9 Cost-Effective Towns In The Mid-South For Retirees
There’s no denying that the Mid-South is a great place to retire. It has everything: temperate climates (but it still snows sometimes!), beautiful mountains, and old-fashioned Southern hospitality. The downside to its undeniable charm? It can get a little expensive to live there. However, not all towns in the Mid-South will break your budget! From the beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Waynesville, North Carolina, to the old-world appeal of Abingdon, Virginia, these towns prove that you don’t need to wipe out your savings to live the good life.
Cookeville, Tennessee
You can be at the heart of the Mid-South without the noise of the big cities in Cookeville, Tennessee! Centrally located between Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, Cookeville offers small-town charm and breathtaking views without being too far from the bigger cities in the Mid-South. With an average home price of around $369,000 and a cost of living 9 percent lower than the national average, it’s perfect for retirees on a budget. Plus, it has a top-rated hospital, Cookeville Regional Medical Center, which is centrally located in the area.
While affordable, there’s so much to discover in Cookeville. The Market on the Square is a great place to do a little shopping in a walkable mall with plenty of locally owned crafts and goods. Or, if you want to travel just outside of town, Mill Creek Farms allows you to get up close and personal with Scottish Highland Cows, take a tour of the gorgeous farm, or partake in local events. Cookeville is a hidden gem of the mid-south and the ideal spot to retire.
Abingdon, Virginia
With a population of around 8,000, Abingdon is a small, tight-knit community in the Blue Ridge Highlands of the Appalachian Mountains along the Virginia Creeper Trail. If you long for beautiful mountain views from your back door without traveling too far from important amenities like shopping and hospitals, Abingdon is the perfect place to find your forever home. The average house price is just around $374,000, and the overall cost of living is a little cheaper than the rest of Virginia.
You can live in a modest home tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains and still be within driving distance of some of the best hospitals in the state, like Johnston Memorial Hospital. Despite its charming, rustic appeal, Abingdon has a bustling arts and restaurant scene. It is home to the Barter Theater, which is a great place to catch a show from their rotating yearly lineup. After a show at the theater, stop by The Tavern, a popular spot for upscale American cuisine in a rustic inn built in 1779. Abingdon is one of those hidden Virginia gems that blends easy access to amenities in a slow, relaxed atmosphere in the mountains.
Bardstown, Kentucky
If you dream of sipping on bourbon on your front porch with a view of the Kentucky Bluegrass region, then Bardstown is worth checking out! Know as the “Bourbon Capital of the World,” you can stock up on the best bourbon from the Bardstown Bourbon Company for your home supply. With an average home price of around $290,000, living this Kentucky dream is within reach, even for retirees on a strict budget. While Bardstown is famous for its bourbon, it’s also close to essential amenities like the CHI Saint Joseph Health - Flaget Memorial Hospital and a plethora of local pharmacies and wellness centers.
Bardstown is also famous for its fantastic parks and scenic views. The Tannery hiking trail or the Bardstown Community Park gives residents access to easy yet scenic trails to keep active in their senior years. Another great stop in town is My Old Kentucky Home State Park, which offers community events throughout the year, as well as mansion tours and a gold course. With friendly locals and a lively community, it won’t take you long to feel at home in Bardstown!
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Tired of harsh winters and the high cost of living up north? Then Hot Springs, Arkansas, is worth a look! With an average temperature in the winter in the mid-50s and a median home price of around $250,000, living in Hot Springs is hard to resist. What’s better than spending your golden years living in an area with natural hot springs? The Hot Springs National Park lies just north of town and is truly something special. Bathhouse Row, originally built in the late 1800s, looks like something out of the French countryside and allows visitors to relax in its calming waters. The park also offers 26 miles of scenic hiking trails and the Gulpha Gorge Campground.
However, there’s so much more to Hot Springs than, well… the hot springs! Downtown boasts two well-regarded hospitals: the National Park Medical Center and the CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs Rehabilitation Hospital. It also has a host of wellness centers, like the Wellness Center at Chrysalis Day Spa/Med Spa & Wellness in Hot Springs. If you want to live your best life in retirement, Hot Springs is worth checking out!
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Spartanburg, South Carolina, is one of the best places to retire in the United States, thanks to its fantastic healthcare, low cost of living, and vibrant community. Nicknamed “Hub City” because of its location as the center of railroad transportation in the Carolinas, Spartanburg is centrally located in the Tar Heel State. With an average home price of $220,000, low property taxes, and a zero Social Security tax, it’s the perfect spot for retirees on a budget. Plus, the Spartanburg Medical Center is ranked 4th in the entire state!
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you don’t have to travel outside of the city to breathe in the fresh air. Barnet Park is one of the more popular public parks in the area, with paved walking trails and the Zimmerli outdoor amphitheater. The amphitheater also serves as the prime location for fun community events like the Red, White & Boom fireworks showcase and the Spartanburg International Festival. With breathtaking views, tons of fun community events, and a central location in South Carolina, it won’t take long to feel at home in Spartanburg.
Danville, Virginia
If you are looking to slow down in the mountains of Virginia, Danville is a sleepy little hamlet with a big heart. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains with the Dan River flowing through the center of town, it is a tight-knit community with a low cost of living. The average home in Danville costs about $224,000, making it one of the most affordable cities in the Mid-South. But don’t let its lower cost of living fool you into thinking there isn’t much to do in Danville!
Rich in history, Danville is known as the “Last Capitol of the Confederacy” and has a myriad of historical landmarks like the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. The local watering hole, Ballad Brewing, is situated in a rustic renovated tobacco warehouse, adding to the area's overall historical charm. Plus, Danville has everything retirees need close by, like Sovah Health and the Danville Squire Recreation Center. This tight-knit and affordable community is perfect for those retiring on a budget who want something exciting yet scenic.
Maryville, Tennessee
Living in Maryville means that you earn all of the breathtaking views in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains but are close enough to all the important amenities that you need. It’s the perfect blend of mountain living sans the isolation. With a high senior population and average home price of around $350,000, it proves itself to be a wonderful place to spend your golden years. The downtown area is walkable, peppered with quaint shops like the Village Tinker and Neighborly Books. Plus, Blount Memorial Hospital is located right in Maryville.
While Maryville has a low cost of living and a friendly community, many retirees flock to this area of Tennessee because of the breathtaking views. It’s centrally located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which offers over 850 miles of hiking trails (which also connect to the Appalachian Trail). And if you love fishing, you’ll find ample opportunities to launch a boat on the Tennesee River! Maryville offers the peaceful seclusion of a sleepy mountain town without breaking the bank!
Batesville, Arkansas
As the oldest city in the state of Arkansas, Batesville is a town with a rich history and old-world charm that’s ideal for retirees. You won’t have to drain your 401k to purchase your dream home in Batesville since the average home costs around $247,000, making it one of the most affordable towns on this list! Plus, it has a variety of hospitals in the area, with options such as the highly-regarded White River Medical Center - White River Health or the UAMS Health Family Medical Center.
Nestled along the banks of the White River, residents can spend the day out on the water by launching a boat from River Front Park off Main Street. Walking the old-timey streets feels like stepping back in time. Batesville City Park, nestled in the heart of town along the White River, is an ideal place to go for a stroll while taking in the amazing views of the water. What makes Batesville unique is its wonderful blend of small-town charm, affordable housing, and scenic views.
Waynesville, North Carolina
Are you looking for a walkable city with tons to discover? There’s always something new and exciting happening in Waynesville, North Carolina! With a population of just over 10,000 and an average home price of around $365,000, Waynesville is regarded as one of the best cities for seniors. The slow-paced downtown area offers cozy shops like Mast General Store and the Funky Fern Emporium, all within walking distance. While there’s no hospital in Waynesville, the Haywood Regional Medical Center is located less than 5 miles away from downtown. You get all the perks of a small-town vibe with none of the traffic!
If you love outdoor adventure and dream of living in the mountains, Waynesville has you covered. Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, residents can admire the scenery driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway or take a hike at one of the many accessible trails like the Waterrock Knob Trail, situated right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. For beautiful mountain views and all the amenities you’ll ever need, Waynesville is a great place to call home.
These cost-effective towns will allow you to enjoy all the perks of living the dream in the Mid-South without breaking the bank! Just imagine waking up on a foggy mountain morning and sitting on your front porch with a coffee in hand before heading into town to shop at a local farmer’s market or fish along the banks of the Tennessee River. From shaded mountain trails in Greenville to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Placid in Greenville, you can find peace and tranquility in retirement without isolation. It’s the best of both worlds and well within your budget!
