Reasons to Retire in Penfield, NY

If you’re looking for a place to retire in the Rochester, NY, area, the town of Penfield might be a good fit. The town is a suburb of Rochester and has lots of fun things for seniors to do in Penfield, from getting close to the water, to checking out museums, art and cultural attractions.

If you or a loved one is looking for a place to settle down in upstate New York, the following are some top reasons to consider Penfield for retirement.

1. Convenient Location

Penfield is just about 8 miles away from Rochester, which is the third-largest city in the state of New York. Penfield is part of Monroe County and the Finger Lakes region, which boasts a strong arts and cultural scene and gives Penfield residents plenty to learn about and explore. 

Some of the top attractions in the Rochester/Monroe County area include:

• Memorial Art Gallery: The Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester features more than 12,000 pieces in its permanent collection that date back over 5,000 years to present day. The museum regularly hosts special events, including art workshops, gallery talks, live music and more.
• Geva Theatre: The Geva Theatre, also in Rochester, presents popular plays and musical theater productions, with new titles each month.
• National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House: The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House in Rochester is the home, arrest site and death site of civil rights leader Susan B. Anthony. Visitors can see exhibits on themes including suffrage, abolition, labor reform, education reform and temperance, causes Anthony helped pioneer and promote. The museum also offers events like lectures.

For seniors with grandchildren and family nearby, there are more than 75 family-focused attractions within an hour of Rochester, including the Seneca Park Zoo, the Seabreeze Amusement Park and the National Toy Hall of Fame. There are also plenty of world-class restaurants and shopping destinations all within the Rochester area.

And, of course, the Finger Lakes south of Lake Ontario give water lovers lots of opportunities to relax by the water. The Finger Lakes include 11 lakes that are surrounded by wineries, resorts and attractions, making the area an ideal spot for weekend getaways and staycations.

2. Nature & Parks

If you love nature, Penfield has a ton to offer. There are more than a dozen parks right in Penfield, plus tons more throughout Rochester and Monroe County. Residents can access park amenities like:

• Accessible fishing
• Amphitheater and stage
• Arboretum
• Baseball diamonds
• Basketball courts
• Bocce courts
• Canoe and kayak launches
• Cross-country skiing areas
• Hiking trails
• Lodges available for rent
• Multiuse fields
• Open picnic pavilions with charcoal grills and picnic tables, available for rent
• Playgrounds
• Public art
• Tennis and pickleball courts
• Wildlife viewing

Penfield parks are open day to night and give residents lots of space to picnic, walk, hike, bike and play. If you want to get out on the water, it’s easy to access the Finger Lakes or Lake Ontario for boating, fishing and more.

3. Events & Performances

Penfield hosts lots of community events throughout the year, and there’s even more to enjoy throughout Rochester and Monroe County. In Penfield, some of the top events include:

• Concerts at the Penfield Amphitheater and Kiwanis Stage: From June through September, Veterans Memorial Park hosts free weekly summer concerts on its Penfield Amphitheater and Kiwanis Stage.
• Dayton’s Corner School House Pie Social: This annual fundraiser typically takes place the first Sunday in June and features live music, free pony rides for kids, playground equipment and tours of the historic schoolhouse/museum that dates back to 1857.
• Penfield Music Festival and Food Truck Rodeo: This summer event at the Veterans Memorial Park Penfield Amphitheater and Kiwanis Stage features food trucks with diverse cuisine and entertainment by the Penfield Central School District’s music program students.
• Tastin’ the Blues and Chili Contest: This fall event is held at the Veterans Memorial Park Penfield Amphitheater and Kiwanis Stage and features live blues music, a chili contest, local beer samples and, of course, chili tasting.
• Memorial Day Ceremony of Remembrance: This annual event takes place at the Veterans Memorial Park Penfield Amphitheater and Kiwanis Stage and features a variety of tributes to veterans, including speakers, essays and music.
• Charity Golf Tournament: The annual Penfield Charity Golf Tournament takes place each June at Shadow Lake Golf Club and includes dinner-only tickets.
• Independence Day Celebration: Each summer, there’s an annual Penfield celebration around the Fourth of July, which includes a weekend community parade, live music, food vendors and fireworks.
• Town Halloween Party: Around Halloween, there’s a community party for families, with trick-or-treating, games, music, crafts, hayrides and costumes. 
• Holiday celebrations: Penfield hosts a holiday community tree lighting ceremony and other special events, like cookie decorating, games, music and crafts.
• Family Winter Night Out: The annual Family Winter Night Out event includes sledding, a moonlit hike, food trucks, live music and games.

As you can see, there are enjoyable family-friendly activities in Penfield throughout the year. They’re great opportunities to connect with other community members and have a festive time right in town.

4. Senior-Friendly Activities

All year-round, there’s also a ton for seniors to do with other retirees. The Penfield Community Victory Garden enables residents to reserve a garden plot and grow their own produce, herbs or flowers. There are also relaxing volunteer opportunities available with the garden.

The Penfield Recreation Center is another great place for retirees to visit, with drop-in fitness classes, musical groups the Penfield Big Band and Penfield Pops Community Band, theater group the Penfield Players, guided hikes, adult sports leagues, open pickleball and many more senior-friendly activities.

Penfield, NY Is Also Home to The Addison of Willow Pond

Retirees may also be interested in living at the senior Independent Living community The Addison of Willow Pond. This Penfield senior community includes amenities like a billiards room, a craft room, a library, salon and barber services, and a TV theater room. Each day, the community presents a full schedule of diverse programming for residents, including book clubs, happy hours, trivia nights, fitness classes and many more activities.

If you or a loved one is looking for a welcoming place to call home in Penfield, find out more about Senior Lifestyle, or schedule a tour today.