Written by Scott Miller
When it comes to retirement havens, the Sunshine State has some serious competition. When U.S. News & World Report released its latest list of the 100 Best Places to Retire in the USA, it named Lancaster #2 in the nation. The magazine gives Lancaster high scores for housing affordability and health care quality, noting that, “Expansive farms rub elbows with manicured suburbs, which lead right into the bustling city…. From close-knit church communities to the indie coffee shop scene, Lancaster holds something for everyone.”
People who live here will tell you that our Lancaster County location is one of the attractions of being at Garden Spot Village. Pretty much any route you take to get to New Holland brings you through gently rolling hills and carefully cultivated Amish farmlands, and yet we’re just a stone’s throw east of all the restaurants, arts and entertainment, and other resources that Lancaster City has to offer. It’s a quick trip to shop at Lancaster’s Central Market, the country’s oldest farmers’ market; watch a minor league game at Clipper Stadium; or catch a concert at Long’s Park. Museums, galleries, live theater…. It’s all within a half hour’s drive of our campus.
Speaking of our campus… You can enjoy the best of the Lancaster County lifestyle without ever getting in your car. In fact, a lot of people discover Garden Spot Village while they are vacationing in Lancaster County, and our resort-style amenities make it seem like living here is an extended holiday. You can enjoy our walking paths and swimming pool, our library and cinema. Our stage is the setting for town hall meetings, continuing education lectures, our popular Saturday Evening Concert Series, performances by Servant Stage Company and much, much more. It is also home to the Community Church at Garden Spot Village. You can savor fresh, delicious food at The Harvest Table and our other restaurants. You can even get your favorite Starbucks specialty beverage on our Main Street.
Our Village Square is like a like a vibrant downtown on a more intimate scale, with convenient shops and services and lots of spaces for connection and conversation. And Sycamore Springs, with its front porches facing pathways and common greens, combines the suburban feel of single-family homes with a sense of community and camaraderie as neighbors gather to enjoy each other’s company.
By the way, U.S. News notes that the median sales price for a house in Lancaster falls below the national median. People I talk to are always pleasantly surprised to learn how far their housing dollar goes in this area. It’s one of the things that make Garden Spot Village such a great value. And healthcare? We have a full-service outpatient clinic, WellSpan Garden Spot Health Center, right at the campus entrance. It couldn’t be more convenient. And those are just a few of the factors that the editors considered when they put together their list of the best places to retire. Garden Spot Village offers all the qualities that put Lancaster on the top of the list — and then some!