- Vineland, NJ, was ranked one of the top 50 places to retire in the U.S. for 2025 by Travel + Leisure.
- The ranking considered factors like cost of living, health care access and proximity to airports.
- Travel + Leisure lists the county’s median home value at $205,600. It also noted that the city has been ranked within the top 10 most affordable small cities in the country.
Think of retirement — beaches, golf and a Florida housing community may come to mind. But what about South Jersey?
Well, according to Travel + Leisure magazine’s latest Destination: Retirement installation, in partnership with Investopedia, Vineland ranks among the top 50 places in the U.S. to retire to in 2025.
So, what makes Vineland so great? Let’s break it down.
Best place to retire in New Jersey?
Vineland is located in Cumberland County and home to more than 60,000 people and approximately 4,000 businesses, according to the city’s website.
“Vineland is a culturally diverse community filled with wonderful, giving people, a friendly business environment, and a cost of living well below the state average,” the city’s website boasts.
Travel + Leisure lists the county’s median home value at $205,600. It also noted that the city was ranked within the top 10 most affordable small cities in the country by the National Association of Home Builders.
Mayor Anthony Fanucci said the ranking was “certainly an honor,” especially coming from a “credible entity” in the industry such as Travel + Leisure.
Fanucci said his administration has worked hard to “turn things around” in the city, revitalizing a lot of the infrastructure that’s enjoyed today to create an “open, friendly environment.”
What to do in Vineland, NJ
According to Fanucci, the city is “such a unique community,” especially because of the versatility of city, suburban and rural areas.
Vineland could appeal to nature lovers, as the city advertises 18 parks and recreational areas, including freshwater bass fishing at the South Vineland Park, woodland and open fields at the Willow Oak Natural Area, and lakes, campgrounds and wooded trails at Parvin State Park.
For those more attuned to city living, Landis Avenue, also known as “The Ave,” may be the place to go, providing a 1-mile stretch of retail stores, offices and other service buildings.
Entertainment lovers can also check out live music and plays at the Guaracini Center or Landis Theater.
Further, Vineland hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, including beer and wine tastings, car shows, food truck and cultural festivals and more.
Fanucci said his favorite thing to do in Vineland is take advantage of local produce stands, especially in the spring and summer, to cook with his family.
What are the top places to retire in the Northeast
Here are the top 10 places to retire in the Northeast, as they appear on Travel + Leisure:
- Hermitage, Pennsylvania.
- Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
- Altoona, Pennsylvania.
- Utica, New York.
- Union, New York.
- Springfield, Massachusetts.
- Conway, New Hampshire.
- Vineland, New Jersey.
- Concord, New Hampshire.
- Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
How does Travel + Leisure, Investopedia rank cities to retire?
According to the magazine, its ranking methodology was based on factors such as cost of living, health care access and proximity to airports.
The cities on the list were selected from a listing of counties compiled by Investopedia with these considerations. Editors also considered various population densities.
Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.
