8 Most Affordable Towns to Retire in Maryland
If you are contemplating a move to the East Coast after retirement, Maryland makes for a great choice to live out your sunset years. The Old Line State is known for its natural beauty with diverse landscapes, from the picturesque Chesapeake Bay to the stunning Appalachian Mountains. Between these exquisite landforms lie several small towns tailored for life in your senior years.
With a laidback charm and serene natural atmosphere, they are a far cry from the turmoil in the big cities. Pensioners will seamlessly attune to their slow pace of life and feel at home in the close-knit communities calling the towns home. But with a limited source of income after work, it is wise to find an affordable place that will stretch your retirement savings. To get you started, here are some of the price friendliest places to retire in Maryland.
Havre De Grace
Havre de Grace gets its name from the French port city of Le Havre and sits where the Susquehanna River pours into the Chesapeake Bay. With its small population and serene open spaces, it provides an ideal setting for senior citizens. Retirees can take lazy strolls along the Havre de Grace Promenade to meditate while taking in enchanting views of the Susquehanna River. Several museums across the town hint at its rich history, including the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum. This is an excellent stop if you want to explore regional seafaring history. Great dedication to the arts allows the local community to converge at the Cultural Center at the Opera House and enjoy live music, dance shows, and other theatrical performances in a friendly environment. Havre de Grace’s median house value is conveniently below the state average at $400,000, allowing pensioners to own a home without exhausting their savings.
Easton
A buzzing art scene, quaint gallery collection, and delectable dining scene make Easton an easy choice for retirees looking for a permanent home. This lovely community in Talbot County has a habit of coming together at Avalon Foundation Inc. to watch moving live performances, helping to strengthen the close ties between members. Seniors have various ways to indulge in outdoor recreation and maintain an active lifestyle, including heading to Idlewild Park. It has relaxed walking tracks, picnic areas, tennis courts, and other sports amenities.
Meanwhile, the Amish Country Farmers Market offers an opportunity to interact with friendly faces and network while shopping for delicious homemade goods. For those trying to buy a home, the real estate prices in Easton are a little more than Maryland’s average at around $500,000.
Clarksburg
Clarksburg offers a delightful suburban atmosphere, shielded from the turbulent streets of nearby Baltimore. This means retirees can enjoy a serene rural atmosphere with green spaces and still have access to vital social and health facilities in Baltimore. Arora Hills Local Park is one of the many outdoor spots in the town where you can find recreational opportunities, offering several ball fields. When seniors in Clarksburg need retail therapy, they go to Clarksburg Premium Outlets, where over 25 recognized brands guarantee a world-class shopping experience.
The town also allows the elderly to stay ahead of their physical and mental health at Clarksburg Yoga & Wellness. Here, they will benefit from essential therapies like meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and breathwork. Given Clarksburg’s proximity to big cities like Baltimore and D.C. homes are a little pricey here, with an average of $591,500.
Thurmont
For those thinking of retiring in the cozy setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Thurmont is a wonderful consideration. This quaint alpine village guarantees seniors an active lifestyle with plenty of outdoor opportunities. Catoctin Mountain Park harbors 25 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult, and rewards adventurers with postcard views of the mountainous surroundings. Thurmont also boasts Cunningham Falls State Park, a popular public recreation area housing Maryland’s largest cascade and a natural wonder, Cunningham Falls.
For quality time with family, visiting Catoctin Wildlife Preserve promises a fun time for all ages. Although tiny, the zoo houses cute species like alpacas and zebras, offering guests the opportunity to pet them and enjoy wild safaris. Meanwhile, the median house value is $415,000, which is a pretty decent deal for pensioners looking to own a home.
Mount Airy
Mount Airy is strategically located halfway between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, making it easy for retirees to access superior amenities in these large cities. Unsurprisingly, the real estate market prices are slightly on the higher side, averaging about $687,000. Nevertheless, pensioners who can afford the town will enjoy a safe community with a desirable variety of outdoor adventures. Nature lovers can head to the Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary to take advantage of a relaxed environment made up of diverse habitats, with the chance to observe local wildlife.
Downtown Mount Airy is a great place for newcomers to interact and make new friends. It has a lively Main Street housing a mix of eateries, art centers, shopping outlets, and coffee shops, providing the ideal atmosphere for extroverts. CarterQue BBQ is a popular hangout and trendy eatery where you can enjoy delicious meats like pork, chicken, and sumptuous seafood. Oenophiles will also find wine-tasting opportunities at Loew Vineyards, which also impresses with lush surroundings.
Berlin
This small community in Worcester County charms fresh retirees with a laidback natural scene that allows them peace of mind in their golden years. It has a beautiful historic commercial district perfect for exploration, and walking down its safe streets reveals 19th-century structures. The Mermaid Museum attracts curious passers-by with its quirky residents in the heart of downtown, featuring numerous exhibits dedicated to mermaids.
Berlin is also home to the Assateague Island State Park, renowned for its herd of grazing wild horses. The beautiful barrier island offers a range of recreational opportunities, including camping, fishing, and sightseeing. Wine lovers will appreciate the tranquil setting of Windmill Creek Vineyard & Winery, with the opportunity to sip sweet wines while listening to soothing music. Besides safety, Berlin is an affordable place to retire in Maryland, with a median home price of $475,000.
White Marsh
This small bedroom community northeast of Baltimore offers suburban living with easy access to all the city comforts. White Marsh hosts a great array of attractions, including classy shopping outlets like White Marsh Mall and the Avenue at White Marsh. The malls are full of boutiques, restaurants, entertainment venues, and movie theaters, providing day-long entertainment for the whole family. Pensioners in need of recreational activities can head to the Honeygo Run Regional Park and Community Center, a pretty nature space with wooded trails, picnic areas, and an indoor recreation center.
Meanwhile, Richardson Farms presents an excellent opportunity for friendly social interactions, allowing newcomers to feel a sense of belonging. The popular farmers market has the best local produce, comprising baked goods, meats, salads, and more. For those looking to purchase a home in the area, the average budget should be around $450,000.
Hampstead
Multiple pockets of green spaces result in beautiful natural scenery that makes Hampstead an easy option for retirees. The town hosts a small community of about 6,500, with ample room for those looking for a friendly forever home. Pensioners will enjoy the numerous outdoor opportunities, and it does not get better than the Prettyboy Reservoir Park. This waterfront oasis offers different recreations, including hiking, hunting, fishing, and bird watching. Meanwhile, Lions Club Park makes for an excellent alternative for those who prefer sporting activities. The site has various ball fields, including baseball and football.
Time with family can be spent on a laidback bowling session at Greenmount Bowl, while Pipe the Side Brewing Company offers a chill atmosphere to catch up with peers over a glass of refreshing craft beer. Finally, Hampstead makes it easy for retirees to invest in a home, considering that the median value is only $397,500.
Final Thought
Finding the ideal place to settle plays an important role in ensuring that you have a wonderful time in your retirement years. With the right mix of factors and opportunities, senior citizens have little to worry about their recreational, social, and health needs when they find the perfect destination to call home. The above small towns showcase the kind of life you can expect when you decide to retire in Maryland. With their laidback personalities, rich natural scenery, and exciting outdoor opportunities, they have all it takes to guarantee a high quality of life in your golden years.
