10 Finest Locations to Retire in Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is the second-biggest metropolis in Pennsylvania by inhabitants and among the best 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 affords a top quality of life for Pittsburgh retirees. With a mean residence value 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 embody the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates), museums just like the Carnegie Museum of Pure Historical past and Andy Warhol Museum, and reside leisure at venues together with the Benedum Heart for the Performing Arts and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

There are additionally loads of outside actions, parks, and strolling trails. Plus, Pittsburg is a part of the AARP Age-Pleasant Community and has lately taken on tasks to enhance sidewalks, roadways, and crosswalks for pedestrians, bikers, and other people with disabilities.

West Chester

West Chester is positioned simply an hour outdoors of Philadelphia, so it affords 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 the event you’re contemplating retiring in Pennsylvania, you’ve received some unbelievable choices relying on what you’re after,” mentioned Chad Walker, vp of gross sales and actual property operations at 55places.com, a web-based 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 embody a non-public golf course, a heated outside 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 long run. 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 full of life vibe.

Residents will love eating and buying at unbiased companies downtown and getting outdoor at one of many space’s many parks and leisure areas. Pure Land’s Stroud Protect has mountaineering trails, canoeing, kayaking, and looking, 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 lately named the greatest place to retire within the U.S. for 2024. Situated 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 midst of the Susquehanna River.

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

Lancaster

Lancaster is without doubt one of the greatest locations to reside in Pennsylvania in keeping with actual property consultants. Situated within the coronary heart of Amish Nation, this metropolis affords each rural landscapes and humanities, tradition, buying, and eating. Residents get pleasure from a strong calendar of actions that features reside theater, music, and festivals.

The common residence value in Lancaster is presently round $355,000, which is slightly below the nationwide common, in keeping with 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 mission was launched to make it simpler for seniors to stroll to the Marin Senior Heart by including shade timber, benches, and security cameras to the world.

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, generally known as America’s birthplace, was the nation’s first UNESCO World Heritage Metropolis. It affords an infinite record of issues to do, together with museums, historic websites (together with Independence Corridor and the Liberty Bell), eating, and reside leisure.

Philadelphia is the proper spot for retirees who like to journey as a result of Philadelphia Worldwide Airport is positioned lower than 20 minutes from town heart. This airport affords nonstop flights to 123 locations world wide, with a mean of 442 departures per day. In the event 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 function within the Industrial Revolution, however it could be extra broadly generally known as the house of the favored TV collection, The Workplace.

Situated in northeastern Pennsylvania, it affords a small-town vibe, a low value of dwelling, and a vibrant downtown.

In keeping with Zillow, the common residence value is round $175,000, and the price of dwelling is eight p.c under the nationwide common. The Scranton Senior Group Heart affords instructional, health, social, and leisure actions in partnership with United Neighborhood Facilities of Northern Pennsylvania, whereas the Lackawanna County Space Company on Getting old affords 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. The town additionally affords senior providers designed to assist the security and well-being of older residents, like in-home security surveys that assess dangers. It additionally gives necessities like smoke detectors, anti-slip mats, tablet containers, and flashlights. Instructional packages embody automobile security and Matter of Stability, an eight-week collection to extend exercise, stability, and energy.

Allentown isn’t only for retirees in search of a slower tempo of life. It’s additionally for many 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 best small cities for retirees within the U.S. in a examine by Go Banking Charges and as an ideal retirement city within the Northern U.S. by World Atlas.

This small Pennsylvania city affords 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 affords residents a scenic strolling and biking path that winds via city, passing a number of parks and the library.

With housing prices under the nationwide common, a vibrant downtown filled with native outlets, eating places, and occasions, and loads of outside 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 School and can also be a part of AARP’s Age-Pleasant Community. Situated simply half-hour outdoors of Philadelphia, it affords residents a small-town ambiance with big-city perks close by. The Swarthmore Senior Residents Affiliation gives assets, social interplay, journey alternatives, bodily health, and training to members.

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

Stroudsburg

For retirees in search of a neighborhood really feel with entry to ample outside recreation alternatives, there’s Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Situated within the coronary heart of the Poconos Mountains, this city boasts an artsy and walkable downtown crammed with galleries, native outlets, reside 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 outside adventures, together with mountaineering, biking, horseback using, fishing, golf, snowboarding, kayaking, and boating. There may be additionally a on line casino and a number of wineries close by.