7 Towns Perfect for Retirement in The Poconos

Tucked away in the northeast corner of Pennsylvania—just south of the famous Catskills—lie the tranquil and lush Pocono Mountains. This range serves as a gateway into a magical part of old America. Its apt name comes from the Native American "Pokawachne," roughly translating to "Creek Between Two Hills." Here you'll find 170 miles of glittering water, including the Delaware, Lehigh, and Lackawaxen rivers. A staggering 150 lakes, plus streams and ponds galore, are sprinkled throughout the forested region.

But the beauty of this locale extends beyond its varied natural features. It is home to a network of quirky, memorable towns, each offering unique flavors and perks. With the added bonus of a reasonable cost of living, the Poconos are becoming an attractive retirement option for many Americans. What's more, they are about two hours by car from major metropolitan centers like New York City and Philadelphia. If you are researching special places to spend your golden years, these seven towns in the Poconos are well worth your consideration.

Jim Thorpe

With a population of 4,500, Jim Thorpe is a pretty small town. One of the benefits that comes along with that is a tight-knit social group. There is an active community watch, a parking study committee, and even a commission that teaches you proper tree care. You will also find plenty of nice places to socialize in town, such as the New American restaurant Moya and the ever-popular Lorenzo Pizza Kitchen and Wine Bar. Another noteworthy advantage of small-town life is the affordable housing costs. You can find good-sized family homes in reasonable condition, with median home listing prices at $362,000 (according to realtor.com).

Beyond the social cohesion and low cost of living, Jim Thorpe is also visually stunning. You can keep active on the numerous hiking and walking trails scattered around the town. Try out the D&L and the Switchback Railroad trails, where you will have ample opportunities to bask in nature's glory. There are also picturesque waterfalls, spacious camping areas, and nice golf courses like Hideaway Hills and Woodstone, all within 30 minutes or less of town.

Stroudsburg

If you are looking for someplace with a bit more bustle, take a look at Stroudsburg, about 50 minutes east of Jim Thorpe. In terms of housing, it's similar to Jim Thorpe, with median home listing prices around $399,000. It also has about 1,400 more residents than Jim Thorpe. There is a lively downtown packed with fun activities. You will find art galleries, yoga, a great farmer's market, art walks, and even Main Street Makery, where you can participate in cheese and pastry-making classes.

Stroudsburg is also home to plenty of great eateries like The Goat on Main, Garlic Restaurant + Bar, and Cedar's Grill. Everything from pub food to fine dining is here. If you are a coffee lover, Stroudsburg has plenty of cafés serving fresh and flavorful brews, too. Some of the best are Café Duet, 7th Street Coffee, and Brewed Caffè. And if you take a liking to wine, there are a handful of great wineries, plus a couple of spots crafting cider and mead.

Stroudsburg isn't all hustle and socializing, however. There are still plenty of places nearby for scenic hiking and camping. Scattered about the outside of town are various nature preserves to visit that are home to creeks, pathways, and biking trails. Some local favorites are Glen Run, Pomeroy McMichaels, Rail Gap, and Cherry Valley.

Hawley

Do you have an artsy side? Hawley might be the place for you to settle. It's a quaint town of only 1,229 residents, but the city is bursting with life and has a handful of special art galleries. The Downtown Hawley Partnership is very active and puts on community art projects and many other ongoing events to help bring the town together. The median home listing price is affordable at $312,000, and you get the added bonus of being next door to Lake Wallenpaupack.

One of the nicest parts of being a Hawley resident is that you get to avoid some of the tourist rushes associated with other towns in the Poconos. The lake gets a little busy during the summer, but congestion is still limited. When things wind down in winter, you can easily take trips into Scranton, which is only 40 minutes away.

Honesdale

This charming little town is only about 20 minutes north of Hawley. Believe it or not, Honesdale, Pennsylvania, inspired the Christmas classic "Winter Wonderland," a staple that's been reimagined by the likes of Michael Bublé, Bing Crosby, and The Eurythmics. The town has had a bit of a makeover in recent years, as big-city entrepreneurs have sought unique communities that have lower start-up costs. Honesdale now offers everything from old-school mom-and-pop shops to new lifestyle boutiques.

The town's historic past mixes with a youthful injection of vibrant newcomers—part of what gives the place its pleasant charm. Main Street is home to exciting art and event spaces, standout shops, and seriously delicious dining. Restaurants like Dyberry Forks and Native prepare imaginative, elevated eats, and you can find all your comfort food needs at places like Paulie's Hot Dogs. For those looking to buy a house, the median home listing price is relatively low at $285,000.

Tunkhannock

If you want to live in a historic place near and dear to nature, Tunkhannock is a worthwhile town to look into. This town is known as the Gateway to the Endless Mountains, a large range filled with unforgettable hiking and cozy campgrounds. Having access to some of the best the American northeast has to offer nature lovers is a primary reason for coming to Tunkhannock. Another perk of this little town is that it's situated right beside the Susquehanna River. Along the river's banks lie gorgeous spots like Riverside Park and Bob Schultz Field, not to mention a boat launch if you wish to explore the river itself.

Tunkhannock also has an interesting, quiet cultural scene that appeals to golden-year residents. You can peruse antique shops, watch movies at the restored art deco Dietrich Theater, and find beautiful Gothic Revival and Queen Anne homes and buildings in the town's historic district. Median home listing prices are an affordable $220,000.

Mount Pocono

Here is where the Poconos' highways intersect, which means you will experience visitors and tourists coming through during peak travel times. It also means you have easier access to many other parts of the Poconos. Don't let the highways discourage you, though. Mount Pocono is a nice place for many people to put down roots. It's a pleasant, safe town with a lot of families, and the median home listing price is around $334,000. If you are looking for somewhere that's diverse and has people of all ages, it's worth considering. Also, if you are a skier (or are thinking about getting started), this might be one of the best home bases in the Poconos. There are a handful of ski resorts and gear shops around the area, and it's not too far from resorts near Jim Thorpe and Hawley.

While it's true that Mount Pocono is more chain-heavy than other small towns in the Poconos, it still boasts an unusually eclectic array of small-shop flavors. You'll be able to dine on Mexican food, sushi, pho, Thai cuisine, seafood, and Polish goodies here. And finally, if you equate highways with a lack of great outdoors, that is not the case in this town. Mount Pocono has plenty of tree-filled, picture-perfect places where you can escape and recharge. Some of the best in the area are Kurmes Preserve, Kalahari Falls, Woodland Trail, and Hemlock Sanctuary. There is a string of lakes near the town too: Pocono Summit, Alrashed, Stillwater, and Lake Naomi. You can find a little tranquility away from the workaday world of Mount Pocono on these alluring shores.

Tannersville

You can think of the little town of Tannersville as a mash-up of Stroudsburg and the quainter areas of the Poconos. Situated between Mount Pocono and Stroudsburg, this spot does a good job of bringing together both those worlds, with a median home listing price of $359,000. It is a bit smaller than both but has the perks of larger towns. What's more, practically anyone can appreciate it, with its year-round activities that include waterparks, nearby skiing, a premium shopping mall, ziplining, and even the casino at Mount Airy. All these options help make Tannersville a place your families won't want to shy away from, so you will likely get to see more of them!

And if you are ever feeling a tad restless in town and need to get out, Stroudsburg, Mount Pocono, and the Delaware Water Gap are all within a 15-minute drive. And fear not, lovers of the outdoors! Tannersville has local walking/hiking areas like the Tannersville Woods Nature Preserve and the Tannersville Cranberry Bog Preserve. And if you are in need of a scenic spectacle, Big Pocono State Park is a stone's throw away. You will enjoy stunning panoramic views where you can catch portions of New York and New Jersey.

The Pocono Mountains are an incredible option if you are currently searching for a place to spend the autumn of your life surrounded by community and natural splendor. Imagine spending your days on dazzling lakes, hiking the winding trails of Carbon County, or finally indulging your love of skiing or golfing. And all of this is backed by the equally beautiful cultural vibrancy of the Poconos, where heritage landmarks, arts events, and festivals abound. From small, artsy towns like Hawley and Honesdale, to the bustling boroughs of Stroudsburg and Mount Pocono, this area truly has options to satisfy people from all walks of life. The three things all seven of these locales have in heaps are a sense of tight-knit community, low cost of living, and easy access to some of the American northeast's most enthralling landscapes.