Overview
Sudbury is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts that will appeal to retirees of all lifestyles. The town has a rich colonial history with many attractions and amenities, as well as beautiful landscapes and plenty of greenspace for outdoor recreation.
Climate and Geography
The climate in Sudbury is classified as humid continental, which means summers are warm and humid, while winters are cold and snowy. Residents can expect more rainfall and snowfall than the national average, and about 199 sunny days throughout each year.
Its location on Middlesex County means that it is near several national protected areas including Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, Lowell National Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park, and Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Some of the most popular attractions in Sudbury include Wayside Inn Historic Site, Old Grist Mill Museum, Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, The Way Grist Mill, and Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge. In addition, there is a town public pool and facilities for various sports and recreation, as well as regular band concerts and holiday celebrations hosted by the town government.
Situated in a region known as the MetroWest—a cluster of cities and towns in between Boston and Worcester—residents can easily reach downtown Boston in just under an hour, providing the perfect opportunity for day trips to enjoy the city's dining, shopping, entertainment, and renowned historical sites.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The overall cost of living in Sudbury is higher than the state and national average, with the extremely high cost of housing and homes being the primary factor at over three times the national average. While the rest of the cost of living indexes are slightly above average, the cost of health care is about 20 percent below the average.
Massachusetts is considered somewhat tax friendly to retirees. Social Security benefits and public pensions are fully exempt, but almost all other forms of retirement income including retirement savings accounts are taxed at the state's flat income tax rate of 5.1 percent, with no deductions or exemptions.
Property tax rates in Massachusetts are close to average compared to the rest of the U.S., but because of the extremely high cost of homes in the state these taxes can be a bit of a burden. To offset these costs, homeowners who are 65+ may qualify for the Circuit Break Tax Credit, which is based on residency status, home value, and income.
Health Care
Although there are no hospitals in Sudbury, there are several hospitals within 12 miles, a few of which are nationally ranked or rated high perfoming in multiple procedures and conditions by U.S. News. These hospitals are: MetroWest Medical Center, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and McLean Hospital. The closest hospital is Emerson Hospital in the neighboring town of Concord.