11 Best Towns In The Southern United States For Retirees
Retirement in the Southern United States offers a perfect blend of warm weather, rich culture, and a slower pace of life that many retirees find appealing. From charming coastal towns with stunning views to historic communities filled with Southern hospitality, the region is full of destinations that provide comfort, affordability, and activities to suit every lifestyle. Whether you are drawn to vibrant cultural scenes, bucolic countryside settings, or easy access to outdoor recreation, these 11 Southern towns stand out as some of the best places to settle down and enjoy your golden years.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas, is a top spot to retire if you are on a budget. The town's population of about 38,000 is comprised of close to 24% of residents age 65 and over, and Social Security benefits are not taxed here. Just 50 miles west of Little Rock, Hot Springs offers an affordable alternative to living in the big city. Homes here have an average value of $245,000 as of September 2025, just above the state median of $220,000.
If you're a golfer, you'll appreciate that there are nine golf courses in Hot Springs, only one of which is private. Granada Golf Club, the most scenic of the courses, was previously ranked among the top 10 courses in the state by Golf Digest. Of course, Hot Springs is named for the 47 natural hot springs in Hot Springs National Park, which is another draw for many retirees. One of them is Hot Water Cascade, the largest and most visible spring in Hot Springs National Park. Garvan Woodland Gardens, the botanical gardens of the University of Arkansas, is another attraction retirees may enjoy. The Hot Springs Senior Center on Main Street serves lunch for area seniors and runs a community thrift store. CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs provides medical services to area residents.
Parkersburg, West Virginia
Situated in Wood County, at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers, is the town of Parkersburg, West Virginia, home to about 30,000 people. This town is just 100 miles from Columbus, Ohio, and an hour north of the state capital of Charleston. Even better, median home values in Parkersburg are very affordable at $150,000, lower than the state average of $170,000. It is easy to see why retirees are making the move to Parkersburg.
The Julia-Ann Square Historic Association hosts a self-guided walking tour through the Victorian splendor of historic Parkersburg, perfect for history and architecture buffs. Retirees might also enjoy visiting the town's Oil and Gas Museum, which explains the origin of the industry in West Virginia and its importance to the state and the country. Worthington Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course, is open to the public in Parkersburg. The Wood County Senior Citizens Association meets on Green Street in Parkersburg and provides nutrition, activities, and services to area seniors. WVU Camden Clark Medical Center is available in town to serve residents' medical needs.
Colonial Heights, Virginia
A suburb of Richmond, the town of Colonial Heights, Virginia, is home to about 18,000 people who prefer its quieter atmosphere to that of the busy city. Homes in Colonial Heights are much more affordable than the state average, at around $295,000 (while the Virginia state median home value is $400,000). Colonial Heights' proximity to Richmond (just a half hour away) and Washington, D.C. (just 120 miles away) draws many retirees to call the town their new home.
Outdoor lovers will relish the fact that Colonial Heights boasts nine parks and 75 acres of parkland, including White Bank Park and its disc golf course. The Appomattox River Trail System offers two miles of open space corridor along the Appomattox River from Roslyn Landing Park to the western city boundary, ideal for hiking or leisurely walking. Retirees might wish to volunteer, or even find a new friend, at the Colonial Heights Animal Control shelter. The Colonial Heights Senior Center is open weekdays to area senior citizens interested in socializing and partaking in classes and activities. Bon Secours - Southside Medical Center is just a short drive away in Petersburg if medical needs arise.
Hickory, North Carolina
The town of Hickory is home to about 43,000 people in Catawba County, west-central North Carolina. Affordable housing: The median home value in Hickory is around $290,000, compared to the state average of $335,000. A low cost of living, mild weather year-round, and a lack of state inheritance and estate taxes all draw retirees to relocate to Hickory. Southern Living magazine named Hickory among its top 10 most affordable places to retire in the South.
Baker's Mountain Park features six miles of walking trails through picturesque forests. If you're a furniture lover, you probably know that North Carolina is famous for furniture, and Hickory Furniture Mart is the best place to find bargains. Lake Hickory is a popular spot for kayaking or just relaxing by the water. The West Hickory Senior Center is operated by the Catawba County Council on Aging and offers programs for residents age 60 and up. Catawba Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit hospital serving Hickory residents.
Surfside Beach, South Carolina
Part of the Grand Strand on the Atlantic Coast, Surfside Beach, South Carolina, is just nine miles south of the busier, bustling Myrtle Beach. It is quickly becoming an attractive new home for retirees who are drawn to its scenery, reasonable home prices, averaging $350,000, smaller population of about 4,100, and quieter, welcoming, family atmosphere.
The Surfside Beach Farmers Market occurs every Tuesday from April through October and is a gathering place where folks sell produce, crafts, and wares, and gather to enjoy their town. The Surfside Beach Fishing Pier is a 25-foot-tall concrete pier that stretches 814 feet into the Atlantic Ocean and hosts events and activities. Fuller Park at the corner of Surfside Drive and Myrtle Drive contains two lighted tennis courts, a playground, and a picnic area. The South Strand Senior Center on 10th Avenue North is open for area seniors to gather and socialize. Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet is just a few miles down Route 17 if medical issues occur.
Englewood, Florida
Located in Charlotte and Sarasota Counties along the Gulf of Mexico, Englewood, Florida, is home to about 20,000 people. It is just south of the bustling beach town of Venice and west of Port Charlotte. Its authentic beach-town atmosphere, abundant activities, low cost of living, and lower home prices, averaging $330,000 (Florida's median state average home price is $380,000), are drawing many retirees to move to Englewood.
Stump Pass Beach State Park offers a mile of beach perfect for fishing, surfing, and relaxing. Englewood Farmers Market is held on Dearborn Street every Thursday from October through May. History lovers will enjoy the Englewood Museum, which is chock full of information on the town's heritage. HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, a 100-bed acute care facility, serves the town's medical needs.
Dahlonega, Georgia
Found in Lumpkin County, in the northeastern part of Georgia, Dahlonega sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's hard to find a more beautiful location in the state than this town, which numbers about 7,500 residents, in the heart of Georgia Wine Country. Homes here are slightly above the state average of around $335,000, with median home values sitting at around $380,000. Retirees who have moved to Dahlonega agree that its suburban feel, scenic beauty, and cultural attractions make living there worth the cost.
The Dahlonega area is home to 12 wine-tasting rooms and eight wineries, including Doghobble Wine Farm on Roy Grindle Road. To see some of the area's natural beauty, head to Dicks Creek Falls in the Chattahoochee National Forest, just below the confluence of the Dicks and Waters Creek. Dahlonega is known for its community events, which bring townsfolk together, such as its annual Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas, held from the day after Thanksgiving through the first week in January, including the historic square, shops, restaurants, and inns all decorated for the holiday. The Lumpkin County Senior Center offers programs, activities, and events for senior citizens in the area. The Northeast Georgia Medical Center Lumpkin serves the medical needs of the community.
Kilmarnock, Virginia
Retirees are drawn to the small town of Kilmarnock in Virginia's Northern Neck near the Chesapeake Bay for its charming, small-town atmosphere and peaceful lifestyle. The town of about 1,400 residents offers houses averaging $360,000, under the state median value of $405,000. Its community feel and welcoming neighbors make retirees who move to Kilmarnock feel right at home.
Kilmarnock is known for its many town events, such as its Music on the Half Shell Stage Concerts held from spring through early fall. More than 55 boutiques and eateries are found in Kilmarnock's Steptoe District downtown, including Pedestal Inc. home goods and The Pull Up restaurant. The Lancaster Active Lifestyle Center on Shamrock Court provides a range of services and activities for older adults. Bon Secours Rappahannock General Hospital serves the medical needs of the community.
Frankfort, Kentucky
The county seat of Franklin County, Frankfort, Kentucky, the state capitol, is home to about 28,600 people. It sits along the Kentucky River and is home to many bourbon distilleries. Median Home prices here are slightly above the state average, at $240,000 (the state average is $225,000). Still, many retirees agree that the conveniences and amenities they enjoy from living in Frankfort are worth it.
The Capital City Activity Center provides programs, activities, and more for those aged 60 and above. Bourbon lovers may wish to tour the many distilleries in the area, including Castle & Key Distillery on McCracken Pike. History buffs will enjoy Kentucky's Old State House at 300 W. Broadway Street, a national historic landmark built between 1827 and 1830, available for tours. Josephine Sculpture Park is a free outdoor gallery with 70 contemporary and permanent art artworks. Frankfort Regional Medical Center is conveniently located right in town for medical needs.
Jonesborough, Tennessee
The county seat of Washington County in northeastern Tennessee, near Johnson City, Jonesborough was founded in 1779 and is the state's oldest town. About 5,800 live in Jonesborough, where median home values are $330,000, right at the state average. The fact that Tennessee does not tax Social Security and retirement income, along with Jonesborough's small-town atmosphere, attracts many retirees to move here.
Jonesborough's well-preserved Main Street is a treat to walk, taking you on a journey through the town's history. The Chester Inn Museum chronicles the town's history from 1779 to the present day. The International Storytelling Center, also on Main Street, explores Southern folklore and its place in Jonesborough's past. Persimmon Ridge Park provides plenty of outdoor space for hiking, biking, and disc golf. The Jonesborough Senior Center caters to the needs of the town's senior population. If medical care is needed, Johnson City Medical Center is just six miles away.
Biloxi, Mississippi
The town of Biloxi, with 49,000 residents, sits on Mississippi's Gulf Coast. The area has become a beacon to retirees looking for a slower, less costly way of life, due to the state's lack of state income tax on retirement earnings and Biloxi's warm, coastal Southern charm. Median home values in Biloxi are quite affordable for the region $225,000. The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art celebrates the work of local potter George E. Ohr and appeals to those who value art. The Biloxi Lighthouse is the city's signature landmark and is a must-see for visitors and residents alike. Theater lovers will appreciate Biloxi's Little Theatre, which has been putting on live performances since 1946. The Harrison County East Biloxi Senior Center is open to area seniors age 55 and older. Memorial Hospital Biloxi is a 153-bed acute care hospital that serves the medical needs of residents.
Start a New Phase of Life in One of These Southern Towns
The Southern United States beckons to many retirees with its warm, comfortable climate and lower cost of living. There are so many lovely towns from which to choose to make your new home. Whether the coastal appeal of towns like Biloxi or Surfside Beach delights you, or you prefer a quieter mountain village like Dahlonega, choosing any of the 11 southern towns featured here could start you on your way to a new way of life in your retirement years.
