New York City Ranks No. 2 as Top Retirement Destination, Attracting Retirees for Culture and Care

New York City and its surrounding metro area ranked No. 2 on StorageCafe's latest list of the top retirement destinations in the United States, a finding that underscores a trend: aging Americans are trading quiet beaches and lower costs for culture, convenience and urban amenities. The ranking spotlights the Big Apple as a magnet for retirees who prize access to world-class healthcare, museums, theaters and a dense network of services that support aging in place.

"Being in an apartment building with a doorman, a super, and sometimes a garage is tremendously valuable as people age," said Joan Kagan, a New York City real estate agent who specializes in apartments for retirees. "Now when it snows, people look out the window and think it's beautiful. They're not worried about shoveling, frozen pipes, or clearing off the car."

New York City's aging-population trend is pronounced: the city’s Department for the Aging says residents over 60 rose by more than 12 percent between 2000 and 2010, and projections show growth of more than 35 percent by 2030, meaning roughly one in five New Yorkers will be 60 or older. The agency notes the current life expectancy in the city is about 80. "This city actually offers older people a lot," said Lindsay Goodman, the director of Healthy Aging at the New York Academy of Medicine, in a report on urban aging. "There's a wealth of arts and cultural opportunities. Social services and health care are a draw, too." In an October report from US News & World Report, New York City ranked third on its list of the 150 best places to retire in the United States. The study highlighted that while New York's housing affordability score was 3.7 out of 10, its healthcare score was a perfect 10 out of 10, a reflection of the city’s medical resources and services. The metro area counts nearly 6,000 healthcare providers for every 10,000 residents — roughly 36 percent higher than the national average — ranking it 11th nationwide for healthcare access. Three of the nation’s top 20 hospitals are located in New York City.

New York has also established Age-Friendly NYC, a program designed to promote walkability, recreational activities and social connection for an aging population. The city teamed with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to offer subway and bus discounts that help older residents stay active and independent without relying on a car. Culture is another major draw for retirees, with many returning to the city after college or drawing on its vast arts scene for ongoing engagement.

Native New Yorker Willard Spiegelman, who taught English at Southern Methodist University in Dallas before retiring in 2020, purchased an apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side shortly after deciding to retire. The 80-year-old said he has never felt lonely in New York and described his 580-square-foot home as "heaven on the top floor of the building." He contrasted life in Dallas with New York's constant activity: "No matter what holiday of the year it is, living in Dallas, you know, driving around on Christmas, you seldom see any human being on the street." In New York, the crowds are part of the appeal, he said: "I rather like the idea that nobody knows me." Spiegelman also pointed to the energy of the city as a lifelong driver of his enthusiasm for aging in place in Gotham. "If the day comes when I arrive at Grand Central, and I look up at the starry ceiling, and I don't well up with tears," he said, "when that thrill vanishes, then I'll leave."