8 Towns Perfect for Retirement in the Finger Lakes
For those who want to retire on the water, wake up to beautiful, early-morning views of cascading waves, or enjoy mid-morning brisk walks in some warm, sparkling sand, the Finger Lakes Region provides an unbeatable retirement experience. The trick is to find a town that has amenities (including one or two good hospitals) and one that will not leave you priced out. Of course, there are numerous other factors to consider. Still, if the Finger Lakes Region is on the tabs, discover below 8 towns that are perfect for retirement in the Finger Lakes Region.
Penn Yan
Some of the best parts to retiring in Penn Yan, a dainty town of just about 5,000 residents mostly known for hosting one of the oldest mills in the United States, is that one will be waking it to heart-melting views of the Y-shaped Keuka Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in Upstate New York. Keuka Lake offers excellent swimming and other water-based activities and is a spot where an empty nester will love to spend lazy and balmy afternoons. There is the regional airport as well, which makes the town score big on accessibility. Moreover, Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, which features beautiful views of two waterfalls, is an ideal venue for early-morning strolls. On healthcare access, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, named to honor and celebrate residents who served in World War I, has been a feature of the town since 1924. One does not have to break the bank either; the median listing home price in Penn Yan is $300,000. Finally, Penn Yann’s median age is a mellow 47, and residents aged 60 and above comprise 31% of the population.
Skaneateles
Skaneateles is a charming small town that reclines on the north end of a pristine lake. The lake is pronounced as “SKAN-ee-AT-ləs” and is often considered the “Jewel of the Finger Lakes region.” It is one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. This town has a buzzy retail scene and features actors such as Nest 58, which sells unique and thoughtfully chosen home goods. Moreover, the neighborhoods here are incredibly safe and peaceful, while the culinary landscape serves a wide range of delicious offerings. Skaneateles Country Club, which is right in town, features a yacht club, a golf club, and a restaurant. It can be a nice venue to spend a slow and peaceful afternoon. There is also Thayer Park as well, where one can sit down on a bench beside the lake and just relax — and Clift Park, where a cool breeze and tasty waterfront views serve as natural anti-aging elixirs. In a medical emergency, the award-winning Saint Joseph's Hospital Health Center is in Syracuse, a short, 18-mile drive. The sweetest part is that the median age of Skaneateles is 59 and that residents aged 60 and above comprise a whopping 50% of the population. Going by this, the social support here is unmatched. But it all comes at a price. The median listing home price in Skaneateles is $762,000.
Newark
A retiree in Newark enjoys unmatched affordability — besides other alluring features. In March 2024, the median listing home price in Newark was just $169,900. At this appetizing price point, one has access to Wide Waters Canal Park, a cute little park with a small boat launch — as well as nine picnic tables and 11 grills. An empty nester will enjoy taking kids and grandkids to Perkins Park and will want to audit courses tuition-free at the Finger Lakes Community College. Then again, this town hosts The Terrace at Newark, a well-rated assisted living community that also offers memory care. Plus, Newark is just about 37 miles from Rochester, so a retiree here can access big-city amenities in a heartbeat. Still, Newark-Wayne Community Hospital is right in town and is a 2022 recipient of the Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award. Finally, while the town’s median age is 39, residents aged 60 and above comprise 27% of the population.
Canandaigua
Canandaigua is another heart-warming town that will please an empty nester. Besides retiring right on the water (the town sits on the north end of Canandaigua Lake) and accessing a world of water-based fun and adventure opportunities, a retiree here has numerous other places to experience life-renewing retreats. The expansive Richard P. Outhouse Memorial Park, for instance, caters to cyclists, joggers, and pedestrians. Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, besides providing tours of the 1887 Queen Anne Mansion, is among the most luxurious places in the world. For those who love gorging on books, Canandaigua’s Wood Library will come in handy. An occasional romantic dinner at Nolan's on Canandaigua Lake, a short walk at the city pier, and an entire Sunday at the beautifully landscaped Kershaw Park are conveniences and comforts not worth exchanging the world for. Moreover, with a median home listing price of just $394,300, this New York charmer is relatively affordable. If one needs urgent medical attention, F.F. Thompson Hospital will come in handy. Finally, Canandaigua’s median age is a sweet and calm 46. In a similar vein, residents aged 60 and above comprise 32% of the population.
Lansing
A rural, pastoral town that provides vacation vibes and is bosom-close to Ithaca, Lansing is an excellent retirement venue. An empty nester will be close to Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, where she can hop on a plane to New York City in minutes. This town provides convenient access to Cayuga Lake as well, the longest of the Finger Lakes. Fun awaits at Sapsucker Woods, a clean park that brims with chickadees and woodpeckers. On the other hand, avid golfers will have access to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course. Of course, one will be a heartbeat away from Cornel University, which is among the best universities in the world. On healthcare access, Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca is a 2023 recipient of the Coronary Intervention Excellence Award. Finally, while Lansing’s median age is a bubbly 31, residents aged 60 and above comprise 15% of the population.
Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen lies at the south end of Seneca Lake in the heart of the Finger Lakes. Since retirees (those aged 60 and above) make up 38% of Watkins Glen's population, this town’s social scene is among the most perfect for retirees. For perspective, the town’s median age is 48. Outdoor venues here, aside from Seneca Lake, include the Watkins Glen State Park, which hosts some scenic waterfalls. Also, Lafayette Park has massive, shaded trees and is a nice place to just sit and relax. Besides, Clute Memorial Park and Recreation is a beautiful local green space gem that boasts awesome lake views. On the medical front, Schuyler Hospital is next door in Montour Falls. For more options — the highly rated Guthrie Corning Hospital is a short drive away. Then again, one does not have to break the bank. The median listing home price in Watkins Glen is only $217,900.
Corning
America’s Crystal City, as Corning is known, boasts a genuine and hospitable atmosphere that will effortlessly captivate a retiree. One will love to chat with friends on Market Street, in the bubbly heart of the Gaffer District. Not only will a walk in Gaffer Street calm nerves, but one will also find a delightful array of restaurants here, including the Cellar, a fine spot for a slow brunch, whether of chicken and waffles or Brussels sprouts and Asian noodles. Corning Museum of Glass covers three millennia of glass art and can be a fantastic place to spend time away. Avid golfers will love to tee away their evenings at the Corning Country Club, best known for its 18-hole LPGA championship golf course. Plus, the Chemung River meanders through town and imbues it with a tasty, rustic look. Concerning healthcare access, Guthrie Corning Hospital is right in town, so there will be no need to make an out-of-town trip. Also, with a median age of 37, empty nesters will enjoy mingling with young folks who are still full of life. Finally, the median listing home price in Corning is $159,900.
Seneca Falls
Seneca Falls provides access to Cayuga Lake and hosts the National Women's Hall of Fame. Plus, it boasts mind-beding green space gems such as the Seneca Falls Recreation & Park — a lovely riverside park with walk paths, green spaces, and public art. Also, Seneca Falls has many shopping venues, including Sauders Store. Which often brims with fresh produce and other necessary shopping items. While one can get urgent medical attention at the Auburn Community Hospital, just about 20 minutes down the road, numerous healthcare options abound in Geneva, Newark, and Syracuse. This town’s median age is 45, and residents aged 60 and above comprise 30% of the population. Finally, just like Corning, the median listing home price in Seneca Falls is $159,900.
The Finger Lakes Region is known to captivate outdoor enthusiasts. Water lovers particularly get a blast here. Retirees also love the fact New York State — home to all the 11 Finger Lakes — exempts Social Security retirement benefits from taxation. You can wake up to nice waterfront views, spend your afternoon on a sandy beach, barefoot, or in flip-flops, and spend your evenings taking pictures of the glorious reflection of the sun on a shimmering body of water. Towns where one can enjoy this kind of experience include Penn Yann, Newark, and Corning.
