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Best counties to retire to in New York
Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply “location, location, location.” While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.
When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in New York using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather. Read more about Niche’s methodology here.
Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.
Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in New York.
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#17. Putnam County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (C-), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
– Top places to live: Cold Spring (A), Peach Lake (B+), Putnam Lake (B)
#16. Yates County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (B+), weather (C-), outdoor activities (B-)
– Top places to live: Penn Yan (B), Jerusalem (B+), Italy (B)
#15. Rensselaer County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (B-), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
– Top places to live: West Sand Lake (A), Averill Park (A-), Wynantskill (B+)
#14. Tioga County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (B+), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A-)
– Top places to live: Apalachin (B), Waverly (C+), Owego (A-)
#13. Schenectady County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (B-), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A-)
– Top places to live: Northside (A-), Union Street (A-), East Glenville (A-)
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#12. Niagara County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (B), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A-)
– Top places to live: Youngstown (A), Rapids (A-), South Lockport (B+)
#11. Otsego County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (B), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A-)
– Top places to live: Oneonta (A-), West End (B+), Cooperstown (A)
#10. Dutchess County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (C), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
– Top places to live: Spackenkill (A), Crown Heights (A), Arlington (A)
#9. Westchester County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (C-), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A)
– Top places to live: Greenville (A+), Ardsley (A+), Hartsdale (A+)
#8. Albany County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (C+), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A-)
– Top places to live: Center Square (A+), Menands (A+), Westmere (A+)
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#7. Delaware County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (B+), weather (C-), outdoor activities (B+)
– Top places to live: Delhi (A-), Bovina (B), Meredith (B)
#6. Essex County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B), weather (D+), outdoor activities (A-)
– Top places to live: Lake Placid (B), North Elba (B+), St. Armand (B+)
#5. Ontario County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
– Top places to live: Canandaigua (A-), Geneva (B+), Manchester (B+)
#4. Columbia County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B-), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
– Top places to live: Niverville (A-), Valatie (B+), Hudson (B-)
#3. Saratoga County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B-), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
– Top places to live: Country Knolls (A+), Saratoga Springs (A), Ballston Spa (B+)
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#2. Warren County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B-), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
– Top places to live: Glens Falls (B+), West Glens Falls (B), Queensbury (A-)
#1. Nassau County
– Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (C-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (A+)
– Top places to live: Great Neck Plaza (A+), Great Neck Gardens (A+), Manhasset Hills (A+)
By Stacker
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