Explore Georgia’s diverse topography and climate, which are home to numerous vibrant senior retirement communities in coastal, golf course, mountain, and small-town settings.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn what some Georgia senior communities offer to 55+ seniors who are interested in active lifestyles.
- Discover Georgia’s senior-friendly tax laws, including no tax on Social Security, generous income tax exemptions, and property tax exemptions. (We recommend that seniors check eligibility, as these exemptions can change, differ based on what city or county in Georgia you live in, or be based on income levels.)
- Find out how to receive a free portfolio analysis from Moore’s Wealth Management aligned with your specific retirement needs and goals.
For today’s retiree, the search for an active adult lifestyle includes making decisions on socialization, health, and wellness. Seniors can find the independence they want and beautiful surroundings in many of Georgia’s active 55+ communities. A number of these settings let people choose custom single-family homes with conveniences that can help them enjoy life today and assist with ability changes later.
Georgia’s Varied Geography and Mild Climate
Georgia consistently ranks as a popular retirement haven; in Georgia, outdoor activities like golfing, gardening, and hiking are accessible year-round. Thanks to its varied topography, featuring mountain views, coastal marshes, and rural scenery, Georgia provides so many intriguing places to live. With this wide range of geographic options, seniors can have their pick of where to live and still be within an easy drive of many different natural and cultural settings.
Combined with its varied terrain, Georgia offers four mild seasons and an overall warm climate. The state is attractive to retirees who want to leave winter’s snow and ice behind. Lakeside living is popular in Georgia (we’ll discuss that shortly), and coastal communities are also a big draw. With so many choices, it would be helpful to have some guidance on how to begin your search for a Georgia active 55+ community.
General Points to Consider When Choosing a 55+ Active Community
These general points can help you think about what you want from a 55+ active senior community. You can keep them in mind as you read on here about senior communities in Georgia.
- Perhaps the choice to move to a community isn’t entirely up to you; your spouse or significant other may have different ideas. Taking those into account will be part of your decision-making process.
- Decide where in Georgia you would like to live. If you don’t know the exact city or town, start with if you like mountains, rural living, coastal settings, or proximity to cities.
- Think about what type of community you want to live in, and see if it offers the activities and amenities you want.
- What type of home do you want? The general rule of thumb is you can select floor plans and have your home built in the community you’ve chosen or take advantage of Quick Move-In (QMI) homes (already built) so you can move into your retirement home without waiting.
- Consider practical points, such as do you want to get rid of lawn chores, or are they important to you? There are communities with gardens, so you may be able to continue with your gardening lifestyle. You may also want to find out if communities you’re considering offer facilities that cater to your present hobbies, such as golf or arts.
Favorable Tax Laws are Why Many Seniors Consider Georgia for Their Retirement
It’s worth reviewing one of the main reasons why some retirees are drawn to the Peach State. Georgia’s senior-friendly tax laws are a major incentive, thanks to several exemptions that typically keep costs down.
Georgia’s Local and State Tax Advantages for Seniors
Georgia’s local and state tax advantages make it highly appealing for retirees. Social Security benefits, for instance, are completely exempt from state income tax. For other types of retirement income—like pensions, IRAs, and 401(k) plans—the state offers a generous individual exclusion. Seniors between the ages of 62 and 64 can exclude up to $35,000 of retirement income per person, and those 65 or older can exclude up to $65,000 per person. This means a married couple, where each spouse has qualifying retirement income, can potentially exclude up to $130,000 per year combined. With these exclusions in place, many retirees can avoid paying any state income taxes at all.
Read our post for details on Georgia’s retirement income tax exemptions.
In addition to income tax perks, Georgia often provides significant property tax exemptions for homeowners over 62 (check with your city or county). Many counties offer local homestead exemptions that exclude school taxes or cap property valuations for qualifying seniors. With a cost of living that typically ranks below the national average and no state estate tax, a move to Georgia may be a prudent choice to preserve wealth.
Six of Georgia’s Premier 55+ Active Lifestyle Communities
With all the above information in mind, we will explore some of the most popular communities for seniors in Georgia. You will discover choices ranging from suburban living to mountain-adjacent options, master-planned golf course communities, lakeside retreats, and small-town havens near Atlanta.
Please note: The following discussions about senior communities are meant to illustrate the range of choices available within Georgia’s varied geography. They are not endorsements of the communities. Many other active senior communities are available across the state, and we encourage people to do due diligence when selecting their retirement home. Moore’s Wealth Management has no relationship or affiliation with any of the retirement communities mentioned.
Foothills & Mountain-Adjacent Suburban Living: Soleil Belmont Park (Canton, GA)
For active seniors who want a peaceful lifestyle near a major city, Soleil Belmont Park in Canton, voted ‘Best Active Adult Community in Georgia,’ is a good example of a serene community. Located about 40 miles north of Atlanta in Cherokee County, this community sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Homes offer wide doorways, spacious kitchens, and private covered patios in open-concept, single-story ranch designs (check for other structural options). The neighborhood’s active lifestyle centers around a resort-style clubhouse featuring a fitness center, an art studio, and social spaces. With its resort pool, pickleball courts, and walking trails, the community is a choice of retirees who want the best of relaxed living near all that Atlanta offers.
Master-Planned Golf Course & Suburban Oasis: Sun City Peachtree (Griffin, GA)
A good example of a master-planned community (integrating housing, commercial spaces, and resort-living amenities) is Sun City Peachtree, located in historic Spalding County. The city of Griffin offers what many describe as a relaxed, small-city pace of life. Just 40 minutes south of Atlanta, urban attractions are easy to access.
With single-family premium ranch homes featuring open layouts, energy-efficient fixtures, and spacious kitchens, this could be a convenient and desirable choice for your retirement. For golf enthusiasts, the community’s 18-hole golf club is a favorite spot, and the golf-cart-friendly community design lets you keep your car at home; everything is easily accessible by foot or by golf cart. If you like hanging out indoors, Club Peachtree, a massive 45,000-square-foot clubhouse, includes a heated indoor pool, a ballroom, and a fitness center.
Small-Town Charm: Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes (Hoschton, GA)
Maybe you’re thinking about a rural town to retire to. You can choose from dozens of these in Georgia, and one you may find charming is Hoschton, in Jackson County, an historic farming area. Hoschton is about 45 minutes from the Atlanta, Athens, and Gainesville areas. This small city provides a very calm atmosphere with its quiet tree-lined streets and inviting shops. For those who want to see what else they can enjoy nearby, Interstate 85 is conveniently located.
One of the choice retirement communities in this area is Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes. It’s a master-planned community that focuses on low-maintenance, single-family home living. Winner of numerous awards, it is built around two fully stocked lakes, offering private docks for kayaking and fishing. For pickle ball enthusiasts (an immensely popular low-impact sport), the Southeast’s largest private pickleball complex is located here, with dozens of courts. A multi-story clubhouse, resort pool, and community garden invite residents to get out and enjoy the mild Georgia weather.
Lakeside & Inland Waterways: Del Webb Lake Oconee (Greensboro, GA)
Lake living is a major draw for people retiring to Georgia, and that brings some seniors to Greensboro. This city rates in many reports as a top retirement spot, thanks to its beautiful
antebellum architecture and relaxed waterway culture. This community is only 75 miles east of Atlanta.
According to some residents, living at Del Webb Lake Oconee tends to feel like a permanent vacation. On the banks of Lake Oconee, this is the only gated 55+ community with direct waterfront access. The community’s high-end ranch homes feature customized layouts, side-entry garages, and expansive outdoor living spaces. The community provides a private boat launch, pools, clay tennis courts, and a fire pit, alongside a 21,000-square-foot lakeside pavilion.
Mountain-Adjacent Lake Living: Cresswind at Lake Lanier (Gainesville, GA)
For retirees torn between mountain views and water activities, there are multiple community choices, and Lake Lanier9 is the major draw in Gainesville. In Hall County, the city of Gainesville provides top healthcare and historic shopping. The surrounding area sits beautifully against the Blue Ridge foothills.
The Cresswind at Lake Lanier community features homes built on heavily wooded, rolling terrain that offer forest views and walk-out basements. The community’s 40,000-square-foot clubhouse, built directly into the hillside, provides lake views and an indoor pool. Through its indoor walking track and woodwork shop, the facility caters to a variety of hobbies. At the private marina, residents can enjoy covered boat slips, an outdoor pool, and tennis courts.
Coastal Marshland Living: Del Webb Savannah at Heartwood (Richmond Hill, GA)
Coastal living within minutes of historic Savannah is always a major draw for retirees. The coastal suburb of Richmond Hill offers a relaxed way of life with easy access to barrier islands, salt marshes, and moss-draped oaks. Coastal breezes keep the summer heat manageable, while winters tend to remain very mild.
At Del Webb Savannah at Heartwood, residents enjoy low-maintenance single-family
homes designed with coastal-style architecture (single-story plans with optional lofts). The active adult lifestyle here focuses on outdoor activities and includes a community garden, dog park, clubs, events, and nature trails winding through the wetlands.
Georgia’s Appeal as a Premier Retirement Destination Keeps Growing
By choosing an active lifestyle 55+ community, you may find a rewarding way of
life after years of hard work. While we have reviewed several premier communities, there are
many others to explore in the state. With Georgia’s senior tax advantages, low cost of living, and mild climate, retiring here can be a very satisfying investment in your lifestyle.
For a helpful overall summary on why Georgia is a great place to retire, including a look at cost of living and what it’s like to retire to Georgia’s big cities and small towns, read our guide.
Contact Moore’s Wealth Management for Retirement Investing Solutions
As we’ve seen, Georgia offers a range of geography, climate, and community lifestyle choices for seniors. You may wish to review your portfolio as part of getting ready to relocate to your Georgia retirement home. To help you optimize your present and future financial well-being, Moore’s Wealth Management combines decades of retirement planning experience with in-depth, regional knowledge of Georgia’s senior-friendly tax laws.
Contact us today (770) 535-5000 for your free portfolio review.
Resources
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. GAStateParks.org. n.d. Accessed June 22, 2026. https://gastateparks.org/NaturalGeorgia.
ExploreGeorgia.org. “Georgia Weather.” ExploreGeorgia.org. 2026. Accessed June 22, 2026. https://exploregeorgia.org/georgia-weather.
Daspin, Eileen. “Niche Retirement Communities Are Growing — Are They Right for You?” Kiplinger.com. March 5, 2025. Accessed June 22, 2026. https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/niche-retirement-communities-are-growing-are-they-right-for-you.
Swenson, Matt. “7 Questions to Ask Before Moving to a 55+ Community.” AARP.org. July 9, 2025. Accessed June 22, 2026. https://www.aarp.org/home-living/is-over-55-community-right-for-you/.
Explore Canton, GA. “Small Town Cool.” ExploreCantonGA.com. 2026. Accessed June 22, 2026. https://explorecantonga.com/.
City of Griffin, GA. “Downtown Griffin.” CityOfGriffin.com. 2026. Accessed June 22, 2026. https://www.cityofgriffin.com/government/departments/economic-development/downtown-griffin.
City of Hoschton, GA. “Welcome to Hoschton.” CityOfHoschton.net. n.d. Accessed June 22, 2026. https://www.cityofhoschton.net/.
Visit Lake Oconee. “Where time drifts by. Get away to Lake Oconee today.” VisitLakeOconee.com, Greene County CVB. n.d. Accessed June 22, 2026.
Discover Lake Lanier. “What’s Your Lake Language?” DiscoverLakeLanier.com. n.d. Accessed June 22, 2026. https://discoverlakelanier.com/.
Visit Savannah. “Where It All Comes Together. ”VisitSavannah.com, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce. 2026. Accessed June 22, 2026. https://visitsavannah.com/.
Communities mentioned in this article:
Patrick Malloy Communities. Soleil Belmont Park in Canton. 2026. https://pmcommunities.com/active-adult-communities/soleil/soleil-belmont-park/.
Del Webb Active Adult Communities. Sun City Peachtree. 2026. https://www.delwebb.com/homes/georgia/atlanta/griffin/sun-city-peachtree-15829.
Kolter Homes. Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes. 2026. https://www.kolterhomes.com/new-homes/cresswind-twin-lakes-active-adult-community/lifestyle/lake-life/.
Del Webb Active Adult Communities. Del Webb Lake Oconee. 2026. https://www.delwebb.com/homes/georgia/atlanta/greensboro/del-webb-at-lake-oconee-12110.
Kolter Homes. Cresswind at Lake Lanier. 2026. https://www.cresswindatll.com/home/.
Del Webb Active Adult Communities. Del Webb Savannah at Heartwood, 2026. https://www.delwebb.com/homes/georgia/savannah/richmond-hill/del-webb-savannah-at-heartwood-211344.
All information contained herein is derived from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed. This material is provided as a courtesy and for educational purposes only.
The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Steward Partners or its affiliates. All opinions are subject to change without notice. Neither the information provided, nor any opinion expressed, constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Steward Partners, its affiliates, and its Financial Advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. The tax information contained herein is general and is not exhaustive by nature. Federal and state laws are complex and constantly changing. You should always consult your own legal or tax professional for information concerning your individual situation.
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