Reasons to Retire in North Wales, PA

North Wales, PA, is a small borough and suburb of Philadelphia, with a population of around 3,500 people. North Wales’ small community feel with the advantage of being close to the big city of Philadelphia makes it a unique place to live. If you or your loved one is thinking about retirement in Pennsylvania, the following are some reasons to consider North Wales.

1. Big Plans for the Community

The North Wales leadership community has grand objectives for the future, unveiling a North Wales Borough 2040 Comprehensive Plan to further enhance the community for residents. In this plan, major goals for the vision statement include:

• Build upon the tradition of creating fun and inclusive events
• Further develop recreational amenities to support active lifestyles
• Preserve and maintain architectural styles and historic buildings
• Diversify cultural opportunities for the arts
• Nurture the business community
• Sustain a historic, diverse, active and healthy community, by enhancing walkability and expanding programming and use opportunities in parks and open spaces
• Support a thriving commercial downtown district, with unique shopping and dining experiences
• Enhance transportation safety and reduce conflicts among pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists
• Improve ecological sustainability through adequate landscaping, tree preservation, the support of healthy waterways and stormwater management

To achieve these broad targets, North Wales Borough leadership has set up various economic development goals, transportation goals, sustainability and resiliency goals, and community character goals for now into the near-future. In a small community like North Wales, each resident has the ability to make an impact through their feedback and contributions.

2. Convenient Location

North Wales is located around 25 miles north of Pennsylvania, which means you can drive to the city in less than an hour and take fun day trips around the northeast region of the U.S. North Wales is also around 2 hours or less of a drive to destinations like New York, NY; Baltimore, MD; and Atlantic City, NJ.

For retirees and soon-to-be-retirees, the northeast part of the U.S. is steeped in history, arts, culture and entertainment. North Wales puts residents in the heart of so many enjoyable things to do in this part of the country, all within a small community with relaxed everyday life.

3. Parks & Green Spaces

If you’re more of a green and lush environment person compared to desert and sand, North Wales has the landscape and environment for you. All around the community, there are small and large parks and green spaces for walking, reading, meditation, picnicking and doing more active activities, like running and biking. For a small area, you’re surrounded by nature and parks everywhere you turn.

In North Wales, some of the notable parks and green spaces to check out include:

• Weingartner Park: Weingartner Park is a 3-acre passive recreation area with a variety of stunning trees, with species including hemlock, cherry, sweetgum, black walnut, Norway maple, dogwood, beech and white pine. There are also benches and walking pathways throughout the park.
• Second Street Park: Second Street Park has a tennis court area open to the public every day, closing at dusk.
• Montgomery Avenue Pocket Park: This small green space is open to the public to walk, have a picnic or check out the variety of plant and tree species.
• Walnut Square Park: This beautiful nature spot includes colorful flower gardens, benches and birdhouses.
• Wee Walers Park: Wee Walers Park is a playground designed for young children ages 8 and under, a great place for retirees to spend time with grandchildren.
• Ninth Street Park: Ninth Street Park in North Wales recently received a grant that will cover upgrades to the park, which covers more than 2 acres. The park features a gazebo and boardwalk, a small stream and a grassy area covered with trees. The grant will cover plans to widen paths and provide stormwater management.
• Hess Park: Hess Park is one of the borough’s newest green spaces, with amenities including a barbecue grill, a pavilion with picnic tables, a playground, benches and walking paths.
• Fourth Street Park (Bryant Memorial Garden): This small park includes a community garden and features resident-made clay artwork, including masks and totem poles.
• Eighth Street Park (A Child’s Garden): This pocket park has benches, plants and a brick walking path. It also contains a lending library, where you can pick up a book or leave one for others to enjoy.

North Wales is also home to the large Parkside Place Complex, which includes the 10-lane Olympic-size Nor-Gwyn Pool complex with concession building, five tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, two basketball courts, four pickleball courts, a carnival site, a pavilion, an exercise course, a sensory garden, a gazebo, an amphitheater, bike and walking trails, a playground and picnic tables. The Parkside and Woodlands Trails at the complex each run around a half-mile long and are great for walking, running or biking.

4. Entertainment

There are plenty more amenities, attractions and ways to enjoy yourself in North Wales. These include:

• North Wales Area Library: Head to the library to check out a book or other media for free, or to attend an event like book club, technology classes, fiber arts group, board games competitions and other activities.
• Montgomery Mall: This two-story shopping center has popular retail destinations for everything from clothes to outdoor sporting goods. It also has several restaurants within the mall.
• McAllister Brewing Company: This local brewing company is one of the best in the region, creating unique beer and non-alcohol seltzer flavors for sipping on-site or buying to take home. The brewery also hosts community events and serves a diverse menu of food to pair with drinks.  

The downtown North Wales area also has a variety of local businesses, including salons, restaurants, bakeries and auto shops. If you’re craving big-city arts and culture entertainment, you can take a short day trip to Philadelphia for world-class museums and attractions.

Park Creek Place Welcomes Retirees in North Wales

North Wales is also the home of Park Creek Place, a senior community offering personal care and memory care services. Residents can live independent and active lifestyles, while having 24-hour access to the exact level of care they need from our supportive team.

At Park Creek Place, there’s a full calendar of daily programming for residents, including art classes, board games, service projects, bingo, exercise classes, movies, puzzles and brain games, and much more.

To learn about Park Creek Place for yourself or a loved one, find out more about Senior Lifestyle, or schedule a tour today.