A Guide to 55+ Active Living Communities in New York

 

Retiree Friendly Adventure & Entertainment in New York

From its urban centers to its rural farm country, New York offers diverse ways for active 55+ adults to experience retirement.

New York City’s fast paced, metropolitan lifestyle features high-end shopping and dining locales, while suburbs are venues for antiquing and art shows. Entertainment options range from Broadway musicals to museums and boutique stores.

The boroughs of NYC are some of the most walkable neighborhoods in the country, making them especially appealing to seniors who no longer desire to drive. New York also offers tax advantages to 55+ adults. Social Security benefits are tax exempt and some seniors may qualify for reduced property taxes.

Rural regions of the state present a focus on agriculture. Outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and skiing in the winter offer exciting ways for seniors to stay active year round.

There are many cultural events throughout the state celebrating the different ethnic and religious groups that call New York home. These groups include communities of Muslims, Jews, Asian Americans, Latino Americans, and Black Americans. Places of worship such as temples, synagogues, churches are found throughout the state.

New York offers easy options for retirees looking to travel around New York, to surrounding states, and internationally. Upstate New York shares a land border with Canada. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) offers flights around the world. You can also sail out of the Manhattan Cruise Port or take the train or bus to bordering states.

Of course, given the exceptional variety of 55+ communities and active adult communities in New York, you may not want to leave!

 

Exploring the Regions of New York

New York is known for The Big Apple, but that’s far from all the state has to offer retirees!

While many regions are urban, the northern part of the state is predominantly rural and suburban. The coastline is full of beaches and outdoor activities.

New York City

New York City is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. It’s made up of five different boroughs that have their own unique culture and style. Manhattan is home to many maintenance free communities including 55+ luxury apartment rental communities. Condominium communities that are all ages, as well as age restricted can be found on nearly every block. The borough of Brooklyn offers active older adults condominium communities featuring views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. In Astoria, Queens offers active older adults the benefits of living in cozy condominium communities while enjoying all the advantages of the urban lifestyle. The Bronx are known for their cultural diversity and Yankee Stadium. Staten Island has a suburban feel with affordable retirement options.

Long Island

Many active older adults call Long Island home. You can find a place to retire from Greenport on the North Fork, to Amityville on the Southern Shore. Luxury condominium lifestyles are within reach in Moriches, Westhampton, East Quogue, and Mastic, with over thirty communities in between. Amityville is Long Island’s premiere condominium and waterfront community. Coastal  locations like Moriches and West Babylon are suburbs with ocean views. Blue Point is a port town with a water sports scene.

Yaphank is a historic suburb with single level villas and townhomes with ground floor master suites. The small town, community centric feel of Plainview makes it an attractive retirement destination for empty nesters.

Mid-Hudson

Mid-Hudson gets its name for its location around the Hudson River Valley. This area is popular with the people looking to live in an active adult community. Situated between the state capitol Albany and New York City, the Mid-Hudson region has the benefit of green, rolling hills within driving distance of the “City That Never Sleeps”. 

People looking for low maintenance, 55+, and condominium communities, will find that the towns of Cold Spring and Suffern have many neighborhoods to choose from. For those looking for luxury rental communities explore your options in Wurstboro, Beacon, and Washingtonville. And those looking to retire on a golf course community, should consider the beautiful town of Carmel.

Western New York

Western New York looks over Lake Ontario and into Canada. 55+ and low maintenance communities are scattered throughout Buffalo, home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. The towns of Hamburg and Lockport offer affordable manufactured home communities, while Grand Island features homes nestled into golf course communities.

Southern Tier

New York’s Southern Tier begins just west of the Catskill Mountains. Active adults looking for communities that combine the serenity of rural life, with the vibrancy of an all ages community, may want to consider the town of Walton. 

Mohawk Valley

The historic Mohawk Valley is cradled between the Adirondack and Catskill mountains. First Nation people called the valley home before commerce and agriculture brought ethnicities from all of Europe to settle in the region. The Erie Canal and the Mohawk River offer active older adults a variety of outdoor experiences from cycling and hiking trails that meander waterside, to recreational fishing and boating spots. 

Luxury apartment rental communities that cater to 55+ residents abound in the towns of Maybrook and Glenville. If home ownership is your preference, condominium communities  in the town of Clifton Park and the city of Amsterdam are two communities to consider.

Finger Lakes

New York’s Finger Lakes gets its name from the eleven finger-like lakes that are famous for fishing and watersports. This is the wine capital of New York, boasting over 400 wineries and vineyards. Although it’s mostly rural, cities such as Rochester offer residents a taste of urban life with all the shopping, dining, medical facilities, and entertainment active older adults need to live their best lives.

Manufactured home communities abound in the Finger Lakes region. Towns from Geneseo and Hamilton to Palmyra and Williamson, offer 55+ residents a high quality of life at an affordable price. Rental communities comprising both age restricted and all ages dot the region in town such as LeRoy.

Central New York

Central New York has long been the most efficient transportation route for goods and people from the coast to destinations further west. The population is ethnically diverse and centered around the larger city hubs. All ages communities like the ones found in Camillus give active older adults plenty of opportunities to stay active with their neighbors.

Capital Region

Retiring in New York’s Capital Region, also known as the Capital District, offers a quality of life that’s second to only the NYC Metropolitan area. Besides being home to the state capital, this region is famous for its horse racing and mineral hot springs. In the winter months, downhill and cross-country skiing is at your doorstep, while the hiking trails and lakes are open year round to adventurers and anglers. 

Luxury apartment rental communities abound in towns like Castleton-On-Hudson, Delmar, Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, and Guilderland. Manufactured home communities make towns like Averill Park affordable. While condominium communities appeal to 55+ residents as they are age restricted and low maintenance. If an all ages community is what your looking for, then West Sand Lake is your best option. 

North Country

The North Country region of the state is bounded by the Canadian border, Lake George, and Lake Champlain. It’s a paradise for active older adults looking to live a rural and rugged lifestyle. Between the mountains, lakes, and streams, there’s the possibility that you will always have a new area to explore no matter the season. Ticonderoga is the perfect town to call home. 

Keeping Busy in New York

From biking around New York City to hiking in the Catskills, New York is full of senior friendly activities. 55+ active adults will find a paradise of shopping, dining, festivals, and history just waiting to be explored!

On-Property Activities at Senior Communities

Master planned 55+ communities in New York are designed with active adult lifestyles in mind. Many age restricted communities feature outdoor pools while others have indoor heated pools for year round swimming.

Hang Out at the Clubhouse

Community clubhouses encourage mingling with like-minded neighbors. Many communities include fully equipped fitness centers.

Visit the Community Park

Exercise yourself and your dog in the community park. Paths and trails make exploring your community enjoyable no matter the season. 

Play Pickleball and Tennis

Pickleball and tennis are popular with active older adults. The Bocce ball court is where the community gathers for practice and tournaments. 

Things to Do For Seniors Around the State

Knowing that the Big Apple is at your doorstep, taking a trip into the City is convenient and exciting! Visit internationally- acclaimed museums, libraries, and catch the latest theater production on Broadway. Of course, the dining and shopping is on par with the finest cities in the world, with hidden gems around every corner. 

Head outside to see what this beautiful state has to offer! In the rural areas of New York, hunting and fishing are popular. Hiking sites and mountain bike trails abound from the north to south, and all areas inbetween. 

Water Sports

The lakes and rivers that dot the state are perfect for seniors looking to enjoy water sports! Go sailing or fishing on rivers and streams. Long Island is renown for it’s superb sailing. Exploring Erie Canal lets you be a part of living history, while the Hudson River offers unlimited options for exploration. 

Go Golfing

Golf course communities in New York offer retirees easy access to regular rounds of golf, a driving range and putting green. Public course’s for all skill levels abound throughout the state. 

Watch Professional Sports

New York is home to professional sports teams like the Knicks,Yankees, Rangers and Jets. Residents have the opportunity to cheer on the home team, no matter the season!

 

Why You Should Retire in New York

New York's diversity is its centerpiece, both geographically and socially. Cultural events and the prevalence of varied ethnic groups make it one of the most progressive states in the nation.

The state experiences all four seasons with plenty of outdoor activities during each one. It's also popular with retirees thanks to its senior friendly taxes.

Urban areas have an abundance of healthcare facilities. They also serve as transportation hubs, both for intrastate and interstate domestic travel and international flights and cruises.

 

Community Types for Seniors in New York

Experience the retirement you've always dreamed of in New York! Retire to luxury condominium community or downsize to a master planned manufactured homes community.

Age Restricted Communities

Age restricted communities have onsite activities geared toward residents such as indoor pools and fitness classes. They’re safe communities that often have a small town feel even when located near urban areas.

Luxury Apartments

New York's luxury apartments are equipped with high-end amenities such as doormen, front desks, and fitness centers. Many are located in or near one of New York’s major cities.

Waterfront Communities

Many waterfront communities for seniors are located on Long Island. Some border the Finger Lakes to the northwest. Most offer single story homes with active senior living in mind.

Low Maintenance Homes

At low maintenance communities you can spend less time on home maintenance and more time doing what you love! These properties take care of lawns and snow plow services.

 

Healthcare Around Every Corner

New York has a high density of healthcare facilities around its metropolitan areas. Healthcare networks that operate in the state include the MediSys Health Network and Kaleida Health around Buffalo.

Bassett Healthcare serves Central New York, while NewYork-Presbyterian provides specialized care in New York City. Garnett Health and United Health Services operate in the Catskills.