9 Welcoming Towns to Retire in Mid-South
When picturing retirement, many factors may come to mind: the importance of nature outside your door with many activities to explore, mild weather, top-notch healthcare, friendly neighbors, and the budget. It can be overwhelming! However, in the Mid-South region of the US, many towns tick all the necessary boxes. Check out St. Albans, West Virginia, for its ancient artifacts and arts scene, or McMinnville,Tennessee's 15+ orchards just in the town itself! From Kansas to Virginia and Southern Illinois to Northern Mississippi, the Mid-South has many lovely towns beckoning you to spend your Golden Years.
St. Albans, WV
The town of St. Albans dates back to pre-historic times and is known for having some of the oldest artifacts discovered in the US. At the intersection of the Kanawha and Coal rivers, the town is famous for water recreation, from swimming and tubing to fishing and boating. The city operates seven parks, with trails and events like Yoga in the Park, Halloween Haunted Trails, and PGDA-sanctioned disc golf championships. The Alban Art Center downtown presents a diverse variety of stage plays, concerts, comedy, and events. Dining choices range from Tudor's Biscuit World to Angela's on the River. Suffice it to say, retirees will not be bored here!
Nearby hospitals include South Charleston's Thomas Memorial and CAMC Charleston Surgical. Getting to medical care is accessible via three major highways and a bus system. The town's location just across the state line to Kentucky makes it easy to venture out and explore there as well. George Washington once owned land in St. Albans, and with a median home sale price of $160,000 in 2024, you can too.
Wytheville, VA
Tucked in the southwest corner of Virginia is Wytheville, birthplace of First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson. Visit her childhood home and museum on Main Street to learn about her important but largely unknown role in World War I. Also, visit the town's African-American Heritage Museum, which showcases the history and achievements of the town's early African-American residents. Wytheville was named after George Wythe, a prominent politician and judge who mentored Thomas Jefferson in the law and signed the Declaration of Independence.
Suppose you choose to retire in Wytheville, where the median home sold price was $234,000 in 2024. In that case, you can enjoy Wytheville's 1,800-acre Crystal Springs Recreation Area for hiking/guided hikes, mountain biking, picnicking, primitive camping, and more, all within the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. When family or friends visit, guide them to some of Wytheville's wide variety of eateries, from pizza, wings, and more at Moon Dog Brick Oven in the downtown Historic District to the five-star Graze on Main for southern grits, steaks, and seafood. Meanwhile, rest easy knowing the 100-bed Wythe County Community Hospital is right in the town of Wytheville whenever you need it.
McMinnville, TN
You don't have to be an ardent hiker or biker to enjoy nature in this town that has been dubbed the Nursery Capital of the World since the late 1800s. The town itself has over 15 wholesale and retail nurseries, and surrounding Warren County boasts over 400! This isn't a fluke but a testament to the region's fertile soil and mild climate. If you want outdoor adventures, Rock Island State Park, located where the Caney Fork, Collins, and Rocky Rivers meet and bordered by Center Hill Lake, offers swimming, hiking, kayaking, picnicking, cascading waterfalls, and more. Visitors coming? The park also has several campgrounds that accommodate tents, RV, trailers, and cabin camping. Cool off by going underground at Cumberland Caverns, one of the longest caverns in the US.
You can buy a house in McMinnville in 2024 for the median sales price of $228,000 and have peace of mind knowing that both Ascension St.Thomas River Park Hospital and Warren Regional Hospital are located in the town. As a proud resident, you'll want to take visitors to Falcon Rest Mansion and Gardens for a tour of this Victorian treasure and have lunch or tea on the grounds. It's also a B&B for something different from camping or hotel experiences. Southern Museum and Galleries showcases the area's history, culture, art, and the Southern School of Photography. Art galleries abound in town, and there are plenty of spots for celebrating country music, like the Dottie West marker, part of the Tennessee Music Pathways program. When you want to experience big city thrills, McMinnville is 70 miles from Chattanooga and 76 miles from Nashville.
Double Springs, AL
Some towns make you want to know all about them just by hearing their name, and you'll be glad you learned more about Double Springs, AL. Natives and early colonists knew it as "the place of the two springs" that are still side-by-side today. In fact, water seems to spring up throughout Double Springs, from the fishing, swimming, and waterfalls in the Sipsey River area to boating and camping at Lewis Smith Lake. The town is situated in the William B. Bankhead National Forest, providing some of the most beautiful places to hike or set up camp that you will ever encounter.
Be sure to step away from the campstove and enjoy local fare like Italian cuisine at Sapore Grill, Mexican at Buena Vista, or take in the view while dining at Lakeshore Inn Restaurant. And if you want to take a day trip to bigger cities, it's just 65 miles to Birmingham and 75 miles to Huntsville. That means Birmingham's Ascension St. Vincent and UAB hospitals are just an hour's drive as well. While Double Springs has its million-dollar homes for sure, it also has homes in the $100,000 to $200,000 range, as well as lots and acreage to build your own Sweet Home Alabama.
Olive Branch, MS
Sitting just over the Tennessee line, the town of Olive Branch, MS, is actually considered to be a suburb of Memphis. This may be just the spot for retirees who would enjoy interacting with people of all ages. Olive Branch boasts 140 acres of parks to explore, with hiking trails, mountain biking, playgrounds, and more. A vibrant Senior Center is located in City Park, where over 2,000 seniors (age 50+) participate in free classes and events every month. The Methodist Olive Branch Hospital is known as a heart center that can provide 24/7 advanced stroke care; if higher-level care is needed, the main Methodist Hospital in Memphis is just 30 minutes away.
Since you are in the South, you'll want to sample Southern homemade cooking like the fried green tomatoes at The Neighborhood Grill and the shrimp poboy at 2 Crazy Fellas. The town of Olive Branch hosts events that bring people together like Movies Under the Stars on Thursday nights. For something different, check out Brussels Bonsai Nursery, which houses the largest number of bonsai plants for sale in the US. You might want some for your new home, which could be bought for a median price of $317,000 in 2024.
Adairsville, GA
Situated at the midpoint between Chattanooga and Atlanta, Adairsville was the first entire Georgia town to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its 1847 railroad depot now serves as the Visitor's Center and Depot History Museum downtown. Visitors and residents enjoy the 1902 Stock Exchange, a mercantile business refurbished and reopened in 1994. Take a break at Maggie Mae's Tea Room on the first floor, and take in a dinner show at the second floor Public Square Opera House. Adairsville's Barnsley Resort is a must-see on the North Georgia Garden Trail.
The average home sale in Adairsville was $275,500 in August 2024. Piedmont Cartersville Medical Center is 20 minutes away. For more advanced care, both Atlanta and Chattanooga are an hour away.
Eureka Springs, AR
Located in a valley within the Ozark Mountains, near the Missouri border, Eureka Springs is home to natural springs that have been revered for centuries. Both Native Americans and European settlers believed the springs had healing powers. This and the town's Victorian architecture, built along the area's steep hills, gave the area unmatched beauty and earned the town the name of "Magic City." Caves, like Grotto Caves and Springs, the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, and woodlands and meadows add to the natural wonders worth exploring in the area.
With an average age of 52.2, anyone considering retiring here will have like company, along with younger families and tourists, for a diverse group of people to interact with. As a retiree, convenient health care is important, and Eureka Springs Hospital is right in town. The average value of homes in the Eureka Springs area in 2024 was $308,200. Once you call Eureka Springs home, stop at the Grotto Wood-Fired Grill and Wine Cave to explore both nature and their eclectic, seasonal menu. And don't miss The Bavarian Inn, with its alpine atmosphere and Czech-German cuisine.
Ashland, KY
For Southern hospitality with more of a city feel, check out Ashland, a town of 21,000 situated on the southern bank of the Ohio River. A picturesque river town, Ashland bustles with activity as part of the tri-state area, including Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.. Ashland's revitalized downtown features open spaces and arts showcases like the Paramount Arts Center, Art Alley, and Broadway Square. While visitors delight in events that are happening during their trip, residents can frequent the downtown area according to what's going on year-round. The median sale price of homes was $138,000 in August 2024, leaving room in the budget for retirees to enjoy more of what Ashland offers. Restaurant variety is huge here, ranging from Tomcat Bourbon and Brewhouse's candied bacon to Fat Patty's burgers and sweet corn quesadillas.
Then, get out of town for a water adventure at Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area or Dragonfly Outdoor Adventures in nearby Greenup. Ashland's tri-state location means top-notch healthcare is all around the town, including King's Daughters Medical Center right downtown.
Poplar Bluff, MO
While it is often called the "Gateway to the Ozarks," Poplar Bluff, MO, has plenty to offer on its own. Tucked away in the state's southeast corner, the town has a network of parks for picnicking, hiking, playing disc golf, and other laid-back outdoor pursuits. However, the city also goes the extra mile with the Poplar Bluff Dog Park downtown and Bricks Off Road Park, which accommodates all types of off-road vehicles. At nearby Clearwater Lake, boaters are busy on weekends, but fishing predominates during the quieter weekdays. Poplar Bluff is a shopper's delight, with everything from national chains to local boutiques selling an eclectic collection of wares like antiques at Somewhere in Time Antiques & More and clothing at Rugged & Chic Boutique. Take a break for catfish and BBQ at The Fishin' Pig, Myrtle's Place Back Alley BBQ, or a drink at King David's Winery, Meadery, and Brewery.
The median home sales price for August 2024 was $196,600, well under the national sales price. Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center is a 412-bed facility with physical therapy, rehab, and cancer treatment centers.
If you're considering retiring, small towns in the US Mid-South region have something special to offer. Within driving distance of big-city amenities, they invite you to enjoy a more laid-back, day-to-day lifestyle supported by Southern hospitality. From St. Albans to Poplar Bluff, there is a place for every retiree. Do you want a water location, or have you always yearned to call the mountains your home? Fortunately, you can have both in the Mid-South. Finding the perfect home is half the fun!
