9 Best Towns In The Southern United States For Retirees
Planning for a comfortable retirement involves more than skillfully managing an investment portfolio. Where you live is just as crucial as the equities and bonds you have collected. And for many retirees, the slow-paced communities of the American South offer the quality of life they have always imagined for their golden years.
Millions of North American seniors have left snow shovels and high living costs behind to experience the warmth, affordability, and welcoming culture of the Southern U.S. They have sought out small—to medium-size towns and close-knit neighborhoods, affordable places that offer security, natural beauty, a diversity of recreational choices, and old-fashioned friendliness. Among the most popular choices are these nine Southern towns.
Mount Airy, North Carolina
In their youth, Baby Boomers knew an idyllic small town where every neighbor was a friend and every adventure had a happy ending. It was television’s Mayberry, where Jim Nabors pumped gas, and Andy Griffith and Don Knotts coordinated law enforcement in a place with no crime. The inspiration for Mayberry was a real town, Mount Airy, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina. Today, it is just as safe, affordable, and welcoming as Mayberry. Not surprisingly, it’s a fisherman’s paradise, with more than 700 streams within a 30-mile radius. A pleasant one-mile walk from Main Street leads to Lovills Creek Lake, a pond teeming with bass and trout. On Main Street itself, residents savor a range of leisurely pastimes, from brunch to bluegrass. The nearby Yadkin Valley Wine Region is fun to explore, and a great place to take visiting family members. In town, residents benefit from the Northern Regional Hospital. For more specialized care, the myriad medical facilities of Winston-Salem are just 35 miles away. RidgeCrest is a notable retirement home offering assisted and independent living.
Dahlonega, Georgia
Like Mount Airy, Dahlonega is located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It shares other characteristics common to popular retirement towns, including proximity to a major city (Atlanta), nearby natural parks, affordability, and a low-key cultural vibrancy. Dahlonega’s affordability gets a boost from Georgia’s low-tax policies, which include a $65,000 deduction for retirement income and a $4,000 exemption on property taxes, much lower than retirees may have experienced in their home states. Downtown’s Holly Theatre is the centerpiece of cultural life, and five nearby vineyards keep the town’s wine cellars well-stocked. Other attractions include Gibbs Garden and the Amicalola Falls State Park. The Chestatee Regional Hospital is located within city limits, with Gainesville’s larger facilities just 20 miles away. Popular retirement homes include Dahlonega Assisted Living & Memory Care and Foothills Retirement Home.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Arkansas has become a retiree magnet in recent years. Part of its appeal is its incredible geographic variety. The state is at once Deep South and Appalachia, the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains and the southern lowlands. Located in a valley in the Ozarks, Eureka Springs attracts retirees who enjoy its slow pace of life and wide spectrum of activities. Its mix of architectural beauty, natural wonders, and cultural richness earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. It has zero stoplights and at least 100 family-run diners. This special place has an active arts scene, including summer concerts at the Opera in the Ozarks. Retirees enjoy Lake Leatherwood City Park, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, and the Blue Spring Heritage Center. For quality health care, seniors can rely on the Eureka Springs Hospital. The Blossoms at Eureka Springs Rehab & Nursing Center is a notable retirement home.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
For retirees who prefer beaches to mountains, Ocean Springs on the Gulf Coast is ideal. With its proximity to the sea, the town checks another box that is on many retirees’ lists: great food. Local fishermen haul in fresh crab, shrimp, and oysters daily, which generational recipes turn into irresistible entrees at popular dining spots like Aunt Jenny’s. Many seniors choose Ocean Springs as a more affordable and less crowded version of Florida’s retirement communities. Recreational options include scenic pathways along Front Beach, the Live Oaks Bicycle Route, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and the annual Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival. The Ocean Springs Senior Center organizes weekly events and outings for residents. The town also features many independent boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. Singing River Hospital is in town, and Biloxi’s larger medical facilities are just 10 miles away. Retirement homes include Truewood by Merrill Ocean Springs and Ocean Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Waycross, Georgia
Waycross’s popularity among retirees is based on its excellent activity options, affordability, and ideal location. Situated in southeastern Georgia at the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp Wildlife Refuge, it’s an hour's drive from the spectacular beaches on St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. The international airports and entertainment options of Jacksonville, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia, are about an hour and a half away. The Wildlife Refuge is a natural oasis, with opportunities for boating, birdwatching, and exploring a fragile and unique ecosystem. Less than 10 miles from Waycross is the Laura S. Walker State Park, which features hiking trails, a cool, placid lake, and a golf course popular with seniors. The city’s downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Waycross City Auditorium regularly hosts local theater productions, musical concerts, and community events. Sidewalks lined with oak trees and seasonal decorations are the setting for leisurely walks and events like the annual Gram Parsons Guitar Pull. Memorial Satilla Health is the town’s main hospital. Retirement home options include Magnolia Manor of Waycross and Summerhouse on the Lake.
Kilmarnock, Virginia
Kilmarnock is located in Virginia’s Northern Neck region, which is sometimes referred to as the “forgotten corner” of Virginia due to its relatively isolated, rural character. Northern Neck is a peninsula in the eastern part of the state, bordered by the Potomac River to the north, the Rappahannock River to the south, and the Chesapeake Bay to the east. It stretches from its western boundary near Fredericksburg to its eastern tip at Chesapeake Bay. The location away from major cities and a population of under 2,000 residents makes Kilmarnock ideal for seniors seeking a tranquil oasis with a slow pace of life. Its range of activities reflects that. Residents enjoy the Chesapeake Bay and a relaxed maritime lifestyle in an area that tourists have not overrun. Kilmarnock’s downtown is similarly crowd-free. Its walkable and well-preserved Main Street features an array of shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.
The Kilmarnock Town Centre Park is a focal point for community events and provides a beautifully landscaped green space for outdoor enjoyment. Just a short drive away, the Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve offers walking trails and exceptional opportunities for birdwatching along the bay shoreline. There are seasonal events throughout the year, such as a summer carnival and a festive Christmas parade. Rappahannock General Hospital is located within town and serves the Northern Neck region. Retirement homes include Commonwealth Senior Living. The area is also home to several smaller assisted living homes.
Litchfield Beach, South Carolina
Litchfield Beach provides a coastal retirement experience, without the crowds and high costs of South Carolina’s better-known beach destinations. Nearby Pawleys Island includes access to what USA Today named the “Best Beach in South Carolina” in 2024. The barrier island’s three miles of pristine shoreline are graced with sand dunes, a tidal creek, and a salt marsh. Parking restrictions and ordinances discouraging commercial development maintain the peaceful atmosphere. On the mainland, the town’s eponymous Litchfield Beach pairs natural beauty with residential and resort development, including condos and golf communities like Litchfield by the Sea. Other golf options include the Litchfield Country Club and the Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club. The closest major hospital serving the Litchfield Beach area is Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital, approximately 15 miles away. Nearby retirement homes include Pawleys Island Assisted Living and Indigo at Pawleys Island.
Florence, Alabama
With nearly a quarter of its residents 60 years of age or older, Florence is a welcoming place for retirees, with an active senior social scene. Its lively downtown offers a range of entertainment and dining options, and hosts events such as the W.C. Handy Music Festival and First Fridays with live music and art. Historic Shoals Community Theatre stages live music, theatre productions, and screens films. The Florence Senior Center, known as “The Club,” hosts many activities throughout the year for retirees. The nearby University of North Alabama adds cultural opportunities, including concerts and lectures. Seniors enjoy outdoor adventures along the Tennessee River, as well as at Pickwick Lake, McFarland Park, and Muscle Shoals Trails. North Alabama Medical Center is the main hospital. Retirement homes include the Florence Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Arbor Landing at Florence.
Danville, Virginia
Located along the border with North Carolina, Danville is closer to Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Durham, and Greensboro than it is to the nearest large Virginia city, Roanoke. With slightly more than 40,000 residents, Danville is small enough to maintain its Southern charm and neighborly ethos, while also large enough to provide an array of services and activities for seniors. Its revitalized downtown features a picturesque riverfront along the Dan River. The Danville Riverwalk Trail provides miles of beautifully maintained scenic pathways that are perfect for leisurely walks, cycling, or simply enjoying the sweeping waterfront views. Danville was the final capital of the Confederacy, and the town’s American Civil War Museum is a big draw for history enthusiasts. The Danville Symphony Orchestra presents a full season of classical and contemporary performances. Sovah Health is the city’s main hospital. Retirement homes include Roman Eagle Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, as well as Stratford House.
The popularity of these nine gorgeous Southern retirement destinations is proof that many seniors imagine their retirements visually. They picture a mountain vista or deep-orange ocean sunset outside a window. They see themselves surrounded by natural wonders, rather than snow drifts or gray urban landscapes. They imagine the friendly nod of neighbors and the newly serene smile of a spouse. And then, with this beautiful ideal in mind, they begin planning the journey that will bring them to that welcoming place.
