For a state to retire in, Georgia has it all... majestic mountains, rushing rivers and golden beaches all flowing from a rich cultural heritage and wrapped in southern hospitality. Georgia is a large state with many small towns perfect for retirement living. Many are near the metro Atlanta area where people plan to retire in the North Georgia Mountains or in more rural Georgia areas. Then there is the wonderful Georgia coast which is very appealing. But the most popular area seems to be a radius of 100 miles around the Atlanta Metro.
Why are “retirees” moving to Georgia? Georgia is the state with the third-lowest percentage of older people (65 or older), at 9.9 percent. Among those most often cited were four distinct seasons with a lack of weather extremes, proximity to family and friends, reasonably low cost of living, and abundant lifestyle options. Let’s explore each of these assets. Fall is perhaps the most beautiful time of year in Georgia. In the mountains of North Georgia, the leaves turn the vibrant colors of autumn. The evening and early morning temperatures make cracking open the chimney damper to light the first match for the fireplace possible. Along the Georgia Coast and in South Georgia, however, the climate is moderate enough to wear shorts while walking on the beach or playing golf.
Affluent golfers can choose from prestigious golf course communities in almost every corner of the state, whether it be in Greensboro, a small town of less than 4,000 people, but with a Ritz Carlton resort and executive-style master-planned lakefront developments featuring golf courses designed by the likes of Fazio, Crenshaw, Nicklaus and Palmer or along the Golden Isles, where fabled resorts such as St. Simons and Jekyll Island have long played host to corporate executive and millionaires. But today, middle income couples who want an affordable retirement in a warmer clime are excited to find such opportunities in coastal communities as Brunswick and St. Mary's, two historic fishing ports with attractive restored town centers and proximity to nearby beaches and waterways. Each offers a wide choice of outdoor recreation, including both freshwater and deep sea boating and fishing, and access to challenging public and private golf courses.
Perhaps no place in Georgia is more inviting than Savannah, a city renowned for its hospitality, congenial climate, authentic culture and extraordinary natural beauty. Its residents enjoy a lifestyle built around the city's original 18th century squares, beaches and rivers, shopping and dining, museums and galleries, theatre and music, and abundant sports and recreation. Termed by Conde Nast as "the most beautiful city in North America.," Savannah presents an opportunity for an exciting, adventure-filled retirement. Like several other urban centers throughout the country, Atlanta is becoming the hub of a new approach to retirement living, especially for local residents who may want to remain close to home yet downsize and opt for a resort-style community in their own backyard. Recognizing this trend, several major developers of active-adult communities, including Pulte Home's Del Webb Communities, are locating new retirement-oriented neighborhoods in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
It seems safe to conclude that Georgia offers a wide selection of options from which to choose your retirement home...one with a broad range, not only in terms of price, but also in regard to your personal lifestyle interests. If you want an oceanfront condo, a mountain cottage or an executive style home on a prestigious golf course, you have all of those selections available... in an area with a great climate, a booming economy and a varied landscape of scenic beauty, regardless of where you might elect to call home.
