A Guide to 55+ Active Living Communities in Massachusetts

 

Massachusetts 55+ Communities and Active Lifestyles

Are you looking for professional sports, history, top-notch healthcare, and outdoor activities for the next chapter of your life? If so, Massachusetts could be the perfect state for your retirement!

As one of the original 13 colonies and the site of the earliest European settlements, Massachusetts is full of history. Many of the state’s 55+ active adult communities are in historic towns. Local museums and historic sites bring the past into the present.

Many of the state’s largest cities have diverse populations, with Boston especially welcoming to the Asian community. It’s easy to find culturally-specific gathering places and centers for worship throughout the state. Demographically, urban areas lean liberal, though there are more conservative communities in rural zones.

For seniors looking to travel during retirement, the state’s biggest cities, like Boston and Springfield, serve as travel hubs. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is one of the largest in the northeast, offering direct flights to destinations across the United States and Europe.

Massachusetts also experiences all four seasons, features high-quality healthcare, and offers seniors various outdoor activities. Many professional sports teams call the state home so that you can catch a game all year round.

The state offers empty nesters looking to downsize a variety of housing options. Popular choices for active seniors include detached homes in 55+ planned communities, single-story homes in waterfront communities, and ‘right-sized’ flats in age-restricted, condo and luxury apartment rental communities.

 

Neighborhoods and Key Regions for Retirees

Massachusetts has a mix of urban cities, such as Boston, and more suburban areas around the state’s agricultural zones. Check out waterfront properties along the Atlantic Ocean, or seek somewhere quiet to settle down.

North Shore

If you want to retire near the beach, North Shore is the place to be. This region is known for fresh seafood, scenic coastlines, hiking trails, and history.

Both Boxford and Methuen have 55+ active adult communities. Amenities support active lifestyles with fitness centers and golf courses.

Southeastern Massachusetts

Along the beaches of Cape Cod lies Southeastern Massachusetts. The town of Scituate is a small beach area with local historic sites.

Suburban towns like Millis and Norton have parks and farms. Lakeville’s rivers and ponds are popular hiking and fishing spots for seniors looking to stay active during retirement.

Central Massachusetts

The most prominent city in Central Massachusetts is Boston. Here, you can be part of a diverse population and experience excellent dining and shopping.

If you’d prefer to live outside the city, towns like Westborough and Hudson are a little slower-paced. These suburbs have historic districts, farms, lakes, and rivers for fishing and boating.

Western Massachusetts

Western Massachusetts is tucked between the Connecticut River Valley and the Berkshire Mountains. Outdoor activities can be enjoyed in rural areas like Amherst and Northampton.

For a change of pace, the region also includes one of the larger cities in the state, Springfield.

 

The Best Things to Do for Seniors in Massachusetts

Like many northeastern states, seasonal outdoor activities are popular in Massachusetts. Warm days are an invitation to go hiking and visit the beach. Head into the city for a shopping trip and dine at an outdoor cafe.

The state offers many things to do in the colder months as well! Stay warm indoors while rooting for your favorite sports team, or stretch your muscles at the community gym. There’s no shortage of ways to stay active no matter the time of year.

Stay Local With Community Activities

Engage in hobbies and try something new without having to leave your neighborhood. It’s easy to stay active on property in Massachusetts’ 55+ communities.

Enjoy popular senior activities, like bocce ball, tennis, and pickleball. In the summer, swim in an outdoor community heated pool or walk around the grounds.

Make Friends at the Community Clubhouse

Community clubhouses let residents practice hobbies, from sports to interest groups. Many clubhouses in master-planned communities have game rooms where you can get to know your neighbors.

Onsite facilities include libraries, TV rooms, conference rooms with guest speakers, and live entertainment.

Workout at the Fitness Center

There are few better ways to stay active than exercising in your community’s fitness center!

Many luxury rental apartments and 55+ communities have private gyms with exercise and sporting equipment. Some even teach yoga, tai chi, and other low-impact exercise classes. Living close to the gym makes staying in shape easy as you age with grace.

Stroll Through Community Gardens

Massachusetts has community gardens for seniors who enjoy gardening, even in more urban areas. Sow fruits, veggies, and flowers in the spring and harvest them in the fall. Exchange what you grow with your like-minded neighbors so you’ll always have access to fresh seasonal produce.

If gardening isn’t for you, you can still walk through the gardens and enjoy the scenery.

Explore Activities Around the State

You don’t have to go far from your 55+ community to enjoy the best of what Massachusetts offers. The best of Massachusetts is especially accessible in the warmer months when you can spend the day outdoors enjoying the sun.

Massachusetts golf courses are open for business seasonally, starting in the spring and remaining open until mid-fall. Warm days also provide an opportunity to visit the state’s beaches.

Cheer for Your Team Watching Spectator Sports

Sports lovers rejoice in Massachusetts! Both pro, college, and local teams are playing year-round.

Catch a Celtics or Bruins game in the winter. In the spring, see the Boston Red Sox in action. New England Patriots games are popular during fall football season.

Play at the Casino

You’ll find numerous opportunities in Massachusetts if you enjoy visiting the casino. Many of the state’s most well-known casinos, like MGM, are around the Boston and Springfield areas. Others can be found along the coast.

Discover Local Culture and History at Museums

As one of America’s 13 original colonies and the home of Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts is teeming with history and culture. Seniors can head to historic sites to learn about colonial life.

There are also many cultural museums within the state. Towns like Salem commemorate the infamous witch hunt. Take a day trip to Boston to see its art and science museums.

 

What Makes Massachusetts Perfect for Active Adults

Countless retirees and 55+ active adults have chosen to make Massachusetts the setting of the next chapter of their lives. The state’s benefits to empty nesters include excellent senior healthcare, historical and cultural sites, and a variety of professional sports teams.

Massachusetts experiences all four seasons throughout the year, and seasonal activities always ensure something new to do. It’s also easy to travel from the state during retirement via airports, train stations, and buses. Invite the family for a visit in the spring or vacation to warmer climates during the colder months.

However you plan on spending your retirement, Massachusetts could be the right fit for you!

 

Housing Options for 55+ Retirees

Massachusetts has various 55+ active adult communities to choose from. Many of these accommodations offer affordable options for living in or near some of the state’s biggest cities. Others are located in more rural areas with museums and historic sites, so there’s always something interesting to do nearby.

Detached Homes in 55+ Planned Communities

Want to downsize but don’t want to give up the benefits of having your own house? 55+ master-planned communities in Massachusetts offer single-family detached homes.

Have your private property while enjoying community amenities like a clubhouse and pickleball courts.

Age Restricted Condo/Townhome Communities

Townhouses and condominium (condo) communities let residents enjoy a sense of privacy while feeling part of a community. These types of communities are frequently age-restricted.

Age-restricted condo/townhome communities in Massachusetts are also often located near businesses and services of particular interest to seniors. These include pharmacies, exercise facilities, and historic sites.

Luxury Apartment Rentals

For retirees looking to live a low-maintenance lifestyle where community chores, such as snow removal and lawn care, are taken care of by on-property staff, luxury apartment rentals may be the perfect option!

These rentals have top-of-the-line amenities like pools, on-site game rooms, dining options, and more. They are often located near metro areas with shopping and entertainment for added convenience.

 

High Healthcare Standards

Massachusetts has some of the best healthcare standards in the country for seniors. Medicaid benefits are offered through the MassHealth program.

Standout hospitals and medical facilities include UMass Memorial, Tufts Medical Center, and Beth Israel Deaconess. Each of these locations offers general and specialized care for seniors.