Choosing the perfect retirement destination is a blend of daydreaming (do you yearn for a beachside existence or a tranquil retreat in the mountains?) and facing practical considerations (is it within your budget?). Yet, when these dreams and realities merge, your aspirations can truly materialize.
While we can certainly pinpoint enchanting hamlets and lively cities in the region, that’s only the beginning. To ensure you make a well-informed decision, we’ve joined forces with the financial experts at Investopedia, a sister brand, to offer options that also take into account your financial situation. They started by compiling a list of Southern small towns and cities, considering factors such as cost of living, property values, healthcare accessibility, and educational opportunities. By combining this data with our own research, we’ve identified 12 locations that not only provide an exceptional quality of life but also offer a sensible financial choice.
Whether your pleasure lies in dining out or attending a ballgame, there’s a place that caters to everyone, from the gulf shores of Mississippi to the majestic mountains of North Carolina. We’ve also queried retirees about why they cherish their adopted hometowns, giving you a comprehensive look at life in these areas and the journey to reaching them.
The towns and cities selected for this list are drawn from the 2023 South’s Best awards by Southern Living, which named 41 top-rated cities and towns. The finalists were chosen based on Investopedia’s data comparing each location’s economic and lifestyle factors to the U.S. as a whole, including housing and rental affordability, average resident age, and access to dining, hospitals, colleges, airports, and green spaces.
ROBBIE CAPONETTO
This location checks all the boxes for a prime retirement town—also serving as a magnet for your children and grandchildren. They’ll be drawn here by the main attraction (you) and all that this place has to offer. Showcase your chosen city: Take a scenic Incline Railway ride up Lookout Mountain, explore Ruby Falls’ underground waterfall, and discover the marine life at the Tennessee Aquarium.
“This is a community where you never meet a stranger. People are always encouraging you to be part of something larger than yourself.” – Bob Corker
The city is perfect for visitors, but it seems tailor-made for you. “This is a community where you never meet a stranger,” says former U.S. Senator Bob Corker, who served as Chattanooga’s mayor and chose to return. “People are always encouraging you to be part of something larger than yourself.” This extends from hiking to Sunset Rock to learning a new skill (such as meditation, mixology, or cake decorating) through The Chattery. Kayak the Ocoee River, or wander to Clumpies Ice Cream Co. for a scoop of their Banana Puddin’ flavor. Delve into the local food scene, as Kathleen Evans, a transplant from the Atlanta suburbs, does. “My husband’s retirement has allowed us to dine out more often,” she says. “We’ve become such regulars that servers bring me iced tea just the way I like it without even asking.” Chattanooga’s median age of 36.7, nearly two years below the national average, ensures a lively atmosphere. “There are no age barriers,” she notes. “It’s like one big family, and we’re here to stay.”
For those whose career path didn’t include building wooden boats, Beaufort offers a chance to learn. The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center teaches how to construct everything from paddleboards to prams and other vessels. With water visible from nearly every angle here, kayaking on rivers, creeks, marshes, and even the Atlantic Ocean is a way of life. Additionally, 60% of Beaufort residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.
Retiree David Cartier relishes the coastal scenery, having settled here over a decade ago, the 20th move in his long hospitality career. “My wife, Betsy, knew our perfect retirement town within five minutes—it only took two,” he says, recalling a recent meal at a waterfront restaurant in Carteret County. “We had fresh tuna, spotted dolphins and wild horses in the distance, and sometimes we watch yachts on the Intracoastal Waterway. It never gets old.”
This is a town where shorts and sandals are the norm, with volunteer-driven festivals benefiting charities. Add fishing tournaments, farmers’ markets, bike trails, and the Cape Lookout National Seashore, all included with your move. “When we arrived, we didn’t want to change a thing,” Cartier remarks. “Beaufort gives you the opportunity to truly live.”
