Looking for the best place to retire? Many seniors are drawn to Schenectady NY for its access to high-quality healthcare services and affordable public transportation, along with Rivers Casino, Proctors Theater and its endless list of things to do also make Schenectady a top choice for retirees looking for senior living near Schenectady, NY.
1. Quality Healthcare
Seniors in Schenectady NY have access to not just one, but three state-of-the-art medical facilities. Ellis Hospital, located on Nott Street in Schenectady, provides seniors with emergency, inpatient medical/surgical and psychiatric care, and is the home of a nationally recognized heart center. Also located in Schenectady, the McClellan Street Health Center (formerly St. Clare’s Hospital) features a day surgery program, medical imaging, laboratory testing, wound care and a sleep disorders center. And Bellevue Woman’s Center in Schenectady is the region’s only inpatient facility dedicated to the care of women and infants.
2. Annual Events
With more than a dozen annual events, there’s no shortage of things to do in Schenectady. Check out the Stockade Outdoor Art Show every September in Schenectady’s Stockade Historic District, or enjoy the Chili Chowdown in December. Foodies can sample the area’s best sights, sounds and smells at both the Little Italy StreetFest and the Greek Festival. If you’re a music lover, you won’t want to miss Jazz on Jay, a free outdoor summer concert series, featuring the best jazz acts in the Albany area, held every Thursday from 12:00 to 1:30pm on Jay Street between State and Franklin.
3. Restaurants & Shopping
Whether you’re looking for fine dining or the perfect burger and a beer, Schenectady has hundreds of restaurants and eateries for nearly every culinary taste and budget, including two craft beer favorites, Wolff’s Biergarten and Great Flats Brewery. American, Italian, Greek, Indian, Chinese – it’s all here. Schenectady is also home to hundreds of stores and retailers. Jay Street, which links the Courthouse and Proctors Theater, has many unusual and interesting shops along its brick pedestrian walk.
4. Proctors Theater
Originally a vaudeville theater that opened in 1926, Proctors Theater is now the Capital Region’s premier destination for major Broadway national tours, concerts, film festivals and special events. Many famous artists have performed there, including Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Hal Holbrook, Ted Wiles and George Burns. Proctors Theater also hosts the Northeast Ballet Company, Schenectady Symphony Orchestra and the Capital Region Wine Festival every year.
5. Rivers Casino
For the best gambling in New York, Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady has 1,150 slot machines, 8 different video poker titles, more than 20 keno machines, and 67 live gaming tables, including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and Poker. They also offer tournaments and monthly promotions in their Poker Room. The on-site resort, The Landing Hotel, offers panoramic views of the new Mohawk Harbor and river walk, as well as spa services, a state-of-the-art fitness center and live entertainment on the outdoor patio.
6. Museums
Schenectady has a rich history, and is home to a number of museums and historical sites, as well as General Electric. Spend a day with the grandkids at the Via Aquarium or the Museum of Science and Innovation, which features the Dudley Observatory, a planetarium and butterfly house with live butterflies in the spring. Visit the Stockade Historic District with its beautiful architecture and walkable route along the Mohawk River, or organize a tour of the General Electric Realty Plot and learn about the history of this unique residential neighborhood and the part it played in many of GE’s scientific accomplishments.
7. Religious Services
Schenectady is a religiously diverse community that caters to all religious denominations with numerous churches, synagogues and mosques. Most notably, St. George’s Episcopal Church was established in 1735 and is located in Schenectady’s Historic Stockade District, and the picturesque First Presbyterian Church celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2010 with a 244-page hard-bound book of the church’s history.
8. Pools & Parks
Whether you’re looking to take a dip or a leisurely stroll, Schenectady has several pools and parks for seniors to explore. The Central Park Pool, and the Front Street Pool are all open every summer from late June through mid-August, and both the Glen Eddy and Beverwyck senior living communities in nearby Niskayuna and Slingerlands NY have pools for their senior residents. For Schenectady parks, seniors have more than two dozen options, but the Central Park Rose Garden is not to be missed.
9. Transportation
Whether you like to travel or you simply want to be accessible to out-of-town family and friends, Schenectady NY is a great place to retire. Just two and a half hours north of New York City and only three hours from Boston and Montreal by car, Schenectady is close to many major cities in the Northeast. Amtrak train service is available out of the Schenectady station and Albany International Airport is less than a 20-minute drive.
For transportation around town and throughout the Albany Capital region, seniors over age 65 receive a discounted rate for the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) bus service. Plus, Schenectady’s “Electric City Trolley” is free. It operates from 4pm to 1am every Thursday through Saturday and is a great way to get around downtown Schenectady, the train station, the casino, restaurants and a number of other stops.
10. Post-Retirement Jobs
According to AARP, college-towns have become a desirable destination for many retirees due to the abundance of post-retirement job options and the increased cultural and learning opportunities. Home to Union College, the Nation’s oldest liberal arts college, and SUNY Schenectady Community College, Schenectady has become a hot spot for retirees.
Independent Senior Living Community in Schenectady NY
If you are thinking about retiring in upstate New York, check out Eddy Senior Living. The Glen Eddy is the area’s premier retirement community for seniors in Schenectady NY. All of the one-bedroom and two-bedroom units in our senior living community feature fully equipped kitchens, individually controlled heating and air conditioning, on-site parking and storage, and unlimited opportunities for social activity. Learn more about our independent senior living community in Schenectady NY, or call (518) 280-8385 to request a tour.