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The Appalachian range either begins or ends in the South, depending on one’s perspective. Whether one is from the Southern states or only recently fell in love with the region, there is no doubt the South has something for everyone. The sunshine, the migrating birds, and the intoxicating food aromas call to people from across the hills. Settle down to a place that colloquially comes before the word ‘hospitality’ for a reason. There is one place left on Earth where one can redeem their hard-earned savings for paradise without breaking the bank. Discover the following affordable small towns to call home in the Southern United States.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Watch the seasons change in style on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway that charges through the foliage with centuries of tradition. Blue Ridge is home to the start of the Appalachian Trail and 106,000 acres of Chattahoochee National Forest. Join new friends with the Fannin County Senior Life Services Center walking group through the Fannin Parks & Recreation walking track. The Senior Center is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Rest easy knowing the Blue Ridge Medical Center is consistently voted one of the best small hospitals in Georgia. Try not to forget to hit up Harvest on the Main restaurant while scoping out the scene. Harvest has a Southern menu, a nationally recognized chef, and the freshest of ingredients. Houses are a buyer's market in Blue Ridge. The average sale was completed at 4% below the asking price in the month of April 2024.

Pecos, Texas

The town that was once a refuge for wagons on the Butterfield Route and Loving-Goodnight Trail is today one of the best towns in the US to retire to. Pecos enjoys a cost of living index that is lower than both the state and national averages. The median rent in Pecos sits at $2,000, while the median house price is $332,500. The glass structure of Reeves Regional Health reflects the gorgeous Texas sunrise, reminding residents that top-notch health care is always just over the horizon. The area near the Pecos River is the site of the very first rodeo held on July 4, 1883. Residents and visitors can learn more about the region at the West of the Pecos Museum. See how rodeo has evolved with a show at the Buck Jason Rodeo Arena. For a quest into nature, Pecos is a mere short drive to Balmorhea State Park.

Bluffton, South Carolina

Discover a Farmhouse style domicile from the 19th century to retire to in Bluffton, the belle of Beaufort County, South Carolina. The average two-bedroom home sold for around $370,000 for the months of March and April 2024. The freshest ingredients for a healthy lifestyle can be found every Thursday at the Farmers Market of Bluffton. The town was ranked the second safest in South Carolina in 2020. The Sixty and Better Senior Program has year-round group physical activities that spark joy and help keep the retired Bluffton community in touch with each other. Anyone with a taste for seafood will fit right in in Bluffton. Watch oystermen harvest the fruits of the May River from their small boats known as bateaus. Bluffton is known regionally as a top destination for Lowcountry-style seafood.

Margaret, Alabama

Small-town America is alive and well in Margaret, Alabama. Despite having a population of under 10,000, residents can bask in the security of having the Margaret Medical Center in their community. For major procedures, Margaret is a mere thirty-minute drive to Birmingham. Margaret enjoys the distinction of having once been ranked the safest town in the South. Meet friends for exercise at the walking tracks in either Dillard Park or Wilson Park. Once the sun sets, folks in Margaret can make their way to the Dew Drop Inn for some karaoke. Listing and sold prices are nearly identical for homes in Margaret. The average listing in April 2024 was just over $250,000, while the average sold price was just over $270,000.

Georgetown, Kentucky

Tranquility awaits in Georgetown, Kentucky. The town was originally named Lebanon but was renamed in the late 18^thcentury to honor the nation’s first president. Whether one wishes to stroll along North Elkhorn Creek or visit historic sites in Royal Spring Park, Georgetown has something for everyone. Georgetown has a famous track where some of the country’s greatest jockeys decide whose horse is fast enough for a triple crown race. The town boldly claims to be the birthplace of bourbon. It backs up this claim by being replete with distilleries that spread past the town’s borders. Georgetown has a very low crime rate and an average monthly expenditure below the $2,000 mark. The Georgetown Community Hospital was recently graded with a A for Safety by the organization Leapfrog.

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Oak Ridge’s healthy middle class is bolstered by its ability to export nuclear-generated power. The town is known in the history books as the headquarters of the Manhattan Project. Inspire the grandkids with a visit to the American Museum of Science and Energy. If the little ones are too little for that sort of thing, there is the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. There are more public green spaces and opportunities for recreation in Oak Ridge than most places of comparable size in the US. Fishing in Haw Ridge Park is always available when one seeks solace on a sunny day. Oak Ridge was ranked the second safest town in the country by Safewise in 2017. Oak Ridge home prices are still low but are slowly rising as the word gets out. The average sale was for under $350,000 in March 2024.

Madison, Mississippi

Madison changed its name in honor of the fourth President of the United States, James Madison, who grew up in the town. Madison blossomed along with the railroads in the US in the 19^th century and many landmarks remain in the town from that era. Madison was ranked the second safest town in Mississippi for 2024. The scents of Madison’s 7-acre botanical garden create an irresistible draw in the springtime. The Madison Center for the Arts is housed in a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once the structure’s renovations are complete, the town’s famous concerts and performances will enthrall packed houses with even greater comfort and style. The homepage of the Merit Health Madison website always lists the current ER wait time, ensuring medical transparency within the community.

Pinehurst, North Carolina

Golfers will find their retirement paradise in Pinehurst, Moore County, North Carolina. The town benefits from having a US Open course that is kept pristine every day of the year. Seniors get competitive at the annual Senior Games in the Pines, bringing in friendly competition from the nearby communities of Aberdeen and Southern Pines. Pinehurst was deemed either first or second safest city in North Carolina by Safewise every year between 2014-2017. The National Council for Home Safety and Security rated it the safest in NC 2016-2017. Pinehurst’s Moore Regional Hospital was named one of the top 100 hospitals in the US. Despite all of these advantages, Moore County has a tax rate of only 55 cents per $100 valuation. The town is sunny, beautiful, safe, and cheap. Pinehurst is a beautiful secret. Be sure to share it with someone special. Now is the time to move: the median rent in Pinehurst is down 18% from the previous year.

Finding a retirement paradise can feel like a gift too great to comprehend. It is important to remember that it has been earned with decades of hard work. Everyone cashing in on it should take the time to be grateful and proud of themselves. The South is also a gift, however, that has been kept pristine by the dedication of locals who care deeply for their communities. Please remember to pick up trash found in National and State Parks and to report suspected invasive species to the state’s respective Department of Natural Resources or equivalent authority.