9 Best Small Towns To Retire In The Adirondack Mountains In 2024
If your heart is set on retiring in a poetic landscape of rolling hills and craggy peaks, verdant valleys and gleaming lakes, quiet neighborhoods, and closely-knit communities, the Adirondacks Mountains of New York should be a top-level consideration. The trick is looking for a location with good or excellent healthcare access so you do not have to spend 3 hours traveling to see a doctor on the road. If you are looking for specific recommendations, discover below the nine best small towns to retire in the Adirondack Mountains in 2024.
Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh reclines on the peaceful shores of Lake Champlain, a top-notch venue for water-based fun and adventure. It has plenty of options for shopping, so no need to dash out of town for groceries. A retiree will also love that Plattsburgh’s downtown area is filled with great bars and restaurants, prime venues for catching up with friends and feeling the town's pulse. If a retiree is under the weather, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, a previous recipient of the Vascular Surgery Excellence Award, is right in town. The presence of SUNY Plattsburgh, which has been around since 1889, makes Plattsburgh ideal for those who love retiring in a vibrant, academic environment.
Through the Third Age Adult Day Center, SUNY Plattsburgh provides a range of services to physically frail elders who require assistance with activities of daily living. The services they provide include current event discussions, arts and crafts, walks, music activities, and other simple exercises. There is the Plattsburgh International Airport as well, which means one can hop on a plane to New York City on a whim. Other attractions include the Saranac River, which flows through the town, and the Barracks Golf Course, a beautiful place to spend a lazy afternoon. The median listing home price in Plattsburgh was just $259,000 in June 2024 — while residents aged 60 and above comprise 23% of the town’s population.
Tupper Lake
Nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, where mountains and lakes traverse a beautiful landscape, Tupper Lake is a slow-paced retirement venue ideal for empty nesters who desire laid-back settings. The air here is fresh and crisp, the residents are welcoming and helpful, and the outdoor recreational opportunities are unmatched. The Wild Center, a natural history space with peaceful outdoor walkways and bridges, can be a lovely site for routine visits. Shaheen's Market features an incredible selection of groceries, so one’s kitchen will be regularly replenished with fresh supplies. Plus, a retiree will enjoy learning more about the cosmos at the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory, which is one of the best star-gazing destinations in the East. There is the Tupper Lake Waterfront Park as well, a lovely spot to watch a heart-ravishing sunset. Concerning healthcare access, Adirondack Medical Center is just 20 miles down the road in Saranac Lake. It is a 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award. The median listing home price in Tupper Lake, New York, is $462,000. On the social scene, residents aged 60 and above comprise 32% of the population.
Saranac Lake
Known to provide unparalleled access to the outdoors, Saranac Lake is the quintessential Adirondacks retirement destination. Opportunities for skiing, paddling, swimming, rock climbing, and hiking — are the best for miles. The Adirondack Regional Airport is a short drive away, a feature that significantly boosts the town’s accessibility. As a retiree, you will have access to several water bodies, including Lake Flower, Lake Colby, Lower Saranac Lake, Saranac River, and Moody Pond. Plus, one will be at the doorstep of the award-winning Adirondack Medical Center, meaning healthcare access here is top-notch. And since Saranac Lake residents aged 60 and above comprise 27% of the population, one will find it a breeze to link up with peers in the same age group. That said, the median listing home price in Saranac Lake was $675,000 in June 2024.
Keene Valley
A cute, dainty town of less than 1,000 residents, Keene Valley’s small-town charm is among its most endearing features. The town scores big on access to the great outdoors and is filled with venues ideal for nature enthusiasts — and other shades of retirees. One can hit up the historic Adirondack Trails, some of whose limbs meander through the town; fish in the Ausable River, find fresh local farm goods at the Valley Grocery Store, and enjoy a good read at the Keene Valley Library. The highly rated Elizabethtown Community Hospital is just about 10 minutes down the road, meaning healthcare access is fairly good. Expect a median listing home price of about $625,000, which is the price point in the nearby sister town of Keene.
Lake Placid
A tranquil environment awaits retirees at Lake Placid, an enchanting locale known internationally as a two-time host of the Winter Olympics. The grave of abolitionist John Brown, set in a parkland with trails, is an evocative space to reminisce about the history of the United States. A retiree will enjoy ambling through the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, which preserves the history of both the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games; indulging in a round of golf at the long-standing Lake Placid Club, which has been around since 1895; and floating on both Mirror Lake and Lake Placid. The median listing home price in Lake Placid was $695,000 in June 2024, which is not a bad bargain, especially because it comes with doorstep access to AdventHealth Lake Placid, ranked among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention Award. To cap it all, residents aged 60 and above comprise a decent 24% of Lake Placid’s population, meaning about 1 in 4 residents is likely to be a fellow empty nester.
Saratoga Springs
Known as “the Queen of the Spas,” Saratoga Springs will ensure a retiree blooms into old age, with a healthy body and mind — and well-toned muscles. Think of frequent Swedish Massages, salt scrubs, jet baths, and a delightful array of facials — without stepping out of town. If worried about healthcare access, Saratoga Hospital, established in 1991, is a recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award. The best part about retiring here is that residents aged 60 and above comprise an impressive 29% of the population, meaning it is easy to build a network of those in the same age group. That said, in June 2024, the median listing home price in Saratoga Springs was $799,900. Considering a retiree here will be a short drive away from most of the Adirondack Park, close to the shimmering waters of Saratoga Lake, and an easy stroll to the Saratoga Spa State Park, famous for its natural springs — there is no doubt Saratoga Springs provides excellent value for money.
Lake George
With a similarly named lake at its doorstep, Lake George is a captivating spot for empty nesters who want to retire right next to the water. The "Queen of the American Lakes" is often the site of historic cruises, which involve old-timey steamboats taking adventures to a panorama of mountains, beaches, inlets, and islands. There is the chance to step back in time at the nearby historic Fort William Henry as well — or to lounge at the aptly named Million Dollar Beach. The award-winning Glens Falls Hospital is minutes down the road, meaning one should not have to worry about access to high-quality medical services. The median listing home price in Lake George is $574,900, a price point that is not over the roof, especially considering what the town offers. If all these do not excite you, wait until you hear that the percentage of Lake George residents aged 60 and above is an inviting 35%.
Glens Falls
Boasting a Walk Score of 89 out of 100, an endearing small-town feel, and a rich history of theatrical productions, Glens Falls has many features a retiree will love. The Adirondack Theatre Festival, which typically takes place at the 300-seat Charles R. Wood Theater, is something residents often look forward to with great anticipation. Outdoor venues at Glens Falls include the Hudson River, a key passage during the American Revolution; Harry J. Betar Jr. Recreational Park, a lovely venue for an evening stroll; and the trout-filled Glen Lake. A retiree will be at the doorstep of Glens Falls Hospital — and minutes from Saratoga Hospital — a recipient of the Pulmonary Care Excellence Award. With a median listing home price of just $259,700, Glens Falls also scores big on affordability. Considering residents aged 60 and above comprise 22% of the town’s population, Glens Falls checks almost every relevant box. And that is without mentioning that Albany is less than an hour’s drive away.
Jay
Loved for the peace of a quaint mountain town, Jay deservedly rounds off the list of the nine best small towns to retire in the Adirondacks. A retiree will enjoy strolling across Jay’s covered bridge echoing walkway, floating down the Ausable River, taking in a show at the Jay Entertainment and Music Society (JEMS), admiring artwork from local artists at The Jay Craft Center, and indulging in some top-notch skiing at Whiteface Mountain. Elizabethtown Community Hospital is minutes down the road, meaning healthcare access is admirable. Plus, home prices here are anything but eye-watering. The median listing home price in Jay was just $337,000 in June 2024. Finally, since the median age of Jay residents is a mellowed 49, retirees will easily find friends — and build enduring social networks with peers in the same age bracket.
The Takeaway
If you want to retire in loving neighborhoods with heart-warming mountain views to wake up to every morning, where you are surrounded by trees and nature’s pristine beauty — consider a location in New York State’s Adirondacks. The good thing is that one does not need to rough it out. Several towns here have fantastic access to amenities, including high-quality hospitals, markets for fresh produce, and other crucial conveniences. While the winters can be cold, no words can describe the amazing outdoor experience when the seasons turn around. If looking for the best towns to retire in the Adirondacks, check out venues such as Plattsburgh, Tupper Lake, and Saratoga Springs.
