The Best Small Towns To Retire In Maryland
Maryland is a beautiful state situated on the east coast of the US. From the towering Appalachian Mountains to the serene Chesapeake Bay, you'll find all sorts of amazing sights in the state. Additionally, Maryland boasts top-tier colleges, prominent businesses, and amazing crabcakes. With such a wide range of amenities, sights, and activities, this coastal state is often ranked as one of the best to retire in America. Offering the perfect reprieve from urban stress, you'll find amazing small towns here filled with retirees. These small towns offer the best of both worlds, with ideal amenities and soothing surroundings.
Aberdeen
Nestled along the shores of the Elk River in Harford County, Aberdeen is a lovely town for retirees. Out of the 16,200 people that call this town home, an impressive 16% are above the age of 65. To this end, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people eager to spend their retirement enjoying quaint activities. For example, head over to Ripken Stadium, an iconic baseball stadium hosting regular matches for many leagues. Grab a beer with your mates, and you can cheer for your favorite team encompassed by a lively aura. If you want to enjoy the outdoors, you'll have various options in Aberdeen. Stop by Festival Park for a quick stroll to keep yourself fit and meet new people. Or, head over to the Susquehanna River, which offers amazing waterside sights, such as Sand Island, to relish your retirement.
Apart from the activities, safety and security are important parts of retirement. Thankfully, Aberdeen has you covered in this regard. With multiple health centers located in the vicinity, you’ll always be within a few minutes of medical care. Moreover, boasting a low crime rate, you can live out your retired days without stress in mind. If any stress arises, grab some of the welcoming locals and head down to Downtown Aberdeen for some entertainment and nightlife. Whether it is drinking some beer at Riverside Pub & Grille or relishing sushi at Johnny’s Sushi House, there is something for everyone!
Oakland
Exuding small-town vibes with its peaceful environment and welcoming locals, Oakland is an ideal place to get away from work. The county seat of Garrett County, this quaint locale is home to a tight-knit community of 1,800 people. To this end, everyone knows everyone in town, and you’ll always be met with a smiling face or open arms. Downtown Oakland is a great place to take in this vibe as you can meet many people at the coffee shops, local businesses, farmer’s markets, and even museums. If you’re new to town, the B&O Railroad Museum is a must-visit showcasing the iconic West Pratt Street Depot from the early 1800s with guided tours and rides. That said, Oakland’s true charm is present in the endless natural sights nearby. For example, take a walk at Swallow Falls State Park, a wellspring of mother nature’s allure. Featuring hiking trails, waterfalls, and lush greenery, you can spend hours here enjoying your free time. Or, spend some time admiring the local wildlife at the Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area.
With so much on offer, Oakland might seem like an expensive option at face value. However, this isn’t the case. Instead, the resort town is quite affordable with a cost of living below the state average. Moreover, the median home value is also marginally lower so you can settle down without having to break your retirement fund. Add on the positive educational environment and friendly locals for an amazing place to settle down and enjoy your days.
Westminster
If you’re planning for an active and exciting retirement, Westminster is the perfect place to settle down in Maryland. Offering a range of cultural and natural attractions, you'll always have something to do. To enjoy the great outdoors at your own pace, the Carrol County Farm Museum is the perfect destination. Raised in 1852, this historic complex houses 15 buildings and 340 acres of natural land for the perfect family outing. Similarly, check out the Baugher’s Orchards & Farm where you can roam around and pick your own cherries, peaches, apples, and strawberries. Add on some fresh vegetables and spices from the local farmer’s market and you can enjoy home-cooked meals with the freshest ingredients every day. Don’t forget to grab some wine from the famous Serpent Ridge Vineyard which boasts a vast and exquisite collection.
Along with the range of relaxing attractions, Westminster is also home to more than 3,000 senior citizens. This is thanks to the town's positive environment, active lifestyle, and abundance of health centers. So, you’ll have no trouble finding people to join in on activities and even enjoy a lovely dinner together. To top it off, Westminster is the county seat of Carrol County so it features a range of urban amenities including highways, large businesses, and health centers.
Greenbelt
Often touted as one of the best places to live in Maryland, Greenbelt is a mix of everything you can ask for after retirement. A suburb of Washington, D.C. this place offers a retreat from the big city while still being close enough to avail all the benefits of the urban hub. Thanks to this, people who want to enjoy the best of both worlds flock to Greenbelt to settle down. From an entertainment perspective, the beautiful town is flush with natural attractions such as Buddy Attick Lake Park and Greenbelt Park. These sites are ideal for a relaxing day under the sun and offer a peaceful reprieve from the suburb. Or, indulge in the abundant history at the Greenbelt Historic District which houses more than a dozen establishments such as the Greenbelt Museum and Community Center. So, your days in Greenbelt are sure to be filled with friendly conversations, outdoor activities, cultural learning, and a load of fun.
Along with being enjoyable, Greenbelt is also a reliable place to retire. Thanks to its location, you can avail state-of-the-art facilities such as retirement homes, medical centers, and government offices. When it comes to retirement homes, there are many options available like the Collington Episcopal Life Care with amazing staff and residents. Similarly, hospitals are plentiful such as the UMD Prince George’s Hospital Center which is the second busiest trauma center in the state. All in all, Greenbelt is a lovely retirement retreat outside of Washington D.C. boasting a mix of urban luxuries and small-town comfort.
Berlin
Berlin is a historical town in Maryland that many people consider one of the best places to retire in the state. This is thanks to a range of factors including a low crime rate, high per capita income, and a growing population. So, from the people you meet to the activities you enjoy, everything feels safe and pleasant in Berlin. Along with this, the 5,000-strong population consists of nearly 1,000 senior citizens which creates a comfortable environment for retirees to feel at home. From having a picnic at Stephen Decatur Park to relaxing along Assatageru State Park’s shore, there’ll be loads of people you can befriend.
If you do plan on shifting to Berlin, you’ll be pleased to know that the town is a wellspring of fun things to do. A fan favorite amongst retired locals is the Glen Riddle Golf Course which boasts two amazing courses, With a range of large greens, fairways, dunes, and other obstacles, you can spend hours here without getting bored. Another popular spot in town is the Ocean Downs Casino where you can try out your luck at slot machines, Poker, Roulette, and other activities. Cool down with a drink at the casino’s pub and you’re retirement is set to be lively and interesting!
Salisbury
Nestled along the banks of the Wicomico River, Salisbury is a combination of tranquility and energy. Home to 33,000 residents and the county seat of Wicomico County, Salisbury initially seems like a large city or urban hub. However, once you get to know the place, you’ll find it to be a soothing reprieve perfect for retiring in Maryland. In particular, people are drawn in from all over by the scenic waterside locale, amazing parks, and natural attractions. The Salisbury Zoo is a great example with dozens of stunning animal enclosures for macaws, alpacas, owls, and even flamingos! While it may not be the largest zoo in Maryland, the free entry and well-kept environment makes it ideal to spend an evening with some furry friends. If you’re not much of an outdoor person, there are plenty of cultural spots to see in town. The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art Is a great place to start with the largest collection of wildfowl carvings in the world!
Even with its rich culture and lush natural sights, Salisbury holds the title of being one of Maryland’s most affordable towns. An average home in the town costs $170,200 which is about half the state average! So, why not enjoy a stunning environment without having to burn through your retirement fund?
Rock Hall
Looking for a coastal location to enjoy your retirement in peace? Well, then Rock Hall is a waterside town you need to consider in Maryland. Home to a quaint population of 1,300 along the National Chesapeake Scenic Byway, the townsfolk are often found spending their time along the shore. So, if fishing, sailing, and boating are activities you want to enjoy after retiring, you’ll have a blast in Rock Hall. Even if you're not into boating yourself, you can hop onto the Wayne Gatling Guide Service which offers comprehensive boating trips with fishing options so everyone can have fun. Apart from recreation, the coast also has a major influence on Rock Hall’s culture. This is prevalent through local attractions such as the Rock Hall Marine Restoration & Heritage Center. This establishment boasts many amazing boats from the past century with detailed information about their parts, past, etc. So, you can spend your days enjoying the crystal-clear Atlantic waters in Rock Hall.
While the sights and attractions are one thing, Rock Hall’s quaint environment also attracts retirees from all over. To this end, the town has an amazing community with people from all walks of life enjoying their free time along the coast. Put in numbers, the median age of Rock Hall is approximately 55 years old which is significantly higher than the state average. Combine this with the reasonable housing rates in town and you can experience a picturesque retirement in this lovely town.
Bel Air
Ending the list with a bang, Bel Air is the county seat of Harford County and an amazing place to retire. Combining a large population of senior citizens, a low crime rate, and an abundance of natural activities, this town ticks all the retirement boxes. When it comes to the local population, more than 20% of Bel Air’s residents are over the age of 65 years old. Thus, no matter where you go or what you plan on doing, you can always find retired friends to make everything more entertaining. For example, even a short stroll to the Bel Air Farmers’ Market can be made thrilling with a few friends and some of the famous local wines. If wine sounds good, you can grab a group of mates and enjoy your evenings at Looney’s Pub, a great pub always filled with lively conversations.
After enjoying your evening drink, the last thing you want to worry about is someone trying to rob you of your wallet or phone. Thankfully, Bel Air boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the state so you can enjoy your retirement without any stress. Along with crime, you can also relax when it comes to medical issues as the town features more than a dozen medical centers with high-tech facilities and great staff. Moreover, with great outdoor spots such as the Bynum Run Park to stay fit, Bel Air truly is the holy grail of retirement towns in Maryland.
Forget the woes of work, stress, and urban annoyances by retreating to these small towns in Maryland for your retirement. Each of these towns offers amazing benefits whether this is like-minded people or natural activities to keep you happy and healthy. Add to this a safe environment throughout most of the state and you won’t regret finding a small town in Maryland to settle down.
