One Of The Best Retirement Towns In New York Is Surrounded By Wineries With An Affordable Cost Of Living

Considering where to retire can sometimes feel like planning the ultimate vacation. Whether it's fantasizing about the best places to retire abroad or how to start the next life chapter in a quaint riverside town known as the "Submarine Capital of the World," dreaming big about where to retire can lead to big life decisions, and possibly even big savings.

After years of living in high-stress, high-cost environments, some retirees may want a different walk of life entirely. When doing the cost-benefit analysis of the best and worst states to retire in, retirees-to-be shouldn't forget about the benefit part of the equation. Regardless of finances, most retirees will need to walk a fine line between realistic budgets and a fantastic quality of life.

While it might feel overwhelming to consider a big move, it is worth the effort — especially for a location that is accessible by all major modes of transportation, has a decent cost of living, and if full of scenic Hudson Valley views, vital resources, and opportunities for social connection. If you've ever wanted to retire to a town that looks like it could be the set of a Hallmark movie (because it has been, several times) Warwick, New York might just be the place.

There is something akin to a Norman Rockwell painting about Warwick, NY. The town's beautiful autumn colors, local wineries and breweries, Lehigh and Hudson River Valley views, charming historic architecture, and Main Street lined with shops make it feel like the ideal place to spend a weekend picking apples, sipping wine, or simply soaking up the wonder of nature.

Warwick's Senior Clubs, for those 55 and up, are designed to acquaint retirees with the town and with each other through a mix of social activities and adventures throughout the town's great restaurants, outdoor locations, and events. One such celebration is the annual Warwick Applefest. Thrown in August, Applefest is the Orange County area's largest festival, featuring food, music, markets, and apple pie contests. Residents of Warwick can also visit one of the area's many orchards, hiking trails, or art galleries for a more intimate taste of Warwick's wonders all year round.

Warwick proper is comprised of the Villages of Florida, Greenwood Lake, and Warwick, as well as several hamlets. A vibrant town historical society helps keep the past — and the connection between these villages — alive, as well as offering a variety of volunteer opportunities. The town's libraries, walking trails (including a leg of the Appalachian Trail), sculpture garden, and ski area are all other reminders that a slower life lived away from the hustle of large cities is not totally without bustle, or beauty.

Of course, the cost of living in New York state is not generally considered cheap. Financially speaking, Warwick isn't even one of the best small towns in New York to retire in. However, Warwick's picturesque charm, and easy access to New York City via an hour-and-a-half bus or car ride (or train ride from a neighboring town), has made the place a treasured escape for both the wealthy and working class alike. Retired baseball star Derek Jeter once even owned a lakefront castle in Warwick.

However, if New York state is on the higher side of the national cost of living average, Warwick is on the lower side — at least, when it comes to renting. Per Zillow data, the average home cost in Warwick has climbed to around $530,756. Warwick may have higher home costs than the national average, but that may not matter to retirees looking to downsize to an apartment or independent senior living facility in their golden years. 

Per April 2025 data from Apartments.com, Warwick features apartment rental rates of around $1,216 a month, on average. While this number is sure to fluctuate with time, this rate is about 25% below national average costs for apartment rentals.  In face, an inexpensive-to-average priced Warwick apartment may be just right for retirees starting the next phase of their life. Similarly, a handful of independent senior living options also exist in the Warwick area, as do assisted living and nursing home options which feature costs about as staggering as everywhere else in the nation.