7 Best Small Towns To Retire In Rhode Island In 2024
Rhode Island, nicknamed the Ocean State, may not seem like an ideal location for retirement on the surface due to the taxes and housing costs in some towns. However, there are numerous small towns in Rhode Island that have excellent options for older adults looking to relocate for their retirement, such as beautiful sandy beaches, reliable hospitals and healthcare options, and low crime rates. There’s Westerly, a town close to the Connecticut border with an incredible historic downtown, and North Smithfield, which boasts the only running drive-in theater in the entire state. If your goal is to enjoy your retirement, taking in the ocean breeze or in a quiet rural area, one of the small Rhode Island towns might be perfect for you.
Tiverton
The town of Tiverton lies in Newport County, Rhode Island, and is home to just under 8,000 year-round residents. Tiverton’s physical location is convenient for those who want to take in the peace and quiet of this small town, as it’s nestled between Aquidneck Island and Fall River, Massachusetts, while still making it easy to commute to the larger cities like Boston in just under an hour for upscale dining and shopping. Locally, Tiverton is great for retirees who want their home base to be close to the water with small businesses within the town’s limits. Tiverton also held a lower overall tax rate than over half the towns in Rhode Island in 2020, highlighting its affordability for those relocating to the area.
The town’s Tiverton Four Corners Historic District is a prime attraction for locals and tourists and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visiting these four corners transports guests back to an 18th-century New England village, with quaint shops and cafes lining the street. For instance, there’s Gray’s Ice Cream, which has provided homemade treats to the area since 1923, and The Cheese Wheel Village Market, a prime location for locally sourced, organic fresh food. Some of the other local attractions include outdoor areas like Weetamoo Woods & Pardon Gray Preserve, and Fogland Beach. Retirees can find accommodations at Brookdale Sakonnet Bay and Countryview Estates; two communities focused on housing older adults, as well as Saint Anne’s Hospital for acute care in nearby Fall River.
Jamestown
Jamestown is another Rhode Island town in Newport County that’s ideal for retirees. Known as the second largest island in Narragansett Bay, Jamestown is a part of Conanicut Island and also encompasses the unsettled Dutch and Gould Islands. This coastal town is a dream destination no matter your age or interests, as Jamestown has everything from historic sites to rolling farmland and pristine beaches to keep residents entertained. Additionally, there are no commercial businesses in Jamestown, which helps the town to keep its historic New England feel. That doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of shopping options, though, as McQuade's Marketplace is a popular local grocery store, and Blossom, an Artisan Boutique, is a small business with handcrafted clothing and jewelry items.
One of the most popular attractions in Jamestown for both locals and tourists is Beavertail Lighthouse, the third oldest lighthouse in the US. Visiting the lighthouse provides an opportunity to walk the beautiful grounds, climb the tower, and learn about its history in the small museum. The Windmill Hill Historic District is another unique area in Jamestown, which is a rural section of land featuring the smock mill, the Jamestown Windmill, set picturesquely atop the large hill. Fort Wetherill State Park is a recreation area with over 61 acres of land for fishing, hiking, and boating. There are several lodging and accommodation options in Jamestown, with OceanCliff Hotel having some of the best amenities in the area. Jamestown is also located within a 20-minute drive from South County Hospital and Newport Hospital, both offering 24-hour emergency rooms and surgical services, making this town a great home for older adults.
Westerly
Westerly is a small Washington County town with around 18,000 residents that retirees should consider if they’re looking to stay close to the Connecticut border. As Rhode Island’s southernmost town, Westerly offers well-maintained beaches, like Westerly Beach and East Beach, each with miles of sandy shoreline and crashing waves to enjoy. Another perk for retirees who relocate to Westerly is the town's own hospital, Westerly Hospital, a Yale New Haven Health facility with an emergency room and diagnostic imaging. There are also several senior living accommodations in Westerly, such as Elms Retirement Residence and Royal Westerly, two highly rated facilities with care ranging from independent living to assisted living and memory care.
The Westerly Downtown Historic District remains one of the most popular historic attractions in the area, with shopping, dining, parks, and lodging. Wilcox Park is the perfect spot to spend a day in nature, surrounded by perennial gardens and a fish pond, while Napatree Point Beach & Conservation Area is excellent for birdwatching or hiking. Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park also has well-marked hiking trails with ocean views and is dog-friendly. Historians can check out the Living Sharks Museum, America’s first museum dedicated entirely to shark history. Additionally, Westerly is just a short drive from areas like Mystic and Stonington, Connecticut, both offering beautiful parks and fun entertainment.
Narragansett
Like many other Rhode Island towns on our list, Narragansett is located on the coastline and known for encompassing everything that is iconic in a New England beach town. This means there’s no shortage of clean beaches, incredible seafood restaurants, and historic lighthouses. Narragansett maintains a laid-back atmosphere that’s perfect for retirees seeking the slow-paced lifestyle of a coastal town while being just 30 minutes from Providence and just over an hour's drive from Boston. Residents can also take comfort in knowing they are under 10 minutes from South County Hospital, a facility with 100 beds. The town also has several retirement communities, including Southwinds Apartments, Water’s Edge Apartments, and Beachwood Apartments.
Narragansett is the perfect retirement location for retirees who want to spend time outdoors, as numerous attractions revolve around the area’s beautiful landscape. There’s Point Judith Lighthouse from 1857, situated on the west side of Narragansett Bay’s entrance, which is known for being one of the town’s structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Guests can enjoy walking the lighthouse grounds and visiting the adjacent park, though access to the actual building is prohibited. The Towers is another historic icon in Narragansett that sits over Ocean Road. The structure, which dates back to the 1800s, is the only surviving remnant of the former Narragansett Pier Casino and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There’s also Scarborough State Beach and Narragansett Town Beach for those who want to spend an afternoon on the beach.
Scituate
Located in one of the quietest and most rural sections of Providence County, Rhode Island, Scituate is a town between Providence and the Connecticut town of Killingly. Scituate may be one of the state’s few inland towns, but it’s just a 30-minute drive from the coast, making it ideal for retirees who prefer quiet, rural roads with farmland and dense forest. There are just over 10,000 people living in Scituate, and the town is just a short drive from highly rated hospitals like Kent Hospital in Warwick and Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence. Retirees can also join a supportive community of similarly aged locals through the Scituate Senior Center, offering weekly events like Zumba classes and bingo games.
The town of Scituate offers many amenities for older adults and emphasizes fostering a tight-knit community for retirees. Some of the amenities the town offers include transportation for seniors, food assistance, and community-specific resources like help with feeding or caring for pets. There are ample opportunities to get outdoors and learn about the area’s history, especially at the Hope Mill, dating back to the early 19th century. Today, the mill functions as a museum with educational exhibits and tours. There’s also the annual Scituate Art Festival, a local tradition occurring over Columbus Day Weekend that hosts over 200 craft vendors. The George Washington Management Area and Scituate Reservoir are two areas with hiking trails and areas for outdoor activities like boating or horseback riding.
East Greenwich
Home to roughly 15,000 people, East Greenwich is a Rhode Island town with a more suburban feel than others on our list. East Greenwich boasts a bustling downtown section lined with locally owned shops and restaurants yet has more commercial dining and entertainment options than many of the towns in the state. The town maintains its classic buildings that shine a light on architecture from the 1700s, with one of the most popular historic attractions being the Old Kent County Jail from 1796. Today, the building still stands on King Street and is maintained by the East Greenwich Historic Preservation Society. East Greenwich is also a town within a 15-minute drive from Kent Hospital, making it great for older adults concerned about local medical facilities.
There are several parks in East Greenwich for those who enjoy getting outside for walks or hiking through the local nature areas. Goddard Memorial State Park Beach is, without a doubt, the most popular local park, with space dedicated to hiking, swimming, and picnicking. The park is pet friendly and also has an on-site hub for the RI Parks Naturalist Program, allowing visitors to learn about the local animal species and geological elements. There are also several locally owned businesses to explore, including The Green Door for eclectic gifts or Bone Appetit to get a treat for your furry friend. Overall, East Greenwich is an excellent place for retirees to plant roots, especially with the abundance of local amenities, which include senior transportation assistance, senior services, and seasonal recreational activities.
North Smithfield
Finally, North Smithfield is a Rhode Island town in Providence County with a suburban feel and roughly 12,000 year-round residents. North Smithfield was originally part of the larger neighboring town, Smithfield, until being incorporated as its own entity in 1871. There’s a good mix between households in North Smithfield, with 74% of residents owning their homes and 26% being renters. This data supports the fact that there are several retirement communities with apartment rentals in the area, including Smithfield Woods and The Village at Waterman Lake, which are some of the most popular senior living neighborhoods. Additionally, North Smithfield is a short drive from Landmark Medical Center, a hospital with a 24-hour emergency room in nearby Woonsocket.
North Smithfield has a wide range of amenities and activities for those in town, though Wright’s Dairy Farm and Bakery is a favorite among locals. Stopping into this bakery shop is a must when in North Smithfield, as it’s located right on the farm where the dairy milk is sourced. The shop has a vast selection of homemade goods, ranging from pastries and specialty cakes to locally sourced items like maple syrup. The Rustic Tri View Drive-In is another iconic destination in North Smithfield, as it’s the last drive-in movie theater operating in Rhode Island. The theater shows double features every night, and it’s open between April and September. After a long day exploring the town, visit Goodwin Brothers farm stand for some fresh produce or apple cider.
Nature lovers and those who want to spend their retirement basking by the sea should consider relocating to one of these small Rhode Island towns. The towns may be within the smallest US state, but they make up for their size with welcoming communities and abundant support for older adults. There are small towns like Scituate for those seeking a quiet, rural home and areas like Jamestown for those interested in experiencing life in a coastal town. No matter your interests, hobbies, or personal goals, one of these Rhode Island towns will surely be the perfect place to call home for your retirement.
