Marlborough, MA 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview 

Located in Eastern Massachusetts, Marlborough is a popular retirement destination because of its abundant shopping and outdoor recreation. Residents enjoy their own local beach, golf course, and two large retail complexes. Additionally, the city’s proximity to Boston makes it an attractive city for active adults seeking big city amenities with a small town community.

Climate & Geography 

Marlborough has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are cold, windy, and snowy. Temperatures and weather can frequently vary because of cold northern winds from the north and warm, humid air from the south meeting in Massachusetts. There is higher than average rainfall and snowfall, and residents can expect 202 days of sun a year, on average.

The area’s terrain consists of gently rolling hills. There are several small lakes within the city, and the Sudbury Reservoir and Fort Meadow Reservoir border the city on the south and north, respectively.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment 

The most popular site for outdoor recreation in Marlborough is Memorial Beach, a 13-acre beach along the shores of Fort Meadow Reservoir that offers daily swimming in the summer, as well as camping and picnics. Other popular natural areas include Callahan State Park to the southeast, with seven miles of trails on 820 acres, and the Assabet River Rail Trail, a long multi-use trail in the northeast corner of the city.

Residents looking for local boutiques and eateries can head downtown along Main Street, or shop at the weekly summer farmers market held at Union Common. For bigger brand names, Solomon Pond Mall is a popular shopping center. In addition, The Apex Center of New England is an expansive retail, dining, and entertainment complex with a variety of shops, spas, and activities. 

Other amenities in Marlborough include the golf course at Marlborough Country Club and several local breweries. For more options, residents can drive a half hour to Worcester or 45 minutes to Boston.

Cost of Living & Taxes 

The cost of living in Marlborough is above the national average because of the high cost of housing, followed by utilities and groceries. Health care costs, on the other hand, are below average.

Massachusetts does not tax Social Security benefits or public pensions, but all other forms of retirement income are fully taxed. Property taxes are average, and the state offers the Circuit Breaker tax credit, a property tax relief program aimed at retirees. Sales taxes are lower than average.

Health Care

The Boston metro area ranks in the top 25 communities across the country on Gallup’s Well-Being Index.

There is one local hospital in the city, which is UMass Memorial-Marlborough Hospital. Nearby hospitals that U.S. News rates high performing include MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, Emerson Hospital in Concord, and UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington is nationally ranked.