North Wales, PA 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview 

Located in Eastern Pennsylvania, North Wales is a quiet, residential township in Montgomery County. Retirees love its four distinct seasons, popular parks and trails, and community events. In addition, its proximity to Allentown and Philadelphia make it an attractive destination for active adults wanting a quaint community with access to a big city.

Climate & Geography 

North Wales has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The Appalachian Mountains to the west and the ocean to the east help regulate temperatures, but extremes are still possible and often short-lived. There is higher-than-average rainfall and average snowfall, as well as about 207 days of sun each year.

The city is located in the rolling hills north of Philadelphia. Its boundaries have not kept up with population growth, and as a result, many businesses and residences with North Wales addresses are actually in outlying townships within Montgomery County.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment 

While North Wales remains mainly residential, its surrounding townships in the county have plenty of outdoor recreation. Green Ribbon Trail is a popular destination with nearly six miles of all-level hiking, walking, and running trails. Other local parks, like Weingartner Park and Parkside Place Park have community events and 5K races as well. 

Other popular amenities include several local breweries, numerous country clubs and golf courses to the east and south, and a summer farmers market on Sundays.

Residents can do all of their brand-name and high-end shopping at Montgomery Mall, or find many more options in Philadelphia or Allentown, both an hour away.

Cost of Living & Taxes 

The cost of living in North Wales is above the national average. Housing is the biggest factor, followed by transportation. Other indexes like utilities, groceries, and health care all also hover just above the national average.

Pennsylvania does not tax Social Security, 401(k)s, and IRAs. Pensions are exempt for retirees above the age of 59 ½. Property taxes in the state are fairly high, whereas sales taxes are low. Several common goods like clothing, prescription medication, groceries, and residential fuels are exempt from sales tax.

Health Care

The Philadelphia metro area ranks in the top 110 communities in the country, according to Gallup’s Well-Being Index.

Although there are no hospitals in North Wales, there are several hospitals rated by U.S. News as high performing in Montgomery County. These include Jefferson Health-Abington Lansdale, Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, St. Luke’s Hospital-Anderson Campus, and Doylestown Hospital. Philadelphia has three nationally ranked hospitals: Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Prescbyterian, Jefferson Health-Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, and Pennsylvania Hospital.