Retirement is a unique time in life where you can set down the burdens of work and live at a more leisurely pace. If you like pastoral beauty and a slower pace of life, the United States’ northeastern states offer several nice cities that will fit with the budget you probably have on a fixed income.

                By                    Jordan Rosenfeld

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In addition to affordability, these Northeastern towns have a sizable 65 and older population. The U.S. average is 16%, and having folks of similar age can make a town feel immediately more comfortable.

Here are the three best Northeast cities to retire on a budget of $2,000.

Lowell, Massachusetts

  • Monthly expenditures: $1,927.00
  • 2022 1-bedroom rent:  $1,129.83
  • Livability score:  67

The town of Lowell, Massachusetts is known as the “birthplace of writer Jack Kerouac and the Industrial Revolution,” according to the University of Massachusetts website. People seeking to retire here will enjoy its deep historical ties, cultural richness and lovely scenery, including old mill buildings and cobblestone streets.

While it is a college town, and only about 12% of the population is age 65 or over, it’s a great place for retirees to consider, given the low cost of living. Here, your annual grocery cost will be less than $5,300 per year, and your annual healthcare cost is just a bit more than $4,300 per year. All told, you can comfortably get by on $2,000 per month.

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Allentown, Pennsylvania

  • Monthly expenditures: $1,968.52
  • 2022 1-bedroom rent:  $1,094.83
  • Livability score:  66

Retirees with a love of the Northeast will want to consider making Allentown, the third largest city in Pennsylvania, their home. Here, 18% of the population is 65 or older, probably because it’s an incredibly affordable place to live. Annual grocery cost is just under $5,000, and annual healthcare cost is under $5,000 per year as well.

Additionally, it’s a city with a lot to offer. According to Allentown.gov, it has more parkland per capita than any other similarly-sized city in the U.S. Allentown is also comprised of several unique districts with their own flavor, where residents can find plenty of amenities, places to eat out, hear music, watch sports and much more.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Monthly expenditures: $1,784.51
  • 2022 1-bedroom rent: $998.83
  • Livability score:  75

At the top of the list for best Northeast cities to retire is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where 20% of population is age 65 or over. Here, your annual grocery cost is under $5,000, and your annual healthcare cost is less than $4,500 per year. Home to famous philanthropist Andrew Carnegie — along with being the birthplace of the steel industry and a hub for coal mining — Pittsburg is a town steeped in history and art, with plenty of museums and places of cultural significance.

It’s also physically beautiful, with rivers and trails, parks and gardens available for walking, riding. or biking. Finally, Pittsburgh boasts such attractions as the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Andy Warhol Museum, and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.