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The Best Cities in the Southeast to Retire

The Southeast contains a treasure trove of towns that provide an enjoyable retirement lifestyle, places you'd feel fortunate to call home. Here are five cities that provide a mix of beautiful scenery for enjoying the great outdoors, plus exciting culture and entertainment options. If you already have roots here in the Southeast, even better, as these locales will be close to friends and family.


1. Athens, GA

Athens, being the home of the University of Georgia (go Dawgs), is a classic college town with a funky vibe. But Athens is not only for young people. It appeals to retirees as well; 25% of residents are 45 and over.1 The university campus is spread over 615 wooded acres.1 Being a college town, Athens is ideal for lifelong learners. UGA features, for example, OLLI, which stands for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute where retirees 50 and over can take courses in any topic of interest and partake in travel/study adventures.2 Athens is also the area hub for culture, restaurants, and health care. The town is filled with quaint, historic neighborhoods, many of which offer an eclectic array of mom-and- pop shops. Anyone can golf at UGA's golf course, and of course, football fans will have plenty to do.

The overall cost of living in Athens, which covers all expenses except state and local taxes, is 87.5 out of 100, making Athens less expensive than the U.S. average of 100.3 The population of Athens is about 127,000. It's located in northeast Georgia about 70 miles from Atlanta.


2. Greenville, SC

If you like walkable cities, Greenville's your place. Greenville has undergone a renaissance and now offers a walkable downtown with art galleries, top-notch "foodie" restaurants, craft beer pubs, and local shops. There's also a big arts scene in Greenville with an art museum, Broadway series, ballet, performing arts theater, and a symphony orchestra.4 And the piece de resistance while walking (or bicycling) is Falls Park, a nature lover's paradise right off downtown's main street. It has waterfalls, a suspension bridge, and gardens.5 About 35% of residents are 45 and over.6

The overall cost of living in Greenville, which covers all expenses except state and local taxes, is 88.7 out of 100, making Greenville less expensive than the U.S. average of 100.7 The population of Greenville is about 72,000. It's located about halfway between Atlanta (145 miles away) and Charlotte, North Carolina (100 miles away).

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If you already have roots here in the Southeast, check out these popular retirement locales that keep you close to friends and family.

3. Jacksonville, FL

If you want both a beach town and a city vibe, Jacksonville might be the town for you. This city, otherwise known as Jax, appeals to all ages, giving it an intergenerational feel; about 31% of the population are 45 and older.8 There are 22 miles of beaches with more shoreline than any other city in the U.S. and 40 miles of the Intercoastal Waterway. Dog lovers rejoice—the main beaches are pet friendly. Parks are abundant here as well, including two national and seven state parks.9 Because Jax is a big city, you'll have access to many shopping and dining options. The University of North Florida is located here, and like UGA (see Athens above), offers OLLI. All sorts of public transportation are available, which includes the regular type like buses but also a trolley, skyway monorail, and river taxi.10 Jax also offers many cultural attractions, such as the Cummer Museum.11

The overall cost of living in Jacksonville, which covers all expenses except state and local taxes, is 94.2 out of 100, making Jacksonville less expensive than the U.S. average of 100.12 The population of Jacksonville is about 955,000. It's located on the Atlantic side of northeast Florida.


4. Savannah, GA

History buffs love Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia, founded in 1733, and the largest National Historic Landmark district in the U.S. The downtown area is known for its layout of 22 squares in a grid pattern with open areas for public use. Each square is different and rich with history. Savannah is a college town in that SCAD is located here (the Savannah College of Art and Design). Because of this, there are many cultural and artistic activities. Savannah is a beautiful city on its own with many cobblestone streets and parks that feature live oaks adorned with Spanish moss.13 And a bonus: Savannah is near the ocean. Tybee Island is about 17 miles from downtown, and Hilton Head Island is about 30 miles away. About 33% of residents are 45 and older.14

The overall cost of living in Savannah, which covers all expenses except state and local taxes, is 88.4 out of 100, making Savannah less expensive than the U.S. average of 100.15 The population of Savannah is about 147,000. It's located in eastern Georgia along the Atlantic Ocean, separated from South Carolina by the Savannah River.


5. The Villages, FL

If resort living appeals to you, you might enjoy The Villages, a master-planned community for active adults 55 and over. Its 37 square miles of land consists of many neighborhoods, each with a different personality. When complete, the area will consist of 57 square miles. There are recreational facilities, over 50 golf courses, tennis courts, lakes, parks, social clubs, shopping, dining, swimming pools, entertainment, and town squares, all accessible by golf carts. About 138,000 people (who refer to themselves as "Villagers") call The Villages home.16

The overall cost of living in The Villages, which covers all expenses except state and local taxes, is 98.7, making The Villages less expensive than the U.S. average of 100.17 The community is in central Florida, about 58 miles from Orlando, 75 miles from Daytona Beach and 80 miles from Tampa.

Now that you've reached retirement, congratulations. You're about to start a new chapter of life filled with activities you want to do.

Important disclosure information

  1. Great Retirement Spots, "Athens, Georgia," October 24, 2022, accessed February 14, 2023. Back
  2. OLLI, "About OLLI," accessed February 14, 2023. Back
  3. Best Places, "Cost of Living in Zip 30605 (Athens, GA)," accessed February 27, 2023. Back
  4. Great Retirement Spots, "Greenville, South Carolina," March 17, 2022, accessed February 14, 2023. Back
  5. City of Greenville, "Falls Park on the Reedy," accessed February 14, 2023. Back
  6. Infoplease, "Greenville, SC Demographic Statistics," accessed February 14, 2023. Back
  7. Best Places, "Cost of Living in Greenville, South Carolina," accessed February 27, 2023. Back
  8. Infoplease, "Jacksonville, FL Demographic Statistics," accessed February 14, 2023. Back
  9. Visit Jacksonville and the Beaches, "Relax on Stretches of Stunning Beaches," accessed February 14, 2023. Back
  10. Marganon Lazaro, "Jacksonville Public Transportation: 5 Ways to Get Around," Remax. July 19, 2021, accessed February 14, 2023. Back
  11. Cummer Museum, Home, accessed February 14, 2023. Back
  12. Best Places, "Cost of Living in Jacksonville, Florida," accessed February 27, 2023. Back
  13. Ambrose, Eileen, "Savannah, Ga.: A Smart Place to Retire," Kiplinger. July 9, 2019, accessed February 14, 2023. Back
  14. Infoplease, "Savannah, GA Demographic Statistics," accessed February 14, 2023. Back
  15. Best Places, "Cost of Living in Savannah, Georgia," accessed February 27, 2023. Back
  16. The Villages, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed February 14,
    2023.     Back
  17. Best Places, "Cost of Living in The Villages, Florida," accessed February 27, 2023. Back