New York state truly has something for everyone. If you want to retire in the most iconic city in the U.S., New York City’s five boroughs await. Or to reconnect with nature during your retirement, you could live near one of the Empire State’s most striking state parks.
NewHomeSource has rounded up 10 of New York’s best large cities for retirees. Find the perfect city for your ideal retirement lifestyle and get ready to buy or build a new home in New York for your golden years.
10 Best Large Cities to Retire in New York
1. Jamestown
Percentage of the population over 65: 16.7%
Number of hospitals within 25 miles: 5
Most recent annual number of violent crimes: 225
Most recent annual number of property crimes: 786
Jamestown is a delightful community to call home during your retirement. This beautiful town in western New York lets you enjoy charming, historic architecture, a classic downtown, and a fun river walk. On days when you aren’t enjoying the scenery, you can visit the , honoring one of Jamestown’s favorite daughters, or any of the numerous homes from yesteryear in the area.
2. Ogdensburg
Percentage of the population over 65: 17.8%
Number of hospitals within 25 miles: 3
Most recent annual number of violent crimes: 33
Most recent annual number of property crimes: 384
Ogdensburg is a lovely town on the St. Lawrence River, perfect for active adults who want to enjoy the best of all possible worlds during their retirement. Residents can enjoy the area’s striking natural beauty, local marinas, and parks and tennis courts. Take a walk on the wild side at the numerous Ogdensburg wineries.
3. Olean
Percentage of the population over 65: 17.8%
Number of hospitals within 25 miles: 3
Most recent annual number of violent crimes: 45
Most recent annual number of property crimes: 464
If you want to enjoy an active retirement, you’ll love life in Olean. This scenic town in southwestern New York surrounds residents with parks that showcase the best of the area’s natural beauty. You can also enjoy Olean’s historical homes, particularly in the Union and State Streets Historical District, and learn more about the town’s history at the Fannie E. Bartlett House.
4. Dunkirk
Percentage of the population over 65: 17.9%
Number of hospitals within 25 miles: 2
Most recent annual number of violent crimes: 20
Most recent annual number of property crimes: 171
Retirees are investing in affordable lakefront living in Dunkirk. This thriving town on Lake Erie lets retirees take advantage of the best of the Great Lakes without forcing them to break the bank, and who wouldn’t enjoy that? Charming lighthouses, lovely beaches, and a quaint boardwalk market all await you in Dunkirk.
5. Massena Village
Percentage of the population over 65: 20.8%
Number of hospitals within 25 miles: 2
Most recent annual number of violent crimes: 17
Most recent annual number of property crimes: 168
The village of Massena is a perfect place to retire if you want to feel like you’re right in the middle of it all, even if it is located on the northern border of United States. From Massena you can reach nearly half of the U.S. population and about 70 percent of the Canadian population all within a day’s drive. The St. Lawrence River is a retired fisherman’s dream! Known as the best fishing spot in New York, the river’s beaches, campgrounds, boat launches, and walking trails have a little something for everyone.
6. Massena Town
Percentage of the population over 65: 22.4%
Number of hospitals within 25 miles: 2
Most recent annual number of violent crimes: 17
Most recent annual number of property crimes: 168
Up on the northern border and home to the village of the same name, the town of Massena prides itself on a close-knit community, boasting neighbors you know even when you don’t know their names. Massena is full of unique shops and locally owned restaurants that carry that friendly atmosphere throughout the town. Living in Massena gives off a comfortable feeling of home that you just can’t replicate anywhere else!
7. Malone
Percentage of the population over 65: 16.3%
Number of hospitals within 25 miles: 1
Most recent annual number of violent crimes: 76
Most recent annual number of property crimes: 186
Malone sits about 10 miles from U.S.-Canada border surrounded by a mix of scenery including farmland, forests, lakes, and mountains. The Salmon River intersects the town and provides scenic views and recreational opportunities. The Malone Golf Club is a town favorite with 36 holes of golf spread over two distinct courses, some of those holes being named “the best pure classic nine” by avid golf lovers. The club also has a full service bar and restaurant inside the course grounds.
8. Binghamton
Percentage of the population over 65: 17.0%
Number of hospitals within 25 miles: 5
Most recent annual number of violent crimes: 318
Most recent annual number of property crimes: 1,767
Situated in the Southern Tier region of New York near the Pennsylvania border, Binghamton is in an ideal spot that puts it basically 10 minutes from anywhere in the Triple Cities, which includes Johnson City and Endicott. Its residents embrace the town’s history as a transportation crossroads and work hard to reimagine, revive, and reinvent what it means to live there. Take a quick trip to the waterfalls at the IBM Glen nature preserve, Binghamton has it all.
9. Oswego
Percentage of the population over 65: 17.7%
Number of hospitals within 25 miles: 1
Most recent annual number of violent crimes: 260
Most recent annual number of property crimes: 725
Oswego is a vibrant and lively spot in upstate New York. The city has had a resurgence in the downtown area that keeps residents eager to get out on the town. From the local shops and eateries, you can take in views of both the Oswego River and Lake Ontario. Oswego is the oldest freshwater port in North America and is home to top-rated marinas so you always have a place to get out on the water.
10. Johnson City
Percentage of the population over 65: 21.0%
Number of hospitals within 25 miles: 5
Most recent annual number of violent crimes: 470
Most recent annual number of property crimes: 1,257
Adjacent to Binghamton and part of the Triple Cities is the friendly village of Johnson City. Residents can take advantage of five major parks that offer everything from playgrounds to sports facilities. This includes the famous “Crown Jewel” carousel, one of the largest remaining carousels in the country with four rows of 72 horses.
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, American Hospital Directory, and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.
Jessi Gonzalez
Jessi Gonzalez writes on the topics of home-buying, home decor, and home-ownership for NewHomeSource. She has a degree from Coastal Bend College and is currently enrolled in the English degree program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.