7 Welcoming Towns to Retire in The Poconos

The Poconos are a mystifying, forested, breathtaking region encompassing over 2,500 square miles, situated on the far eastern side of Pennsylvania. The allure of its famous mountains is as attractive as its scenery—that is to say, they hold a natural beauty perhaps nowhere else found in the United States. Many choose to spend the rest of their lives here in the revered Poconos, and these are the seven most welcoming and best towns to retire.

Jim Thorpe

Though its name is odd, Jim Thorpe (named after a famous Native American athlete) hosts a variety of colorful places, historical points of interest, and natural greenery characteristic of the Poconos. With a population of less than 5,000, a median age of 49, and a less expensive median gross rent of $832 (the state average is $1197), the town welcomes all as both a hot tourist destination and a place to settle down.

Locals can immerse themselves in the many museums of this town, such as the No. 9 Coal Mine or the Old Jail Museum, but perhaps the nearby Lehigh Gorge State Park will offer the most variety and the most diverse and stunning display of the Poconos.

Stroudsburg

Boasting a more modern look and the prestigious nickname of "Heart of the Poconos," Stroudsburg geographically and qualitatively is in a league of its own. A town of roughly 6,000 people, where 31% of its inhabitants are over the age of 65, and with 3+ general hospitals in the area (including but not limited to Lehigh Valley and St. Lukes), Stroudsburg is that mountain town brought to the new age.

For the outdoorsman or still adventurist retiree, the most striking feature of Stroudsburg is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. With 40 miles of rapid, clear waters, boating, kayaking, camping, and more hiking trails than one can count, this national recreation area has it all. If that is not enough, downtown Stroudsburg itself has a multitude of breweries, eateries, and the renowned Monroe Farmer's Market.

Mount Pocono

This charming town of a little over 3,000 and a median listing home price of $329,000 (according to realtor.com) is known as a "through" town and often doesn't get the recognition it deserves. But the truth is that Mount Pocono excels at being both a place for visitors and future residents while also having its fair share of attractions and high points.

Mount Airy Casino is one of those points (which is named one of the top ten casinos by USA Today). Known for its concierges and unusual casino hospitality, Mount Airy also comes with a resort dedicated to ensuring its most precious guests come out relaxed. But for those who want to explore Mount Pocono's small but glorious downtown, many unique and cool shops await the weary and the curious. An example of its oddity is Ye Old Village Trader, a place filled to the brim with antiques, strangeness, and that small-town atmosphere that persists in Mount Pocono.

Lehighton

Not that far from Jim Thorpe, Lehighton is a town of 5,000 and growing. With almost a quarter of its residents over the age of 65 and inexpensive rent ($926), Lehighton is a place of many faces.

One of them belongs to the outdoorsman, and that is due to how much mileage the town gets from its surrounding natural beauty. The folks down at the Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers certainly believe this, as they help navigate and guide those who dare try to raft on the Lehigh River. This, along with Beltzville State Park, put the town into a kind of nature-centric atmosphere, and there is always much to do and see when a mile in every direction leads to something more impressive than the last.

Another face of the town, however, resides at the heart of Lehighton, which is its downtown. Offering places like the world's largest general store (Country Junction), complete with an ice cream parlor and everything in between, this is but one example of a town filled with one-of-a-kinds that belong nowhere else.

Palmerton

Who doesn't like a low median gross rent ($919) and a healthy, sizeable population (5,616), with almost a quarter of them also being seniors that helps build a sense of community and comfort? Palmerton checks off many boxes, but make no mistake: a town is always worth more than what a checklist might say.

In the case of Palmerton, its greatest asset is the Blue Mountain Resort. It is a sanctuary in the woods that offers ziplining and hiking and is complete with all the modern amenities one can imagine, but a few short steps, and it all melts away. It is nature in its purest form, from the dark green leaves of summer to the bright and auburn colors of fall to the thick sheets of pure whiteness in winter, that is the experience to be had at Blue Mountain.

But Palmerton prides itself on what lies around it, and so Quiet Hills Lavender Farm does the same. Although seasonal, these two acres of buzzing bees and nearly 4,000 plants are a majestic sight all on their own. Mixing both the scent of English lavender with the brightness of its French counterpart, the farm tours and the gift shop are only second compared to the fields.

Tobyhanna

Although technically unincorporated, this would-be town of nearly 10,000 lives in a kind of quiet paradise. Though the median gross rent is on the higher side ($1,220) and the median listing home price is $327,000, Tobyhanna makes up for it with its slow, peaceful, and beautiful living.

Perhaps the sleepiest location in the region, Tobyhanna celebrates its massive state park (Tobyhanna State Park) and appreciates all of its 5,000+ plus acres of nature. With a massive lake of 170 acres, the park itself is known to allow hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and even ice skating when the weather calls for it. If this is not part of the quiet, peaceful life in a great woodland, what is?

For the more rowdy and perhaps more scenic, Hop On Air also offers helicopter tours over the many parks and nature preserves that call Tobyhanna home—making it a nature lover's dream.

Hawley

Sleek and pearly white colonial-style houses by the docks, complete with a small but luxurious downtown, Hawley may be last, but certainly not least. Firstly, Hawley has a very tiny population. Of its roughly 1,300 people, 21% are seniors. Couple this with a lower median gross rent of $956, and Hawley seems like a pretty decent place to stay.

The many classy options of Hawley begin with its Ritz Company Playhouse, a theater straight out of the 20th century that relies on actors in their element and in the flesh. Performing shows that follow the season and keeping it in tradition since 1973, the Ritz Company Playhouse is a must-see for any local or visitor.

In line with its class, a boat tour on Lake Wallenpaupack or a cool drink by a waterfall at "Glass" by the Ledges Hotel to finish the day makes the perfect relaxing evening in Hawley.

Why These Places?

The Poconos is a region characterized by a vibrant and welcoming spirit. While some towns are more lively and popular than others, all have heart. These towns sit in such a beautiful region—that way, finding the perfect one to spend the rest of a life in is all the easier. From Jim Thorpe to Hawley, each community has its own strengths and intricacies for retirees, but all of them are worthy of being called home.