9 Welcoming Towns to Retire in Vermont
Welcome to retirement in Vermont. Vermont is home to the Green Mountains Range and a wealth of rivers, lakes, and forests. Vermont experiences cold winters with annual snowfall up to 86 inches. The summers are hot and humid, and the fall is awash in color. The state does not tax social security for certain income levels, so check with a tax advisor. Vermont does offer senior discounts for those over 60 and is home to many welcoming small towns to consider for retirement.
Burlington
Burlington is located in northwestern Vermont on the easter shoreline of Lake Champlain. It sits just south of the Canadian border, or 95 miles south of Montreal. Seniors can become part of the local community at the South Burlington (SB) Senior Center. The SB Senior Center provides recreation to keep active and healthy, social groups, and even an annual craft fair.
Burlington is a welcoming town with scenic water views near Lake Champlain, local farmer’s markets, parks with walking trails, and the Church Street Marketplace. Church Street is an open-air shopping mall that’s pedestrian-only. It offers over 100 shops, restaurants, and street performances. Get out and experience a friendly but lively atmosphere.
The University of Vermont and its Medical center provide accessible and high-quality healthcare. Burlington also has one of the largest free public libraries in the US for book lovers.
The median housing cost in Burlington in 2024 is $521,000. Burlington also has a variety of independent and assisted living options.
Middlebury
Middlebury is a classic northeastern town featuring brick buildings and easy walkable shopping. Downtown Middlebury is for shopping or eating but also holds the Town Hall Theater. The Town Hall Theater offers a friendly atmosphere while providing live performances throughout the year.
Middlebury College is right in town. Take a class or benefit from the variety of art and cultural activities hosted by the college. Visit the Mahaney Arts Center on campus for up-and-coming visual art presentations.
Middlebury sits at the foothills of the Green Mountains and within the Lake Champlain Valley. Otter Creek runs through town, making it a unique place to live. Seniors can walk along Otter Creek and throughout the town.
Porter Medical Center offers healthcare services. There is also a local recreation center in Middlebury for social groups and getting plenty of healthy exercise. There are 18 miles of walking trails that circle the town. Median housing costs for Middlebury in 2024 is $395,000.
Stowe
For retirees looking to live right in the heart of the Green Mountains and have a healthy retirement budget, then Stowe is for you. Stowe is known as the ski capital of the East and has its own Stowe Mountain Resort. If you enjoy the snow, there’s alpine or Nordic skiing, cross-country, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling.
In the warmer months, those ski trails turn into walking and biking paths. Stowe is surrounded by mountains and meadows. Stowe sits 45 minutes from Burlington and 30 minutes from Montpelier. It’s a quieter place nestled between two larger towns. There are no recreation centers in Stowe, but seniors can drive less than 20 minutes to reach one in Waterbury or Morrisville. Medical services in Stowe are slim, with around three private offices.
The median housing cost in Stowe is a whopping 1.1 million. Plan to spend more of your retirement savings in Stowe as pricing reflects higher prices typical of mountain resort towns.
Woodstock
For seniors, the town of Woodstock offers a slower pace. The community is welcoming and diverse. The town offers walkable locations for recreation, culture, and other amenities. It’s like living in Boston or New York, but much less expensive. Woodstock offers scenic views and small-town charm.
For seniors, there’s the Norman Williams Public Library in a historic pink sandstone building from the 1880s. The town is surrounded by active farms and hosts regular farmer’s markets and festivals. Active seniors can find year-round walking trails in the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. The park features the homes of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller heirs across the late 1800s to early ’90s that were donated to Vermont.
The town has its Town Green for shopping and dining. Everywhere seniors want to go, they can walk or even take the train. Officially, there are no stoplights in Woodstock, but the community offers seniors fun and community-inclusive events all year.
The Ottauquechee Health Center is located in Woodstock for healthcare needs. Seniors can find recreational opportunities and activities in town at the Thompson Senior Center. The median home price in Woodstock is 1.3 million.
Manchester
Manchester has classic Vermont charm mixed with contemporary style and modern-day conveniences. Retirees looking for scenery, cultural events, and the quiet of the Green Mountains love Manchester. The community is welcoming and diverse, with plenty of opportunities for a quiet retirement or one that includes a part-time job.
Seniors looking for nature trails will find plenty in historic parks like the Equinox Resort or the Hildene estate. Discover local history as you walk. For seniors who love fishing and camping, there are multiple areas perfect for all types of fishing. Try Emerald Lake State Park or the Lye Brook Falls Trail to start.
Manchester offers the Dartmouth Health Southwestern Vermont Medical Center or the SVHC Northshire Clinic for all your healthcare needs. The median home price in Manchester is $550,000.
Montpelier
Montpelier offers a wide variety of retirement-friendly features. Known as a “walkers paradise,” seniors can get around town for fun or errands without needing a car. The senior community is active and includes a local Senior Activity Center.
Montpelier sits at the confluence of the North Branch and Winooski Rivers. As the capital city of Vermont, seniors can find a wealth of healthcare and social and recreational opportunities geared specifically for seniors. Seniors who love the outdoors will find trails at Hubbard Park or by walking through town. Need a dose of culture? Check out the Lost Nation Theatre for community performances year-round. History buffs can check out the Vermont State House and the Vermont History Center Museum.
Find healthcare at the Central Vermont Medical Center which is affiliated with the University of Vermont Health Center. The median home price in 2024 is $417,000, making the capital city one of the more affordable places in Vermont to retire.
Cornwall
Cornwall is located in the Champlain Valley near Middlebury and Lake Champlain.
Book lovers can visit the Cornwall Public Library located in the back of the Town Hall building. For seniors who like to walk, check out the Lemon Fair Sculpture Park or a variety of small parks spread around town. For golfers, head to the Ralph Myhre Golf Course.
Downtown Cornwall is easy to navigate on foot, with various small-town stores like Shafer’s Market and the Otter Creek Bakery. Seniors who love the outdoors can hike the Snake Mountain trail or visit nearby nature parks like Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Cornwall has nearby healthcare options at Porter Medical Center in Middlebury and the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. The median home price in 2024 for Cornwall is $621,000.
Vergennes
Vergennes is the perfect retirement location for seniors who love visiting New York City but not living there. Vergennes has access to train services near the Ferrisburgh-Vergennes Amtrak station.
Active seniors will enjoy walking in Vergennes Falls Park. The falls are right in town and are created by Otter Creek. There’s also Button Bay State Park, which features great views of Lake Champlain. Retirees will find an inclusive community that loves theatre and art. The downtown area makes walking easy and safe. Visit the Bixby Memorial Free Library as well. The library hosts book clubs, writing workshops, and a bridge club.
Seniors can access healthcare in town via the Porter Medical Center. If you’re looking for independent living homes, the Vergennes Grand offers independent, assisted, and memory care apartment options. The median home price in Vergennes for 2024 is $550,000.
Shelburne
Shelburne has an immersive and inclusive community. The city is surrounded by the LaPlatte River and Shelburne Bay off of Lake Champlain. Seniors will find plenty of natural trails in LaPlatte River Nature Park or Shelburne Bay Park.
Retirees can also find recreational opportunities, courses, and services at the Shelburne Recreation Center. For golfing, visit the local Shelburne Golf & Country Club. Drivers can enjoy the scenic views of the farmland and forests of the surrounding area.
For history lovers, there’s the local Shelburne Museum. Or attend a tasting or two at the Shelburne Vineyards. The median home price in 2024 for Shelburne is $690,000.
Discover the Ideal Retirement Towns in Vermont
Retirees can find a wide variety of activities indoors and out in Vermont. The natural beauty and availability of walking trails, museums, and theatres give many Vermont towns all the cultural amenities of a larger city. If you’re on a tight budget, be sure to check the median home prices in the area. Find your new home or retirement living in the beautiful state of Vermont with four seasons that offer different activities to keep you healthy and happy in retirement.
