If you love the history, arts, culture, and dining in the beautiful city of
Boston, but you’re feeling burnt out on the hustle and bustle of city life, these suburbs are the perfect places to relax and retire.
We looked at a whole bunch of data to figure out which suburbs of Boston have the best senior amenities, affordable housing, safest streets, and more. Then, we narrowed 28 suburbs down to the top 10 for retirees.
Let’s take a look at the winners.
1. Arlington
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 461
- Total senior amenities: 53
- Number of doctors: 75
The small town of Arlington kicks off our list of the best Boston suburbs to retire with one of the lowest crime rates of any place we ranked. Home buyers will find modern townhomes, as well as lovely historic Colonial and craftsman style homes.
Enjoy a picnic on the beach at Upper Mystic Lake, or hit the links at the Winchester Country Club. Residents can also check out a new book, attend an event, or join a club at the Robbins Library.
2. Stoneham
Key Stats:
- Residents age 65 and up: 18.4
- Number of doctors: 104
Stoneham earns the second place spot on our list of the best Boston suburbs for retirees with modern condos and beautifully maintained Colonial style homes for home buyers.
Arts and culture enthusiasts will love the cozy local Stoneham Theater where they can see a play or comedy show, while golf enthusiasts will flock to the Bear Hill Country Club or Unicorn Golf and Country Club. The 2,575-acre Middlesex Fells Reservation is the perfect spot for a stroll or picnic by the lake.
3. Peabody
Key Stats:
- Cost of living: 139, compared to the Boston average of 144
- Residents age 65 and up: 20.3 percent
Your retirement fund will go further in Peabody, which had one of the lowest costs of living of any place we ranked. Home buyers will have their pick of townhomes, ranch style houses, and classic Colonial and craftsman style homes.
Hit the links at the Salem Country Club or The Meadow at Peabody Golf Course. Nature lovers can enjoy a picnic at Winona Pond. Residents also have access to brand name retailers at the convenient Northshore Mall.
4. Beverly
Key Stats:
- Cost of living: 140, compared to the Boston average of 144
- Number of doctors: 191
The seaside town of Beverly earns the fourth place spot on our list with a variety of housing options for home buyers. Townhomes, craftsman style homes, and Cape Cod style houses are common in this Boston suburb.
Grab fresh local produce at the Beverly Farmers Market, or stroll through the charming downtown where local businesses and restaurants line the streets. The Active retirees will love hitting the links or playing a match at Beverly Golf & Tennis.
5. Dedham
Key Stats:
- Total senior amenities: 104
- Number of doctors: 54
Dedham home buyers have a range of lovely housing options, including sprawling Colonial style homes, cozy cottages, and historic craftsman houses on spacious lots.
Hit the links at the Dedham Country Club, or enjoy a picnic by Wigwam Pond. Dedham also has two libraries, the Main Library and the Endicott Branch, where readers can attend events and pick up a new book.
6. Danvers
Key Stats:
- Number of doctors: 93
- Total senior amenities: 123
Danvers earns the sixth place spot on our list of retirement friendly suburbs of Boston with plenty of senior amenities and lovely Colonial, Tudor, and craftsman style homes.
Buy fresh local produce at the Danvers Rotary Farmer’s Market, or check out a new book and attend a local event at the Peabody Institute Library. Danvers also has numerous city parks, ponds, and greenways, perfect for an evening stroll or picnic in the park.
7. Salem
Key Stats:
- Cost of living: 134, compared to the Boston average of 144
- Median home price: $313,200
- Total senior amenities: 250
The notorious historic suburb of Salem has come a long way since the late 1600s. This lively small city has plenty of affordable townhomes, and craftsman and Colonial style houses, some with waterfront views.
Numerous local shops and restaurants line the streets of the Salem town center. Hit the links at the Old Salem Greens Golf course, enjoy a day at the beach on Winter Island, or browse the extensive art collection at the Peabody Essex Museum.
8. Woburn
Key Stats:
- Total senior amenities: 158
- Median home price: $362,100
Woburn earns the eighth place spot on our list of Boston suburbs with affordable, low maintenance townhomes, and lovely Colonial style homes on spacious lots for home buyers.
Residents can boat, stroll, fish, or swim at the Horn Pond Recreation Area, or hit the links at the Woburn Country Club. The Woburn Public Library hosts numerous community events and houses a large selection of books.
9. Saugus
Key Stats:
- Residents age 65 and up: 18.4 percent
- Total senior amenities: 124
The scenic suburb of Saugus has plenty of options for retirees searching for the perfect home. Affordable townhomes and cozy cottages provide a low maintenance option, while sprawling Colonials offer plenty of room for family and friends.
Hit the links at the Cedar Glen Golf Course, or enjoy fishing, boating, and strolling through forested trails at Breakheart Reservation. Residents also enjoy convenient shopping from brand name retailers at Square One Mall.
10. Marblehead
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 871
- Residents age 65 and up: 17.2 percent
The coastal town of Marblehead rounds out our list of the best Boston suburbs to retire with one of the lowest crime rates of any place we ranked. Townhomes and condos with waterfront views are common, as are cottage and Colonial style homes.
Enjoy a day of boating, fishing, and swimming at numerous Marblehead beaches, or hit the links at the Tedesco Country Club. Marblehead also has a variety of activities geared toward seniors, from Tai Chi classes and chair yoga, to bingo and bridge nights.
Our Methodology
To create this list of the best Boston suburbs to retire, we took a look at the following retirement friendly criteria:
- Doctors per capita
- Senior amenities per capita (volunteer opportunities, recreation centers, golf courses, restaurants, libraries, arts and entertainment, and retirement homes)
- Cost of living (the lower the better)
- Median home price (the lower the better)
- Percent of residents 65 and up
- Total Crimes per 100k
From there, we ranked each suburb in the above categories. Then, because some things are a little more important to retirees than others, we weighted the percent of residents 65 and up and total crimes per 100k so they made up 20 percent of our total score, while the rest of the categories made up 15 percent.
For this list, we sourced data from local business listings, AreaVibes, and the U.S. Census.
We averaged these weighted scores into one overall score, with the lowest 10 scores going toward our top 10 suburbs for retirement.
To see how other Boston suburbs ranked, check out the table below:
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