Reasons to Retire in Uniontown, PA

The Pittsburgh suburb of Uniontown, PA, is a small city with a population of nearly 10,000 residents, more than 21% of whom are seniors ages 65 and older. This western Pennsylvania city has much to offer in the area, and is also a 6-hour-or-less drive away from many major U.S. cities.

For seniors who are looking for one of the best places to retire in Pennsylvania that offers a friendly community, interesting attractions and plenty to do, here are a few reasons to consider retiring in Uniontown.

1. Geographic Location

Uniontown in Pennsylvania’s Fayette County is close to a variety of popular eastern U.S. destinations, including:

• Pittsburgh: 48 miles away
• Philadelphia: 300 miles away
• Cleveland, OH: 178 miles away
• Baltimore, MD: 201 miles away
• Washington, D.C.: 198 miles away

According to the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, the cost of living in Uniontown is lower than the national average on every type of expenditure. For seniors who are interested in living back east near some of the most popular cities in the country, but at a much lower cost of living, Uniontown may be a nice option.

2. Nature

Uniontown is right by the Laurel Highlands, a beautiful, 3,000-square-mile hilly area along the westernmost ridges of the Appalachian Mountains. For seniors who enjoy getting out in the fresh air and enjoying nature, Uniontown has much to offer, including the following.

• Water sports and whitewater rafting: Adventurous types can go whitewater rafting on the fast-moving parts of the Youghiogheny River. There are also some calmer areas along the river for kayaking and canoeing, while the Ohiopyle area offers canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking opportunities.
• Hiking: Both the Laurel Highlands and Ohiopyle include 120,000 acres of state parks, with hiking trails that offer views of water-carved valleys and laurel-covered mountains. There are many easy walking trails in the area, with some as short as 2 miles long. Many parks in the area also offer opportunities for fishing, camping, hunting, bird-watching, biking, swimming and winter recreation, like sledding.
• Golf: There’s a wide variety of golf courses a drive away from Uniontown, many which offer views of the Allegheny Mountains and Pennsylvania rolling hills. Uniontown itself has Duck Hollow Golf Club, an 18-hole public golf course with a restaurant; and Uniontown Country Club, an 18-hole country club with 9-hole course options that was founded in 1908.

These are just a few outdoor activities seniors can enjoy in the Uniontown area. For even more outdoor recreation, seniors can drive to a nearby city to check out different trails, golf courses and nature attractions.

3. Dining & Drinking

Did you know Uniontown is close to some of the top-rated restaurants in the country? The city is around 15 miles away from the luxury resort of Nemacolin, which has some of the most well-regarded dining and cocktail destinations in Pennsylvania and beyond. The reservations-required Lautrec, in particular, is a top dining destination. The restaurant offers a six-course tasting menu, a magnificent dessert cart and interactive experiences to delight the culinary senses.

Also in the Uniontown area, seniors enjoy dining and drinking destinations like the following.

• Roosters Roost: Roosters Roost is a Uniontown sports bar that specializes in chicken dishes, as well as hoagies, pasta and pizza. It’s a fun place to go to enjoy a game and grab some fried chicken or another hearty dish.
• O’Gillies: The roots of O’Gillies tavern date back to 1978 in Uniontown, and today, the pub is still going strong. The food menu is diverse, with items like flank steak, peel-and-eat shrimp, flatbread pizzas, lobster bisque, crab cake sandwiches, veal parmesan, filet mignon, pork chops and a variety of seafood, meat, burger and pasta dishes.
• Vin De Matrix: Vin De Matrix is a winery in nearby Rockwood, around 30 miles away from Uniontown. It’s worth a drive for wine lovers, as the winery serves unique varieties of dry wines, semi-wines and sweet wines that are blended with fruits like blueberries, blackberries, plums, apples, peaches, honeydew melons, apricots and cranberries. It’s a relaxing and special spot to visit when you want to try a good glass of wine.

Uniontown also has restaurants offering cuisine including Italian food, high-end steak and seafood, Mexican food, Japanese food and more. Uniontown foodies are also close to many big cities that offer even more world-class culinary destinations.

4. History

Uniontown has important history dating back centuries to the country’s founding, as well as features close proximity to architectural masterpieces by renowned designer Frank Lloyd Wright. Some of the top history-filled attractions in the Uniontown area include:

• Abel Colley Tavern & Museum: This historic tavern dates back to 1835 and is now a museum and local history library run by the Fayette County Historical Society,
• Fallingwater: This Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in nearby Mill Run is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Like its name implies, the house is set over a waterfall and is a stunning display of architecture surrounded by nature. In addition to home tours, seniors can check out the site’s programming calendar for activities like photography and painting classes.
• Fort Necessity National Battlefield: Fort Necessity is where a key 1754 battle occurred that was the opening action of the French and Indian War, which set the stage for the American Revolution. Visitors can go on a walking tour of the site and learn more at the Interpretive and Education Center.
• Kentuck Knob: Kentuck Knob in nearby Dunbar is another Wright-designed home, in the architect’s “Usonian” style, that’s on a hexagonal model. The native sandstone and red cypress home offers views of the Youghiogheny River Gorge and Laurel Highlands.
• Searight Toll House: The Searight Toll House was created in 1835 and is operated as a historic site today, complete with a re-creation of the toll house interior, featuring historical artifacts.

The Uniontown area is full of history everywhere you go. The historic National Road also passes through Uniontown, and features historic architecture, murals and statues commemorating the area’s history.

Uniontown Is Also Home to Marquis Gardens Place

Another reason to consider Uniontown for retirement is that it’s home to Marquis Gardens Place, a senior lifestyle community offering personal care and short-term care. At this welcoming community, residents have 24/7 access to personal care whenever they need it, as well as the ability to live independent lifestyles. The pet-friendly residence provides:

• Chef-prepared meals with restaurant-style dining service
• Daily programming and activities for residents
• Hair salon services
• Housekeeping
• Transportation services

If you’re considering a safe and enjoyable place for yourself or a loved one to live during retirement, find out more about Senior Lifestyle, or schedule a tour today.