be at the doorstep of Middlesex Hospital, ranked among America's 100 Best Hospitals. Wesleyan University, a pioneer in coeducation, boasts a history that goes back nearly 200 years.
The Connecticut River flows through the town, presenting a wide range of outdoor opportunities — besides gifting the town a layer of rustic charm. There is also the trail-laden Wadsworth Falls State Park, a picnic-ready venue with a waterfall, streams, and a pond. Other outdoor venues include Crytals Lake, Zoar Park, and Pameacha Pond. The town’s median age is 37.5, implying an active social landscape ideal for young-at-heart retirees.
Holyoke, Massachusettes
The median listing home price in Holyoke was just $217K in May 2024, a price point that is hard to beat anywhere in New England. A senior will join a lovely community where residents feel part of a larger family. There's the Connecticut River, New England’s longest — and a slew of other outdoor venues, including Ashley Reservoir, which is fringed with trails where one can walk, run, or bike — and Mount Tom State Reservation — a premier spot for hawk-watching, fishing, and skiing.
Besides, Westover Metropolitan Airport is a heartbeat from town, meaning one can hop on a plane and dash to Boston on a whim. At Dinosaur Footprints, one constantly appreciates the mystery of life, its origin, and strangeness. Although the town’s median age is 37.5, residents aged 60 and above make up an impressive 24% of the population. A retiree who wants to settle in a diverse community has every reason to consider Holyoke. Whites and Hispanics comprise 43% and 52% of the population, respectively.
Berlin, New Hampshire
Why splurge on a house when the median listing home price in Berlin, New Hampshire, is only $200,000? White Mountain National Forest, one of only two National Forests in New England, is in the town’s backyard. There is also the Nash Stream Forest Natural Area, which is absolutely gorgeous and quiet — and Jericho Mountain State Park — a wooded stretch with miles of scenic trails.
Berlin is home to Androscoggin Valley Hospital, a leading healthcare facility whose history goes back more than a century. The town’s median age is 44, the decade when life is supposed to begin, and residents aged 60 and above comprise 25% of the population, meaning 1 in 4 is likely to be a fellow retiree.
Ellsworth, Maine
Maine is known for its stunning, rocky coastline — a delectable stretch an Ellsworth retiree will have year-round access to. The good thing is that one does not have to break the bank. The median listing home price in Ellsworth, Maine, was just $425,000 in May 2024. There is a world of outdoor adventure sites here, including Graham Lake, the Union River, the nearby Lamoine State Park, the Stanwood Homestead Museum and Bird Sanctuary (it is a nice venue for mingling with hawks, owls, and ducks), and of course, the world-famous Acadia National Park.
If under the weather, Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital is right in town. It is a 64-bed facility that serves both Hancock and western Washington Counties. Although predominantly White, residents have a median age of 43.5, and those aged 60 and above comprise 31% of the population.
Glocester, Rhode Island
Rounding off this list is the charming town of Glocester, a Rhode Island peach with a median listing home price of just $465,000. The median age of residents in Glocester is just as reassuring: a wisened up 47.5. Residents aged 60 and above also comprise an impressive 26% of the population. Hubbard Regional Hospital is a short, 25-minute drive away in Webster, Massachusettes. A retiree here has access to Smith and Sayless Reservoir, Smith and Sayles Fishing Area, and Shingle Mill Pond. What’s more? An empty nester can dash to Lincoln, Smithfield, and Providence in minutes.
Although New England is beautiful, has educated residents, is mostly safe, and boasts excellent healthcare access, retirement here can be quite an expensive undertaking. Vermont, for example, taxes most forms of retirement income. Taking the cue, Massachusetts boasts an eye-watering median listing price of $849,950. Still, this charming region is dotted with affordable towns for retirement, including the six lovely towns described above.
