A Charming College Town In New York Is One Of The State's Best Places To Retire

For people who are life-long or long-time residents of New England, the state of New York is one they might consider for a retirement destination that is culturally similar to their own. Unfortunately, many cities in New York are less than affordable for retirees, though not as pricey as retirement communities in Hawaii. The charming college town of Ithaca is an exception for those who want to spend their golden years in the state.

Ithaca, New York delights visitors and retirees alike with its fun college atmosphere that also offers peace and natural beauty. The city lies in the Finger Lakes area of Central New York state along Cayuga Lake's south shore. USA Today rated Ithaca as the top winner on its 2004 "list of emerging cities," per World Atlas.

Today's Ithaca continues to prosper for its status as a smaller city that draws in students from around the world who come to study at its Ivy League Cornell University and Ithaca College. Tourists love the area for its beautiful natural and cultural attractions. Seniors find it a great place to retire for its outdoors and indoors activities that include Cayuga Lake, state parks with waterfalls, museums, performances, art exhibits, and more. The city also boasts quality senior care and support.

Retirees will find the attractions in Ithaca and surrounding environs exciting. It excels for a city its size with the numerous cultural attractions. For starters, seniors can take in plays at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts (Cornell University) and the State Theater of Ithaca.

The city offers musical performances at the Community School of Music and Art and movies at the Cinemapolis Movie Theater and Cornell Cinema. There are also plenty of museums and art galleries located here. Standout attractions include the Museum of the Earth, Mink Gallery in the Garden, Cornell University Museum of Art, North Star Art Gallery, John Hartell Gallery, and Corners Gallery.

Outdoor activities in the Ithaca area are enough to keep any retiree feeling fit and connected to nature.The Ithaca Waterfalls boast 150 individual waterfalls in only 10 miles. The town itself lies on Cayuga Lake with its fishing, boating, swimming, and picnicking opportunities. Cayuga Lake Wine Trail has the distinction of being the original wine trail in the country. A few state parks round out the outdoor attractions with Buttermilk Falls State Park, Allan H. Treman Marine State Park, and Taghannock State Park giving retirees plenty of choices, per World Atlas.

Seniors' needs have not been neglected in Ithaca. Lifelong Ithaca is the area senior center that features social activities and educational programs. The university and college also offer continuing educational opportunities. Aging retirees will find high quality healthcare provided by the Cayuga Medical Center to assist with their retirement years medical concerns.

The cost of living for retirees in Ithaca is high compared to the rest of the country but relatively low compared to other places in the state of New York. Forbes reveals that living costs in Ithaca are significantly lower than in New York City. Homes are 80% cheaper, utilities cost 7% less, healthcare is 19% lower, and transportation costs run 14% less than in the Big Apple. Still, you will need one of the best jobs to retire early here.

In practical terms, Ithaca's housing and utility costs are manageable for retirees who have prepared well for their golden years. World Atlas states that the median home price for Ithaca is $470,000. Meanwhile Forbes claims that the average utilities cost per month is $221.67. In the state of New York, Ithaca brings a lot to the table for retirees looking for a lifestyle with a combination of fun, culture, and outstanding natural beauty. It is more affordable than one of America's most expensive retirement communities in South Carolina.