5 Reasons to Retire in New Kensington, Pennsylvania

For seniors who are looking for a smaller city near Pittsburgh in which to retire, New Kensington, PA, is a good option. There are around 12,000 residents who call New Kensington home, around a fourth of which are 65 years old and older.

New Kensington has lots of fun things for seniors to do, including getting out into nature, grabbing a drink or bite to eat at a local restaurant, and heading into Pittsburgh for nationally acclaimed museums and entertainment. For those who are thinking about where to retire in Pennsylvania, the following are some reasons to consider New Kensington.

1. Small Community

For those looking for a smaller community rather than a big city, the New Kensington community offers suburbia away from urban life. Residents have access to local resources like the Peoples Library, which also hosts community events and author talks. 

Also, compared to living in more populated cities, it may be easier for residents of New Kensington to have a more active role in life in their community. For example, the City of New Kensington invites residents to become involved with the community, and encourages citizen participation in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. 

2. Four Seasons

New Kensington has a humid continental climate, which means there are four distinct seasons. The summers are warm, and the winters are cold and snowy. For seniors who enjoy seeing leaves change colors, snow fall down, and temperatures heat up in the summer, New Kensington offers changing weather all year-round.

3. Nature

There are several outdoor recreational spots for New Kensington residents to visit. Whether you enjoy walking outside, or you like to fish or bird watch, there are several options for New Kensington residents. Some top nature destinations include:

• Allegheny Islands State Park: Allegheny Islands State Park spans 50 acres and includes seven shoals and two alluvial islands in the Allegheny River. The park is undeveloped and covered in vegetation, and is the home to diverse animal and plant species. Visitors can access the park by boat and walk along unpaved footpaths on the islands.
• Burrell Lake Park: Burrell Lake Park surrounds a lake that ducks love to frequent and that features fish like bass, bluegill, carp and catfish. The park includes walking trails, picnic tables, a playground and bathrooms. There are also lots of bird-watching opportunities at Burrell Lake Park, with sightings of diverse species including red wing blackbirds, red bellied woodpeckers, American robins, great horned owls, yellow warblers, song sparrows, Canadian geese, American goldfinches and many more.
• Deer Lakes Park: Deer Lakes Park spans 1,180 acres and includes three fishing lakes stocked with fish such as trout, sunfish, perch, crappie and bluegill. The park includes walking, hiking and jogging trails, shelters available for rent, playgrounds, a disc golf course, a spray park and a multipurpose field.
• Memorial Park: Memorial Park is a tribute to veterans from New Kensington. In addition to featuring an F-80 fighter jet and a U.S. Army M5 anti-tank gun, the 25-acre park has several veterans memorials commemorating those who have lost their lives in service.

Astronomy lovers can also visit the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory at Deer Lakes Park. During the observatory’s Star Parties, visitors can bring their own telescopes and get tips on how to use them, or look through one of the observatory’s two large permanent telescopes. Visitors can also get free guides and handouts about the celestial bodies they’re seeing.

4. Food & Drink

New Kensington has many high-quality restaurants, as well as beer and wine options. For local dining and drinking, some of the top spots in the New Kensington area include:

• botL: botL is a cocktail bar and restaurant serving a specialty cacio e pepe pasta, tacos, sandwiches, soups, salads and seafood dishes. Handmade cocktails include specialties like strawberry basil smash.
• Conny Creek Brewing Co.: Conny Creek Brewing Co. makes brews like English ales and sours, coffee stouts, IPAs and American and German-style lagers. The brewery serves food including pizzas, sandwiches, quesadillas and salads. In addition to food and beer, the brewery also features a stage for live music.
• JG’s Tarentum Station Grille: JG’s Tarentum Station Grille in nearby Tarentum specializes in steaks, pork chops and a variety of American and Italian comfort food dishes.
• La Vite: La Vite in nearby Russellton specializes in Italian food, including pastas, seafood dishes, veal and Italian ribs.
• Wooden Door Winery: Wooden Door Winery has a spacious tasting room and outdoor pavilion where people can enjoy locally crafted wines and food including burgers, flatbread and meat and cheese platters.

These are just a few of the many culinary destinations in the New Kensington area. You’ll find a variety of cuisines throughout the area to meet diverse tastes.

5. Location

New Kensington is around 20 miles away from Pittsburgh, which makes the city a great location for seniors who want to live near a big city but not directly in it. In a half-hour, you can drive to Pittsburgh and experience nationally renowned attractions like:

• See a National League Football game at Acrisure Stadium or a Major League Baseball game at PNC Park
• View diverse plant species at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
• Museum tours at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Heinz History Center and Bicycle Heaven

Pittsburgh is also a dining destination, so foodies can head to the city for a special meal or cocktails. There are also several parks in Pittsburgh with more hiking, walking and biking trails for outdoors lovers.

New Kensington Is Also Home to the Logan Place Senior Community

Another reason to retire in New Kensington is that it’s the home of Logan Place, a Senior Lifestyle community that offers personal care and short-term care. At Logan Place, residents have everything they need right at home, including:

• • • Activity rooms, lounges, outdoor courtyard and patio, and media room
    • Chef-prepared meals with restaurant-style service
    • Hair salon
    • Housekeeping services
    • Personalized care plans
    • Transportation services

Residents can also participate in a variety of daily programming, including exercise classes, movie nights, baking club, cards and puzzles, happy hours, karaoke, storytelling events, trivia, Bingo and more.

To learn about life at Logan Place, find out more about Senior Lifestyle, or schedule a tour today.