9 Senior-Friendly Towns in New York

Many longtime residents of New York City have famously retired to South Florida; however, in recent years, New Yorkers and many others in the region and around the country are considering the small, idyllic towns of New York State for their autumn years. While popular retirement targets like Florida and Arizona have become crowded and expensive, there are many New York state towns that remain inexpensive and have more to offer than many realize. From lakeside retreats to vibrant hubs, each of these villages has something unique to offer retirees seeking a fulfilling and peaceful lifestyle. Ithaca is remembered for its waterfalls, Saratoga Springs, mineral springs, and horse tracks. New Paltz is rich in history and natural beauty. Cortland, with its affordability, and Cooperstown, famed for the Baseball Hall of Fame, have many attractions for the mature. Canandaigua and Lake Placid offer waterfront living and outdoor activities for the active. Jamesville and Baldwinsville are small towns with easy access to the amenities of nearby Syracuse.

So, if one is a senior putting a retirement hit list together or one is simply a planner, join us on a tour of these charming New York towns that could just be the retirement haven!

Ithaca

Nested in the Finger Lakes region, the town of Ithaca is admired for its natural beauty and higher education. While the winters are snowy, the rest of the year offers a rather reasonable climate with mild summers, a pleasant spring, and a crisp fall. The downtown architecture is mixed with historical 19th-century and modern buildings. Commercial landmarks include a local pedestrian mall with shops, cafés and restaurants. Historical landmarks include Cornell University, Buttermilk Falls State Park, and Taughannock Falls State Park. Both parks offer scenic hiking and nature trails, though Taughannock is known for its spectacular waterfall. What makes Ithaca a retirement hotspot is the low crime and friendly community. Further, the town is home to Cayuga Media Center, giving our silver-haired friends easy access to medical care. The Greater Ithaca Activities Center offers fitness programs and social activities for matures. Brookdale Ithaca and Beechtree Manor are two of the popular retirement homes in town. Nearly 8% of the population is aged 65 and older. The median home value is $324,300, making it affordable for those on a fixed income.

Saratoga Springs

One might hear locals use phrases like “across the board,” “front runner,” “home stretch,” and “in the running” in the town of Saratoga Springs, famous for their horse races. While the racetrack draws all the attention, Saratoga Springs should also be known as a retirement destination. 21% of the population is aged 65 and older, and the median home price is around $420,500. The Saratoga Senior Center boasts fitness classes, education, and social programs that appeal to a mature audience. There are a couple of notable retirement homes, The Wesley Health Care Center and Home of the Good Shepherd. Saratoga Hospital offers in-town medical care. The downtown is prized for its well-maintained 19th-century architecture with its grand homes and classic horse racing tracks. Commercial landmarks include the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Saratoga Race Course. Congress Park and Saratoga National Historical Park offer picturesque vistas. Located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, the town, with its rolling hills and renowned mineral springs, is bountiful in natural beauty. Making it a fine place to spend one’s golden years.

New Paltz

Tens of thousands of years ago, the Hudson River forged its way through what would later become known as Hudson Valley. In the 1600s, the town of New Paltz was settled. The area is marked by its forested terrain and rolling hills. Today, the downtown is characterized by its colonial-era stone houses and historic buildings along Huguenot Street. It is also lined with boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. The Gilded Otter is a brewery with a cozy atmosphere that makes for the perfect gathering spot for friends. With 17% of the population 65 and older and a median home of $379,700, it’s not hard to figure out why seniors are settling down here. The Health Alliance Hospital in nearby Kingston is only a short drive away. The New Paltz Community Center has popular programs for the aged. Retirement homes, Valley Vista, and Woodland Pond offer various levels of care. For the more active, Mohonk Preserve provides hiking, birding, and nature views.

Cortland

The town of Cortland, located in central New York, has a charming downtown with friendly residents. Set in the Finger Lakes region, the landscape is a mix of flatlands and verdant rolling hills. The downtown is stamped by its 19th-century commercial buildings and Victorian homes. Aubertine Park and Lime Hollow Nature Center offer ways to stay healthy and limber while enjoying the outdoors. A median home value of $131,000 means an income can really stretch here. Nearly 13% of the population is aged 65 and over, and the crime rate is low, making this an attractive option for seniors. Cortland Regional Medical Center offers in-town care. The Cortland County Office for the Aging has programs and services for matures. Walden Place and Greenbriar Rehabilitation and Nursing Center have something to provide for those needing more advanced care. Known as “Crown City,” Cortland lies at the center of seven valleys and is perched at 1,130 feet above sea level, making it the highest elevated city in the state. Crown City is an excellent choice for one’s long sunset.

Cooperstown

Baseball lovers will recognize Cooperstown as the place where the sport was invented and home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Set on the banks of Otsego Lake, the low-crime, tight-knit community with its stunning landscapes has many features modern seniors are looking for in a retirement town. The median home value is $386,978, and nearly 33% of the population is 65 years old or older. The Plains at Parish Homestead offers assisted living, and a quick Google search revealed that there are a total of seven senior communities to choose from. The downtown has a suburban feel and is valued for its 19th-century buildings and historic inns. One shining example is Hyde Hall, an 18th-century mansion with guided tours. Retiring to a quaint, lakeside community could just be what the doctor ordered.

Canandaigua

Nestled on the northern shore of Canandaigua Lake with its gentle rolling hills, the town of Canandaigua has a large senior population (nearly 22% are 65 and over), a low crime rate and a reasonable median home value of $212,600, making it suitable for “silvers”. F.F. Thompson Hospital offers in-town medical care, and Horizons at Canandaigua and the Clark Meadows offer longer-term care. The Canandaigua Senior Center has fitness programs and social events to help matures stay healthy and connected. The downtown is shaped by its 19th-century homes and buildings, some of which are along the gorgeous lakefront. This town is a gem that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Lake Placid

The pristine, clear waters of Mirror Lake, reflecting the surrounding lush pines and Adirondack Mountains, make for the perfect getaway from the big city. But Lake Placid is more than just a vacation destination; it’s also a popular retirement locale. Roughly 18% of the population is age 65 and older with a median home value of $361, 563, making it affordable. The Adirondack Medical Center provides medical and emergency services. Retirement homes include the Heritage Health Care Center and the Will Rogers Memorial Center. The downtown presents a mix of Olympic-era buildings and Adirondack-style architecture. For the more able-bodied, Lake Placid offers excellent winter sports and outdoor activities, as it twice played host to the Olympic Games. The views from the High Peaks region are breathtaking, and in the summer, the lake offers water activities.

Jamesville

Despite its small size, Jamesville boasts robust cultural attractions, as nearby Syracuse University and SUNY College offer events and performances. Then, of course, there is the Erie Canal Museum and the Onondaga Historical Association. The town has a strong sense of community, with friendly residents, and it is quite affordable, with a median home value of around $333,280. Seniors will feel at home here and make friends quickly, as nearly 17% are over the age of 65. Jamesville has a suburban feel with rolling hills and is located near the city of Syracuse. The downtown features a mix of 20th-century homes and more modern residences. Nearby Syracuse offers many healthcare options, including Upstate University Hospital. Brookdale Bellevue and The Hearth on James are two long-term care options. The Jamesville-DeWitt Public Library has senior programs and events. Green Hills Market is a local grocery with fresh produce. Jamesville Beach Park and Three Rivers State Forest provide excellent hiking and nature walks.

Baldwinsville

Enveloped by splendid waterways and greenery, the village of Baldwinsville lies along the Erie Canal. The serene, supportive community is an ideal location to spend one’s retirement. Baldwinsville hosts outdoor concerts and events throughout the year, and the Baldwinsville Public Library provides an array of activities and resources for the mature. For the active, Van Buren Park has walking trails. The Erie Canal Museum displays the history of the canal system. Considering that nearly 23% of the population is age 65 and older and the median home value is an affordable $173,100, it is not difficult to understand why this has become home to a sizable and growing population of retirees. Baldwinsville is close to Syracuse, giving the small-town access to the amenities of a medium-sized university town. Amenities like excellent healthcare facilities, such as St. Joseph’s Health. The Hearth at Greenpoint and the Elderwood at Liverpool offer long-term care for those who need it.

Parting Thoughts

These nine towns offer seniors a remarkable balance between affordability, quality of life and natural beauty, with excellent healthcare, cultural attractions and friendly communities. Whether one is longing for the peaceful or the active, these towns have something for everyone. Consider skipping the overpriced, crowded retirement destinations everyone else is doing and find the sunset sanctuary of one’s dreams.