10 Greatest Locations to Retire in Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is the second-biggest metropolis in Pennsylvania by inhabitants and probably the greatest locations within the state for retirees. “Pittsburgh is house to one of many highest populations of seniors within the nation,” stated Jerad Bachar, president and chief govt 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, inexpensive housing, and low-cost transportation.”

This mixture of arts, tradition, and leisure with affordability provides a top quality of life for Pittsburgh retirees. With a median house 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 the 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 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 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 positioned simply an hour exterior of Philadelphia, so it provides residents a small-town really feel with quick access to big-city facilities. Plus, it’s an ideal spot for retirees in search of a 55+ neighborhood. “In case you’re contemplating retiring in Pennsylvania, you’ve acquired some improbable choices relying on what you’re after,” stated 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,” stated Walker. Certainly, facilities at Hershey’s Mill embrace a non-public golf course, a heated outside pool, a sports activities complicated 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. House to West Chester College, it’s additionally a school city with a vigorous vibe.

Residents will love eating and buying 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 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 not too long ago named the finest 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 response to Zillow, the typical house worth in Harrisburg is simply $248,400, which is properly beneath 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 Heart, and Penn State Well being Milton S. Hershey Medical Heart.

Lancaster

Lancaster is likely one of the finest locations to reside in Pennsylvania in accordance with actual property specialists. Situated within the coronary heart of Amish Nation, this metropolis provides 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 house worth in Lancaster is at present round $355,000, which is just below the nationwide common, in accordance 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 undertaking was launched to make it simpler for seniors to stroll to the Marin Senior Heart by including shade bushes, benches, and security cameras to the world.

Philadelphia

Retirees who need a metropolitan really feel with quick access 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 provides an infinite checklist 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 the town heart. This airport provides nonstop flights to 123 locations around the globe, with a median 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 function within the Industrial Revolution, however it might be extra broadly generally known as the house of the favored TV sequence, The Workplace.

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

In response to Zillow, the typical house worth is round $175,000, and the price of dwelling is eight % beneath the nationwide common. The Scranton Senior Neighborhood Heart provides academic, health, social, and leisure actions in partnership with United Neighborhood Facilities of Northern Pennsylvania, whereas the Lackawanna County Space Company on Getting old provides 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 ideal selection for retirees.

Lehigh County, which incorporates Allentown, is a member of AARP’s Age-Pleasant Community. Town additionally provides senior companies 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 embrace car security and Matter of Stability, an eight-week sequence to extend exercise, steadiness, and power.

Allentown isn’t only for retirees in search of a slower tempo of life. It’s additionally for individuals who get pleasure from quick access 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 probably the greatest 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 provides 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, excellent for visiting grandkids. The Maurice Okay. Goddard Path provides residents a scenic strolling and biking path that winds by way of city, passing a number of parks and the library.

With housing prices beneath the nationwide common, a vibrant downtown filled with native retailers, eating places, and occasions, and loads of outside actions, it’s simple to see why Camp Hill is a prime spot for retirees.

Swarthmore

Swarthmore is a small city that embraces each its youthful and older residents: It’s house to Swarthmore Faculty and can also be a part of AARP’s Age-Pleasant Community. Situated simply half-hour exterior of Philadelphia, it provides residents a small-town environment 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 house worth in Swarthmore is about $435,000, which is larger than the nationwide common, however retirees in search of a thriving neighborhood with quick access to Philadelphia could 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 full of galleries, native retailers, reside music, public artwork, and eating. Annual family-friendly occasions like StroudFest, WinterFest, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade appeal to locals and guests alike.

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