8 Budget-Friendly Towns In The Finger Lakes For Retirees
If you want to retire in a safe, peaceful spot next to some shimmering body of water, skip America’s coastline, especially if you are looking for budget-friendly options. The Finger Lakes Region, a place with abundant natural beauty, is dotted with beautiful towns, many of which are quite budget-friendly. We are talking of sub $300,000 price points. Needless to mention, the Finger Lakes region is New York's largest wine-producing region, which means a retiree can age like wine — and with wine. Starting with Corning, discover below eight budget-friendly towns in the Finger Lakes for retirees.
Corning
Corning is known across the nation, perhaps even in the world, for its museum of glass, the largest of its kind on the planet. What is not as appreciated is that Corning is among the most budget-friendly towns in the Finger Lakes. In June 2024, the median listing home price in Corning was just $199,000. This price point is accompanied by a long line-up of inviting restaurants, where a retiree can pop inside for a slow brunch (check out the Cellar), Corning Country Club, a picturesque space to tee away an afternoon; and the Chemung River, which flows through the town. If under the weather, Guthrie Corning Hospital is right in town. Concerned about the chances of linking up with fellow empty nesters? Although the median age of Corning residents is 37, those aged 60 and above comprise a decent 22% of the population.
Watkins Glen
“The Glen” has long been a player in New York’s vacation landscape. The town features a spectacular gorge right in the heart of the village, a newly renovated downtown area, and is right next to Seneca Lake, billed as the Lake Trout Capital of the World. To know that the Glen is budget-friendly, its median listing home price is a low of $210,000. The social scene is just as inviting. The median age of Watkins Glen residents is 48, with those aged 60 and above comprising a massive 38% of the population. If a retiree needs to rush to a physician, Schuyler Hospital is a heartbeat away in Montour Falls. Alternatively, Guthrie Corning Hospital is just 30 minutes down the road. That said, the one thing a retiree will love about this coy New York town is the presence of the Watkins Glen State Park, well known for its breathtaking waterfalls.
Auburn
Retiring in Auburn, a beautiful Finger Lakes town known for its thriving arts scene, comes with being a short drive away from Syracuse, the fifth-largest city in the state of New York, and, hence, fantastic access to big-city amenities. Yet Auburn also scores big on affordability. The median listing home price in Auburn was $187,500 in June 2024, which is a steal, especially considering what the town offers. For perspective, Auburn sits on Owasco Lake, a venue for numerous recreational activities. Auburn is also home to Emerson Park, where one can fish, boat, or just spend a lazy afternoon, Casey Park, Hoopes Park ( a good place to walk around and admire beautiful flowers), and Highland Park Golf Course, an excellent spot to enjoy an afternoon round of golf. Moreover, a retiree here is at the doorstep of Auburn Community Hospital. Better still, Saint Joseph's Hospital Health Center, one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery, is nearby in Syracuse. The social scene is just as pleasant. The median age of Auburn residents is 40, just where life begins. Similarly, residents aged 60 and above comprise 26% of the population.
Seneca Falls
If you have heard about Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, or even Jane Addams, who co-founded the first national women's labor union — Seneca Falls will have a special place in your heart. While you can do frequent visits, nothing compares to retiring in the soil and environment that birthed women’s rights in the nation. And it is not just for history’s sake. Boasting a median home listing price of $227,000 (as of June 2024), Seneca Falls is among the most budget-friendly towns in the Finger Lakes. There is the chance to float on the Van Cleef Lake, step back in time at the Women's Rights National Historical Park, and browse a long list of inviting restaurants, including Sackett's Table, whose burgers are the best for miles. If worried about healthcare access, Seneca Falls Hospital is right in town and often meets the medical needs of residents. Boasting a median age of 45, Seneca Falls is evidently a retirees’ favorite. Residents aged 60 and above comprise a significant 30% of the population.
Newark
While the median listing price of homes in the Empire State is nearly $700,000, Newark appreciably bucks this trend. The median listing home price in Newark is just $149,900, a price point that is hard to beat. There is a lot a retiree will enjoy in Newark, including immediate healthcare access ( at the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital), access to big-city amenities ( Rochester is just about 40 minutes down the road), and venues for keeping fit and healthy, such as Spunk Fitness. While the town’s median age is 39, empty nesters aged 60 and above comprise 27% of the population, meaning chances of linking up with similarly-aged folks are abundant. Outdoor venues where a retiree can while away the time here include Wide Waters Canal Park, a lovely park with a small boat launch; the Passaic River, which flows through the town; and Colburn Park, a nice place to enjoy baseball.
Owego
Owego — or “where the valley widens” — is known as “the Southern Getaway To the Finger Lakes.” Although a median listing home price of $249,900 earns Owego a spot on this list, it boasts many other alluring features. The Susquehanna River, which provides a world of outdoor fun and adventure, meanders through the town. The Owego Riverwalk, a tasty stretch for an evening stroll, can slow down a retiree’s biological clock. Then there is the chance to have a good laugh, and as frequently as one desires, at the Tiahwaga Community Players. Owego’s social landscape is also enticing. Residents have a median age of 41, and those aged 60 and above comprise 26% of the population. Binghamton, less than 30 minutes down the road, is home to world-class hospitals. These include Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital, a 2024 recipient of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement Award — and UHS Binghamton General Hospital — a 2023 recipient of the Joint Replacement Excellence Award.
Horseheads
The median listing home price in Horseheads was $275,000 in June 2024, earning this under-the-radar town a spot among the most budget-friendly towns in the Finger Lakes. Loved for being mostly quiet, incredibly safe, and significantly laid back, Horseheads will meet the expectations of many empty nesters. The shopping scene includes venues such as the Grand Central Plaza, which is “grand” in every sense — and Southern Tier Crossing, a great place to mingle with residents and feel the town's pulse. The residents of Horseheads have a median age of 39, and those aged 60 and above comprise 24% of the population, meaning about 1 in 4 is a fellow empty nester. Horseheads is just 10 minutes from Elmira, home to hospitals such as Arnot Ogden Medical Center and Saint Joseph's Hospital, whose history goes back more than 100 years. There is Thorne St Park, a nice place to walk with a furry friend; Ollie's Bargain Outlet, an excellent spot for shopping, and the nearby Mark Twain Golf Course, which features wide-open fairways and nicely manicured greens.
Geneva
The median listing home price in Geneva, New York — a Finger Lakes gem that shares a name with one of Europe’s most beautiful cities — was $299,900 in June 2024. Expect a sweet and attractive downtown area with more bars and restaurants than many cities of similar size, a famed architectural landscape, and an array of well-maintained old homes. A retiree will enjoy mood-lifting shows at the handsomely restored Smith Opera House, a world of adventure at Seneca Lake (and at the Seneca Lake State Park), spending time at a lovely green space ( Geneva hosts at least 12 parks, including Lakefront Park) — and indulging in a round of golf at Geneva Country Club Golf Course. If you are worried about healthcare access, Geneva General Hospital is right in town. Finally, although residents here have a median age of 31, representing a nice blend of the young and old, empty nesters aged 60 and above comprise 23% of the population.
The Takeaway
As a retirement destination, the Finger Lakes does not get the flowers it deserves. There is much to love about the part of New York, including its finger-shaped lakes, quiet and peaceful neighborhoods, and world-famous wineries. There is also much to love about the many coy towns that dot it, some of which boast eye-catching architectural landscapes (like Watkins Glen). Fortunately, some of the Finger Lakes towns are among the most budget-friendly in the nation, with median listing home prices that are low-key Kansas or Alabama. For specific recommendations, check out the options highlighted here, including Newark, Auburn, and Corning.
