6 Budget-Friendly Towns in Georgia for Retirees
Known for its Southern hospitality, peaches, and growing movie industry, the state of Georgia is unique in that it combines coastal living with mountain adventures. Find the perfect place to relax along the Atlantic coast, or find your peace in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With its mild winters, senior tax benefits, and a strong sense of community, Georgia is the perfect place to consider retiring too. And while the cost of living is lower than the country's average, big cities like Atlanta ($425,000) and Savannah ($412,300) can quickly eat away at your budget, which is why a small town in Georgia might be a great choice. With an average of $333,614 for a standard home, you can find a fantastic area to call home, while still enjoying basic amenities, close proximity to major hubs, and lots of chances for adventure and excitement.
Vidalia
Known for its sweet onions, the town of Vidalia is an hour and a half drive to Savannah, but you won't have to make that drive often, as the town has all the amenities you could need.
Keep busy by visiting fun attractions like the Altama Museum of Art and History, or spend an evening at Sweet Onion Roller Skating. The town also hosts many events throughout the year, such as the Christmas Parade and the Onion Festival in April. Here, you can look forward to live music, a marathon, an air show, and so much more.
Get your shopping done at the supermarkets, and shops selling things like liquor, clothing, and automotive parts. There are also plenty of big-name restaurants and retailers. Your stomach will definitely be satisfied with restaurants serving up things like sushi, Mexican food, tapas, and more. Popular stops include The Sandwiche Shoppe, Cafe 292, and Bill's Donuts.
Maintain your health with the Memorial Health Meadows Hospital, as well as clinics throughout town offering services like pain management and general practice. There are also dental clinics and pharmacies. Homes in Vidalia average around $225,000.
Moultrie
Moultrie not only has lots of recreational activities, but a premium health care system as well. The Colquitt Regional Medical Center is a 24/7 hospital and offers services such as cardiovascular health, senior health, diagnostics, digestion aid, psychiatry, and oncology. There is also the Colquitt Regional Senior Care and Rehabilitation Center, and the Vereen Rebabilitation Center. Home health services are available, and the Senior Wellness Unit offers mental health services.
Fun activities in Moultrie include a public library, which hosts events like movie nights, and the Arts Center, which hosts dance, music, art, and drama shows. There is a cinema to catch the latest movies, and a bowling alley as well. Downtown is full of adorable boutiques and dining options, as well as breweries, street vendors, and live music. Look forward to events like Christmas celebrations, arts and crafts shows, and the Ag Expo.
Stay active with the outdoor pool, tennis courts, trail systems, Freckles Roller Skate Center, and the YMCA. Tour the countryside and find farms selling everything from fruits, veggies, and plants to jellies, honey, and meats. Homes in Moultrie average around $289,000.
Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald has no shortage of daily activities. Catch a movie, or live music, or play at the Grand Theater. The library hosts book clubs and aids with legal services. Try something quirky and visit the Vintage Kitchen Museum. The senior center offers fun activities, health services, classes, and dances. Clubs throughout town include the Legion, Pageturners Book Club, and the Grand Balcony Club which works with the Grand Theater. Classes are also held constantly and feature things like paint nights, pottery, crafts, and yoga. There are also plenty of volunteer opportunities.
Keep yourself moving with eight parks, a community garden, softball fields, and places designed for fishing, kayaking, cycling, and birdwatching. There is also the Milton "Buddy" Hopkin's Nature Preserve or Concerts in the Park. Events to look forward to include the Wild Chicken Festival, and Fall Festival in September.
Walk the streets of town, and make sure to explore the downtown core, where you can find art galleries, antique stores, vendor markets, jewelry shops, and butcher shops. Restaurants in town offer sushi, fried chicken, Mexican cuisine, Chinese cuisine, pizza, BBQ, and fish and chips. Try out popular spots like Pucketts Place or Cafe Budapest. Homes in Fitzgerald average around $198,500.
Toccoa
Toccoa is a beautiful town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Look forward to recreational activities like mountain biking, hiking, camping, fishing, and so much more. Tour grand sights like Toccoa Falls, Henderson Falls Park, and the Tugaloo Corridor, which is perfect for canoeing. Other outdoor activities include golfing at courses like the Links at Lake Toccoa, fishing at the Bruce Creek Fishing Park, and catching a race at the Toccoa Raceway.
Back in town, enjoy senior swimming at the outdoor pool, browse the booths at the farmer's market, and stroll through historic downtown. Stop in at bookstores, antique shops, florists, and boutiques. The Ritz Theater offers events like movie nights, plays, and live music. Grab some baked goods at Victoria's Sweet Treats, and dine in at restaurants serving up American comfort food.
Don't stress about health knowing there is a hospital, as well as clinics for dental, optometry, and pharmacies. Homes in Toccoa average around $303,700.
Brunswick
Brunswick is located both on Turtle River and Saint Simon's Sound, which connects to the Atlantic Ocean. It is within a few minute's drive of coastal beaches and is also quite close to the state of Florida and the city of Jacksonville.
Spend your days hanging out at Howard Coffin Park, which has tennis and pickleball courts, a baseball field, and a walking track. Mary Ross Waterfront Park is a beautiful place to get your steps in. There are also plenty of creeks, a dog park, and a marina. There are also plenty of water sports opportunities, including kayaking, sailing, fishing, and swimming.
H Street Community Center offers rentals and events, as does the senior center. Meet locals or set up your own booth at the Harbor Market, a weekly farmers market. Grab something delicious at restaurants serving up Thai food, pizza, seafood, and more. Stop in for a morning pick-me-up at a cafe or bakery, and finish the night off at Silver Bluff Brewing Company.
Major amenities include a Walmart, Target, and a hospital. There are also several neighboring communities offering even more things to do. Homes in Brunswick average around $334,900.
Cairo
Close to the Florida border and the city of Tallahassee, Cairo is a cute town full of nature and community spirit.
Get some fresh air at the Birdsong Nature Center. Golf your heart out or join a club at courses like the Cairo Country Club, Valley Pines Golf Club, and Tired Creek Golf Course. The town also hosts golf tournaments throughout the year.
In town, check out Zebulon Theater, where you can catch a live performance or watch a film. Roddenbery Memorial Library has a plant library and senior-focused classes. The weekly farmers market is perfect for picking up local produce and meeting new friends. There are also events such as the antique car rally and an artisans market.
Amenities that make your life easier include a Walmart, Dollar Tree, pharmacy, hospital, and lots of locally owned shops and restaurants. Find places serving up Chinese food, Caribbean cuisine, tacos, and fried chicken. Homes in Cairo average around $310,000.
So whether you're looking to live near the ocean, or up by the mountains, there is a small town in Georgia that fits perfectly into any budget. And with fantastic health facilities, public transportation options, lots of boutiques and restaurants, and recreational opportunities, you'll wonder why you didn't move sooner.
