The Appalachians either begin or end in the south, depending on how you look at them. Whether you’re from the southern states or have just recently fallen in love with the region, you’re sure to find something for everyone in the South. Sunshine, migratory birds, and tantalizing scents draw people from beyond the hills. There’s a reason we settle for a place that colloquially comes before the word “hospitality.” There’s only one place left on earth where you can exchange your hard-earned savings for paradise without spending a fortune. Here are some affordable small towns to call home in the southern United States.
Blue Ridge, Georgia
Enjoy the changing seasons on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, steeped in centuries of tradition. Blue Ridge is home to the Appalachian Trailhead and the 106,000-acre Chattahoochee National Forest. Join a walking group at the Fannin County Senior Life Services Center and meet new friends on the walking track at Fannin Parks & Recreation. The Senior Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rest assured that Blue Ridge Medical Center is consistently voted one of Georgia’s best small hospitals. Don’t forget to stop by Harvest on the Main Restaurant to take in the view. Harvest offers a menu of Southern cuisine, nationally recognized chefs, and fresh ingredients. Housing is a buyer’s market in Blue Ridge. The average sale was completed in April 2024 at 4% below the asking price.
Pecos, Texas
Once a haven for wagons on the Butterfield Route and the Loving Goodnight Trail, this town is now one of the best retirement towns in the United States. Pecos’ cost of living index is lower than the state and national averages. The median rent in Pecos is $2,000 and the median home price is $332,500. Reeves Regional Health’s glass structure reflects the gorgeous Texas sunrise, reminding residents that top-notch healthcare is always just over the horizon. The area near the Pecos River was the site of the first rodeo on July 4, 1883. Residents and visitors can learn more about the area west of the Pecos Museum. See how rodeo has evolved at the Buck Jason Rodeo Arena show. To explore nature, Balmorhea State Park is just a short drive from Pecos.
Bluffton, South Carolina
Explore and retreat to a 19th century farmhouse-style residence in the beauty of Bluffton, South Carolina’s Beaufort County. The average two-bedroom home sold for approximately $370,000 in March and April 2024. The freshest ingredients for a healthy lifestyle can be found every Thursday at the Bluffton Farmers Market. This town was ranked her second safest town in South Carolina in 2020. The Sixty and Better Senior Program offers year-round group physical activities that spark joy and help the Bluffton retirement community connect with each other. Anyone who loves the taste of seafood will find a perfect fit in Bluffton. Watch as oystermen harvest fruit from the River May from small boats. Batou. Bluffton is known regionally as a premier destination for Lowcountry-style seafood.
Margaret, Alabama
Margaret, Alabama is the epitome of small town America. Despite having a population of less than 10,000 residents, residents can enjoy the peace of mind of having Margaret Medical Center in their area. For major procedures, Margaret is only a 30-minute drive from Birmingham. Margaret enjoys the honor of having once been ranked the safest town in the South. Join a friend and get some exercise on the walking tracks at Dillard Park or Wilson Park. Once the sun goes down, people in Margaret can head to the Dew Drop Inn for karaoke. The listing price and sale price of Margaret’s homes are approximately the same. In April 2024, the average listing price was just over $250,000 and the average selling price was just over $270,000.
Georgetown, Kentucky
Tranquility awaits in Georgetown, Kentucky. The town was originally called Lebanon, but was renamed in the late 18th century.thA century honoring the nation’s first president. Whether you want to take a walk along North Elkhorn Creek or visit the historic sites of Royal Spring Park, Georgetown has something for everyone. Georgetown is home to the famous racetrack where the nation’s greatest jockeys decide which horses have the speed to compete in the Triple Crown races. This town proudly claims to be the birthplace of bourbon. The fact that there are many distilleries that extend beyond the town limits supports this claim. Georgetown’s crime rate is very low, and the average monthly expenditure is less than $2,000. Georgetown Community Hospital was recently given an A safety rating by the Leapfrog organization.
oak ridge, tennessee
Oak Ridge’s healthy middle class is supported by its ability to export nuclear power. This town is known in history books as the home of the Manhattan Project. Inspire your grandchildren with a visit to the American Museum of Science and Energy. If your little ones are too young for such things, there’s the Oak Ridge Children’s Museum. Oak Ridge has more public green space and recreational opportunities than most places of comparable size in the United States. If you’re looking for some relief on a sunny day, you can always go fishing at Haw Ridge Park. Oak Ridge was ranked her second safest town in the country by SafeWise in 2017. Oak Ridge home prices are still low but are slowly rising as word gets out. The average sales price in March 2024 was less than $350,000.
Madison, Mississippi
Madison was renamed in honor of James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, who grew up in the town. Madison blossomed in his 19 years with U.S. railroads.th A century later, the town still retains many of its original landmarks. Madison was ranked her second safest town in Mississippi in 2024. The scents of her 7-acre botanical garden in Madison draw an enchanting crowd each spring. The Madison Center for the Arts is located in a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once the building’s renovations are complete, the town’s famous concerts and performances will be even more comfortable and stylish, attracting packed houses. The home page of his Merit Health Madison website always lists current her ER wait times, ensuring transparency in medical care within the region.
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Golfers will find a retirement paradise in Pinehurst, Moore County, North Carolina. The town benefits from a U.S. Open course that is kept in pristine condition all year round. Seniors get competitive at the annual Senior Games in the Pines, which brings some friendly competition from the nearby communities of Aberdeen and Southern Pines. Pinehurst was ranked the 1st or 2nd safest city in North Carolina by Safewise every year from 2014 to 2017. The National Council for Home Safety and Security rated it the safest in North Carolina in 2016-2017. Moore Regional Hospital at Pinehurst was named one of the top 100 hospitals in the United States. Despite all these benefits, Moore County’s tax rate is only 55 cents per $100 of assessed value. The city is sunny, beautiful, safe, and cheap. Pinehurst has a beautiful secret. Please share it with someone special. Now is the time to move. Median rent prices in Pinehurst are down 18% year-over-year.
Finding your retirement paradise can feel like a gift too big to comprehend. It is important to remember that it was earned through decades of hard work. Everyone who takes advantage of it should take the time to appreciate it and be proud of themselves. But the South is also a gift that has been kept intact through the dedication of local people who care deeply about their communities. Remember to pick up trash found in national and state parks and report any suspected invasive species to your state’s Department of Natural Resources or equivalent authority.
