You want to look for a better America for yourself in retirement. Finding a small town can be just right for many retirees who want to slow down and take things easy. The Boston Globe has rounded up a list of the best small towns in New England, including ten that just might be the right place for you. Here they are:
A town in Massachusetts made famous by Norman Rockwell is the most charming small town in America, according to Big 7 Travel.
Stockbridge in the Berkshires ranked No. 1 on the travel website’s list of 50 most charming small towns in America, released earlier this month. Big 7 Travel called it “the ideal New England small town” due to its charming square, historic inns, preserved homes, community events, and local eateries.
“Stockbridge looks like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting, and that’s because it is!” Big 7 Travel wrote. “This cosy New England town was made famous by his portrayal of the city during Christmas.”
Woodstock, Vermont, snagged the No. 2 spot on the list because “you can enjoy delicious farm-to-table meals, endless scenic trails, and then experience its rural heritage without ever getting on a highway,” Big 7 Travel wrote.
A total of 10 New England small towns made the list. The towns had to have a maximum population of 50,000 and “hold a unique quality,” according to Big 7 Travel.
Here are the New England towns that made the cut and how they ranked:
- Stockbridge, Mass.
- Woodstock, Vermont
- Sugar Hill, N.H.
- Meredith, N.H.
- Mystic, Conn.
- Stowe, Vermont
- Nantucket, Mass.
- Bennington, Vermont
- Great Barrington, Mass.
- Montpelier, Vermont
View the entire list of the 50 most charming small towns in America.
Remember to consider the benefits of small-town living when you’re choosing where to retire.