One Of The Best Places To Retire In Connecticut Is A Historic Town Full Of Shopping And Outdoor Adventures

The town of Windham, Connecticut has a unique disposition and should be on your list of choices for retirement in the state. It was founded in 1692, and the rich culture of the people gives residents a fine blend of New England's history mixed with the charm of a modern community. Windham has well-preserved historic districts, like the Prospect Hill neighborhood where there are several houses with Victorian-era structures. Most are recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. The place also has landmarks such as the whimsical Frog Bridge of the Willimantic River; the four copper sculptures said to pay homage to the local legend of "the battle of the frogs."

Culture thrives here, especially when you consider the regions' industrial past. The town hosts memorial annual events like the Boom Box Parade, where the participants come with portable radios and everyone marches in sync to music playing from a central channel. This sense of community extends to other practical benefits, like the walkable downtown Willimantic area, with cafes and shops, which is situated several minutes from healthcare hubs like Windham Hospital, thus balancing the wholesomeness of the small-town with the mix of essential services. It is great for seniors, a discovery, more like these five states that have the cheapest assisted living costs for seniors.

Downtown Windham is lined with local cafes, including  Cafemantic, with open spaces for casual socializing. There's also the Willimantic Food Co-op where retirees can purchase their daily needs and some specialty goods, too. You will also find walkable downtown areas, for those who like to jog in the morning or exercise.

Among other benefits, Windham has a rich social calendar with community-based events. Be sure to look out for the Thursday Street Fest that happens every 3rd Thursday in May through September. You wouldn't want to miss out because the town becomes more colorful and hosts the residents to live music, food trucks, and artisan vendors displaying their wares.

Inside the Windham Textile and History Museum visitors get to see operational loom demonstrations, and several other exhibits on labor practices. The Museum also has features of archived letters, as well as oral histories recorded from the 19th-century employees. Meanwhile, the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum has a generous display of restored locomotives and also offers guided tours and train rides to visitors. 

Windham's Air Line State Park Trail stretches 60.3 miles and serves as a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts. Hikers frequent the trail all year because of its flat, wide surface. The nature of the trail marks it not only as suitable for different outdoor exercises like walking, jogging, and cycling, it's also accessible even to families that prefer to exercise with their babies in strollers. Persons with disabilities can also explore this with minimal effort because of its gentle slopes.

If you are a bird watcher, Windham has the 20-mile-long Hop River State Park trail, which passes through forests as well as open areas, and cuts through some historic stone bridges. For family fun time, Windham also has Jillson Square Park that treats you to great sceneries and community gardens. It could also be your favorite family picnic area.

Retirees with adventurous spirits can prioritize either the Mashamoquet Brook State Park or Quaddick State Park. The Mashamoquet park is a 1,000+-acre park that features lots of hiking trails, one of which leads to Wolf Den, a historic shelter that was once used by Revolutionary War figures, while the Quaddick State Park provides a 400-acre reservoir for those that like to kayak, or fish.