Best places to retire to in the South

Phovoir // Shutterstock When Americans retire–at age 64 on average–they’re doing so later than in past decades. But they still want to make the most of their time, and money. That often involves a move. In 2021, over 250,000 people at or close to retirement age migrated to the South from other regions in the U.S. Most of them moved from the Northeast, according to Census data. Southern states offer warmer weather, lower cost of living, and tax-friendly environments for retirees compared to more expensive states in the Northeast or on the West Coast. Florida would have dominated the top 50 best places to retire in the South, but Stacker limited each state to no more than 10 spots, which still left plenty of room for charming towns in other southern states. The rankings use data from Niche.com, which includes various factors like weather and access to health care. Keep reading to find the perfect spot to retire in luxury. You may also like: Best small towns to live in across America #50. Chevy Chase Village, Maryland Nicole Glass Photography // Shutterstock – National rank: 196th best place to retire – Population: 1,871 Chevy Chase Village is a small community outside the nation’s capital at just under half a square mile. It’s perfect for retirees looking for a walkable neighborhood filled with historic homes, mature tree-lined streets, brick sidewalks, and close-knit residents heavily involved in the community. #49. Ocean City, Maryland Canva – National rank: 195th best place to retire – Population: 6,957 Sitting on the Atlantic coast, Ocean City is a popular spot for part-time and full-time residents during the warmer months. Retirees can enjoy the beach and the famous Ocean City Boardwalk. Fishing enthusiasts fit right in Ocean City, also known as the “white marlin capital of the world.” #48. Indian Hills, Kentucky Corey B Stevens // Shutterstock – National rank: 194th best place to retire – Population: 3,011 A suburb of Louisville, the sleepy little town of Indian Hills is a small and tight-knit community nestled along the Ohio River. Many retirees live there among the picturesque rolling Kentucky hills. #47. Flat Rock, North Carolina RomeoLu // Shutterstock – National rank: 193rd best place to retire – Population: 3,354 This quaint historic town sits only 30 miles south of Asheville. Established in 1807, Flat Rock is also known as the “little Charleston of the mountains” due to its significant number of summer homes. For more than 80 years, Broadway-quality theater and musicals have been performed at the Flat Rock Playhouse. #46. Emerald Isle, North Carolina David Louis Econopouly // Shutterstock – National rank: 190th best place to retire – Population: 3,691 The name Emerald Isle tells you everything you need to know about this magical community in the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina. This barrier island offers miles of sandy beaches and emerald blue-green water. Many residents prefer riding their fat-tire bicycles to driving. #45. Summersville, West Virginia Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock – National rank: 189th best place to retire – Population: 3,316 Smack-dab in the middle of the state, Summersville offers a slow pace of life surrounded by a lush rural environment. Be sure to climb the 122 steps of the Summersville Lake Lighthouse for a breathtaking 360-degree view of the state’s largest lake before attending a tasting tour at the Kirkwood Winery. #44. Sea Breeze, North Carolina Dawn Damico // Shutterstock – National rank: 188th best place to retire – Population: 1,646 Sea Breeze was originally a resort destination for African Americans during the Jim Crow era and is now home to the National Center for Outdoor and Adventure Education. The Heritage Day celebrations in Freeman Beach-Seabreeze celebrate and pay tribute to the area’s African American history. Some descendants of original land owners Alexander and Charity Freeman still live nearby today. #43. Little River, South Carolina PQK // Shutterstock – National rank: 185th best place to retire – Population: 9,692 Famous for its annual Blue Crab Festival and historic live oak trees, Little River is the perfect spot for retirees who want a slower pace of life. Only 20 miles north of the more well-known Myrtle Beach, the community is home to generations of charter and commercial fishermen and shrimpers. Little Rock has two Las Vegas-style casino boats with twice-daily tours into international waters, where gambling is legal. #42. Isle of Palms, South Carolina Canva – National rank: 180th best place to retire – Population: 4,371 A short 25-minute drive from Charleston, the Isle of Palms is a small beach community stretching 7 miles on South Carolina’s Atlantic coast. Colorful coastal houses along the wide beaches occupy one side of the barrier island while the marshy inlets of the Intracoastal Waterway are on the other side. #41. Surfside Beach, South Carolina Trisha McQuade // Shutterstock – National rank: 179th best place to retire – Population: 4,470 The 2 miles of pristine coastline in Surfside Beach are cleaned daily, and retirees can rest easy knowing lifeguards are always close-by in case of an emergency. This quaint beach oasis is home to seven parks. #40. DeCordova, Texas pikselstock // Shutterstock – National rank: 176th best place to retire – Population: 2,981 With above-average schools and a large gated community, DeCordova is an ideal town to raise a family and retire. The planned community boasts a large country club with a 27-hole golf course and marina on Lake Granbury. #39. Meadowlakes, Texas Alessandro Cancian // Shutterstock – National rank: 171st best place to retire – Population: 2,274 Meadowlakes is a fully gated residential community in the Texas Hill Country along the shores of Lake Marble. Crime in Meadowlakes is almost nonexistent. The community is built around the award-winning Hidden Falls Golf Course; many homes in the area sit on pecan orchards. #38. North Decatur, Georgia Paper and Posies Photo // Shutterstock – National rank: 170th best place to retire – Population: 15,833 A liberal-leaning community close to Atlanta, North Decatur is the perfect spot for retirees looking for a quirky urban-suburban feel. The community is a foodie and art-lover paradise with many funky shops in its walkable downtown. #37. Weston Lakes, Texas Alessandro Cancian // Shutterstock – National rank: 169th best place to retire – Population: 3,846 Most retirees in Weston Lakes, live in a large gated residential community with over 1,500 homes. Weston Lakes is mostly rural and looks to stay that way: Its population isn’t expected to ever climb above 5,000. #36. Olmos Park, Texas Randall Runtsch // Shutterstock – National rank: 167th best place to retire – Population: 1,856 The bustling metropolis of San Antonio surrounds Olmos Park. Retirees living in Olmos Park can enjoy the benefits of a small-town feel with big-city life nearby. #35. Prospect, Kentucky Linda Hughes Photography // Shutterstock – National rank: 165th best place to retire – Population: 4,961 Prospect is a suburb of Louisville and is consistently rated one of the top places to live in Kentucky. Before the 1960s, Prospect was primarily full of farmers and wealthy families who commuted from Louisville. Multiple country clubs tucked between the rolling hills of Kentucky horse farms offer retirees a variety of activities. #34. Clear Lake Shores, Texas Lost_in_the_Midwest // Shutterstock – National rank: 162nd best place to retire – Population: 1,371 Clear Lake Shores is known as “the yachting capital of Texas.” It is a serene lake community and Houston suburb where retirees are more likely to drive their golf carts than cars. #33. St. Simons, Georgia