Key takeaways:
- Certain of Georgia’s cities and towns may appeal to retirees looking for a mild climate and potentially lower cost of living vs. the national average.
- Learn about Georgia city, county, and state homestead exemptions you may be eligible for.
- Get links to our posts that cover Georgia income tax and more retirement topics.
Start Here: Key Georgia Retirement Information
Maybe you already live in Georgia, or you’re looking for a state that provides attractive economic and weather conditions for seniors. If you want overall details on why seniors like Georgia for retirement, you can get started by reading our guide, Is Georgia a Good Place to Retire? where you’ll find out about Georgia’s tax-friendly policies for seniors.
You’ll also want to check out our discussion on Georgia’s tax advantages for retirees. One of the newest retiree tax benefits in Georgia will take place starting with the 2026 tax year. Military retirees of all ages will be able to exempt up to $65,000 in military retirement pay from state income taxes.
In addition to advantageous income tax policies for seniors, all counties, some cities, and the state of Georgia offer homestead exemptions. You can check your eligibility with your Georgia city and county (or have your Moore’s financial advisor assist you with this). There are opportunities to save thousands of dollars on property taxes with these exemptions.
Eight of the Best Cities to Retire To in Georgia
The posts we provided above will give you some helpful facts on why Georgia can be a good place to retire. In this blog, we’ll look at eight Georgia cities that you may wish to research as potential retirement locations. Each of our top-pick Georgia cities offers its own charm, history, and unique appeal for seniors. Could one of them be the perfect place to enjoy your retirement? Read on to find out!
Cumming / Forsyth County
Forsyth County is highly ranked as one of the healthiest communities in the country. Healthcare is centered around Northside Hospital Forsyth, consistently ranked as a Best Regional Hospital and placing among the top 10 hospitals in Georgia by U.S. News & World Report.
Living near Lake Lanier (just outside Cumming, but many Forsyth County areas border the lake) offers retirees boating, fishing, watersports, and areas to relax and enjoy the lake’s beauty. The lake is a hub of activity you can enjoy year-round due to Georgia’s warm climate.
Beyond the water, the area boasts numerous walking and biking trails. Outdoor concerts, distinct shopping, and diverse dining choices make retiring in Cumming and Forsyth County an ideal pick for balancing indoor and outdoor activities.
Peachtree City
Peachtree City is one of the top three safest cities to retire to in Georgia. Its violent crime rate is 88% lower than the national average. One of this city’s other outstanding features is that it is the largest golf cart community in the country, with over 100 miles of paved, interconnected multi-use golf cart paths. Without driving a car, you can visit neighborhoods, stores, and parks in your golf cart (or stroll along the paved paths). Residents use these paths as a primary means of transportation. That’s a plus, as you can enjoy the outdoors near three scenic reservoirs, Lake Peachtree, Lake Kedron, and Lake McIntosh, for fishing and non-motorized boating.
If you want an economically vibrant area, Peachtree City offers that, too. It’s the home of top corporations, including Panasonic Automotive Systems.
Note: Peachtree City seniors may qualify for the new Peachtree City Senior Exemption (2026 tax year), which is defined as seniors (65+) with a household income of $60,000 or less who can receive a $30,000 exemption from their home’s assessed value. Check details about this and also contact the county for additional exemptions you may be eligible for. Qualified residents must apply or re-verify annually at City Hall by April 1st and should check with the Fayette County Tax Commissioner for additional senior exemptions.
Savannah
Savannah hosts thousands of tourists each year, and its coastal living appeal beckons to retirees looking for a Georgia city to relocate to. The city’s 22 park-like squares, antebellum architecture, and walkable downtown Historic District make it a place that retirees often favor. River Street offers many dining, shopping, and ship-watching opportunities. Living in Savannah also puts you within a quick 20 minutes of beaches, and you’ll have the option to live in some of the popular surrounding communities located close to the Historic District.
Savannah’s also known for its high-quality healthcare system. Hospitals in Savannah, GA, are generally well-located and accessible, with many centrally located medical districts convenient to residential areas and assisted living facilities.
There’s never a shortage of things to do if you want to get in on festivals and a host of annual activities. The Savannah events calendar shows just how lively this city is, and that’s what draws people in. Events include wine and culinary festivities, free concerts, and art and museum exhibitions.
Gainesville
Located about 55 miles northeast of Atlanta, Gainesville, GA, is known as the gateway to the North Georgia mountains and the shores of Lake Lanier. Gainesville offers a variety of 55+ communities featuring private community marinas with direct boat access to Lake Lanier and hiking trails. People moving to Gainesville can choose from living in established communities and several new communities that include marinas, clubhouses, and social clubs.
Check out our post, 3 Reasons Why You Should Retire in Gainesville, GA, to learn even more about retiring there.
Canton & Acworth
Perhaps a small-town feel is what you’re looking for, but still within close proximity to shopping and hospitals, which are easily accessible in these cities. What’s great about retiring in Canton & Acworth is the work they’ve done to beautify their downtowns, which are a big draw into the area with their walkable spots that feature local restaurants and shops.
Nearby nature is another great benefit to living here. You’re near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Allatoona. Which of these cities do seniors prefer to retire to? People like Canton for its quieter feel and Acworth for a more suburban, historic, charming atmosphere.
Outdoor Activities in Canton & Acworth
Canton offers walking trails and nine parks where you can take in the mild Georgia weather. The city offers the beauty of the Etowah River and its popular riverside walking trails and historic mill district.
Acworth’s golf courses, parks, and sports complex await you for fun outdoor recreation. The walkable, historic downtown area makes it easy to access shops and dining.
Looking for recommendations for your Georgia retirement? Check with a Moore’s Wealth Management advisor for personalized guidance.
Houston County (incl. Warner Robins)
The Development Authority of Houston County points out a solid reason why senior citizens may wish to consider living in this area: overall affordability (17.6% lower than the national average) and housing costs are 34.6% less than the national average.
Warner Robins is continually ranked highly as one of the best places to live in the US, with housing, transportation, healthcare, and more not only considered affordable compared to the national average but within Georgia as well The area is home to Robins Air Force Base, which anchors the local economy.
St. Marys
St. Marys gives you “Florida-esque” weather if you’re thinking of retiring near the Florida border. It’s the main gateway to the Cumberland Island National Seashore (the city is the departure point for the ferry to the island, which is about six miles east of St. Marys). Cumberland Island National Seashore spans over 36,000 total acres, including nearly 10,000 acres of protected wilderness. You’ll find forests, marshes, and beaches, which provide homes to diverse plants and animals. Accessibility assistance is available, including specialized all-terrain track chairs made for traversing the natural landscape.
You might be looking for an even more affordable version of Savannah. Some seniors think of St. Marys like that. St. Marys’ lower cost of living as compared to Savannah in many categories (housing, groceries, healthcare, and transportation) keeps its overall cost of living low.
Athens & Macon
Athens is home to numerous indoor and outdoor activities and programs, thanks in large part to the University of Georgia. UGA’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers affordable classes, lectures, and trips designed for adults 50 and up. Good healthcare is close by too, with Piedmont Athens Regional serving as one of the major hospitals in the area.
To learn more about retiring to Athens, GA read our post, 6 Reasons Why Athens, GA is a Great Place to Retire.
Retiring in Macon not only provides an area rich in history and beauty; its cost of living is 23.7% lower than the national average. Macon is known as the “Heart of Georgia,” with its legendary music scene featuring the Allman Brothers Band Museum. People flock to its annual Cherry Blossom Festival (among other festivals in Macon), hence its name, the Festival Capital of Georgia.
Note: Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly Georgia retirement and financial planning insights.
Contact Moore’s Wealth Management for Georgia Retirement Planning Guidance
If you’re thinking of retiring in Georgia, we hope our post helps you learn more about some of the top cities seniors enjoy living in. Your Moore’s Wealth Management advisor can assist you with planning how to take advantage of Georgia’s state and local income and property tax exclusions and exemptions for seniors.
Moving to a new city can be exciting and also can be the perfect time to review your portfolio. It’s a good opportunity to plan ahead for your new life in Georgia. Contact Moore’s Wealth Management today to receive a complimentary retirement consultation. No sales pitch, no obligation. Call (770) 535-5000 or schedule your consultation online.
Resources:
>> Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). “State Tax Update: Big News in Georgia, Plus Updates From 4 Other States on Retirement Pay Exemptions.” June 3, 2025. Accessed May 13, 2025. https://t.ly/_8Z89.
>> USNews.com. “Best Hospitals, GA: Northside Hospital Forsyth.” n.d. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/ga/northside-hospital-forsyth-6380463.
>> Discover FoCo. Forsyth County, GA. “Lake Lanier.” n.d. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://discoverfoco.com/directory/lake-lanier/.
>> Fayette-news.net. “PTC Named One of Georgia’s Safest Cities by FBI Violent Crime Data.” December 29, 2024. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://www.fayette-news.net/news/ptc-named-one-of-georgia-s-safest-cities-by-fbi-violent-crime-data/article_c3ff77ec-c490-11ef-a6ac-2fea8a8d4644.html.
>> Visit Peachtree City. “Golf Carts & Paths.” n.d. Accessed May 14, 2026. https://visitpeachtreecity.com/explore-local-attractions/explore-100-miles-of-cart-paths/.
>> Peachtree City, GA – City Government’s Post on Facebook.com. “Senior Homeowners: You May Qualify for Property Tax Relief.” January 22, 2026. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://www.facebook.com/PeachtreeCityGA.gov/posts/-senior-homeowners-you-may-qualify-for-property-tax-relief-peachtree-citys-senio/1745334750144550/.
>> VisitSavannah.com. “Savannah, GA Events & Festivals.” n.d. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://visitsavannah.com/savannah-events-festivals.
>> Lake Allatoona. “Lake Allatoona, Georgia.” n.d. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://www.allatoonalake.org/.
>> Development Authority of Houston County. “Discover the Exceptional Quality of Life in Houston County.” n.d. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://houstoncountyga.net/quality-of-life/lifestyle/.
>> Economic Research Institute. “Cost of Living Data in Warner Robins, Georgia, United States.” March 26, 2026. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://www.erieri.com/cost-of-living/united-states/georgia/warner-robins.
>> National Park Service. “Cumberland National Seashore, Georgia.” NPS.gov. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm.
>> HomeSnacks. “St. Marys, GA Cost Of Living.” October 24, 2025. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://www.homesnacks.com/ga/st.-marys-cost-of-living/.
>> Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). “Welcome to OLLI @UGA.” n.d. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://olli.uga.edu/.
>> ChooseMacon.com. “Relocate to Macon, GA.” n.d. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://choosemacon.com/relocate/.
>> Kearns, Deborah. “Weekend getaway: 10 reasons to visit Macon.” Atlanta Magazine. February 1, 2018. Accessed May 13, 2026.
https://www.atlantamagazine.com/travel/weekend-getaway-10-reasons-visit-macon/.
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