20 Most Popular Places to Retire in the Southeast: 2018
Category: Best Retirement Towns and States
September 10, 2018 – Based on multiple surveys we have conducted, the best places to retire in America are in its Southeast, a region made up of 12 states. In that research 48% of respondents said they would like to retire there, twice as many as in the Southwest, the next highest choice. This is our 2018 list of the 20 most popular places to retire in the Southeast, the third in this year’s “Best Places” series. Here is a link to the first, “The Top 20 Places to Retire in the Southwest“. The second installment has the 20 Most Popular Places to Retire in the West (California to Colorado and points north).
What States are in the Southeast?
The states included in this big region are: West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Florida. In general the region has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers. Areas in the west and north tend to be cooler as they generally have more elevation or are further north. Hurricanes can reach landfall in the summer and fall months along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The region’s major geographical features include: Appalachian Mountains, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River.
Surprises ahead
The 20 most popular towns in the Southeast contain mostly familiar names, although they include a few towns that earned surprisingly high ranks. Asheville (NC), which has been top dog on our Top 100 list for the entire U.S. many times, was no surprise to take the #1 spot here. Its review was read by over 9,100 visitors in the first 7 months of 2018, more than four times as many as called up the #20 selection, Naples, FL. As an example of a bit of an upset, the #2 most popular place to retire on our list, Pensacola (FL), edged out many more famous retirement towns and cities.
Comments on "20 Most Popular Places to Retire in the Southeast: 2018"
Sandie says:
When did Virginia cease to be in the southeast?
Admin says:
Hi Sandie - it is still there and on our list! Unfortunately no town in Virginia made the top 20 list. Charlottesville and Williamsburg would have made the top 25 in the Southeast though.
Jean says:
Interesting timing with Hurricane Florence threatening the Carolinas and the red tide in Florida :)
Diane says:
I think you have to reconsider the Fla Gulf coast towns with the continued mining and pesticides being dumped into the Gulf. People cannot breathe!
JoannL says:
I agree - considering when the survey information was gathered. I would be curious to see a redo survey after Hurricane Florence and all the red tide and water problems seen recently in Florida.
Dave M. says:
I could have moved anywhere in the world and after a lot of thought and exploration, I picked a beachfront house in a gated community, down the street from a big luxury resort hotel. With two great golf courses. Only an hour from the theme parks in Orlando for when the grandkids go there and then will probably come here. Where is it?
Hammock Beach in Palm Coast, FL
says:
I moved a comment from Dan concerning living in St. Croix in the USVI to a different Blog for a better fit:
The Best Islands for Retirement
https://www.topretirements.com/blog/international-retirement/the-best-islands-for-retirement.html/
Gary says:
Good idea on the redo JoAnn
Jasmine says:
After several visits to Florida, I finally decided Florida is not for me. Due to the red tide, green algae, transient community with snowbirds, barren strip malls, tremendous heat and humidity and hurricanes, I decided Florida is great for vacationing but not the right place for me to live. California is too expensive and has dangerous fires and drought. So I decided to move to North Carolina in a couple of years but now Hurricane Florence has unfortunately done tremendous damage to that beautiful state! So hard to find the perfect retirement spot with global warming affecting the world!
June says:
Have you considered the effects of global warming, and how rising waters may affect waterfront communities in the coastal southeast?
Jennifer says:
June:
I certainly have. In Florida where (my aunt is) they have a $10,000 deductible on their insurance and they are nearly five miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Increased insurance costs, are just one reason a waterfront community holds no allure for me.. These costs must be considered along with property and income taxes, not to mention HOA fees. I am now looking to go against the tide of where most seniors retire. I am thinking of going north. I like the change of seasons and mountains as well. I am hoping that I can travel to a warmer climate for two months January and February of each year, and even so, it would not be as far south as Florida.
Admin says:
See our articles about what to consider if retiring in an area prone to hurricanes:
https://www.topretirements.com/blog/real-estate/retire-in-an-area-prone-to-hurricanes.html/
and also this one about Climate Change and What Retirees Should Consider
https://www.topretirements.com/blog/green/climate-change-and-where-you-retire-what-you-should-know.html/
Both articles have many Member comments
RjG says:
This Youtube video shows what is happening in Miami with respect to climate change
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX8hADmsxkg
says:
Brenda sent in this comment:
We lived in Gulf Breeze, Fl. for a year...rented, thank goodness...we are wanting to find out from anyone about living in the Orange Beach or Gulf Shores, Al. area. Are those pesty gnats/or sand fleas as some call them, a nuisance there as well? Also, in Gulf Breeze there was a lot of back water in areas and snake were a problem. The thing about the east coast is that it's not as warm as the gulf area in the winter. If I'm wrong, please set me straight. We cannot find an area we are happy in. We don't mind the humidity. thankyou
Helen says:
Jennifer. I share many of your views. My husband & I have been living south of Daytona Beach for 6 yrs. He had a job transfer here. We miss family and the change of seasons. The novelty of Florida wore off after about 2 years. We hope to move North again in a year so we can be near family. We are looking at 3-10 acres in the hills near the VA/WV border. I hope you find your special place.
Brenda says:
Is there anyone in Charleston, SC that loves it there? Are the winters mild? Don't mind humidity. We are planning on checking out that area in April. Want to find a rental single family, one story that has pool access. (Community if not in the back yard!) Want to have our own yard. Hard to find especially when we've never been there. Not opposed to Savannah, Ga., but feel it might be too old fashioned of a town without much happening (am I wrong?) or north of Charleston as long as we can still get to a beach! Any suggestions or opinions are welcomed!!
dan says:
Try Summersville, SC as a great place to live that is very nearby Charleston and the beaches.
Moderator Flo says:
Hi Brenda
If you go to the Topretirements.com website you’ll see Search Retirement Towns by State. You can also use the search bar to look for any articles in which your preferred areas are mentioned.
You may also want to post your question on the Forum under your preferred state. You can find it in the drop down menu.
Hope this helps!
Flo
by Moderator Flo — March 20, 2019
Gerry says:
Brenda, we live about 60 mi north of Charleston in a place called Litchfield and really like it. I don't know enough about Charleston to recommend a place. We go to Charleston and very much enjoy visiting. Winters in this area are mild and a sweatshirt or light jacket is fine for the daytime but nights can get pretty chilly. Seems like there a quite a few high crime areas whenI watch the Charleston news but this might be a false perception. I think you have to go and explore this section of the coast to see if it's a good fit.