8 Best Small Towns to Retire in the Southern United States in 2024
The Southern United States is an ideal retirement destination for balancing a diverse natural setting of all atmospheres and its relatively affordable cost compared to other states in America. Adding to the financial appeal and advantage of picturesque environmental settings, the South attracts retirees for its hospitable residents, mostly sunny climates, and devotion to preserving early American history and culture. From far-out isolated destinations to embrace a slower pace of living like Camden to lively tourist-filled engaging communities where every day of your golden years brings a new adventure, these towns in the southern region make ideal destinations to retire in.
Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora makes almost all lists of the best places to retire for its endless array of retirement communities, nursing homes, and more. The town prioritizes senior wellness centers, clubs, and more, with 27% of the population over 60. Catering to a wide range of interests with its architectural history and opportunities for watersports on Lake Dora, Mount Dora is also considered a popular weekend escape state for locals. The Donnelly home, The city hall building, and Mount Dora Lighthouse stand out as some of the town’s main historic structures, while Lakeside at Waterman Village, near the Advent Health medical center, is one of the best upscale retirement communities in town. In 2024, the average home price in Mount Dora was valued at $445,000, while median prices for rentals are estimated to be $2,200. This significantly higher cost of accommodations makes assisted living options and senior communities much more cost-effective.
Beaufort, North Carolina
Beaufort ranks as one of the best towns to retire in the south for being a waterfront community that attracts thousands of tourists annually and enjoys a lively community where any newcomer will feel at home. With a rich Maritime history, Beaufort, the third oldest town in North Carolina, is nicknamed America’s Coolest Town. The North Carolina Maritime Museum, a vast array of shopping and dining options on Front St, and the nearby Cape Lookout are some of the town’s most notable attractions. Frequent community events also play a dominant part in the town's culture and appeal, with the NC Maritime Wooden Boat Show, Rock the Dock Music Festival, and the Beaufort Food & Wine Festival being among the most popular annual events. However, despite the well-rounded engaging appeal and endless attractions, Beaufort is also one of the most expensive small towns to retire in the South. Thanks to many of its accommodation options being turned into vacation rentals, the average 2024 home price in Beaufort is $575,000, and median rent prices are valued at $2,000.
Jasper, Alabama
Jasper is the perfect retirement town for seniors seeking a laid-back, secluded environment that is as affordable as it is naturally abundant. Eagles Point Park, Lewis Smith Lake, and the Nearby William B Bankhead National Forest are some of the town’s most notable natural attractions. The Historic downtown area adds to the town’s allure with red brick-lined streets of buildings that date back to the early 1900s and stand-out buildings like The First Methodist Church, beautified with white marble and an inner glass dome. With a population of 14,345, Jasper also makes a heartwarming hometown for seniors prioritizing community engagement. Some of the town’s most popular community events include the Jasper Eats annual spring event, A Taste On Main Street, which brings out all of the town’s best food vendors and restaurants, along with Art in the Park, which takes place in early May every year. One of the most affordable destinations of all the best small towns to retire in Alabama, new residents of Jasper can own their own house for as low as $274,500.
St. Augustine, Florida
The oldest town in Florida is also one of the best towns to retire in the south for its inclusive blend of historical and cultural elements. A well-developed small town with everything from top-notch healthcare facilities like Flagler Hospital and Johns Medical Center to a lively music scene and recreational watersport potential at its St. Johns River, there is something for all interests in this small town. St. Augustine's year-round subtropical climate provides residents with 300 days of beach-perfect weather, contributing to the historic town's quality of life and appeal. However, with the inclusive lifestyle comes a hefty price of $599,450 per average home and annual expenses valued 7.6% higher than the state average. Some of the town’s most notable senior retirement communities are independent living options, the most notable being Allegro Senior Living and Symphony at St. Augustine. Additionally, seniors looking to relocate to St. Augustine can get a better sense of the local community and what the town has to offer by visiting busy community hubs like St. George St and Vilano Beach and learning more about the town at its many museums like the Lightner Museum, The St. Augustine Lighthouses & Maritime Museum, and more.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Ocean Springs enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in America and ranks as the best Southern town to retire for its elements of community engagement, affordability, and beautiful beaches. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art, The Ocean Springs Fresh Market, Hillyer House, and the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center are a few of the attractions contributing to the town’s unique identity. Seniors relocating to Ocean Springs are promised the best of all worlds, from festivals to grow closer to the local community to an active lifestyle at natural destinations like the Gulf Islands National Seashore Park and Fort Maurepas Park that makes for an excellent daily exercise route for scenic waterfront vistas. With home prices of $290,000, seniors relocating to Ocean Springs are also granted a variety of retirement home options to choose from, with some of the top-rated being Lighthouse Assisted Living & Memory Care, Truewood by Merrill, and Seashore Oak, located on the waterfront. Adding to the town’s appeal to retirees is its proximity to major metropolises like the neighboring Gulfport and Mobile in Alabama, located 58 mi away.
Camden, Arkansas
One of the most affordable communities to retire in the South, Camden blends a rural feel of countryside living with a heartwarming historical element and natural appeal. The small town beautified by attractions like Pison Springs Battleground, Camden Golf Course, and Sandy Beach Park, Camden is the definition of a laid-back lifestyle with something for all interests. With over 20% of its population over 65, seniors moving to Camden are granted to feel right at home and meet other newcomers. Locals of Camden take great pride in their history, with most of the town’s touristy experiences centered around historic homes and museums and commemorating the town's past by visits to places like Fort Southerland Park that educate visitors with militant tales of the town’s past stressing the significance of the fort in defending locals. With average home prices valued at $162,180, Arkansas is one of the best places to retire in the South for seniors seeking to maximize the value of hard-earned savings. Surrounded by farmlands and greenery, Camden also inherits elements of countryside living that add to its appeal. Still, it remains limited to the number of healthcare facilities and easily accessible hospitals, with its top-rated option being the Ouachita County Medical Center.
Winchester, Virginia
Known for its engaging community elements, Winchester sits west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and attracts retirees and visitors for its old-town business hub and blend of old-town ambiance with nature. The walkable red brick-lined streets of the town's old business hub, enhanced by historic Georgian revival architecture, are a calming destination for local shopping and daily exercise. As a forested city, Winchester comes to life in the fall season with colorful trees in every corner. Abram’s Delight stands as the town’s oldest home. At the same time, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, with its gardens, Cedar Creek, and Belle Grove National Historic Park, are the town’s most visited destinations, making them excellent stops to learn about your new hometown. The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is the town’s largest community event, celebrated for over 90 years, making it the perfect place to meet locals and grow familiar with the town's culture. Thanks to the town’s welcoming ambiance, beautiful historic attractions, and more, Winchester is a town of exceptionally high retirement demand, with the average home price in 2024 valued at $412,500.
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Finally, Blowing Rock is the ideal retirement spot for seniors seeking a blend of mountainous nature and a lively community with something new to do every day. A hotspot for outdoor activities, like hiking, skiing, and more, some of the town’s tourist attractions include Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, Grandfather Mountain State Park, and Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway hiking paths. Blowing Rock is also one of the most desirable places to retire for its proximity to major metropolitan cities like Charlotte and Asheville, which sit 90 mi away. Seniors looking to relocate to Blowing Rock can learn more about what to expect at places like the Blowing Rock Cultural Corner on Main St and annual events like Art in The Park, Winterfest, and the Charity Horse Show. With limited assisted living and healthcare options, The Foley Center at Chestnut Ridge, located outside the city, stands as an exceptional assisted living experience surrounded by nothing but greenery. Chestnut Ridge Medical Clinic is one of the top-rated facilities.
In conclusion, the eight best small towns to retire in the Southern United States are a balanced selection of sought-after Floridian climates, rustic charm of Arkansas countryside living, and exceptionally safe suburban communities like Ocean Springs. Each has its unique take on Southern hospitality, but there is a small town for all preferences for all who choose to retire here.
