If you are thinking of moving to the mortheast, keep an eye on property taxes. They can be very forbidding. For me $12K per year, close to 4 times what I pay for a similar house in Missouri. But they do have exemptions.

As retirees in NY, you might consider some of the retirement communities. The Catskill mountain area looks pretty attractive when you visit. And still an easy drive to NYC.

In New Jersey there are retirement communities around Jamesburg and near Englishtown. Easy access to the NJ turnpike or trains to NYC. Easy access to the NJ shore. Easy access to Philadelphia.