8 Cost-Effective Retirement Towns In Georgia
Most people work their entire life with one goal in mind: retirement. But where to retire to? Somewhere warm is a typical answer, and somewhere financially fitting is another. Georgia is a state offering both, with ample programs for seniors to take advantage of, including healthcare assistance via Medicare and Medicaid, nutrition programs such as Meals on Wheels, and tax exemptions for homeowners 65 and older. With a median home price of $369,000, Georgia as a state might not stand out, but these eight cost-effective retirement towns dip well below that line, providing affordability and rich environments at the same time.
Vidalia
Sweet, mild, crisp, and federally protected, the Vidalia onion holds a lot of weight in Georgia, its state of origin. Historically grown in the town of Vidalia, the residents have embraced their heritage of being the original manufacturer of this type of onion. Every spring, for four days, the town celebrates the annual harvest of its famed vegetable with the Vidalia Onion Festival, where, in 2015, the town debuted the Vidalia Onion Fountain. A stainless steel, 6-foot by 6-foot onion sculpture that sits in a 20-foot pool, the fountain offers a show around the clock with a multi-color light and water show. The festival includes live music, carnival rides, arts and crafts, and an assortment of food showcasing Vidalia onions in inspired recipes. Year-round, the Vidalia Onion Museum provides interactive and historical exhibits that highlight the sweet onion's economic, cultural, and culinary significance to the region and the world beyond.
An onion might make you cry, but retirees can keep their eyes dry knowing the benefits allotted to them. The median home price in Vidalia is roughly $183,895, well below the state median. With more affordable housing, residents can focus on more important things, like the cost of onions.
Americus
With the media home costing roughly $124,421, Americus is an ideal place for people to consider once they’ve left the workforce. Affordable, but filled with laid-back activities for all sorts of retirees.
Enjoy a night of art and culture by taking in a show at the Rylander Theatre. The intimate setting seats over 600 viewers to relish a night of acting, singing, and dancing. Opened in 1921, the theater closed for 40 years before reopening in 1999, after careful restoration. Keeping the original splendor intact, the theater has become quite popular around Georgia and the Southeastern U.S. for its high-quality performances and gorgeous Art Deco details.
Visit Wolf Creek Vineyards to better take in the fine Georgia air, the first and only winery in the county that specializes in muscadine wine. Founded on an abandoned golf course, the winery features 12 handcrafted wines that range from sweet to dry. Relish in the southern charm, while sipping decadent wines and taking in the breathtaking views. And when you're ready for an active golf course, sink your putt at The Griffin Bell Golf Course. Owned and operated by Georgia Southwestern State University, the course is open to the public and offers affordable rates to its guests. The 18-hole golf course is not too long, favoring precision over power, perfect for those entering the wiser years of life.
Jesup
With a population of under 11,000 residents, the town of Jesup provides a quiet, relaxing lifestyle. The median home costs $195,537 in this small town where residents can feel comfortable, socially and financially.
Spend a weekend night at The Historic Strand Dinner Cinema. Originally opening in 1924, the building has history and charm, while still catering to today’s crowds. Watch new releases and old hits on the big screen, laid back in a recliner, and able to order food from your seat. For a different moving-going experience, visit the Jesup Drive-In. The oldest drive-in theater in the state, the Jesup Drive-In was established in 1948 and expanded to two screens after hurricane destruction forced renovations. Take a break from the movies and get out in nature at Bill Morris Park. Enjoy a relaxing stroll on the nature trail around Boykin Lake, throw a line in for some fishing, or just enjoy the sunset.
Moultrie
The town of Moultrie has a housing market with rates significantly lower than the state median, with a median home costing $165,826. Moultrie residents should feel comfortable, spending their days at their leisure without financial burdens.
Spend those days at the sites around town, and start with a tour of the Museum of Colquitt County History. Featuring historic town artifacts, the museum houses items dating from the Civil War, as well as Native American memorabilia and a Colquitt County Sports Hall of Fame exhibit. . For another educationally related tour, spend some time at The Arts Center of Moultrie. Classes, workshops, exhibits, events, and more are presented at the center. Including a display of permanent collections, the landmark facility provided art education all year, so retirees can take regular classes to improve their skills and make new friends. Exhibits include the Contemporary Gallery, Around Town, Southern Arts Invitational, and more.
For a comforting afternoon outdoors, head over to the Sunset Country Club. Fun, relaxation, and premier golfing are all offered at this picturesque clubhouse that was established over 70 years ago. With the addition of the 6,590-yard championship course, the club has three swimming pools, a restaurant, and a bar and grill for all to appreciate.
Statesboro
With housing rates increasing ever so slightly from the median, $276,987, it would be a good time to settle down in the cozy college town of Statesboro, while the homes are still below the line, and the amenities can be taken advantage of.
The town has notable sites that can all be found at the campus of Georgia Southern University. Start with a stroll through The Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University, and appreciate the tranquil retreat created there. Learn about flowers grown in the Southeastern Coastal Plain regions, planted across the 11.5 acres of curated landscapes. Historic structures and meditative spaces are also found within the garden. Take the woodland trails across the park and educate yourself with stops at the Oak Grove School and Rural Life Exhibit.
Another public exhibit offered by the university is The Museum at Georgia Southern. Dynamic exhibits, educational programs, and groundbreaking research all come together to display the rich natural and cultural history of Georgia’s coastal plain. Exhibits, both permanent and rotating, educational programs, research collections, events, and workshops are all offered to visitors. For one final campus stop, visit the Georgia Southern University’s Center for Wildlife Education for a thrilling experience. The center allows for hikes along its nature trails, encountering native species up close, and engaging in hands-on exhibits. Some of these animals can be spotted in the wild, while others are housed inside the center.
Dalton
Dalton offers multiple pleasurable opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. While some of the outdoor adventures might not be anything too extreme, they do offer peace and solitude. One of the more frequented parks in town is Haig Mill Lake Park. A 3.5-mile walking trail encompasses the park, and includes stops of fishing piers, a dock for pushing off paddle boats and canoes, an amphitheater, and more. Visitors are not permitted to swim in the lake, but can still take advantage of the water through non-motorized boat travel. For a more historic outdoor venture, tour Prater’s Mill. Constructed in 1855, this small mill town includes a grist mill, sawmill, miller’s house, and worker necessities like a blacksmith workshop, country store, cotton gin, and worker housing. Though no longer in operation, the mill still allows visitors. Take a self-guided tour, fish in the Coahulla Creek, enjoy the nature trails, and more. And of course, don’t miss the Prater’s Mill Country Fair, hosted twice annually, with local artists, craftsmen, music, and homestyle Southern cooking.
Dalton provides nothing short of varied entertainment. For a town with median home cost of $239,043, retirees can bask in all the offerings without financial woes.
Brunswick
Nestled on a peninsula with a natural harbor opening to the Atlantic Ocean, one might think the town of Brunswick comes with a hefty price tag. But with a home value median of $247,880, this coastal town offers a destination location for a fraction of the cost.
Enjoy views of the water and harbor at Mary Ross Waterfront Park. The Liberty Ship Memorial Plaza houses a scale model of the Liberty Ship, similar to those used during World War II, for visitors to study. Most weekends patrons can enjoy a farmers’ market in the plaza, or watch shrimp boats and oceangoing ships from around the world venture in and out of harbor.
For another local attraction, guests will want to visit Lover’s Oak. The mighty oak dates back to the 12th century and is believed to have been a meeting ground for lovers at that time, a tradition which continues today for some. Projected to be 900 years old, the trunk expands to 13 feet in diameter, its canopy spreading out over the street. Enjoy the shade of the oak tree with lovers, friends, or family.
Winder
While Winder might be on the pricier side, home costs still fall below the state average. Estimating a median of $340,671, spending some time in this quaint town might have retirees desiring to call it home.
Locals and visitors can learn a piece of the town’s history at the Barrow County Museum. Housed in the old county jail, built in 1914, the tour provides a glimpse of the hanging tower, jail cells, as well as non-jail related exhibits including a dedication to Senator Richard B. Russell, county history, and Fort Yargo. Additionally, a small monument to honor a once unknown Confederate soldier stands within the museum. For an outdoor saunter through Winder’s history, stroll the grounds at Fort Yargo State Park.
The park features a log fort built by settlers in 1792, and in addition offers a lake for swimming, boating, and fishing, grilling amenities, over 20 miles of trails, a disc golf course, and fire pits. Whatever you’re looking for, Fort Yago has plenty of opportunities for adventure. For a final appealing activity, golf enthusiasts will want to try their hand at The Chimneys. This 18-hole course features a unique, naturally formed design in an abundance of native rock that was found on the grounds. The golf course, rated as one of the top in the state, accents its greens, fairways, and pedestal tees with that native rock.
While figuring out where to spend their golden years, there are multiple factors retirees want to take into consideration. One of those being financial stability, the others including senior citizen benefits, amenities, and of course, activities. The activities will vary based on fitness level, interests, and costs, so living somewhere affordable is always a benefit. For those looking to call Georgia home, consider checking out these eight most cost-effective retirement towns in the state.
