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You have been waiting for the time when you’ll finally not have to worry about getting to the office on time, satisfying hard-to-please bosses, and keeping to strict schedules and routines. The time to retire has finally arrived, and you are excited at the prospect — looking for peaceful and beautiful locations, probably right on the water. You soon discover that Florida is top dollar — as are many other venues along the coast. There is an excellent option, however. Discover below seven budget-friendly towns in Upstate New York for retirees. All of these towns have median listing home prices of less than $300,000.

Binghamton

You know Binghamton is budget-friendly because homes here fetch a median listing price of just $172,300. And it is not just affordability. Binghamton exudes a delightful blend of historical richness and modern vibrancy with a touch of well-preserved architecture. Worried about healthcare access? Binghamton is home to two award-winning hospitals: UHS Binghamton General Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital. On the social landscape, the median age of Binghamton’s residents is 35, implying a scene that features both the young and the old. Empty nesters aged 60 and above comprise 24% of the population. The Susquehanna River flows through the town and offers a broad range of outdoor fun and adventure. Taking the cue, the aptly named Recreation Park boasts plenty of shaded walking paths and grassy areas where one can sit and while away the time. Once in a while, an empty nester will enjoy the company of wolves, pandas, and African penguins at Ross Park Zoo, one of the oldest in the nation.

Watertown

Watertown feels like home, provides access to numerous waterbodies, and is enticingly affordable. The median listing home price in Watertown was just $239,900 in June 2024, making it one of the most budget-friendly towns in Upstate New York for retirees. If a retiree needs some urgent medical attention, Samaritan Medical Center is right in town — as is Mercy Hospital of Watertown, whose history goes back to 1892. Watertown’s residents have a median age of 35, with seniors aged 60 and above comprising 20% of the population. Black River flows through the town, while Lake Ontario, Perch River, and Perch Lake are all minutes away, making one appreciate the town’s befitting name. For avid golfers, the reasonably priced Ives Hill Country Club boasts the best golf course for many miles.

Oswego

Why splurge on a retirement home when one goes for just about $187,400 in Oswego, New York — the town’s median home listing price as of June 2024? At this price point, an empty nester has access to Lake Ontario, the one-of-a-kind Oswego River (it flows northwards), Breitbeck Park, a wonderful place for an evening stroll and a magical sunset, and Tamarack Golf Club, which boasts a terrific setting and lots of challenging holes. Do not worry about the chances of linking up with fellow empty nesters, either. Although Oswego residents have a median age of 30, retirees 60 and above comprise 21% of the population. What’s more? Oswego Hospital is right in town, so no need to worry about healthcare access.

Newark

Newark is home to the º£½ÇÉçÇø-famous Erie Canal, a unique avenue for travel and recreation. The town is among the most affordable in Upstate New York, as homes fetch a median listing price of just $149,900. A retiree here will be close to Rochester, one of New York State’s largest cities. While one can dash to Rochester for medical services, Newark-Wayne Community Hospital is right in town. It is a 2022 recipient of the Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award. Newark residents have a median age of 39, meaning empty nesters should expect a mixed social landscape which is not too young and not too old. Widewaters Canal Park is a beautiful place to go kayaking — while Perkins Park, with its scenic trails, is a lovely venue to breathe the early-morning fresh air. Finally, Joey's Northside Grocery is a great place to grab a cup of coffee and indulge in some small-town talk.

Horseheads

If you think Alabama is cheap — or Kansas — wait until you hear that homes in Horseheads, New York, fetch a median listing price of just $275,000. And it is not limited to affordability. Retirees here have access to outdoor sites where they can keep fit, including Newton Creek, the hilly but fabulous Mark Twain Golf Course, which is a short drive away — Soaring Eagles Golf Course, and Mark Twain State Park, named for one of America’s most celebrated authors. If under the weather, one can access Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira in minutes. The same is true of Saint Joseph's Hospital. Moreover, an empty nester here has an excellent chance of meeting similarly aged folks, especially since the median age of residents is 45, with those 60 and above comprising 28% of the population.

Corning

If looking for a budget-friendly retirement venue in Upstate New York, you should consider Corning, home to the º£½ÇÉçÇø’s largest glass museum. A retiree does not have to compete with celebrity jet-setters for highly prized homes. The median listing price of homes in Corning is only $199,000. So buy a home here, and use the rest of the money to travel the º£½ÇÉçÇø. A Corning retiree will enjoy teeing away her afternoons at the Corning Country Club, floating down Tioga River, exploring a delightful array of pristine lakes, and spending the night out at Ferenbaugh Campground amid a beautiful backdrop of the surrounding hills. Regarding healthcare access, the highly ranked Guthrie Corning Hospital is in town, so there is no need for an out-of-town trip to see a physician. Finally, residents here have a median age of 37, with those 60 and above comprising 22% of the population.

Seneca Falls

Seneca Falls, the Birthplace of the Women’s Rights Movement, rounds off the list of 7 Budget-Friendly Towns in Upstate New York for Retirees. With homes fetching a median listing price of only $227,000 as of June 2024, a retiree does not have to break the bank. There is the Seneca Falls Hospital in town, plus other options in Waterloo, Auburn, Geneva, and Newark. Aside from stand-out attractions such as the Women's Rights National Historical Park, National Women's Hall of Fame, and the empty but well-maintained Elizabeth Cady Stanton Home, this budget-friendly town provides access to numerous outdoor sites, where a retiree will love to spend time. These include Van Cleef Lake, the nearby Cayuga Lake, and Cayuga Lake State Park. Residents of Seneca Falls have a median age of 45, with those 60 and above comprising 30% of the population — the highest on this list.

The Takeaway

Although it can get cold, especially in winter, no experience can describe life in Upstate New York. The area is peaceful and beautiful. The neighborhoods are safe and mostly quiet. And the towns — at least many of them — are small (hence tight-knit), slow-paced, and affordable. For those who want to save on cash, Upstate New York offers numerous options, where the median home listing price is less than $300,000. These include Binghamton, where the Susquehanna River flows through, and Seneca Falls, the Birthplace of the Women’s Rights Movement.