6 Towns Perfect for Retirement in Mid-South
When thoughts turn towards retirement, these six towns in the mid-south of the United States are worth considering, like Jonesborough, Tennessee, with its serene lifestyle and vibrant community events, or Branson, Missouri, with its world-class entertainment opportunities. The Bourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown, Kentucky, toasts history and culture, while Mountain Home, Arkansas, appeals to outdoor enthusiasts with its recreational activities. Finally, Berea, Kentucky, welcomes lifelong learners with its arts community, and the birthplace of the King, Tupelo, Mississippi, invites retires to enjoy a second chapter rich in music, art, and culture.
Jonesborough, Tennessee
Retiring in Jonesborough, Tennessee, offers retirees a serene lifestyle with plenty of activities. The town is home to three museums: the Chester Inn Museum, which chronicles the history of Jonesborough from 1779 to the present; the Chuckey Depot Museum; and the Jonesborough/Washing County History Museum, which collects artifacts, documents, and photographs related to the region’s history. There is always something happening on Main Street in downtown Jonesborough, too, like “Music on the Square” every Friday night, a Farmers' Market every Saturday from May through October, and live theater at the Jonesborough Repertory Theater.
Not only is Jonesborough the oldest town in Tennessee, but it is also known as the “Storytelling Capital of the World,” making it the perfect place to retire for older adults with lots of stories to tell. Since 1973, thousands of visitors have flocked to the small town of about 6 200 residents to hear stories and to tell them. This year, the “National Storytelling Festival” takes place October 4 - 6, 2024.
The town's affordable housing options, retirement-friendly atmosphere, and proximity to the nearby big city (Johnson City is 7 miles from Jonesborough) make it an attractive destination for retirees. Retirees can find a new home in Jonesborough at a median sale price of $439,500 (according to realtor.com), slightly higher than both the US average price of $400,000 and the state average price of $368,000. Johnson City Medical Center provides healthcare for the residents of Jonesborough. It is a “Top 10% Hospital in the Nation in Medical Excellence and Top 10% in Patient Safety for Hip Fracture Care” from CareChex (2023).
Branson, Missouri
Branson, Missouri, is a popular retirement destination due to its low cost of living, scenic beauty, exciting attractions, and world-class live entertainment shows. With dozens of theaters, restaurants, and shops, Branson offers retirees plenty of activities to keep them busy. Retired history buffs or lifelong fans of the movie will love the Titanic Museum Attraction, where they can walk the Grand Staircase and see over 300 artifacts or visit the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum and come face-to-face with prehistoric creatures.
Active seniors can stay fit by participating in water sports on the stunning Table Rock Lake. While boating is one of the most popular activities on the lake, plenty of shallow coves are perfect for anchoring a kayak and taking a dip. The lake is also known for its year-round, world-class fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass in the winding creeks and deep channels.
The median listing price for a new home in Branson is $270,000, and the city's tourism industry revenues help keep taxes low. Seniors enjoying Branson's healthy living can rest assured that accessible health care is available at Cox Medical Center.
Bardstown, Kentucky
The state of Kentucky is a growing retirement destination for many older people seeking a serene environment with access to outdoor activities, cultural events, and a low cost of living. According to America's Health Rankings, over 17% of the population is over 65, making it one of the top states with a large retirement population.
Known as the "Bourbon Capital of the World," Bardstown is Kentucky's second oldest city and an “Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail,” a tour of the state's bourbon distilleries. There are no fewer than eleven distilleries within sixteen miles of downtown Bardstown, including well-recognized Heaven Hill and Jim Beam, so this town is passionate about its bourbon. It's also recognized for its retirement-friendly atmosphere, affordable housing with a median sale price of $300,000 for a new house, and easy access to healthcare at Flaget Memorial Hospital.
Downtown Bardstown is rich in local history with red and blond brick buildings, including the Old Talbott Tavern, which has been inviting visitors to dine, stay, and drink since 1799; the old jailhouse-turned-pleasant-bed-and-breakfast, Jailer’s Inn; and the historic Mansion at Wickland, Home of Three Governors (which is widely rumored to be haunted). New residents to Bardstown can enjoy live music at The Amp at Log Still every weekend between May and October, a Farmers’ Market, events like the popular Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and this year, the town will host the first annual “National Bourbon Week” on June 11 - 16, 2024—cheers to retirement living in Bardstown.
Mountain Home, Arkansas
Combining affordable housing options, a lower cost of living, and a high quality of life, retirees will discover a new home for a median sale price of $260,000 in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Baxter Regional Medical Center provides top-notch healthcare to residents and ancillary services for older people through the Baxter Health Fairlamb Senior Clinic. The Mruk Family Center on Aging is a unique resource for area seniors, offering free support and programs to older adults and their families to help them address aging issues.
A haven for outdoors enthusiasts with more time on their hands and no desire to slow down, Mountain Home offers no end of outdoor recreation, including trout fishing in the Bull Shoals-White River State Park and several hiking trails ranging from the easy Gaston Wildflower Garden Trail to more strenuous Big Bluff Trail. For avid cyclists, tune up the mountain bike and choose from one of two well-marked trails ranked from easy to difficult.
Mountain Home’s historic downtown hosts several local boutiques, outdoor outfitters, and restaurants, including Rapp’s Barren Brewing Co., housed in the city's oldest building, which dates back to 1892. Part of the Baker District Entertainment District, the area also includes Cove Coffee, Rio Burrito, Treat Yo Shelf Books and Sharp Edges Axe Throwing.
Berea, Kentucky
Home to the highly-rated liberal arts college Berea College, founded in 1855, the quaint town of Berea, Kentucky, offers a welcoming environment for lifelong learners. The college is truly at the heart of this community in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where an emphasis on arts, crafts, and music plays a vital role in everyday life. Berea hosts its 12th Annual Festival of Learnshops this year from July 22 - 30, 2024—proof that it’s never too late to learn something new.
Berea is the headquarters of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, and the 25,000-square-foot Kentucky Artisan Center promotes the work of local artists. New residents can shop for Kentucky crafts and fine art there, attend events, explore the exhibits, and even taste Kentucky cuisine at the Artisan Café & Grill. The center is free and open daily. It’s no wonder Berea has been named the “Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky.”
It’s easy for newcomers to navigate around town, with areas called the Old Town Artisan Village, where retirees can shop for amenities, dine out at the Historic Boone Tavern, or meet new friends at Just Love Coffee Café and College Square across the street from the college campus, where there are several cute shops and eateries. New homes in this artistic small town sell for a median listing price of an affordable $263,000, and CHI Saint Joseph Health addresses residents’ healthcare needs.
Tupelo, Mississippi
Tupelo is in the northeast corner of Mississippi and is renowned as the birthplace of the Tupelo Kid, Elvis Presley. Visitors from all over the world travel to Tupelo to see the Elvis Presley Birthplace, which includes the home where he was born, a museum chronicling his life, and the Assembly of God Chapel, where a young Elvis first heard the southern gospel songs that inspired his music and learned to play guitar (the hip shaking came later).
There’s more to this small town than the King, though. An excellent way to get to know Tupelo is to take a self-guided tour around the downtown core, starting with the Tupelo Mural Walk, created in 2018 as part of the “Off the Wall: Changing the ARTmosphere in Tupelo Brick by Brick” project. The coffee culture is strong in Tupelo, so be sure to stop at one of the local shops like Strange Brew, Tupelo River Coffee, and Fuel Coffee. The Heritage Trail Enrichment Program identifies important events and places in Tupelo and Lee Count and includes trails like the Civil War Trail, the Civil Rights and African American Heritage Trail, and the Chickasaw Trail.
Based on cost of living, housing prices, and livability scores, Insider Monkey recently named Tupelo the third most affordable place to retire in 2024. In early 2024, the median listing price for a new home was $270,000. Moreover, there is an established community of retirees, with over 15% of its population aged 65 and over. Should the need arise, excellent healthcare services are available for town residents at North Mississippi Health Services.
Retirement in these six towns in the mid-south of the U.S. offers a range of benefits, from serene lifestyles and cultural events to affordable housing and healthcare access. Residents can enjoy vibrant community activities like storytelling and bourbon festivals while exploring rich historical attractions like museums and historic taverns. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of recreational opportunities like trout fishing and hiking trails, all while residing in welcoming communities with thriving arts scenes. With low costs of living and a variety of amenities, these towns provide ideal settings for retirees seeking a fulfilling and enriching lifestyle.
