Summary
- New York State offers a variety of retirement locations, from bustling cities to quiet suburbs, catering to different preferences and lifestyles.
- Ithaca is an intellectually stimulating college town with stunning natural beauty, while Saratoga Springs offers a mix of small city charm and proximity to natural wonders.
- Great Neck and Lake Success are affluent suburbs near New York City, providing excellent amenities and easy access to cultural events and medical facilities.
With its stunning natural beauty, exciting cities, and abundant amenities, New York State is a premier destination for retirement, with some of the most livable cities in the US. Choosing where to spend one's golden years is an important decision that requires careful consideration. The perfect retirement location allows retirees to enjoy comfort, community, activities, and affordability during this new phase of life.
New York offers retirees the chance to live in bustling metropolitan hubs, historic small towns, college cities, quiet suburbs, and everything in between. Whether soon-to-be-retired folks want an invigorating academic environment, access to nature, or proximity to Manhattan excitement, the Empire State has a spot for them. Here are the best towns to retire to in New York based on amenities, recreation, cost of living, and overall ambiance.
10 Ithaca
Nestled in the Finger Lakes region, Ithaca is consistently ranked one of the most beautiful college towns in America. Home to Ivy League Cornell University and Ithaca College, this city of around 30,000 residents has an intellectually stimulating, youthful vibe.
Ithaca is ideal for retirees who value learning opportunities and want to stay engaged with a campus community. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the gorges cutting through town, the waterfalls, and the hundreds of miles of hiking trails.
The Commons downtown offers shops, restaurants, and events. The cost of living in Ithaca is significantly higher than the national and state averages, according to data from Numbeo. Overall, the cost of living in Ithaca is 17% higher than the national average and 24% pricier than the typical cost of living across New York State.
- Amenities: Ithaca College, Cornell University, restaurants, shops, parks, hospitals
- Activities: Attend free lectures and events on campus, Hike the gorges and trails, Visit local museums and art galleries, and Join a retirement community center.
9 Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs is a sophisticated retirement locale in eastern Upstate New York for horse racing fans or those who appreciate historic small cities. Saratoga Race Course is a beloved summer attraction.
Downtown is walkable and lined with shops, museums, and restaurants. Spas and mineral springs make Saratoga a relaxing getaway. The Adirondacks and Lake George are a short drive away. Retirees have access to the arts and culture of a small city as well as proximity to natural wonders. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center hosts major concerts and events.
The cost of living is 12% higher than the national average than in other upstate areas but lower than in NYC, and the climate brings warm summers and plenty of snow in winter.
- Amenities: Saratoga Race Course, spas and mineral springs, restaurants, shops, performing arts venue
- Activities: Watch horse racing and visit the racetrack museum. Get spa treatments, Attend concerts at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Hike in nearby Adirondacks and Lake George, and Explore downtown galleries, shops, and cafés.
8 Great Neck
Great Neck on Long Island's North Shore is an affluent suburb with excellent amenities and proximity to New York City. Situated just 30 minutes from Manhattan by train, Great Neck offers peaceful residential neighborhoods, parks, and waterfront views without isolation.
The business district along Middle Neck Road has upscale shops and dining. Retirees can find active adult communities, cultural events, and social clubs.
Great Neck's location allows easy visits to the city to enjoy Broadway shows, museums, or family. Long Island has excellent hospitals and senior services. The weather is mild, with cooler summers than the city but colder winters with Nor'easters.
- Amenities: Parks, beaches, restaurants, shops, active adult communities
- Activities: Take advantage of cultural events and social clubs. Visit museums and shows in Manhattan (30 minutes by train), Walk/bike through North Shore parks, Relax at beaches on Long Island Sound, and Golf at Harbor Links course.
7 Lake Success
Another North Shore Long Island suburb, Lake Success, is a village in Nassau County along the Great Neck border. The village center provides essential shops and services. Lake Success is just a 37-minute express train ride to Penn Station. Retirees will appreciate the proximity to excellent medical facilities in the area. Lovely North Shore parks, such as Harbor Links Golf Course and Udalls Cove Preserve, are nearby.
The Long Island Sound provides beaches and recreation. Winters are cold, but streets are quickly cleared of snow, while summers are warm and humid but cooler than NYC.
- Amenities: Shops, restaurants, parks, beaches, hospitals, transit
6 Piermont
Piermont offers sublime scenery without isolation for retirees who want a walkable village with Hudson River access just 30 miles from Manhattan. The pier, riverside parks, and Orangetown Trails along the shore are popular with hikers, cyclists, and anglers. The quaint downtown has shops, galleries, and restaurants, and history buffs will enjoy the Museum of the American Revolution.
Piermont makes a peaceful home base to enjoy the outdoors and city access. The express bus to Midtown takes 40 minutes. Home prices are high but more affordable than river towns closer to the city. Be prepared for severe Nor'easters in winter but lovely spring through fall weather.
- Activities: walk or bike along the pier and riverside trails, Hike through Tallman Mountain State Park, Go kayaking and fishing on the river, Visit the Museum of the American Revolution
5 Woodbury
In Orange County, 50 miles north of NYC, Woodbury is a picturesque town surrounded by lakes, parks, and nature preserves. The preserved colonial center has upscale shops and eateries.
For retirees, Woodbury offers a serene setting with ample amenities. The Woodbury Common Premium Outlets meet shopping needs with over 200 stores. Nature lovers have miles of hiking trails through woodlands and along streams. Architecture buffs appreciate the Revolutionary War-era homes.
For city trips, MetroNorth Railroad goes straight to Grand Central. Woodbury has rolling hills, colorful autumn leaves, and cold, snowy winters.
- Amenities: Colonial village center, parks, outlet shopping, golf courses
4 Olean
Olean in Cattaraugus County is one of the best towns to retire to in New York for retirees seeking small-town charm coupled with natural beauty. Situated on the Allegheny River and surrounded by forests and hills, Olean offers outdoor recreation like hiking, fishing, golf, and skiing.
The walkable downtown has shops, restaurants, churches, and civic events. Olean provides a balanced pace of life, large enough to have amenities yet small enough to have community. Winters bring plenty of lake-effect snowfall. Olean is central enough for easy road trips around western New York.
- Amenities: Allegheny River, shops, restaurants, churches, parks, hospital
3 Dunkirk
On the shores of Lake Erie in the southwest corner of New York, Dunkirk is an ideal retirement town in NY; it's a small lakefront city with beaches, fishing, wineries, and affordable living.
The restored boardwalk along Lake Erie provides lovely views and recreation. Retirees can stroll the shops and dine in restaurants on Central Avenue downtown or visit the local history museum.
The grape-growing region provides wine-tasting opportunities. Winters are very snowy, but summer brings pleasant lake breezes.
Buffalo is an hour's drive for city amenities, while Dunkirk offers a relaxed lifestyle and beautiful sunsets over the lake.
- Amenities: Lake Erie beaches, fishing, wineries, shops, restaurants
2 Massena
Upstate near the Canadian border, Massena provides small-town living on the St. Lawrence River. The riverfront offers lovely views, fishing, and walking trails. Massena's downtown has local shops, a theater, and community events.
The St. Lawrence Centre Mall provides major shopping options. Massena's location is central for outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore the Adirondacks. Winters are very cold with heavy snow, but snowbirds can escape south for a few months. Massena has four distinct seasons, each with its charm.
- Amenities: St. Lawrence River, downtown shops, mall, parks, marina
1 Manhasset
Manhasset is one of the best towns to retire to in New York for those who want North Shore Long Island luxury combined with easy NYC access. In Nassau County, Manhasset has top-ranked schools, low crime, parks, upscale restaurants, and the famous Miracle Mile shopping district. The LIRR provides express trains straight to Manhattan in 30 minutes.
North Shore University Hospital and Northwell Health offer excellent medical care. Retirees can attend concerts at Tilles Center or golf at Nassau Country Club. Manhasset offers Manhattan proximity without city stress. Snowy winters see frequent Nor'easters. The rest of the year has pleasant weather.
- Amenities: Luxury shops/dining, parks, golf courses, schools, transit