But that trend seems to be reversing, as more and more seniors are choosing to retire to the New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Maine. New Hampshire topped BankRate's 2025 rankings of the best states to retire in, with Maine and Vermont also ranking in the top five. And there's nothing quite like bundling up in wool to catch a spectacular fall sunset on the Cape Cod National Seashore. In winter, you can avail yourself of all the rich cultural offerings the historic cities and college towns here have to offer. Outdoor activities don't stop just because the weather changes, either.