10 Best Places to Retire in New York

If you’re thinking of moving when you hit retirement age, then New York is one of the options you must take into consideration since this is such a great state, so we’re going to help you out with a list of 10 best places to retire in New York.

First off, New York is a state in the northeastern area of the United States. While it’s not the largest when it comes to territory, it is the fourth most populous and the seventh most densely populated. On top of bordering with New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Long Island and Canada, New York also has a large coastline with the Atlantic Ocean.

The estimates regarding the population indicate New York as having nearly 20 million citizens. Many of them live in New York City, which has about 8.5 million residents. Of course, it’s not all about New York City, since there are many other counties, and cities, that are great in New York, full of things to do. There’s also plenty of nature to enjoy.

When it comes to the climate, New York has a humid continental climate; in the lower areas of the state, the summers are warm, with periods with high humidity levels, and winters that are cold and damp. In the northern areas, the winters get a bit colder.

Alternatively, you could read up on the 10 best places to retire in New Hampshire if you’re interested in a slightly different story.

For our list today we took a look at several aspects, including the average commute time (included as the general state of traffic, since pensioners use the same roads as the commuters to go about their daily activities, albeit not necessarily at the same time), the median house price, the cost of living index, the crime rate and the number of physicians per 100,000 residents. Data comes from Sperling’s Best Places, which centralizes data from governmental sources. For instance, across the entire New York state, the median home price is $247,400, while the cost of living index is 121.8, some ways above the national average. The crime rate was calculated at 45, with 1 being the safest. Also, the number of physicians per 100,000 residents is 349 across New York.

We took into consideration the state’s counties and left out the five New York City Boroughs since they’re too expensive for an average retiree. For instance, Manhattan would have made it on the list thanks to the high number of doctors in the area, but the median home price is above $1.1 million and the cost of living index is close to 300. Not many 401(k) plans can afford that kind of housing prices. Without further ado, here are the 10 best places to retire in New York.

10. Rockland

Score: 11

Median home price: $359,300

Cost of living index: 147.1

Average commute time: 30.12

Crime rate: 28

Doctors per 100K: 339

Bordering the Hudson River, Rockland County is the southernmost county in New York, home to over 326,000 people. Since the territory isn’t too large, only measuring 199 square miles, Rockland is among the most densely populated counties in the entire state.

The median home price in this area is pretty high, over $359,000. The cost of living index was calculated at 147.1, so it’s going to be a little bit expensive living here, although it depends on where you are coming from. The crime rate in Rockland County is rather low, 28, so it’s pretty safe to live here.

9. Otsego

Score: 11

Median home price: $139,100

Cost of living index: 101.4

Average commute time: 21.96

Crime rate: 37

Doctors per 100K: 488

Otsego County, in the south-central area of New York, is a home to over 62,000 people. With a total area of 1,016 square miles, Otsego County is certainly not one of the largest in the state. There are several bodies of water in the county, including the Otsego Lake and the Canadarago Lake, which are the largest.

The median home price in the area is just over $139,000, which is more than accessible, especially since there are cheaper options out there. The cost of living index is also in line with the national average, going over the line by just a bit – 101.4. There are 488 doctors per 100,000 people in Otsego County so your medical needs should be covered.

8. Chemung

Score: 11

Median home price: $95,600

Cost of living index: 88.8

Average commute time: 18.97

Crime rate: 42

Doctors per 100K: 250

In the southern region of New York, bordering Pennsylvania, sits Chemung County, home to nearly 89,000 people. The county’s territory covers some 411 square miles out of which only under 1 percent is covered by water.

Houses go for $95,600 in average in this area, which is more than ok as far as property prices go. In line with this, the cost of living index is 88.8, well below the national average and certainly below the state’s average. Commuters spend, in average, under 19 minutes in traffic, which is great news for those who hate getting old behind the wheel of their car.

7. Albany

Score: 12

Median home price: $190,600

Cost of living index: 108.4

Average commute time: 19.99

Crime rate: 73

Doctors per 100K: 519

The county that is home to the New York state capital, Albany, is home to over 304,000 people, according to the 2010 census. The total territory of the county is 533 square miles out of which 2 percent is water.

The median home price in Albany is $190,600, while the cost of living index is 108.4. The average commute time is below 20 minutes, which is great to hear. The number of physicians per 100,000 people was calculated at 519, so your health issues should be more than taken care of. The downside of living here is the rather high crime rate – 73.

6. Monroe

Score: 12

Median home price: $123,300

Cost of living index: 92

Average commute time: 19.5

Crime rate: 43

Doctors per 100K: 413

Monroe County is located in the south-west area of the state and it is called home by some 750,000 people. The county covers a territory of 1,367 square miles out of which 52 percent is water, including Genesee River, Irondequoit Bay and the ponds along Lake Ontario’s border.

The median home price is just north of $123,000, while the cost of living index is below the national average, namely 92. The crime rate is also an acceptable 43, while the number of doctors per 100,000 people is 413.

5. Westchester

Score: 13

Median home price: $503,900

Cost of living index: 173.6

Average commute time: 31.92

Crime rate: 37

Doctors per 100K: 579

Home to over 976,000 people, Westchester County is located in the southern region of New York. The county covers some 500 square miles, out of which 14 percent is water, meaning there are plenty of areas where you can go enjoy fishing, boating or swimming, for instance.

There are plenty of historic sites in the county if you want to go visiting, as well as parks where you can breathe some fresh air.

The median home price in the area is a bit high compared to other counties nearby, namely $503,900. This also drives up the cost of living index which reaches 173.6 in Westchester County.

4. Orleans

Score: 13

Median home price: $89,900

Cost of living index: 86.7

Average commute time: 25.23

Crime rate: 38

Doctors per 100K: 72

Unlike other counties in New York, this was is less populated, with under 43,000 people calling it home. Orleans County is in the northwestern area of the state, bordering Lake Ontario, which also explains why 52 percent of the 817 square miles territory of the county under water.

The median home price in this area is close to $90,000, while the cost of living index was calculated at 86.7. The crime rate here is 38, so you shouldn’t worry too much about it, although you shouldn’t ignore things going on in your neighborhood either.

3. Onondaga County

Score: 14

Median home price: $122,100

Cost of living index: 97.4

Average commute time: 19.38

Crime rate: 43

Doctors per 100K: 425

With a population of over 467,000 people, Onondaga County is one of the most populated in the state. The county covers 806 square miles, most of which is rather flat, especially in the northern area. The southern areas have a bit more shape as the Appalachian Plateau takes over.

Houses go for a little over $122,000 in average, while the cost of living index reaches 97.4 here. The number of doctors per 100,000 people is 425, higher than the state average and well above the average across the United States.

2. Allegany

Score: 15

Median home price: $68,000

Cost of living index: 87.8

Average commute time: 21.21

Crime rate: 39

Doctors per 100K: 63

Situated in the southern area of the state, Allegany County is home to nearly 49,000 people according to the 2010 Census. Out of the 1,034 square miles of the county, only 0.5 percent is water, mostly the Genesee River which more or less cuts the territory in two.

The median home price in this area is a mere $68,000, so it’s pretty much impossible not to find something to suit the depth of your pockets. The cost of living index was also calculated at 87.8, so it should be quite a difference between what you’re paying now and what you’d be paying if you chose Allegany County to move.

1. Cattaraugus

Score: 35

Median home price: $64,700

Cost of living index: 87.4

Average commute time: 21.83

Crime rate: 41

Doctors per 100K: 130

Last, but definitely not least, is Cattaraugus County, located in the western area of New York. The 1,322 square mile territory is home to over 80,000 people. Just a little portion of it is covered by water, but that’s enough to enjoy some time out in nature, on the shore of the creek with the same name.

Houses go for $64,700 on average, so you should be able to afford a new place here if you pick it. The cost of living index was calculated at 87.4, meaning you’ll be able to save up quite a bit. Commuting in this county takes under 22 minutes on average, while the crime rate was calculated at 41, where 1 is the safest option. The number of physicians per 100,000 people is 130, so your medical needs should be covered, at least in part, without even leaving the county.

All in all, this puts the Cattaraugus County at the top of the list of the 10 best places to retire in New York.