New Jersey's Affordable City With Lush Trails And Serene Lakes Is The Perfect Retirement Destination

New Jersey's reputation often suffers due to its heavy traffic and its less-than-glamorous portrayal in the media. However, anyone looking to retire in comfort should give the Garden State a chance, as its communities offer retirees affordability, accessibility, and proximity to nature. Such retirement destinations include Vineland, a South Jersey city that's ideal for those planning their retirement years due to its small-town coziness, low cost of living, and metropolitan conveniences.

Affordability is Vineland's biggest allure. The National Association of Home Builders, according to the Cherry Hill Courier-Post, ranks it among the nation's top 10 most affordable small cities. Many retirees purchase new homes in the towns they plan to retire, and they'll be thrilled to know that the median home value of Cumberland County is $205,600, a significant advantage compared to the 2023 national median of $419,300. According to the Economic Research Institute, Vineland's cost of living is 4% lower than the national average and 22% lower than the state average. Furthermore, it has convenient access to Philadelphia, a city with rich history and an amazing food scene. Whether by car, bus, or taxi, reaching the city is pretty straightforward, with driving taking just under an hour and direct bus fares as low as $5. For retirees seeking financial security, access to nature, and major cities nearby, Vineland is a very compelling choice.

Vineland implores residents to explore nature up close. The city's parks and nearby preserves provide many hiking and biking trails and birdwatching destinations, such as at the Menantico Creek Preserve. The Gregory Romano Trail is 4.5 miles long, gives visitors a look at the preserve's 600 acres of undisturbed forest connected to the Pinelands National Reserve, and is named after a leading conservation official from the city. Birders can spot bald eagles and woodpeckers among dozens of other species.

Parvin State Park is also a local favorite, located in the township of Pittsgrove, less than 5 miles from Vineland. The park, which is beside the Pinelands Natural Reserve, encompasses 15 miles of year-round trails that go through pine forests, hardwood swamps, and lakeside paths. Visitors can stroll the easy, flat 3.3-mile loop trail around the park and lake. Other trails extend farther into the forests and swamps of the park.

The park's diverse habitats make it a hotspot for wildlife observation. Birdwatchers can spot species like barred owls, summer tanagers, and prothonotary warblers. Seasonal blooms of dogwood, laurel, and wild azalea add color to the park. Intrepid outdoors adventurers can further enjoy the park by staying there overnight, as it has 54 campsites and 18 rental cabins. Many of Parvin's most impressive features, like its dammed swamp, wide beach, and the campsites at Jaggers Point Campground, were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and '40s. After the CCC disbanded, the park played a darker role in American history: During the internment of Japanese Americans under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, some incarcerated families moved to the park, where they worked 12-hour days at the local Seabrook Farms and processing plant for meager pay. The park was later used to house German prisoners of war.

Vineland also has water features where retirees and visitors can relax. From expansive lakes to smaller, tucked-away ponds, the city and its surrounding areas provide opportunities to unwind, fish, and connect with nature. You can enjoy a selection of peaceful lakes at Parvin State Park, including Parvin Lake, Thundergust Lake, and Muddy Run. Anglers can cast for bass, pickerel, sunfish, catfish, and yellow perch, and the lakes also offer opportunities for electric-motor boating. There are shaded trails and picnic areas as well, quiet spaces to rest along the shoreline.

Within the city itself, several parks have lakes and ponds. South Vineland Park includes a 20-acre fishing lake with a boat ramp and dock, making it a convenient spot for casual anglers. Burnt Mill Pond, spanning about 20.95 acres, provides another peaceful setting for fishing and boating. A 10-acre lake can be found at Giampietro Memorial Park, where anglers can find bass year-round and stocked trout in April. Apart from water activities, recreational amenities like a fitness course and disc golf facilities make the park worth visiting. In this city, retirees can enjoy active lifestyles at their own pace while still finding moments of bliss. For more relaxing summer fun, visitors and residents can head 30 minutes north to the blueberry capital of New Jersey, Hammonton.