Enjoy Your Best Retirement in the Peach State with these great options
With its charming small towns, natural beauty, and affordability, Georgia is becoming an increasingly popular retirement destination. Among the best places to retire in Georgia, retirees find a welcoming blend of culture, mild climate, and a variety of recreational activities.
From quaint coastal villages to college towns bursting with culture, Georgia offers retirees a high quality of life, low cost of living, pleasant climate, and access to excellent healthcare.
Here is an in-depth look at some of the top spots in Georgia to enjoy your golden years.
1. Peachtree City
Located just 30 miles south of Atlanta in Fayette County, Peachtree City is regularly ranked one of the best places to live and retire in Georgia. It features a prime location close to a major city, yet with the peaceful charm of a small town. Nearly 25% of Peachtree City’s population of over 35,000 is aged 65 and older.
The town is known for its extensive network of multi-use paths that connect neighborhoods, shopping areas, lakes, and parks throughout the area.
With 90 miles of paths dedicated exclusively to golf carts, bikes, and pedestrians, residents can easily zip around town while enjoying fresh air and scenery. Peachtree City also boasts plenty of recreational opportunities including boating and fishing onLake Peachtree, 27 holes of golf, a large tennis center, and over 1,900 acres of parks.
Active adult communities are abundant in the area. With amenities like pools, clubhouses, and fitness centers, these neighborhoods allow residents to lead an engaged lifestyle among like-minded peers.
Housing is very affordable compared to other parts of metro Atlanta, with median home prices around $300,000. Between low property taxes and Georgia’s retirement income tax exemptions, Peachtree City is easy on retirees’ budgets.
Cumming
Nestled on the shores of Lake Lanier in Forsyth County, the city of Cumming offers small-town charm with access to big-city amenities, making it attractive for retirees.
Located 40 miles northeast of Atlanta, Cumming places residents close to international airports, sports teams, theaters, and concerts while maintaining a peaceful pace of life.
Downtown Cumming features shops, restaurants, and a lively arts scene, hosting regular local events. The city center is walker- and cyclist-friendly, with large oak trees offering shade on hot Georgia days.
Just outside the downtown area sits the 1,200-acre Sawnee Mountain Preserve, with scenic hiking trails winding through hardwood forests and wildflower meadows.
At 15%, Cumming has a decent-sized senior population. Several retirement communities dot the landscape, many situated right on Lake Lanier with private boat docks and beach access.
Between these dedicated senior neighborhoods and the town’s standard neighborhoods and condos, housing options abound at a wide range of price points. Median home values hover around $315,000.
St. Simons Island
For seniors seeking an active coastal retirement, look no further than St. Simons Island. Located 65 miles south of Savannah along Georgia’s renowned “Golden Isles,” the island strikes the perfect balance of small beach town ambiance and ample amenities for residents.
The village of St. Simons makes up the heart of the island. Its tree-lined streets with shops and restaurants lend a quaint appeal, with activities like fishing charters, kayak rentals, and horseback riding on the beach adding to the charm.
Several public golf courses dot the island, including the renowned Sea Island Golf Club which has hosted past PGA tournaments. St. Simons offers a true island lifestyle, with activities structured around ocean pursuits, outdoor recreation, and soaking in the scenery.
The southern location also means pleasant winter weather, with average highs around 60°F allowing comfortable hiking and biking most of the year.
Around 30% of the 15,000 island residents are seniors, many of them retirees partial to the coastal way of life.Gated communities and residential towers catering to adults 55+ ensure ample social offerings tailored specifically to retirees’ needs. Reasonable median home prices around $300,000 allow buyers to snap up prime property near ocean or marsh frontage.
Dahlonega
Nestled in the North Georgia mountains, Dahlonega offers stunning natural landscapes paired with small-town charm and an array of cultural attractions. Located 60 miles north of Atlanta, it allows convenient access to big city amenities while providing a scenic mountain backdrop.
Outdoor recreation abounds, with hiking trails threading through nearby forests and several parks located right in town. Water activities like canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are popular on the Chestatee River running along Dahlonega’s edge.
Cool mountain air makes for enjoyable golfing weather, showcased on courses with mountain vistas serving as the backdrop. Dahlonega exudes historical appeal, with many buildings around its town square dating back to the 1800s when Dahlonega was at the center of America’s first major gold rush.
Today the downtown district features boutique shops, art galleries, and an array of restaurants to fuel an afternoon stroll. Seasonal festivals and community events welcome both locals and visitors to come together and celebrate the region’s cultural heritage.
About 15% of Dahlonega’s population are retirement-age seniors, many of them alumni of the University of North Georgia located right in town. Between outdoor pursuits, college town culture, and historical charm, Dahlonega offers well-rounded attractions to occupy retirement life.
Helen
Modeled as a Bavarian alpine village, Helen is one of Georgia’s most unique destinations for retirees seeking natural beauty alongside kitschy charm. Situated in White County 90 minutes northeast of Atlanta, the tiny village abounds with German-inspired flair. Retirees can fill their days with river tubing, hiking, fishing, and perusing quirky shops.
Alpine architecture shapes the downtown Village area, with gingerbread trim and flower boxes adding pops of color. Specialty shops fill the storefronts, selling everything from homemade fudge to cuckoo clocks and German cookware.
Several microbreweries whip up seasonal craft beers while restaurants plate up schnitzel and bratwurst. Outdoorsy pursuits take advantage of Helen’s dramatic setting within the Chattahoochee National Forest.
The Chattahoochee River provides trout fishing as well as leisurely tubing through the lush forest. Hiking trails scale nearby mountainsides shaded by hardwood trees that put on a dazzling display in autumn.
Nestled within all this alpine appeal, a number of communities cater specifically to retirees with amenities like clubhouses and planned social events. Housing costs are very affordable compared to much of metro Atlanta, allowing retirees to snap up creekside cabins at a fraction of big city home prices.
Athens
As Georgia’s quintessential college town, Athens combines small city culture, youthful energy, music, shopping, and dining all within a beautiful natural setting.
Located just over 60 miles east of Atlanta, the University of Georgia campus area juxtaposes historic brick buildings and oak-lined streets alongside lively bars, restaurants, and eclectic shops. The city also maintains protected green space ideal for hiking and outdoor recreation.
The walkable downtown district provides delightful sidewalk cafes, brewpubs, and music venues that attract young college students and visiting families alike. The neighborhood exudes an inviting ambiance where everyone mingles together enjoying the friendly college vibe.
Yet Athens still retains plenty of charm and appeal for retirees seeking an active lifestyle amidst cultural attractions. Nearly 10% of the city’s population falls into the senior age range.
Athens’ size, amenities, and safety make it attractive for older adults looking to downsize from Atlanta while maintaining an urban lifestyle. In town neighborhoods like Five Points strike an ideal balance, keeping residents close to conveniences while offering scenic homes at affordable prices.
Between downtown culture, UGA campus events, and outdoor recreation through Athens’ surrounding parks and trails, this college town delivers dynamic retirement living wrapped within a tight-knit community.
Jekyll Island
Situated just off Georgia’s coast, Jekyll Island offers 10 miles of secluded beaches surrounded by salt marshes and the Intracoastal Waterway. Brimming with natural beauty and old-world charm, the barrier island provides a laidback coastal lifestyle coupled with amenities and attractions.
At the heart of the island sits a 240-acre National Historic Landmark District, with structures fromJekyll’s early days as an exclusive winter retreat for America’s rich and famous. Shady grounds dotted with statues and fountains surround the iconic Jekyll Island Club Hotel and adjacent millionaires’ “cottages.”
This historic coastal village provides a quaint yet cultured backdrop for days spent beachcombing or biking Jekyll’s extensive network of paths. The island offers amenities you may not expect from a secluded barrier island.
Four renowned golf courses challenge duffers with views of live oaks and sea marsh. A shopping district provides art galleries and restaurants between the beach and Jekyll’s riverfront wharf.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center offers a first-class rehabilitation facility and exhibits highlighting local ecosystems. With a sizeable population of retirees, Jekyll Island offers several communities catering specifically to 55+ residents.
Property options range from oceanfront condos to custom single-family homes tucked within tree-lined neighborhoods of the island’s interior. Jekyll balances peaceful island seclusion with community and hospitality.
Young Harris
Enveloped by the Chattahoochee National Forest in Towns County, Young Harris provides stunning mountain scenery alongside a vibrant college town atmosphere.
Situated 140 miles north of Atlanta, the quaint North Georgia town combines small-town charm with cultural attractions typically found in much larger cities. Outdoor recreation possibilities seem endless given Young Harris’ scenic setting. The 1,200-acre Lake Chatuge offers boating, kayaking, fishing, and swimming across its mountain-ringed shorelines.
Nearby Murphy offers class II-IV whitewater along the Ocoee River, popular for rafting adventures. Hiking, mountain biking, golf, and scenic drives through mountain valleys all allow retirees to make the most of the fresh air.
Young Harris provides a dash of youthful energy thanks to Young Harris College, where mountain vistas set the picturesque campus backdrop.
The downtown district features shops and eateries largely sustained by college students and visiting families. Seasonal festivals, concerts, art exhibits, and guest lectures further link Young Harris with cultures and communities across the state.
Approximately 20% of the town’s residents are seniors, many having relocated for both the college town culture as well as recreational opportunities.
Between the safety and charm of a small mountain town and an endless array of outdoor adventures awaiting in every direction, Young Harris makes for an engaging retirement destination.
Blairsville
Blairsville is a charming mountain town with stunning views of northern Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Located along the edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest, Blairsville provides convenient access to over 750,000 acres of protected woodlands.
Popular recreation areas like Brasstown Bald, the highest peak in Georgia, are just minutes from downtown. The tranquil surroundings attract artists and outdoors enthusiasts seeking both inspiration and adventure. The quaint downtown village exudes small-town charm with shops and eateries housed in historic brick structures.
Sidewalk cafes line the tree-lined streets, fueled by visitors coming to enjoy mountain vistas while perusing galleries, boutiques, and craft studios. The Blairsville Courthouse Square has anchored the town center through the decades, today hosting special events and farmers markets.
Just outside downtown sits Vogel State Park, offering hiking trails past mesmerizing waterfalls cascading into mountain streams. A pristine lake provides swimming, paddle boats, and kayak rentals during summer.
With around 20 acclaimed golf courses within a 30-minute drive, Blairsville is a golfer’s paradise.Other popular retiree activities include gem mining, scenic railway rides into the valley below, and Native American cultural experiences delving into Cherokee history.
Blairsville strikes the perfect balance between beautiful mountain serenity and plentiful amenities.
Around 20 percent of residents are seniors, many having settled in the area after vacationing and falling love love with the lifestyle. Between the friendly community and mild four-season climate, Blairsville offers an idyllic mountain town retirement.
Thomasville
Thomasville exudes charm and grace harkening back to past eras of southern opulence. Located in the southwest corner of Georgia, Thomasville provides pleasant winter weather.
Its historic downtown district features Victorian homes and plantation-style architecture that served as seasonal residences for America’s prominent elite in the early 1900s.
These immaculately restored mansions now house shops, art galleries, and restaurants in buildings listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Thomasville comes alive each spring when thousands descend upon the city for the annual Thomasville Rose Show celebrating history, horticulture, and community.
Locals and tourists mingle together perusing fragrant blooms while listening to live music. In autumn, the Thomasville Antiques Show ushers in dozens of dealers and collectors from across the country displaying rare treasures.
Between downtown’s thriving locally-owned boutiques and eateries, second empire architecture gracing side streets, and row after row of heritage oak trees, Thomasville transports visitors.
For retirees charmed by small-town living and history, Thomasville offers engagement through preservation initiatives, museum and plantation tours, plus community celebrations. Reasonable median home prices around $155k allow buyers to secure beautiful historic homes dripping with southern grandeur and grace.
Alpharetta
Alpharetta strikes an alluring balance between small-town charm and big-city amenities. Once a quiet farming village along the railroad line, Alpharetta is now an upscale Atlanta suburb attracting senior residents.
tree-shaded parks connected by 30+ miles of scenic trails follow the natural curves of the land, ideal for cyclists, joggers, and nature lovers.
The Avalon resort-style complex provides luxury shopping and dining with a pedestrian village layout. Downtown Alpharetta’s restored train depot houses upscale boutiques and eateries with exposed brick walls and factory-styled windows.
Sitting on the shores of Lake Windward, Alpharetta cherishes its ties with nature. Active 55+ planned communities like Crabapple Crossing allow seniors to lead engaged lifestyles through amenities like tennis courts, clubhouses, and social events.
Several estate homes grace the lakeshore, others nestled within golf course communities. Yet convenience remains only minutes away, with Northside Hospital’s new state-of-the-art medical campus providing premiere healthcare. For active seniors who want amenities, nature, and accessibility only 22 miles from Atlanta, Alpharetta is perfect.
Summary of the best places to retire in Georgia
From its picturesque small towns drenched in southern charm to cities that balance thriving culture alongside outdoor beauty, Georgia is rich with one-of-a-kind destinations for retirees seeking an engaging lifestyle.
Quaint coastal villages, college towns in the Piedmont, and cozy mountain hamlets each allow seniors to craft a retirement journey exactly suited to their needs and interests.
With vibrant communities that welcome newcomers alongside affordable living options, Georgia beckons as an ideal place to settle into your golden years.
