8 Best Small Towns In The Poconos For Retirees

Home to sparkling waterfalls, numerous winding streams, rolling mountain terrain, and thriving woodlands, the Poconos is one of America's most beautiful regions. Of course, Pennsylvania is also tax-friendly. It exempts Social Security income from taxation and boasts one of the lowest sales tax rates in the United States. For those in their September of life who want to slow down and live close to nature, the Poconos fits the bill. From Honesdale to Mount Pleasant, discover below the eight best small towns in the Poconos for retirees.

Honesdale

Those who love Christmas-themed songs have heard "Winter Wonderland," one of history's most famous and recognizable Christmas tunes. Well, this award-winning song was inspired by Honesdale's Central Park. Fortunately, retirees can still enjoy this park, which is along Church Street — not just to live in the shadow of artistic greatness — but also just to walk around, bring grandkids to run, or just sit and marvel at the beautiful fountain. The town's median age is 42.5 and residents aged 60 and above comprise 30% of its population. Concerning healthcare access, Wayne Memorial Hospital is right in town and has been recognized with the Outstanding Patient Experience Award.

For even more options, Scranton, the largest city in Northeastern Pennsylvania, is just 32 miles down the road. Outdoor lovers will be frequent visitors to the nearby Prompton State Park — or occasionally — embark on hiking expeditions to Irving Cliff. To the history enthusiast, the Wayne County Historical Society Museum houses a full-size replica of the first locomotive to run on commercial track in the United States. Finally, while homes in Honedale are listed for a median price of $290,000, they are sold for a median price of just $265,000.

Milford

America's first Chief Forester lived in this area, and his home — the elegant Grey Towers — is among the Forest Service's most significant cultural resources. Plus, The Columns Museum features a 36-star flag stained with the blood of President Lincoln. As a retiree here, you will be looking forward to the annual Milford Music Festival, which fills the town with tunes of blues, pop, and jazz — and an exciting air of razzmatazz. Milford is also home to a charming historic theatre (now refurbished), classy cafes, and numerous shops. Port Jervis, which is right next door, is home to the Bon Secours Community Hospital.

Still, the nearby towns of Newton and Sussex provide more options. Milford's median age is 31. Therefore, expect to roll with a young crowd and retain your child-like sparkle. While homes in Milford are listed for a median price of $380,000, they are sold for a more affordable median price of only $264,000.

Stroudsburg

A retiree will love the peace of this famous Pennsylvania charmer and its sweet, laid-back ambiance. Stroudsburg scores high on accessibility, seeing it is close to both Route 80 and 33. The latter is a major transcontinental artery that connects California to "The Big Apple," as New York City is called. Stroudsburg's downtown features a variety of coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants. Retiring here means one will be close to several ski resorts, including Camelback (11 miles) and Shawnee (8 miles) — two of the finest ski resorts in Pennsylvania.

There is also the Appalachian Trail or the fun-packed Delaware Water Gap. You can also access Saint Luke's Hospital Monroe in a heartbeat, a recipient of the Patient Safety Excellence Award for three consecutive years. The town's median age is about 47, and residents aged 60 and above comprise about 37% of its population. Finally, homes in Stroudsburg are sold for a median price of $309,000 —- although they are listed for a median price of $389,000.

Lehighton

Seniors who want to embrace a peaceful country life will find Lehighton just what they have in mind. The trout-filled Beltzville Lake is both peaceful and stunning — and is just about 6 miles down the road. To be lost in nature's warm embrace, Riverview Park, the only riverside campground on the Lehigh River, will come in handy. And since you will be living in the middle of the scenic Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, nature's pristine beauty will make you look half your age.

Plus, the highly-rated Saint Luke's Hospital Carbon is right in town, so you should not worry about access to healthcare. On the social scene, this town's median age is 42, and residents aged 60 and above comprise a sizeable 27% of its population. Finally, do not let the median home listing price in Lehighton — which stands at $349,900 — make your heart fall. Homes here fetch a median sales price of a paltry $235,000.

Weatherly

How about retiring where the trail-laden Buck Mountain is right around the corner and close to Eckley Miners' Village, where one can glimpse inside the hard, everyday life of an immigrant coal miner? Plus, Eurana Park features a pool-like lake where one can take a refreshing dip, a disc golf course where one can tee away an afternoon, and a scenic trail where one can burn his legs and fill his lungs with fresh air.

Residents here are known to be friendly and helpful and towns such as the picture-perfect Jim Thorpe and Hazleton (which hosts the Lehigh Valley Hospital) are just next door. Even Scranton is under an hour's drive away. Weatherly boasts a median age of about 45, and residents aged 60 and above comprise 29% of its population. Finally, homes here are listed for a median price of $299,900.

Palmerton

Encircled by the austere grandeur of the scenic Blue Mountain, a rich venue for both hunters and anglers, Palmerton deserves a spot among the best small towns in the Poconos for retirees. Palmerton is quaint and relatively secluded — features that city escapists and nature lovers often prioritize. It is also conveniently close to the beautiful Lehigh Valley and, hence, provides access to numerous natural and cultural attractions. Palmerton is also close to Blue Mountain Ski Resort, which boasts Pennsylvania's highest vertical and most varied terrain.

While a resident will enjoy an unmatched mountain-top dining experience at Slopeside Pub & Grill, both Jim Thorpe and Lehighton, located 11 and 7 miles, respectively, provide more options. Of course, Lehighton hosts the Saint Luke's Hospital Carbon, whose recommendation rate stands at 75% — 6% higher than the national average. And if tight on cash, Palmerton will be an excellent choice. Homes in Palmerton are listed for a median price of just $192,400.

Matamoras

A park to let your dogs run around. Port Jervis Train Station, where one can hop on a train ride to New York City. And, of course, the longest undammed U.S. river east of the Mississippi. Matamoras boasts features that make retirement consistently fun and delightful. A senior will enjoy floating on the Delaware River in summer or — as occasion affords —- inhaling spectacular views at the High Point State Park amid the smells of nature and the chirping birds. Boasting a median age of 43, one can enjoy a Taylor Swift tune on one side —- or watch sunsets with folks in the same age bracket on the other. Residents aged 60 and above comprise 27% of the town's population.

In case of a medical emergency, Bon Secours Community Hospital is at your doorstep. However, nearby towns such as Sussex, New Jersey; Middletown, New York, and Newton, New Jersey — provide even more options. Even New York City is just about an hour and a half by car. Finally, while homes are listed here for a median price of $447,400, which can be gasp-inducing, they are sold for a more tolerable median price of $355,000.

Mount Pleasant

A retiree will be hard-pressed to ignore a town that features "pleasant" and "mountain" as part of its name. Mount Pleasant boasts a glass-making heritage and the three-day Mount Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival celebrates this history. Plus, Greendance is often a lovely place to unwind with a glass of local wine in hand. Alternatively, Polymath Park spans 125 acres of lush greenery and is the go-to spot for those who love sampling the architectural genius of Frank Lloyd Wright. Mount Pleasant is, to a large extent, a retirement community. This is lent credit by the fact the town's median age is 51, and residents aged 60 and above comprise 33% of its population.

On healthcare access, while Excela Health Frick Hospital will meet a retiree's medical needs, numerous other options abound in nearby towns such as Greensburg, Latrobe, and Connellsville. Greensburg, for example, hosts the highly-rated Ahn Emerus Westmoreland Hospital. Still, the best part to retiring here is that homes are listed for a median price of $202,500 — and sold for an incredibly lower median price of just $149,100.

The Takeaway

If you want to retire right on the water, perhaps close to a stream or a lake, and still be able to hop on bus trips to The Big Apple for Broadway shows, art galleries, or other cultural attractions, you should start scouting for a retirement home in the Poconos. Fortunately, options abound, whether on the waist of a mountain — or next to a stream. For specific recommendations, however, the best small towns in the Poconos to retire include Honesdale, Milford, Stroudsburg, and Lehighton.