9 Best Finger Lakes Towns For Retirees

If one wants to wake up every morning to heart-stirring waterfront views, the American coastline is such a gem. Unfortunately, in most cases, beachfront locations are painfully expensive and way out of reach for the vast majority. But there's some good news. The Finger Lakes region of the United States is dotted with cute, charm-soaked towns, many of which sit right on the water. Not just that. This is New York's largest wine-producing region, meaning one can age like wine — and with wine. So, which are the best spots to retire in the Finger Lakes? Starting with Ithaca, the list below features the nine best towns in the Finger Lakes for retirees.

Ithaca

Ithaca is among the most beautiful small towns in America, and because it hosts Cornell University, an Ivy League university with worldwide fame, the town is vibrant, diverse, and academically stimulating. Ithaca’s Lifelong Program (formerly called the Senior Citizen Center) offers retirees aged 50 and older a wide range of classes, workshops, presentations, field trips, and travel-study opportunities. Cultural attractions around town are in the dozens, with iconic venues like the Hangar Theatre offering classes and performances that enrich and entertain.

For outdoor action, the options are equally mind-boggling, with Taughannock Falls, Robert Treman State Park, known for its rugged and stony gorge, and Buttermilk Falls State Park. Cayuga Medical Center, right in town, has previously received the prestigious Patient Safety Award from the NYS Department of Health. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Ithaca was $491,900, which favourably compares with the state median of $650,000.

Canandaigua

Canandaigua is a beautiful place to live at any age, but retirees will particularly enjoy its slower pace, easy access to nature, and the community-centric living that it offers. It is home to F.F. Thompson Hospital, an award-winning, nonprofit healthcare system that began as a small community hospital more than 100 years ago. The best part is that Canandaigua is only about 25 miles southeast of Rochester, the Empire State's third-largest city and home to the University of Rochester, associated with one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Canandaigua was $483,900, about 75% of the statewide median.

Once in a while, locals can enjoy a beautiful lakeside walk at the Canandaigua City Pier, or sit on one of the benches, and soak up heart-warming waterfront views. Taking the cue, Kershaw Park has beachfront walkways and scenic views, while an afternoon at the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park is often a great opportunity to escape reality for a bit and just enjoy the luxury of the gardens and the beauty of the mansion.

Hammondsport

The only downside to retiring in Hammondsport is that it is tiny, a concern for those who prefer some level of anonymity. But make no mistake. Hammondsport rocks, and that's not an overstatement. The town is cute — and often calm and quiet. However, it has a lot of good stuff, including interesting antique shops and nearby restaurants and breweries. Visitors can reach Birdseye Hollow State Forest on a whim to enjoy hunting and hiking, or head toward the pine-speckled Urbana State Forest for an unspoiled environment with quiet forest trails. Within the town, Depot Park offers a boat launch, lake access and dock facilities, and heart-gripping waterfront views. People always rave about its relaxing atmosphere. Of course, Keuka Lake is painfully beautiful, while Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital has been offering excellent healthcare to area residents for several years. The median listing home price in Hammondsport is $599,000, slightly lower than the statewide median.

Auburn

Auburn is a welcoming town with suburban-looking streets and a charming, old Main Street that looks straight out of the 1950s. It is lined with cute cafes and shops, and is always a wonderful stretch to explore. The prison is always a huge interest here, but Auburn offers much more. It is just 30 minutes to Syracuse, the fifth-largest city in the state of New York. It is also unbelievably affordable; costs rival those in much cheaper states. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Auburn was $249,900, 38% of the state median.

Furthermore, the town is at the north end of Owasco Lake, an outdoor playground offering numerous recreational activities. Other highlights include Emerson Park, where visitors can fish, boat, or spend a lazy afternoon; Auburn Movieplex 10, renowned for its reclining seats; and Hoopes Park, a great place to walk around and admire the beautiful flowers. To crown it all, residents are at the doorstep of Auburn Community Hospital, with other excellent options in nearby Syracuse.

Corning

If affordability is a deal breaker, then Corning presents an unbeatable prospect. Consider that in August 2025, the median listing home price in Corning was $199,900, less than a third of the statewide median. Although the cultural centerpiece is the world-famous Corning Museum of Glass, the largest of its kind on the planet, this town offers much more. There is the Corning Country Club, a picturesque space to tee away an afternoon, the Chemung River, where anglers will want to spend their waking moments, and the Palace Theatre, a charming, hometown space that can quickly transform a dull afternoon into one filled with fun and laughter. If under the weather, Guthrie Corning Hospital is right in town and is part of a system that has received multiple recognitions for specialty care throughout its network.

Watkins Glen

NASCAR fans have probably already decided to retire in Watkins Glen. But even for those who are not fans of motorsports racing, “The Glen” is adorable and packed with attractions. It provides immediate access to Seneca Lake, billed as the Lake Trout Capital of the World, and the phenomenal Watkins Glen State Park, well known for its breathtaking waterfalls. It features gasp-inducing cliffs, scenic views from rim trails, and glittering lakes for trout fishing. Recently, Google Maps released its list of “the most popular U.S. state parks this summer,” and Watkins Glen State Park emerged first on its list. That's a jewel worth living near.

There are several other nearby outdoor playgrounds, including Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area, a great place to spend some time bird-watching or catching an unhurried view of the wetlands. The best part is that all these come at an unbelievably tempting price point. In August 2025, the median listing home price in Watkins Glen was $320,000, about half of the state median. Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital is in neighboring Bath.

Seneca Falls

With its hometown feel, beautiful setting on the shimmering Cayuga Lake, and celebrated history as the birthplace of the women's rights movement, Seneca Falls is another special place in the Finger Lakes to consider. If anything, there are some bragging rights to retiring on the soil that birthed women’s rights in America. Not just that, Seneca Falls is relatively affordable, with houses fetching a median listing price of just $224,000, which is about a third of the state median.

Residents can occasionally paddle Van Cleef Lake, step back in time at the Women's Rights National Historical Park, or spend three days at Cayuga Lake State Park boating and fishing, listening to the rustling of the leaves. If healthcare access is a concern, Geneva General Hospital (GGH) provides both primary and full secondary care services.

Montour Falls

The median listing home price in Montour Falls was $179,500 in August 2025, an insanely pocket-friendly price point, especially considering the setting of Montour Falls and what it offers. For example, Seneca Lake is just 10 minutes down the road and offers epic recreational opportunities. Residents also enjoy easy access to Watkins Glen State Park, which has gorges, up to 19 waterfalls, and several miles of picturesque hiking trails. There is Shequaga Falls, a 156-foot water wonder that drops dramatically at the end of Main Street, while north of town, Havana Glen Park offers trails, pavilions, and a playground. Schuyler Hospital is right in town, so there is no need for a long trip over rough terrain to see a physician.

Geneva

Geneva shares a name with one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and is an exciting place to live and retire. Residents enjoy an attractive downtown area with more bars and restaurants than many cities of a similar size, and a beautiful cityscape featuring mind-blowing architecture. The median listing home price in Geneva was $332,500 in August 2025, cheaper than the statewide median by about half. If that is not tempting enough, Geneva General Hospital is conveniently in town and is a 132-bed general acute care facility, having received the Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award.

Life here revolves around enjoying epic shows at the iconic Smith Opera House, exploring the Seneca Lake State Park, which adjoins the largest Finger Lake by volume, and playing golf at the Geneva Country Club Golf Course. Of course, the food scene here is solid, and on the same note, residents have immediate access to several peaceful green spaces. Keep in mind that Geneva hosts at least 12 parks, including Lakefront Park, which features a beautiful course and a trail with water views.

Don't Skip the Chance To Retire on the Water

So, those seeking a waterfront retirement who cannot afford the East or West Coast will find the Finger Lakes region a perfect fit, and at a fraction of the amount one would spend in other places. Many towns here are small and slow, just as others are artsy and vibrant. From a world-famous museum to an Ivy League university to the best park in the entire state, this underrated region of the United States will make retirees bloom and glow.