Upstate New York is home to Rochester, the third-largest city in the state. For retirees who want to live upstate near Rochester, but who don’t want to live directly in the city, Henrietta is a smaller town that might be appealing.
Henrietta is part of Monroe County, which includes the Finger Lakes region and which lies along Lake Ontario’s southern shore. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 20% of Monroe County residents are ages 65 and older, making the area a place where many retirees call home.
There are around 47,000 residents in Henrietta, a suburb of Rochester that provides close access to big-city amenities while giving residents a smaller town-feel. Here are a few reasons why people choose to retire in Henrietta.
1. Parks & Green Spaces
Henrietta has a strong park system that gives residents lots of public green space and park amenities to enjoy. There are at least 10 established parks in Henrietta and even more in the surrounding area, with features including:
- Amphitheater
- Baseball diamond
- Basketball court
- Bocce courts
- Cabin rentals
- Catch and release fishing pond
- Disco golf courses
- Fitness course
- Golf driving ranges
- Green spaces
- Hiking trails
- Open air shelters/pavilions
- Picnic areas
- Playgrounds
- Soccer fields
- Softball fields
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- Volleyball grass courts
- Walking trails
- Wetland boardwalks
Explore The Addison of Erie Station
Just a few miles away in nearby Pittsford, Tinker Nature Park and the Hansen Nature Center are popular destinations for Henrietta residents. Tinker Nature Park is a 68-acre, handicap-accessible park that features a 1.2-mile exercise trail, a 0.5-mile nature trail, a wildflower meadow, a wildlife observation blind, a snake hibernaculum, a meditation labyrinth, and snowshoe and ski rentals during winter months. The park also hosts a gardening series and offers free classes and events.
Golf is also a popular way to spend time outdoors in Henrietta. The town of Henrietta operates the Riverton Golf Club, which includes a 9-hole golf course, 18 holes of disc golf and a bar and restaurant. There are even more golf courses in the surrounding Monroe County area.
Since Henrietta experiences four seasons, residents can enjoy changing leaves in fall, blooming flowers in spring and winter and summer sports in each season. The abundance of wildlife and plant life in the area is a top reason people enjoy retirement in Henrietta.
2. Location
For seniors who want to live near Rochester but not right in the city, Henrietta provides easy access. Rochester is fewer than 15 miles away from Henrietta, so retirees have close access to Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport and notable landmarks and attractions like the following.
- Innovative Field: Innovative Field is Rochester baseball park that features the Major League Baseball Washington Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings. The stadium also hosts baseball college teams, concerts and other big events.
- Highland Park Conservancy: The free-to-visit Highland Park Conservancy includes the Lamberton Conservatory, the Warner Castle & Estate Gardens, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Greater Rochester and the Frederick Douglass Memorial Plaza. Visitors can come throughout the year to see changing plant life each season.
- Eastman Theatre: The Eastman Theatre hosts some of the top classical and contemporary music performances in Rochester, as it’s part of the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. Visitors can see concerts with touring acts, as well as performances by college faculty and students.
From high-quality sports and entertainment, to world-class nature destinations and museums, Henrietta residents have easy access to everything the city of Rochester has to offer.
Plus, right in Henrietta, there are lots of exciting developments happening right in town. A look at the town of Henrietta’s projects list includes plans for dozens of new restaurants and businesses in Henrietta. Every month, new spaces are opening to provide Henrietta residents more dining and shopping options close to home.
3. Senior Services
The town of Henrietta has a supportive system of resources for seniors who live in the area. The Henrietta Senior Center is a great place for retirees to visit when they want to connect with other seniors and foster their health and wellness. Henrietta Senior Center programs include:
- Art classes
- Blackjack
- Bocce
- Book clubs
- Bunco
- Card games
- Chair exercise classes
- Chess
- Community outings and shopping trips
- Cornhole
- Crafts and crochet
- Day and overnight trips
- Dominoes
- Estate planning classes
- Euchre
- Jewelry making
- Low-impact aerobics
- Lunches
- Mah jong
- Movies
- Potlucks
- Scrabble
- Sewing class
- Tai chi
- Trivia
- Walking groups
- Yoga
Another great resource for retirees who live in Henrietta is the Henrietta Public Library, located in nearby Rochester. The library offers books, ebooks, audiobooks and online newspapers available for free access and rental. There are also quiet areas and rooms for studying and reading, which are available for rental for groups. The library also hosts community events, like concerts and classes.
For active retirees who want to take a fitness class or join a sports league, there are many opportunities through the Town of Henrietta Parks and Recreation Department’s adult programs. Program types include gentle yoga, pilates, Tai Chi, volleyball, Zumba, Oula dance fitness and pickup soccer.
Plus, for retirees who love pickleball or who want to get into the sport, the Roc Dome Pickleball Club features a 12-court indoor pickleball venue that’s open seven days a week, morning to night. As you can see, there are lots of ways retirees can connect with other seniors in Henrietta and the surrounding area.
Explore The Addison of Erie Station
Henrietta Is Also Home to The Addison of Erie Station
Another reason to consider retiring in Henrietta is that it’s home to The Addison of Erie Station. This Independent Living senior community is a wonderful place for retirees, as it provides world-class amenities in a warm and friendly environment. Residents can enjoy:
- Billiards
- Chapel
- Country store
- Fitness center
- Game and activities room
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Library
- Restaurant-style dining service with three chef-prepared meals a day, plus snacks
- Salon and barber services
- Transportation services
Residents can also participate in daily programming, like fitness classes, happy hours, dance and music classes, language classes, social clubs and book clubs. Living at The Addison of Erie Station makes each day brighter, since there’s always something new to try. In Henrietta, it’s easy to connect with other retirees in the community.
For details on The Addison of Erie Station, find out more about Senior Lifestyle, or schedule a tour today.