Pennsylvania 55+ Retirement Communities

Many people may not know that Pennsylvania is considered one of the most retirement-friendly states in America. Retirees and working active adults choose to settle in Pennsylvania's age-restricted communities because of the affordable cost of living and tax-friendly retirement. There are many active adult communities in Pennsylvania which range from small 50-home neighborhoods to award winning communities with over 500 homes. Pennsylvania's 55+ communities offer great amenities, active lifestyles, and convenient locations.

Climate & Geography

Located in the Northeastern area of the United States, Pennsylvania is bordered by Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Lake Erie. The state has 51 miles of shoreline along Lake Erie and 57 miles of shoreline along the Delaware Estuary. Also, the Appalachian Mountains run throughout the middle of the state. Its five main regions are identified as the Allegheny Plateau, Ridge and Valley, Atlantic Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and the Erie Plain.

Generally, the entire state has cold winters and humid summers but the varied landscape produces a variety of climates throughout the state. The majority of Pennsylvania has a humid continental climate while the greater Philadelphia area has a humid subtropical climate. Inland, closer to the mountains, the winter is noticeably colder with cloudier days and more snowfall. Farther west, near Lake Erie, sees about 100 inches of snowfall yearly.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

The cities of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Erie are the four most popular cities with plenty of attractions and entertainment options. Pennsylvania is home to dozens of professional sports teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers (football), Philadelphia Eagles (football), Philadelphia Phillies (baseball), Pittsburgh Pirates (baseball), Philadelphia 76ers (basketball), Philadelphia Flyers (hockey), Pittsburgh Penguins (hockey), and Philadelphia Union (soccer).

As one of the original 13 states of the United States, Pennsylvania is filled with rich history and cultural attractions. There are 165 historic landmarks throughout the state. The most popular attractions throughout the state include Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell, Hershey Park, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Eastern State Penitentiary, Strasburg, Andy Warhol Museum, Gettysburg National Military Park, Intercourse, Valley Forge, and the state capitol of Harrisburg.

Outdoor activities are abundant with skiing, kayaking, hiking, hunting, fishing, and so much more at the Pocono Mountains, Clarion River, Allegheny National Forest, and Moraine State Park.

Cost of Living & Taxes

Active adult communities in Pennsylvania are extremely popular due to the lower cost of living compared to neighboring states. Compared to the national average, New York is 27 percent higher and New Jersey is 35 percent higher while Pennsylvania is just 1 percent higher. Pennsylvania is extremely tax-friendly toward retirees as they do not tax retirement income including pensions, social security, 401Ks, IRAs, etc. For those still working, the income tax rate is a flat 3.07 percent.

Healthcare

For every 100,000 residents, there are about 302 active physicians throughout the state of Pennsylvania. There are over 250 hospitals in the state and 13 of which have been nationally ranked. Thirty additional hospitals have been recognized for strong performance as well. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Lehigh Valley Hospital are just a few of the nationally ranked hospitals. Many of these great facilities can be found in the Pittsburgh metro area. In 2012, CNN Health listed Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as one of the top ten cities in the nation for successful aging.