7 Best Small Towns To Retire In Vermont In 2024
Retirees who want to nestle close to clear mountain streams, beautiful rolling hills, and sparkling waterfalls should place Vermont at the top of their suitable retirement destinations list. While it has downsides, including limited housing options and a tax regime that is not quite friendly to retirees, Vermont boasts unmatched natural beauty and a strong sense of community and is among the best states for healthcare. If you are looking for a charming Vermont town to retire in, especially one that is small and quaint, the following options are worth considering.
Shelburne
Retirees who enjoy an uncrowded beach experience will want to retire in Shelburne. The town hosts the Shelburne Town Beach, which is only accessible to Shelburne Residents. Plus, Shelburne Farms is absolutely breathtaking. It boasts lush, peaceful greenery, is immaculately maintained, and has farm animals one can pet. A cute little store on the site serves delicious apple cider, heavenly donuts, and other culinary delights. Shelburne Museum, which spans up to 45 acres near the glimmering waters of Lake Champlain, reenacts the architecture of different eras and is one of the most unconventional museums of art, design, and Americana in the continent.
Concerning healthcare access, the University Of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington is right next door and has been recognized for America's 250 Best Hospitals Award for three consecutive years: 2024,2023, and 2022. While homes in Shelburne are listed for a median price of $754,000, they are sold for a more affordable median price of $575,500. Finally, the town's median age stands at 49, and seniors aged 60 and above comprise 28% of the town's population.
Bristol
A nice, intact Main Street. A great sense of community. And safe, peaceful neighborhoods. Bristol can easily charm its way into the heart of any empty nester. Because it is bounded by the New Haven River, the Green Mountain National Forest, and the verdant Champlain Valley farms, Bristol provides a world of outdoor farm and adventure. These include fishing, hiking, skiing, and swimming. Bristol Falls, for example, is one of the finest swimming holes in the entire state. In case of a medical emergency, Middlebury, which hosts the Porter Medical Center, is a short 11-mile drive. Alternatively, the highly-rated University Of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington is an easy 28-mile drive. Bristol's median age is a mellowed-out 50. This means you will find folks you can share experiences with — even if you are not a social butterfly. Homes in Bristol are listed for a median price of $449,000.
Norwich
Nestled between two interstates, Norwich is a woody enclave where a nice, family-oriented community has set base. White clapboard Colonial buildings line Norwich's Main Street and enhance its aesthetic appeal. Norwich is an Olympics factory: With few exceptions, the town has placed a resident on every United States Winter Olympics team since 1984. Dan & Whit's stocks almost everything a retiree will need, including both fresh and frozen foods. And with delicious restaurants such as Carpenter & Main, preparing own meals will require determination. Plus, Dartmouth College is right next door. Its Aging Resource Center hosts events for older adults, families, and community members.
To outdoor enthusiasts, Gile Mountain provides panoramic views of the woodsy surroundings, and regular hikes there can keep a retiree in excellent physical shape. In addition, a retiree here will have convenient access to an array of excellent hospitals. For example, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon is a back-to-back recipient of the Coronary Intervention Excellence Award — while the highly-rated Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, also in Lebanon, is a 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award. With a median age of 41, Norwich is neither wild nor dull. Seniors aged 60 and above comprise 21% of its population. But this is still Vermont. The median listing home price in Norwich stands at $699,000.
Montpelier
Montpelier is the capital city of Vermont. However, it may come as a surprise that it boasts a population of just bout 8,000 residents, earning it the "small town" label. Often recognized among the 100 best small arts towns in the nation, Montpelier will easily captivate a senior citizen. It boasts the largest urban historic district in the state, two movie theatres (Savoy and Capital) that offer a cozy and intimate experience, and Hubbard Park, which is known to keep eyes nourished and hearts electrified.
While the 4-mile-away Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin may come in handy in case of a medical emergency, the highly-ranked Copley Hospital in Morrisville, a three-time consecutive recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award, can be an excellent option. Montpelier's median age is a cool and calm 44, and residents aged 60 and above comprise 31% of its population. The median home listing price in Montpelier is $400,000. For a state capital, that is an unbeatable price point.
Berlin
With a settlement history that goes back to the 1700s, Berlin's history is rich and fascinating. It was named for the European Union's most populous city and is probably the only town in Vermont with a German name. With a median age of 51, a retiree here will find folks in the same age bracket with whom he can reminisce about the rich tapestry of life. Residents aged 60 and above comprise 34% of the town's population.
Boyer State Forest is in Berlin's backyard and provides an eclectic menu of outdoor adventures, including hiking, skiing, hunting, and wildlife viewing. Also, the trails around Berlin Pond can keep a retiree's muscles well-toned and firm — while the Onion River Animal Hospital will ensure a retiree's furry companion is always healthy and bright. Concerning access to healthcare, Central Vermont Medical Center is right in town and will meet an empty nester's medical needs. For more amenities, Burlington is a short, 40-minute drive away. The latest median home listing price in Berlin is $408,250.
Middlebury
A retiree here will be a heartbeat away from the cascading falls of Otter Creek and a short drive away from the Green Mountain National Forest, which has been called the granite backbone of the state. The forest is home to the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area, which features sparkling streams ideal for canoeing. To inhale the beauty of Vermont, a glass of delicious, well-crafted mead in hand, and engage in a hearty conversation about the process of crafting the honey wine, Golden Rule Mead is the go-to place. Porter Medical Center has been providing medical services to residents in the area since 1925 — and should calm a retiree's fears about access to healthcare.
Rutland and Burlington are both just 40 minutes away. Plus, Middlebury College has been a town feature since 1800 and has been offering fun and interesting courses to empty nesters, including the Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly. Because of the college, a retiree should expect to roll with a young crowd. Middlebury's median age is 22. On the flip side, the median home listing price in Middlebury stands at $457,500.
Waterbury
Waterbury is nestled between three major ski areas, including Camel's Hump Nordic Ski Area and Cochran's Ski Area, the first non-profit ski hill in North America. It also hosts the Ben and Jerry's ice cream factory, known for its rich and varied flavors. Waterbury will, therefore, appeal to the sweet-toothed empty nester — as it will to the outdoor enthusiast. Plus, CC Putnam State Forest will ensure a retiree's lungs are furnished with fresh, crisp air and, hence, kept in excellent shape. Amenities, including good hospitals, abound in Berlin, Morrisville, and Burlington, located 15, 19, and 26 miles respectively. Homes in Waterbury are listed for a median price of $394,500, according to the latest data from Realtor, and sold for a median price of $450,000. The median age here is 40, and residents aged 60 and above comprise 28% of its population.
While getting a house in Vermont can be a hassle and the state is not as cheap as Mississippi, the Green Mountain State scores big on natural beauty and outdoor attractions. Plus, Vermont is often ranked among the best states for healthcare in the country. As a retiree, you may be drawn by Shelburne's exclusive and uncrowded beach, Bristol's proximity to the Green Mountain National Forest, or the gorgeous clapboard Colonial buildings that line Norwich's Main Street. Just have your pick, and enjoy nature's warm embrace.
