Retirement marks a new chapter in your life, where freedom, fulfillment and well-being are priorities. For many retirees, the dream consists of more than calm, stress-free and quiet days indoors. It includes crisp mornings, taking a stroll under tree-lined trails, fishing beside a gently flowing creek, spontaneous picnics under the sun or watching the leaves change color along the scenic routes of a forest path.
For people who enjoy the outdoors while maintaining their independence, Pennsylvania is home to several of the best retirement villages as an outdoor lover that blend accessibility, natural beauty and livable communities. From rolling countryside and mountain ridges to lakefront towns, the state offers diverse landscapes to cater to every type of nature enthusiast.
How to Choose the Best Retirement Village in Pennsylvania
Choosing the retirement village that caters to your needs as you enjoy the latter part of your life takes careful consideration because it’s about more than the estate. The best retirement spots for outdoor lovers are built with access, engagement and enjoyment. They offer easy access and proximity to trails, rivers, and parks.
You should also feel at home. When going on tours, take note of how the staff and residents seem. When the teams are friendly and the people living there are lively, it is a good sign.
Pennsylvania offers versatility, tranquility and enjoyable seasons throughout the year. In addition, pensioners don’t pay tax on income, and it’s an affordable state for seniors to live in that offers quality health care.
When you choose the best retirement village as an outdoor lover, consider the following:
- Location and nature access
- Outdoor amenities on-site
- Lifestyle support
- Health and mobility considerations
- The retirement village’s reputation
- Bow it caters to your needs
- Key features that make the facility unique
Whether planning your retirement now or starting to envision it, this list will assist you with villages that continue to make your everyday living pleasurable.
1. Fernecrest
Fernecrest was founded under the guidance and rich history of the Hetrick family, particularly Ferne Hetrick, who lived in the building with her family and maintained the values of mixing creativity with practicality. The barn still offers a place of tranquility infused with style and practicality for seniors who want to enjoy the outdoors at a reputable retirement home.
The lifestyle at Fernecrast is more than a retirement village that caters to all your needs — it’s an invitation to explore nature in the safety and tranquility of your comfort, time and leisure. If you love fishing and kayaking, the Yellow Breeches Creek gently meanders through the community’s wooded edges — ideal for fishers and people who enjoy taking strolls while listening to the flowing water.
If you love nature and enjoy the comfort of your home, you can spend time with loved ones on the apartment’s patio, which overlooks the scenery. Fernecrest is positioned for retirees who value the outdoors and effortless daily engagement with others and the natural world. While nature is good for your well-being, the home’s amenities tend to various other needs, ensuring a wholesome experience.
From nature walks to learning opportunities, Fernecrest residents can access all types of care to keep their minds, bodies and spirits stimulated. You can choose between two floor plans, both of which cater to nature lovers. There are 56-unit apartments and 75 cottages, encouraging you to wake up and watch the sunrise while feeling the touch of the gentle morning breeze.
You also have access to:
- Fitness studio: Keep your body and mind active in the fitness studio, designed to help you meet your goals.
- Pathways institute: The village encourages ongoing learning, mentally and physically. Join classes and embark on a journey of growing in knowledge and experience.
- Day spa: After visiting the garden or strolling through nature, visit the spa to look and feel your best.
- Dining: The only thing better than the outdoors is having good food. Fine dining cuisine caters to indoor and outdoor seating.
- Wellness: Maintain your wellness through exercise classes and having medical practitioners available if you need them.
- Transitional care: These rooms are designed to assist patients recovering from injury or illness. You also receive rehabilitative services — including physical, occupational and speech therapies — to help you recover promptly.
Also Read: What In-Home Care Companies Can Help Me With My Elderly Parent in the Bathroom?
2. Spring House Estates
Nestled on a 58-acre campus in suburban Philadelphia, Springs House Estates is a reputable retirement housing community operated by ACTS Retirement-Life Communities. The facility has a long-standing history of ensuring resident happiness and has a 96% satisfaction rating. It also has long-term staff who aim to provide the best services for seniors. With a resident-centric approach, the estate prioritizes the well-being of the residents instead of maintaining its sole focus on investors.
Within a short driving distance of recreational areas, outdoor activities, city amenities, shopping and restaurant facilities, residents can enjoy their day out, embracing their freedom while ensuring they are safe and taken care of as they’re venturing into this new journey of change. The floor plan offers one- to three-bedroom options with a balcony or patio, so you can spend time outdoors overlooking the greenery or watching the sun rise and set.
Spring House doesn’t boast excess trailheads and lakes on campus, but it offers spaces that encourage outdoor engagement:
- Resident garden: The garden is conveniently located outside the apartments, so you get fresh air and walking exercise before sitting and reading a book.
- Putting green: Alongside the resident garden, grab your golf sticks and play a few games while enjoying the refreshing sun and doing physical and mental exercises.
- Shuffleboard: Still on the grounds of greenery, you can play a game of shuffleboard to stimulate your muscles.
- Bocce: This is a non-contact sport that employs skill and strategy. It’s a good one for bonding with friends and is very similar to bowling, so you exercise while spending time outdoors.
- Gazebo: Outdoor lovers can enjoy the tranquility of being in nature while watching the sporting activities around them.
The campus includes expansive grounds for strolls, birdwatching and enjoying fresh air. When you’re not outside, spend time at the clubhouse, café and bistro, restaurant, fitness and wellness centers, physical therapy, gift shop, art studio, game, and woodworking rooms. The spacious, tranquil campus invites slow walks, time in the garden and outdoor socializing — consistent with interaction with greenery and fresh air in a safe environment.
3. Willow Valley Communities
John and Florence Thomas were in the hospitality business with their son Marlin. Guests from all over the nation visited and loved the place and hospitality so much that they enquired about retirement living. The trio invested in Willow Valley Communities, and the first residents moved into Willow Valley Manor in 1984. The home upholds the morals and values of John, Florence and Marlin, and the communities are so credible that Willow Valley Communities is adding more residences in 2027.
The property stands out for its commitment to greenery, outdoor access, lifestyle and a resident-centric approach. There are over 55 community-style residences to choose from, including apartments, two-story townhouses and one-story villas. If you prefer smaller houses, the 2027 residence caters to your needs. Across the 210-acre landscape, you are surrounded by outdoor areas including fishing ponds, walking paths and courtyards.
For outdoor lovers, the communities offer senior living with gardening. During the late winter months, residents can request gardening beds or various-sized garden plots. Gardening is therapeutic and helps you mentally and physically by reducing depression, increasing a sense of community and promoting healthy sleep. These can improve your satisfaction and self-esteem levels. You also have access to the following:
- Wetlands: The Spring Run wetlands serve as a mini-ecosystem that supports Indigenous plants and wildlife. Some growing plants are River Birch, Paw-Paw Tree, Goldenrod, Soft Rush, Rudbeckia and Swamp Milkweed.
- Nature paths: The land caters for nature walks, hiking and biking.
- Pets in the park: The pet-friendly location provides two parks for your animals because it allows dogs, cats, birds and fish as pets.
- Rustic event venue: Regardless of the occasion, the rustic venue caters to all formal events, from a dinner party to a social picnic with friends on the patio.
- Other outdoor amenities: These include three stocked fishing ponds, outdoor dining, picturesque gazebos, fountains, fireplaces and a rooftop bar.
Willow Valley offers a life rooted in wellness and connection with plenty of green space, a wellness-oriented schedule, and resort-quality care ideal for aging amid nature. The communities also provide indoor amenities like billiards and libraries, pharmacies, banks and salons, a day spa, a bowling alley, an aquatic center, clubs and travel opportunities, a 500-seater theater, culinary venues, and fitness centers.
4. Garden Spot Village
Garden Spot Village follows the scientific fact that strong relationships result in longer lives, and this research is its foundation for operating a retirement village successfully. The center has been operational since 1996 and continues to welcome seniors in love, hence being nationally recognized for its contribution to society. Its guiding principles state that being kind, doing good, and showing love result in the long-standing values of innovation, excellence, integrity, service, community and stewardship.
At Garden Spot Village, you have an array of housing to choose from because everyone has a different style of living. The homes vary from close-knit camaraderie to a private retreat. For outdoor lovers, the retirement village offers homes with porches and walking paths within a vibrant community so you can enjoy the outdoors alone or with friends. All housing areas cater to people who want private lifestyles with exposure to the community through events, social gatherings and activities while fostering friendships.
Some activities that outdoor enthusiasts will love:
- Gardening: The village encourages residents to invest in the indoor and outdoor gardens. Whether you want to smell the flowers or plant, the garden is open to everyone who enjoys nature’s beauty and everything it brings.
- Walks: Explore the ponds, fountains and a waterfall where you can enjoy nature and have a picnic with friends.
- Golf: Golfers welcome new members to join the team as part of the micro-community.
Garden Spot Village goes beyond passive scenery. It supports community gardens, native plant habitats, and thoughtfully designed green corridors to create a lifestyle rooted in nature. If you enjoy walking, gardening or watching wildlife, the environment fosters participation and well-being.
| Retirement Village | Key Features |
| Fernecrest | At Fernecrest Retirement Village, you have access to the Hostetter enrichment center, libraries, an on-site pharmacy and practice physician, a full-service spa, salon and barber shops, a gift shop, resident gardens, a center for vitality and witness that includes a fitness center, strength training studio and saltwater pool, a business center, woodshop and theater rooms, a courtyard with a fire pit, and billiards. |
| Spring House Estates | The standard community fees will cover several health care needs, giving residents peace of mind to enjoy retirement knowing their health is taken care of. You will receive senior health services like assisted living and skilled nursing care at home. This increased level of care and services won’t increase your existing monthly fees. |
| Willow Valley Communities | The monthly service fee includes Lifecare, which entitles you to short or long-term care, nursing care, or memory support with the same monthly payment. |
| Garden Spot Village | The campus includes woodlands, wetlands, and open meadows interconnected by trails and walkways, providing year-round visual variety and peaceful outdoor space. Residents also have access to the no-soil greenhouse and resident gardens throughout the year. |
Start Your Retirement Journey on the Right Foot
Choosing your retirement home means finding a place to live and ensure you’re happy emotionally, mentally, and physically. For outdoor lovers, your retirement home choice should cater to your needs and wants by providing nature’s beauty alongside medical care and housing services. Luckily, you have plenty of excellent choices to decide between when you’re ready to make the move.
Whether walking on trails, gardening in greenhouses, casting a line into a quiet creek, or practicing yoga under the trees, these retirement villages are the best in Pennsylvania and provide a lifestyle where wellness and nature collaborate. You’ll surely have an active and fulfilling retirement experience whilst also having critical care available when you need it.
Also Read: What Is the Best-Value Fitness Instructor Certification Program?
