Some of the best places to retire in Vermont include Burlington, Brattleboro, and Essex. The Green Mountain State is arguably one of the most beautiful places to retire in the United States.
The cost of living may be higher than in other states, but Vermont makes up for that with breathtaking natural scenery, exciting outdoor opportunities, and historic towns. To show you what the state offers retirees, we will show you the 10 best places to retire in Vermont.
We’ll explain what makes each location desirable to retirees and tell you what to see and do. Let’s get started!
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Best Places in Vermont to Retire
Burlington
Burlington is one of the best places to retire in Vermont if you seek a big-city lifestyle and outdoor adventure. As Vermont’s largest city, you can expect easy access to amenities like grocery stores, medical centers, cultural attractions, and recreation centers.
You can also choose from various retirement communities offering several options, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care. In Burlington, active retirees enjoy convenient access to Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains.
Therefore, popular pastimes include hiking, biking, and boating. Meanwhile, the city has many exciting attractions, including Church Street Marketplace, the Flynn, and Foam Brewer’s.
Brattleboro
If you’d prefer to retire somewhere with a small-town feel with access to a vibrant community and nature, look no further than Brattleboro. This picturesque town in Windham County is well known for its arts and culture scene, historic attractions, and beautiful natural scenery.
Better yet, Brattleboro’s living cost falls 5% below the state average. Retirees in Brattleboro can spend their time hiking in Fort Dummer State Park, canoeing at Retreat Meadows, and enjoying the scenic Connecticut River.
Alternatively, visit popular attractions like the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center and Retreat Farm. Regarding living options, you can choose from several communities.
Essex
Essex is an excellent option if you seek the best of both worlds. This charming town is only five minutes from the City of Essex Junction and twenty minutes from Burlington.
Therefore, you’ll have convenient access to medical centers and chain grocery stores. Essex is well known for its stunning natural surroundings and laid-back atmosphere.
You’ll likely spend your golden years enjoying the great outdoors at places like Indian Brook Park and Saxon Hill. Other notable attractions in Essex include Essex Country Club, Sand Hill Park, and Essex Village Forest.
As for retirement communities, Mansfield Place offers retirees assisted and memory care living.
Rutland
Rutland is one of the best places to retire in Vermont if you seek an affordable cost of living. According to Best Places, the cost of living in the city is almost 10% lower than the national and state average. Therefore, you’ll have more money to put toward the things you love.
Better yet, the median house price is more affordable. Finances aside, Rutland offers retirees an enjoyable, laid-back retirement with access to outdoor activities and essential amenities.
You’ll find supermarkets, restaurants, medical centers, attractions, and retirement communities offering various living options. For outdoor activities like hiking, birding, and skiing, Green Mountain National Forest is 10 minutes away.
Montpelier
Another affordable place to retire in Vermont is Montpelier, where the cost of living is 3% below the state average. This vibrant city in Washington County is surrounded by lush scenery and is just an hour’s drive from the Green Mountains. That makes it a popular place for active retirees to live.
You can spend your days hiking, biking, and wildlife watching. The city also has many exciting attractions, such as Vermont State House and the Vermont Historical Society Museum.
Regarding amenities, Montpelier has many medical centers, bars, restaurants, and grocery stores. It also has several retirement communities offering assisted and independent living.
Springfield
Springfield is a small and charming town in Windsor County known for its history, natural scenery, and vibrant communities. Senior citizens retiring in Vermont find that it provides all the necessary amenities they need while offering small-town living. You’ll have access to quality healthcare services, grocery stores, and attractions.
Noteworthy attractions include Vermont Beer Makers, Springfield Cinemas 3, and Eureka School House. Meanwhile, outdoorsy retirees can spend their golden years exploring the great outdoors at Muckross State Park and Springfield Nature Area.
From a living standpoint, Springfield offers multiple senior living communities and a cost of living below the national and state average.
Stowe
Overlooked by Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, Stowe is one of the best places for active seniors to retire. This postcard-perfect town in northern Vermont is famed for its ski resorts and outdoor recreation.
Aside from skiing, you can enjoy hiking, biking, and wildlife watching. As for the town, you can expect a lively atmosphere, a thriving cultural scene, and essential amenities like medical centers and grocery stores.
As if that wasn’t enough, Stowe offers retirees many living options, including independent, assisted, and memory care living. Perhaps the only downside is that the cost of living is higher than the national and state average.
Colchester
You can expect a vibrant college town atmosphere and countless outdoor opportunities in Colchester. Colchester’s scenic location next to Lake Champlain and Niquette Bay State Park makes it an ideal location for boating, hiking, and swimming.
Furthermore, Green Mountain National Forest is less than a two-hour drive away. When you’re not out exploring, there’s plenty to see and do in the town. As Vermont’s most populous town, Colchester has plenty of cafes, bars, restaurants, and grocery stores.
You’ll also have easy access to medical centers, recreation centers, and various living options. A bonus: Burlington is approximately seven miles away.
Woodstock
With its quaint charm, natural beauty, and strong sense of community, Woodstock is often considered one of the best places to retire in Vermont. Tucked away in the heart of the Green Mountains, you’ll likely spend most of your free time hiking and biking.
Having said that, there are plenty of other things to do, including golfing, horse riding, and fishing. The town also offers a vibrant downtown area with plenty of shops and restaurants.
There are also various attractions to visit, such as Elm Street Bridge and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. As for amenities, Woodstock has medical centers, retirement communities, and recreation centers.
South Burlington
In South Burlington, retirees benefit from access to high-quality amenities, a lower cost of living than in Burlington, and a wide range of things to see and do. When you’re not hiking or wildlife watching in Wheeler Nature Park, enjoy the picturesque scenery in Red Rocks Park.
Alternatively, spend your time in the vibrant downtown area, where you’ll find plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants. It’s also worth knowing that South Burlington is next to Burlington International Airport, should you want to travel.
Regarding amenities, expect convenient access to medical centers, grocery stores, and sports facilities. Furthermore, several retirement communities offer assisted, independent, and memory care living options.
Final Thoughts About the Best Place to Retire in Vermont
That concludes this article, which shows you the best places to retire in Vermont. As you can see, the Green Mountain State has plenty to offer retirees, especially those with an active lifestyle.
The cost of living in Vermont might be higher than in other states, but the reward is exceptional scenery, a high quality of life, and many things to see and do.
If Vermont ticks all the boxes, why don’t you start narrowing down the options so you can find your dream retirement destination?
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Jack Bolton is a content writer and blogger from the UK. He has a strong passion for travel and has an endless bucket list that he’s making his way through!