8 Welcoming Towns To Retire In The Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondack Mountains, located in northeastern New York, are a part of the larger Appalachian Mountain range and encompass over six million acres of protected land. As popular for their rugged beauty, as they are for their many lovely lakes, the Adirondacks offer a unique combination of natural beauty and small-town charm that is especially attractive for retirees seeking a tranquil yet active lifestyle.
With four distinct seasons, retirees can enjoy year-round activities, including hiking and fishing in the summer and snowshoeing and skiing in the winter. Many towns in the Adirondacks have gone to great lengths to ensure a warm welcome for retirees, offering a safe and vibrant community life with affordable living and easy access to healthcare services. Whether you're drawn to outdoor recreation, cultural activities, or simply a slower, more relaxed pace of life, these eight welcoming towns in the Adirondack Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for an enriching retirement.
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake, with a population of just under 5,400 residents, is a picturesque town in the heart of the Adirondacks that’s well-known for its historic downtown and exciting creative scene. Here, retirees will find plenty of cultural activities to immerse themselves in, including art galleries, live music, and events like the annual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. With easy access to Lake Flower and its surrounding trails, outdoor activities are plentiful, from hiking and walking to birdwatching and even bike riding.
Saranac Lake also offers a range of housing options, too, with communities like Saranac Village at Will Rogers, a senior living community that promotes wellness and social engagement, being one of the best. Need to keep busy? Volunteer opportunities abound in local organizations such as the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, a non-profit that provides a strong sense of purpose for retirees while giving back to the community by helping protect local wildlife. Add to this the town’s low crime rate, its friendly atmosphere, and access to health services at the Adirondack Medical Center, and you’re ensured a comfortable retirement.
Ticonderoga
Located between Lake George and Lake Champlain and just a stone’s throw from Vermont, the charming town of Ticonderoga has much to offer retirees. This historically rich town is famous for Fort Ticonderoga, originally built by the French but later an important site in American history for having been the scene of the fledgling nation’s first Revolutionary War victory. Now the town’s most popular tourist attraction, it also provides plentiful volunteer opportunities for retirees interested in history and preservation.
Ticonderoga’s scenic beauty and proximity to two major lakes also make it an attractive location for retirees who enjoy fishing, boating, and hiking in summer, while the winter months bring opportunities for activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Ticonderoga also offers affordable housing and low property taxes, making it an appealing choice for those on a fixed income, while the Ticonderoga Senior Center offers social activities, fitness programs, and excursions, fostering a tight-knit community for retirees. With low crime rates and accessible healthcare facilities, including Moses Ludington Hospital, Ticonderoga certainly provides a safe and welcoming environment for retirees.
Lake Placid
A name that’s forever etched in Olympic history, Lake Placid is famous for having hosted the prestigious Winter Olympics twice, in 1932 and again in 1980. Now home to around 2,500 residents, the town’s sporting legacy lives on and provides numerous ways for retirees to stay active, whether it’s ice skating at the Olympic Center or walking the tails circling Mirror Lake.
Another factor in Lake Placid’s senior-friendly reputation is the presence of the Lake Placid Institute for Arts, an institute offering lifelong learning programs and cultural events that appeal to retirees from across the Adirondacks. Volunteer opportunities are also available here, as well as at places like Lake Placid Land Conservancy, a group dedicated to preserving the town’s natural setting. Health services are provided through Adirondack Health’s in-town medical center ensuring access to services when needed.
Elizabethtown
Though small (the town’s population is just under 1,200 residents), Elizabethtown has plenty of appeal for those seeking a peaceful location in which to retire. Known as "Pleasant Valley" for its laidback vibe and stunning views of the Adirondack High Peaks, the town serves as a gateway to some of the best hiking trails in the region. As local retirees will attest, its small size is, in fact, a plus and has created a tight-knit, welcoming atmosphere that’s perfect for those seeking a quiet, community-oriented lifestyle in which to spend their days.
Retirees in Elizabethtown can take advantage of numerous volunteer opportunities, including at the Adirondack History Museum, or even engage in local government initiatives and politics. The town’s bustling community hub, the Elizabethtown Social Center, offers a variety of programs and fitness classes geared towards seniors, ensuring plenty of opportunities to stay active and connected. And with access to the University of Vermont Health Network’s Elizabethtown Community Hospital, residents have nearby healthcare services to lean on.
Tupper Lake
Named after the beautiful body of water on which it sits, the town of Tupper Lake offers retirees a perfect balance between nature and small-town life. Attractions related to the rich flora and fauna of the region include The Wild Center, a world-class natural history museum that provides learning and volunteer opportunities, while nearby Bog River Falls highlights the many hiking, fishing, and birdwatching opportunities in the area.
Tupper Lake also has a top-notch senior citizens club, the Adirondack Adult Center, which provides plenty of fun things to do, including fitness programs, social events, and opportunities for community engagement and volunteering. Healthcare services are also top-notch here and are available through the Tupper Lake Health Center, part of the Adirondack Health group, ensuring that retirees have access to medical care if and when needed.
Schroon Lake
Schroon Lake, a small town of around 1,600 people that’s centered around its namesake lake, provides residents young and old a delightful laid-back, waterfront lifestyle. Popular for its fishing, boating, and abundant hiking trails in the nearby Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area, Schroon Lake’s welcoming community makes it a great place to settle down. Keeping busy is easy here, with retirees finding a range of social activities and cultural events available through the Schroon Lake Arts Council, among other community groups.
Many of these same groups are in constant need of reliable volunteers, too, so be sure to let them know of your availability. Other volunteer opportunities are available with local organizations such as the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce and groups like the Schroon Lake-North Hudson Historical Society, which operates out of a historic cottage in town. The town’s senior center, Schroon Lake Senior Citizens, is a great place to hang out and offers wellness programs, social events, and opportunities to stay engaged in the community. With its low crime rate, affordable housing, and natural beauty, Schroon Lake is certainly worth considering if retiring in the Adirondacks is in the cards.
Keene Valley
Although home to only around 1,100 people, Keene Valley is perfect for those wanting to retire in a scenic setting but still have access to the services and programs necessary for a safe and sound retirement. A popular hiking destination for its stunning landscapes and access to the Adirondacks’ High Peaks region, the town’s peaceful rural charm certainly appeals to retirees looking for a slower pace of life.
Volunteer opportunities are plentiful, with the Keene Valley Library and other local organizations, such as the community’s active Nature Conservancy, a non-profit dedicated to preserving local wildlife and nature, often on the lookout for assistance. While healthcare services are a 15-minute drive away in nearby Elizabethtown and Lake Placid, those choosing to remain in town for their twilight years can access high-quality assisted living care at Keene Valley Neighborhood House.
North Creek
The small town of North Creek is also worth considering as a place to retire in the Adirondacks. Located near Gore Mountain, Upstate New York’s largest ski resort area, it’s an ideal retirement spot for those who enjoy active outdoor pursuits such as hiking, skiing, and birdwatching. North Creek also has a lively cultural scene, with local art galleries, music performances, and a community theater group based out of the North Creek High School Theatre.
Senior programs are plentiful here. Retirees can stay active by participating in organized outdoor recreational programs or joining fitness classes offered through the town's Senior Center. Healthcare services are also readily available, with the nearby Glens Falls Hospital offering excellent emergency care. Best of all, the town’s small size creates a tight-knit community where seniors can easily make connections through volunteer work, social clubs, or community events.
The Final Word
While not for everyone (some retirees will always prefer big-city living!), choosing to retire in the Adirondack Mountains is the perfect blend of natural beauty and small-town charm for those seeking plenty of community engagement in a peaceful setting in their golden years. Each of the towns highlighted here provides retirees with plenty of opportunities to stay active, involved, and healthy, all the while surrounded by stunning landscapes in a senior-friendly community. Whether you’re drawn to a peaceful waterside town like Schroon Lake or a more vibrant village-like setting such as Lake Placid, these eight Adirondack towns are guaranteed to provide a warm welcome when you retire.
