7 Welcoming Towns to Retire in the Northern United States
The northern United States offers retirees a unique blend of vibrant communities, scenic beauty, and a relaxed pace of life. With some of the best being in the New England region, the northern section of the country is home to a variety of charming towns that provide retirees with the ideal mix of cultural activities, outdoor recreation, and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you are looking for a quiet place to enjoy nature, like Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, a lively town with a rich history like Lewes, Delaware, or a dynamic community offering the best of both worlds like the stunning Burlington, Vermont, the northern US welcomes those looking for a place to retire.
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania was named the best town in which to retire in 2024 after an analysis by GoBankingRates. Its population is just over 8,000. Per the Economic Research Institute (ERI), the cost of living in Camp Hill is 3 percent lower than the national average, and the median home price is $221,400. In addition, the crime rate is just 0.94 percent.
The town is also close to hospitals, assisted living facilities, and independent care facilities, all of which are considerations seniors should make when deciding where to retire. Its proximity to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the state's capital, puts even more of these important amenities close at hand. As of 2024, 16.6 percent of Camp Hill's population is made up of those 65 and over (according to census.gov), meaning that the town has plenty of other seniors.
Camp Hill is full of shopping opportunities, including, but not limited to, the Capital City Mall. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Goddard Trail in Willow Park is perfect for hiking or biking. The town's location along the Susquehanna River provides breathtaking views.
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene, New Hampshire's population is just over 22,000. The cost of living in Keene, per the ERI, is 4 percent above the national average, and 5 percent below New Hampshire's average. Keene's median home price of $186,200 and low crime rate of 2.31 percent all contribute to the town's appeal to seniors.
As of 2022, 18.2 percent of Keene's population consists of residents 65 and over. The town's median age is 36, which can be a positive factor for seniors wanting to stay young. When it comes to healthcare, Keene is home to an award-winning healthcare center, the Cheshire Medical Center, part of the larger Dartmouth-Hitchcock healthcare network.
Restaurants and shopping abound throughout Keene. The town also hosts art museums and cultural festivals, including the Monadnock International Film Festival.
Olean, New York
A town in Cattaraugus County in the southwestern part of New York, NewHomeSource.com ranked Olean as one of the best cities in New York to retire in. Its population is 13,890, and 17.8 percent of those people are age 65 and over. Olean's crime rate is 3.57 percent, per the ERI. In addition, the cost of living in Olean is 14 percent less than the national average, and median home prices in Olean are $76,700.
Olean is home to three senior living communities covering both assisted living and memory care needs. The town also hosts the headquarters of the Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc., a healthcare network supporting 250,000 residents of Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Chautauqua counties.
As Cattaraugus County's largest town, Olean is full of entertainment options. Olean's Union and State Street Historical Districts, including the Fannie E. Bartlett House, can provide hours of entertainment and education.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is the county seat of Berkshire County in western Massachusetts. Its population is just under 44,000, and 20 percent of its residents are aged 65 and over. The median home value in Pittsfield is $176,800, much lower than that of the rest of the state. The cost of living in Pittsfield is just 10 percent above the national average, but 15 percent lower than the the average in Massachusetts. Additionally, according to ERI, Pittsfield's crime rate is 2.34 percent. These are just some of the reasons that Pittsfield is ranked among Kiplinger's best places to retire.
Pittsfield is home to the Berkshire Medical Center, one of the best-reviewed hospitals by US News. There are also 13 long-term care centers throughout Pittsfield.
Culture abounds in Pittsfield, with theater, art, and more. Restaurants and shopping are also plentiful. For anglers, Lake Onota, located in Pittsfield, provides ample opportunities for fishing. The beauty of the Berkshire Mountains appeals to many seniors looking for outdoor activities, breathtaking vistas, and tranquility in retirement.
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont, also ranks among Kiplinger's best places to retire. The city's population is just under 45,000, and almost 12 percent of the city's population is aged 65 and over.
Although Burlington's cost of living is 26 percent higher than the national average, it is relatively low when compared to other towns in New England. In addition, median home prices in Burlington are $312,200, and the crime rate in Burlington is 5.54 percent, per the ERI.
The beauty of Burlington lies in its location, on the shores of Lake Champlain. Seniors interested in educating themselves can take tuition-free classes at the University of Vermont in Burlington. The town itself has a high walkability score of 97 out of 100, making it perfect for seniors on the go.
Lewes, Delaware
Bankrate ranked Delaware the best state in which to retire in 2024. The coastal town of Lewes, which consists of just over 3,500 full-time residents whose median age is 66.5, is one of the state's best towns for retirees. Well over half (56.5 percent) of Lewes' residents are age 65 and over, meaning that the town is very welcoming to seniors.
The town sits along the beautiful Delaware Bay. One of Delaware's advantages for retirees is that it does not have state or local sales tax, and does not tax Social Security benefits. Property taxes in Lewes are lower than in other areas of the country as well. Lewes is also home to Beebe Healthcare, a nationally-ranked full-service health care system.
The cost of living in Lewes is just 2 percent higher than the national average, and the crime rate is low, at 1.3 percent (data per the ERI). However, a few things in Lewes are more expensive than in other areas of Delaware. Being a beach town, the median home price is $612,000. Some retirees argue that these are trade-offs that they are willing to make to enjoy the low taxes, low crime, and natural beauty of the Atlantic seashore.
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
Kiplinger named Pennsylvania as one of its top tax-friendly retirement states. Elizabethtown, in northern Lancaster County, is an ideal retirement town. Its population is just under 12,000, and 15 percent of the town's residents are aged 65 and over.
Elizabethtown's median home price is $185,100. The cost of living in Elizabethtown is 6 percent lower than the national average and 4 percent lower than Pennsylvania's average (all data from ERI).
Elizabethtown is about 10 miles from Penn State Health-Hershey Medical Center, one of the most highly-ranked hospitals in the country. The private university, Elizabethtown College, is located within the town's residential area and offers opportunities for senior lifelong learning.
A pedestrian path runs through Elizabethtown's downtown area, great for walking and biking. Although Elizabethtown itself has many historical sites to see, the larger historic town of Lancaster is easily accessible via the Red Rose shuttle service.
Options for Every Interest
Whether you are looking for peace and solitude in your retirement years, or a chance to experience all that life has to offer, these towns in the northern US offer something for everyone. From the quiet coastal town of Lewes, Delaware, to the bustling mountain village of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, towns in the northern US provide retirees with everything needed to enjoy the second act of life.
