10 Greatest Locations to Retire in Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is the second-biggest metropolis in Pennsylvania by inhabitants and among the finest locations within the state for retirees. “Pittsburgh is residence to one of many highest populations of seniors within the nation,” mentioned Jerad Bachar, president and chief government officer of Go to Pittsburgh. “Whereas our metropolis bustles with eclectic arts, a various culinary scene, and champion sports activities, we additionally supply a world-class healthcare system, reasonably priced housing, and low-cost transportation.”

This mixture of arts, tradition, and leisure with affordability gives a top quality of life for Pittsburgh retirees. With a mean residence worth of simply $233,000, this mid-sized metropolis is one the place retirees can plant roots with out breaking the financial institution.

Residents will get pleasure from actions and occasions all through town’s 4 distinct seasons. There are sports activities (favorites embrace the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates), museums just like the Carnegie Museum of Pure Historical past and Andy Warhol Museum, and stay leisure at venues together with the Benedum Middle for the Performing Arts and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

There are additionally loads of out of doors actions, parks, and strolling trails. Plus, Pittsburg is a part of the AARP Age-Pleasant Community and has not too long ago taken on tasks to enhance sidewalks, roadways, and crosswalks for pedestrians, bikers, and folks with disabilities.

West Chester

West Chester is situated simply an hour outdoors of Philadelphia, so it gives residents a small-town really feel with easy accessibility to big-city facilities. Plus, it’s an incredible spot for retirees in search of a 55+ neighborhood. “In case you’re contemplating retiring in Pennsylvania, you’ve acquired some incredible choices relying on what you’re after,” mentioned Chad Walker, vice chairman of gross sales and actual property operations at 55places.com, an internet useful resource connecting retirees to 55+ communities throughout the nation. “Communities like Hershey’s Mill put you near all of the motion,” mentioned Walker. Certainly, facilities at Hershey’s Mill embrace a personal golf course, a heated out of doors pool, a sports activities advanced with tennis, pickleball, bocce, and paddleball, a neighborhood heart, a neighborhood backyard, and a lot extra.

West Chester embraces each the previous and the longer term. Downtown West Chester is listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations and has been named a Distinctive Vacation spot by the Nationwide Belief for Historic Preservation. Dwelling to West Chester College, it’s additionally a school city with a energetic vibe.

Residents will love eating and purchasing at impartial companies downtown and getting open air at one of many space’s many parks and leisure areas. Pure Land’s Stroud Protect has mountain climbing trails, canoeing, kayaking, and searching, and there’s golf at quite a few programs, together with Broad Run Golfer’s Membership, West Chester Golf & Nation Membership, and Penn Oaks Golf Membership.

Harrisburg

Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, was not too long ago named the greatest place to retire within the U.S. for 2024. Positioned on the Susquehanna River about two hours west of Philadelphia, this thriving metropolis maintains 25 playgrounds and parks, together with Italian Lake and Metropolis Island, a 63-acre island in the course of the Susquehanna River.

In keeping with Zillow, the typical residence worth in Harrisburg is simply $248,400, which is nicely under the nationwide common of over $360,000. Town additionally boasts six senior facilities and a strong healthcare system that features UPMC Harrisburg, Hamilton Well being Middle, and Penn State Well being Milton S. Hershey Medical Middle.

Lancaster

Lancaster is without doubt one of the greatest locations to stay in Pennsylvania based on actual property consultants. Positioned within the coronary heart of Amish Nation, this metropolis gives each rural landscapes and humanities, tradition, purchasing, and eating. Residents get pleasure from a strong calendar of actions that features stay theater, music, and festivals.

The typical residence worth in Lancaster is at the moment round $355,000, which is just below the nationwide common, based on Zillow.

As a member of AARP’s Age-Pleasant Community, Lancaster is dedicated to rising its livability for seniors. In 2023, the Clear, Inexperienced, and Protected venture was launched to make it simpler for seniors to stroll to the Marin Senior Middle by including shade timber, benches, and security cameras to the realm.

Philadelphia

Retirees who desire a metropolitan really feel with easy accessibility to leisure, world-class eating, and transportation ought to look to Philadelphia. This metropolis, referred to as America’s birthplace, was the nation’s first UNESCO World Heritage Metropolis. It gives an countless record of issues to do, together with museums, historic websites (together with Independence Corridor and the Liberty Bell), eating, and stay leisure.

Philadelphia is the right spot for retirees who like to journey as a result of Philadelphia Worldwide Airport is situated lower than 20 minutes from town heart. This airport gives nonstop flights to 123 locations all over the world, with a mean of 442 departures per day. In case you’re a retiree who prefers cruising, you’re in luck; Norwegian Cruise Line will start crusing from Philadelphia in 2026.

Scranton

Scranton, Pennsylvania, is named “The Electrical Metropolis” for its pivotal position within the Industrial Revolution, however it could be extra extensively referred to as the house of the favored TV sequence, The Workplace.

Positioned in northeastern Pennsylvania, it gives a small-town vibe, a low price of residing, and a vibrant downtown.

In keeping with Zillow, the typical residence worth is round $175,000, and the price of residing is eight % under the nationwide common. The Scranton Senior Group Middle gives instructional, health, social, and leisure actions in partnership with United Neighborhood Facilities of Northern Pennsylvania, whereas the Lackawanna County Space Company on Growing older gives help and programming designed for older adults and their caregivers.

Allentown

Allentown, Pennsylvania, is the third-biggest metropolis within the state by inhabitants and an incredible selection for retirees.

Lehigh County, which incorporates Allentown, is a member of AARP’s Age-Pleasant Community. Town additionally gives senior providers designed to assist the security and well-being of older residents, like in-home security surveys that assess dangers. It additionally supplies necessities like smoke detectors, anti-slip mats, capsule containers, and flashlights. Instructional packages embrace automobile security and Matter of Steadiness, an eight-week sequence to extend exercise, stability, and energy.

Allentown isn’t only for retirees in search of a slower tempo of life. It’s additionally for individuals who get pleasure from easy accessibility to big-city facilities. Residents can drive to Philadelphia in 1 hour quarter-hour, to New York Metropolis in 1 hour 45 minutes, and to Baltimore in 2.5 hours.

Camp Hill

Camp Hill was named among the finest small cities for retirees within the U.S. in a research by Go Banking Charges and as an ideal retirement city within the Northern U.S. by World Atlas.

This small Pennsylvania city gives residents a quiet suburban really feel with an enormous emphasis on neighborhood; many family-friendly occasions are held all year long.

It boasts 5 parks; some function facilities together with a pool, pickleball courts, and public tennis courts. There’s even a grandparent pool plan, good for visiting grandkids. The Maurice Ok. Goddard Path gives residents a scenic strolling and biking path that winds by means of city, passing a number of parks and the library.

With housing prices under the nationwide common, a vibrant downtown stuffed with native outlets, eating places, and occasions, and loads of out of doors actions, it’s simple to see why Camp Hill is a high spot for retirees.

Swarthmore

Swarthmore is a small city that embraces each its youthful and older residents: It’s residence to Swarthmore Faculty and can be a part of AARP’s Age-Pleasant Community. Positioned simply half-hour outdoors of Philadelphia, it gives residents a small-town ambiance with big-city perks close by. The Swarthmore Senior Residents Affiliation supplies assets, social interplay, journey alternatives, bodily health, and schooling to members.

The typical residence worth in Swarthmore is about $435,000, which is greater than the nationwide common, however retirees in search of a thriving neighborhood with easy accessibility to Philadelphia could discover it’s price it.

Stroudsburg

For retirees in search of a neighborhood really feel with entry to ample out of doors recreation alternatives, there’s Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Positioned within the coronary heart of the Poconos Mountains, this city boasts an artsy and walkable downtown crammed with galleries, native outlets, stay music, public artwork, and eating. Annual family-friendly occasions like StroudFest, WinterFest, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade entice locals and guests alike.

With the Poconos Mountains at their doorstep, Stroudsburg retirees can get pleasure from many out of doors adventures, together with mountain climbing, biking, horseback driving, fishing, golf, snowboarding, kayaking, and boating. There may be additionally a on line casino and a number of wineries close by.