7 Senior-Friendly Towns in New England
If retiring in historic New England sounds like a dream, these seven senior-friendly towns can help make it a reality. From the serene coastal towns of Maine to the quaint villages nestled in the rolling green hills of Vermont to a lakeside paradise in New Hampshire, retirees can look forward to a lifestyle marked by tranquility, cultural richness, and natural beauty. These towns are full of charming activities to keep busy, such as the amazing eateries in Laconia and the towering peaks of St. Johnsbury. Moreover, with affordable housing options, quality healthcare, and an abundance of activities to enjoy, it’s not a matter of “if.” It’s a matter of “when."
Laconia, New Hampshire
Laconia, known as “The City on the Lakes,” lies between Lake Winnisquam and Lake Winnipesaukee—the state’s largest lake, which is 20 miles long and 9 miles wide, with a shoreline stretching about 290 miles. Retired boaters can keep busy with activities like a visit to the nostalgic Winnipesaukee Pier, where they can kayaks and stand-up paddleboards or invite friends and rent a pontoon. Nearby, Weirs Beach has been the go-to spot for summer fun since 1950 when visitors went “bathing,” not swimming. Today, besides the beach, there’s a boardwalk, the “largest arcade in the world,” Funspot, and the Endicott Rock Historic Site.
Around 22% of Laconia's population is 65 and older, indicating a positive social environment for retirees in town. Moreover, if you are considering moving to Laconia, a new home is available for a median sale price of $400,000 (according to realtor.com) in May 2024. Concord Hospital provides a wide range of services, care, and treatment for residents in the Lakes Region.
St. Johnsbury, Vermont
Surrounded by the Green Mountains, St. Johnsbury is a paradise for retirees looking to stay active and enjoy various year-round activities. The town is near Kingdom Trails, a network of over 100 miles of quality, non-motorized, multi-use trails for all ability levels. While the trails are renowned for world-class mountain biking, there are family-friendly trails for runners, walkers, and bikers of all ages every season. Nearby, Dog Mountain, set on 150 acres on a private mountaintop, is for everyone and their four-legged friends. The landscape has miles of hiking trails, and dogs can run off-leash, swim in the ponds, and play with other dogs.
Downtown St. Johnsbury hosts the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, a renowned museum of natural history with over 100,000 objects from its eclectic permanent collection, including natural science specimens, historical artifacts, archival photographs, and documents. The Lyman Spitzer Jr. Planetarium is the only public planetarium in Vermont where retirees can travel through the cosmos, guided by astronomy experts. Discounted rates are available for seniors and visiting grandchildren.
A new home in town is available for a median sale price of an affordable $260,000. The Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital provides healthcare to the town’s residents, and the Good Living Senior Center provides older adults with a place to socialize and participate in planned activities, classes, recreational outings, and festivities.
Manchester, Connecticut
Manchester is a bustling town in Hartford County, Connecticut. A new home in this lively community costs $280,000, which is quite reasonable compared to other places in the state. Residents are under the care of Manchester Memorial Hospital in downtown Manchester, and the hospital holds various classes, including an “Expectant Grandparent Class,” where participants can talk with other grandparents and refresh their baby skills with hands-on learning. The Manchester Senior Center, which promotes socialization and community for older adults in Manchester, is well worth a visit. It offers numerous activities for seniors, many of which are free of charge. Members can tend to the center’s garden plots, join a weekly friendship circle, watch a monthly movie, attend a wellness class, and much more.
Manchester offers a wealth of cultural destinations to discover, including museums, the historic Cheney Rail Trail, and hundreds of acres of parkland. Visiting grandchildren will love the Lutz Children’s Museum with its changing roster of exhibits, like its Main Street Exhibit that places children on Main Street in 1943, where they can shop, attend school, and learn about life during the war years. The Farm Exhibit lets children experience a visit to a farm in the 1800s where they can milk a cow and collect eggs. Grown-ups can visit the Cheney Homestead, home of one of America’s famous clockmakers, built in 1785, and the Keeney Schoolhouse, a one-room schoolhouse built in 1751.
Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst is home to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst College, and Hampshire College. It is a great place for retired academics looking to learn about history, culture, lifelong learning, and recreational activities. It is also the former home of poets Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost. It has plenty to offer, like the Emily Dickinson Museum, where retirees can visit Emily’s birthplace, The Homestead, or The Evergreens, her brother’s home next door. The museum also hosts plenty of cultural events, including a poetry walk, poetry readings, and the annual Spring Garden Days 2024 on May 31 - June 1, where retired gardeners can help weed, edge flower beds, and plant perennials in the museum’s gardens.
Get out in the great outdoors with a moderately challenging one-mile hike up Bare Mountain in Mount Holyoke Range State Park. The hike is short but steep, with a gain of nearly 500 feet, so it takes up to an hour to complete, but the views from the top are worth it. Not to worry, though, retirees craving big-city life are only a few hours' drive away from Boston or New York City.
Those looking to relocate to Amherst will need $500,000, the median sale price of a new home. Healthcare for residents of Amherst is available at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, part of Mass General Brigham’s network of hospitals located in the downtown core.
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is a small mountain city on the shores of Lake Champlain, the perfect setting for tree-hugging retirees. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, like miles of hiking and biking paths, nearby beaches for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding in the warmer months, and skiing during the winter months. Near Burlington’s vibrant downtown, full of eclectic, fun shops, cafés, and fresh-pressed juice bars, Oakledge Park is a hidden gem with its mix of scenic spots along Lake Champlain. The park’s waterfront trail follows the Winooski River and is a peaceful walk with pretty views of the water and opportunities for wildlife spotting.
Further inland, Ethan Allen Park is home to the iconic Ethan Allen Tower, which offers stunning views from the top after a short hike. For serious hikers, set out on an unforgettable journey along the Long Trail—the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States at over 273 miles through the Green Mountains.
Living in the Green Mountain State isn’t for retirees on a strict budget. The average home value is $495,000 in Burlington, which is higher than many towns on this list. That said, those comfortable with the price can enjoy a youthful atmosphere as the town is home to the University of Vermont. Champlain and Burlington Colleges are also in Burlington, contributing to the town’s vibrant energy. The University of Vermont Medical Center cares for the community’s healthcare needs.
Belfast, Maine
Belfast, Maine, is on the eastern coast of the United States, on the shores of Penobscot Bay. If a retirement move to this small quintessential seaside town is in the cards, spend some time on Belfast’s scenic waterfront. Walk along the Belfast Harbor Walk, watching the boats come and go. Eventually, retirees will find themselves in downtown Belfast, where they can grab breakfast or lunch at Bell the Cat. Or, they can head over to Young’s Lobster Pound & Seafood for fresh Maine lobster at the restaurant overlooking Penobscot Bay. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner and is BYOB, so eat in and a lobster from their 30,000-pound-capacity aquarium.
Nearby, the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory is coastal Maine’s crown jewel. Retired engineers or bridge enthusiasts will appreciate its award-winning design, while everyone else will be in awe of the spectacular 360-degree views of the Penobscot River and Bay from the tallest public bridge observatory in the world. Moreover, retirees won’t have to go far to see any of Maine’s iconic lighthouses, like the Fort Point Lighthouse and the Curtis Island Lighthouse.
The median listing home price in Belfast is $400,000, which is reasonable for waterside communities in Maine. Waldo County General Hospital provides healthcare for residents. The hospital also has support services and education classes on aging and senior care. Seniors are also invited to Senior Health & Wellness Day Walks.
Warren, Rhode Island
Warren is between Providence and Newport in Rhode Island's scenic East Bay. It is home to sandy beaches and rolling farmlands. The town is also steeped in history, and its historic downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It includes the Charles Whipple Green Museum, named for a prominent business leader in the 18th century, the Historic Warren Armory, and the Historic Washington Lodge #3, built in 1799. Burr's Hill Park is known for its historical significance, as it was a burial ground used by the Pokanoket tribe, dating back thousands of years. Today, the park is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, relaxation, and historical exploration in Warren.
New residents will enjoy exploring the quaint shops, art galleries, and antique stores in downtown Warren, which are housed in beautifully preserved historic buildings. From independent bookshops like Ink Fish Books to the music store In Your Ear, selling thousands of new and used LPs and CDs, to The Square Peg restaurant serving pub food and a rotating selection of draft beer, retirees will find everything they need on Main and Water Streets. Finally, from nearby Bristol, avid cyclists can hop on the stunning East Bay Bike Path Warren, which stretches to Providence.
Residents of Warren visit the Rhode Island Hospital 13 miles away in Providence for healthcare needs. A new home in this pretty town of 11,000 residents is available for a median sale price of $470,000. While this is slightly expensive, senior living areas like the Willows Assisted Living offer comfortable and affordable alternatives.
Summary
If New England looks like a spectacular all-season retirement destination, that’s because it is. Those choosing to retire in one of the picturesque New England states can look forward to New Hampshire’s changing of the leaves in the fall, Vermont’s blankets of snow, tulips blooming during springtime in Connecticut, and the warmth of a Maine white-sandy beach in summer. Every season brings a new reason to love New England.
