Summary

• New York City may be a great place for a vacation with its attractions, but the high costs and crime make it difficult for retirement.
• Syracuse offers museums and parks for tourists, but is less ideal for retirees due to harsh winters and a large population.
• Buffalo has cultural and natural attractions, but retirees are unlikely to appreciate the high crime rates, snow and air pollution.

New York State has some truly incredible features that people of all ages love, and some truly beautiful places to live. Easy access to America’s largest city, excellent food, some of the best arts and culture in the world, great hiking, and beautiful views draw millions of people to New York for vacation. However, for retirees looking to settle down, certain New York cities may not be the best choice.

In this list, retirees and soon-to-be retirees discover seven cities and towns in New York State that are great for a vacation but not for an extended retirement.

7 New York City

Population: 8.3 million people

Although New York City is considered by many to be a haven of the arts, fine dining, and high culture, it is not the best place in New York to retire. The city’s constant noise, coupled with its large population, expensive housing, high cost of living, and high crime rate make it difficult to enjoy a peaceful retirement there. The wonderful amenities of America’s largest city make it a great vacation spot, but can make it prohibitively expensive to retire there.

6 Syracuse

Population: 144,451 people

The college town of Syracuse in central New York State is a great place for a New York State vacation with its great museums, theaters, and parks. Places like the Landmark Theater, Everson Museum of Art, Onondaga Lake Park, and Erie Canal Museum make this city a worthwhile destination. Hiking and trail trekking are popular in the local state parks near Syracuse.

However, it is not the best place to retire. As a college town, Syracuse has a high population of young people. This is not a bad thing, but for retirees looking to spend time with other retirees and a quiet, relaxed environment, Syracuse may not be the best choice. Winters are also harsh here and the cost of living is high.

5 Sodus Point

Population: 823 people

This picturesque town on the shores of Lake Ontario is the perfect place for a vacation. As the most remote small town in New York, Sodus Point has a rich history, beautiful lake views, and a gorgeous lighthouse. Tourists can enjoy Sodus Point Beach Park, Chimney Bluffs State Park, and the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum.

However, its remote location makes it more suitable for holidays than as a retirement destination. Winters are also very cold, which is hard on retirees.

4 Plattsburgh

Population: 19,904 people

Located on the dark blue waters of Lake Champlain in the Adirondacks region of New York is the city of Plattsburgh. Tourists who love history will have a great time vacationing in this city and can explore the Kent-Delord House Museum and the War of 1812 Museum. Vacationers will love soaking up the sun on the lake’s many beaches.

Because of the lake and the town’s location in the Adirondacks, this area is known for its high tourism. Retirees may find this place crowded in the summer due to tourists. Like many places in New York, winters are harsh.

3 Niagara Falls

Population: 47,993 people

Tourists come from far and wide to see the rushing waters of America’s famous waterfall. Niagara Falls is truly a breathtaking sight that everyone should see once in their lifetime, making the namesake city a great vacation spot. Aside from the falls, however, there are so many incredible things to do in Niagara – places like the Butterfly Conservatory, Bird Kingdom and the Aquarium of Niagara are all on the bucket list.

But the tourism drawn by the attraction makes it a difficult place to retire. And New York winters don’t help, making Niagara Falls an all-around difficult choice for long-term retirement.

2 Lake George

Population: 3,413 people

For vacationers, there is no better place in New York State than Lake George. This picturesque town on the shores of the lake of the same name is the perfect place for a rural vacation filled with water sports, shopping and hiking. The streets here are lined with charming shops, historic buildings and museums.

Visitors can take a steamboat cruise on Lake George, go on a waterfall hike at Shelving Rock Falls, or visit historic Fort William Henry. Hiking is also great in this region; the Adirondacks were even named the most popular hiking area of ​​2024.

While Lake George is a great place for vacationers, the situation is different for retirees. High tourism, harsh northern winters, and high cost of living make this area a less than ideal place for retirement, no matter how beautiful the lake views are.

1 buffalo

Population: 276,486 people

Buffalo, New York, has many great places to visit for vacationers, but it’s not an ideal place for an extended retirement. Local museums like the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Buffalo Museum of Science, and Buffalo History Museum attract culture-loving tourists, while areas like the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, Buffalo Zoo, and Buffalo Harbor State Park are ideal for nature lovers.

However, Buffalo is not a good place for long-term retirees to settle down. The city is known for its high crime rate, heavy snowfall and air pollution.