Reasons to Retire in Greece, NY

In upstate New York, the area surrounding Rochester has long been a top place for retirees to consider settling down. Out of all the places in the U.S., as recent as 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked Rochester as:

• #9 out of the best American cities for quality of life
• #21 in best places to retire in the country
• #26 in best places to live in the country

The cost of living in the Rochester area is significantly lower than the national average, and other qualities, like nature and historical attractions, also help propel Rochester toward the tops of lists like these.

Located just around 6 miles away from Rochester, which is the third-largest city in New York state, is the town of Greece, NY. This Rochester suburb provides a quieter and more small-town feel compared to the big city of Rochester, but residents are still close by to all the world-class amenities Rochester has to offer.

For seniors who are looking for a place in upstate New York in which to retire, the following are some reasons to consider Rochester.

1. Abundance of Senior Programs

The Town of Greece Community & Senior Center provides an abundance of programming and resources for seniors who live in Greece. The recreation center has gym facilities and offers fitness classes, as well as provides senior-focused programming like:

• Adult cornhole nights
• Beginner pickleball
• Book publishing workshops
• Breakfast clubs
• Cards and bingo
• Cookie decorating
• Craft classes
• Healthy habits workshops
• Modern calligraphy and hand lettering classes
• Murder mystery dinners
• Senior art classes
• Senior coffee clubs
• Senior fitness classes
• Senior nutrition program
• Senior Show Off Talent Show
• Senior technology classes
• Senior transportation services
• Senior women’s groups
• Stay Active and Independent for Life club for seniors
• Trivia and pizza nights
• Walking groups

It’s free for residents to visit the Center and use the walking track or join various drop-in activities. For strength training equipment and spin room access, as well as to participate in some programming, there are affordable pricing options for seniors.

In addition to the recreation center, the Greece Public Library is another great free resource for Greece seniors. In addition to offering books, audiobooks, ebooks and other resources for free rental, the library provides:

• Family craft events
• Library reading challenges
• Social groups, like book clubs, Coffee & Creativity craft groups, and Sip & Stitch Social groups
• Take & Make Kits for rental, which enable renters to create their own crafts based on the kit instructions

Seniors are always welcome to drop by the library to find a book or sit in a quiet space to read and study.

Out of the around 95,000 residents who call Greece home, more than 20% are ages 65 and older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Seniors have lots of opportunities to connect with other retirees through community senior programming.

2. Beautiful Nature

Four distinct seasons and diverse natural habitats contribute to what makes upstate New York such a desirable location for retirees. In the town of Greece alone, there are 14 public parks, as well as many others located throughout Monroe County.

Water lovers can also enjoy water views and going out on the water through the Westpoint Marina & Harbor on Braddock Bay. The harbor provides fast access to Lake Ontario.

In Greece, top parks include:

• Adeline Park: This 6.5-acre park includes picnic areas, lighted tennis courts, lighted basketball courts, a lodge for rental, a playground and soccer fields.
• Braddock Bay Park: This 375-acre town park offers bird-watching, open-air shelters, lodges available for rent, a boardwalk to the bay, hiking trails, an observation platform, a handicap-accessible canoe/kayak launch and a playground.
• Badgerow Park South: This 33-acre park includes tennis courts, an open-air shelter, a soccer/football field, trails, baseball fields and a playground.
• Basil Marella Park: at 101 acres, This largest park in Greece includes tennis courts, trails, a disc golf course, an open-air shelter, soccer/football fields and an inclusive playground.
• Beverly Papas Park: This 5-acre park includes open space and a playground.
• Carter Park: This 12-acre park includes baseball fields, an open-air shelter, tennis courts, basketball courts and a playground.
• Columbus Park: This 9-acre park includes open space and a playground.
• Frisbee Hill Park: This 100-acre park includes open space and a playground.
• Goodwin Park: This 2-acre park includes picnic tables and a playground.
• Grandview Park: This 7-acre park includes tennis courts, a baseball field, a soccer/football field, a basketball court and a playground.
• Henpeck Park: This 4-acre waterfront park connects to the Canalway Trail and includes grills, picnic tables, fishing access and a cartop boat launch.
• Sawyer Park: This 17-acre park includes an open-air shelter, a disc golf course, trails and a playground.
• Veteran’s Memorial Park: This 33-acre park includes tennis courts, an open-air shelter, trails, basketball courts, a soccer/football field and a playground.

For retirees who want to host large outdoor family gatherings, many of the open-air shelters are available for rental. Whether you want to hang out on grass or head out on the water, Greece has all kinds of nature-filled options.

3. Shopping, Dining & More

Since Greece is more populous than many of the other Rochester suburbs, there are also more entertainment options right in town. Residents can always head to Rochester for nationally acclaimed attractions, or visit the following closer to Greece.

• Mall at Greece Ridge: This shopping mall has more than 115 stores, restaurants and specialty service providers, all in a single location. It also has a carousel and hosts special events like wrestling matches and art shows.
• Restaurants: There are dozens of locally owned restaurants in Greece, serving diverse cuisines like Chinese, Caribbean, Spanish, Italian and other types of fare.
• Greece Historical Society & Museum: One of the top historical and cultural sites in Greece, the Greece Historical Society & Museum features artifacts dating back to the 19th century. Visitors can see re-creations of a turn-of-the-century house and school classroom and learn more about Greece history.

There are even more museums, attractions and restaurants in Rochester. When you retire in Greece, there’s endless entertainment, for whatever you’re interested in.

Greece, NY Also Has The Addison of Park Crescent

Another benefit for retirees living in Greece is that it’s also home to The Addison of Park Crescent. This Independent Living senior community has convenient amenities and a full schedule of daily programming for residents. Those who live at this pet-friendly residence can access:

• 24/7 associate support
• Chapel
• Craft room
• Dance and music classes
• Fitness center
• Hobby and social clubs
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Language classes
• Library and game room
• Physical, occupational and speech therapists
• Piano lounge
• Preventive health screenings and education
• Salon and barber services
• Three chef-prepared meals and snacks daily, with restaurant-style dining service
• Transportation services

To learn more about life in Greece at The Addison of Park Crescent, find out more about Senior Lifestyle, or schedule a tour today.