4. Athens, Georgia (Best)
Oh, that small town Southern charm! Athens has a small town feel with only 120,000 residents and the tree lined streets make it seem like a page out of time. This town has numerous locations listed as Historical Sites, but the number of retirees is actually quite small. With plenty of golf courses, state parks, and more than 10 local hospitals, Athens is the place for the active retiree! This beautiful little town boasts a low cost of living index and an average income of $33K, which makes housing very affordable. The average 2-bedroom apartment is $1250 and the average home price $171K.
Taxes are reasonable as well, at a tiny 4%, but it’s the weather that gives Athens the extra boost on this list. Average July temps are in the upper 80’s but cools down to a nice 70 or so in the evenings. Winters are chilly at 53/33 but since it rains at least a few days out of every month, you get beautiful greenery almost all year.