Where To Live

[PepeLeFew]

My wife and I own a home in Middle GA and we like it here but we are open to moving to place with: affordable housing (buy probably, comfortable but not fancy, no HOA, ), safe, clean, low cost of living, possibly with walkable areas, possibly being able to go down to own vehicle, friendly people, easy to get to things, possibly not too far from a military base and/or a VA Clinic, things to do (parks, movies, museums, live music, shops,similar ideas), and any items that current retirees think are great.  We are retiring next year.  Though originally from PA (beautiful countryside), we do not really want a cold weather climate.  Would like to get people involved to give input on why they think certain places are great to live.  I know there are many articles out there, but sometimes they do not meet people's needs whether it's crime, house prices, of the like.  Looking forward to the feedback!

[GailL1]

I live also in GA but closer to metro ATL.

I have lived in a watershed protected area for going on almost 40 years now - everybody has to have at least 3-acres to build a home and no commercial development or no apartments.

We have a HOA that only keeps up the front entrance at $ 100 A YEAR - if you want lake access that is an additional $ 100 A YEAR for up keep - stocking fish periodically and keeping the earthen dam in good shape.  These rates have been in effect for at least the last 25 - 30 years.  

I do have to drive about 5 to 10 miles to grocery store and other amenities.  The VA hospital in Decatur is about 25 - 30 miles away - sorry I do not know about any more local VA clinics.  

The small towns that are around me all have different happens - I am not too much of a participator anymore.  But if you want more there are larger cities around in a bigger county not too far away and of course, ATL is about 35 miles from me -

The place where I live has not changed one bit since I move here - although they did give permission to the local country store to upgrade a bit and widen their parking.  And a church was built not too far away.

It is quiet - love my mostly older neighbors - many of whom are around most days - Homes are pretty large and some people have lots of landscape (me) others have the majority of their 3-acres on the community lake (rather in the lake).

There is also a large municipal lake a few miles away less than 5 where there is a beach and picnic areas - we are a horse loving community and hosted the 1994 Horse Event Olympics here - we still have the arena (horse park) and it also host many events a year.   This is all in the northern part of the (small) county - the watershed protected area.  The southern end of the county is suburban and there you will find tennis courts, pickle ball kitchens(I think they call them) walking trails that go on forever -movie theaters, restaurants- we have about every nationality under the sun here and a lot of them have restaurants that serve the food of their country.  Again the southern part of the county is much more built up than where I live although we are only about 8-10 miles away.

My community is rural in design - but also for water source protection and flow- we keep down impervious areas as much as possible - no curbs - each home is on its own septic systems. Most every body has a full basement home in my community.  Some have pools - people have dogs and cats and people just walk in the neighborhood - about 3 miles with some hills if one walks all the way around the paved roads.

Most people here like their solitude, peace and quiet with the occasional hunters sound on the other side of the creek which is my property line touches - a nature preserve  is on the other side of the creek of which is still water shed - hunters are allowed in to clear the number of deer periodically.  We have some coyotes, deer, rabbits, foxes, squirrels (yuck) chipmunks, lots of various lizards and snakes - good and bad.  Never seen a bear - 

I am only about 5-miles from our pretty good size hospital and lots of medical practices.  

There are a few homes for sell around the area - home is the planned communities like mine are larger but I think they are a good value for the size and the acreage - but some people don/t want that - there are also some that are older ranch style - maybe -60’s built.  and of course they have acreage too.  - many have been remodeled but I have not gone into any of them to see how or how much.

I love it here and always have - Good luck in finding your place for retirement 

[nctarheel]

The problem with being in an area with all the amenities you describe is that everyone else wants to be there too. That drives prices up. For example, the areas around college towns are historically high priced because college towns offer music, unusual shops, museums, fantastic libraries and other things retirees find interesting(even being able to monitor courses). It is also a matter of prospective. What I have seen in North Carolina, where I live, is folks from California and New York coming here, paying cash for huge homes because they made huge profits on their homes in those states and the homes here are relatively inexpensive in comparison. But that influx of people here has caused prices here to balloon. Good luck in your search.

[GailL1]

I  just want to know where do they all come from ?   Seems like there should be some point of over-concentration or over-population. I love at least elbow room.  

I feel and  my neighbors too like we are an island in the midst of a population boom - 

You would not believe how many developers ask for rezoning of my area for homes and apartment - and the answer is always NO because of the watershed zoning - we tell them they can build with 1-home per 3-acres but they aren’t interested in that design.   We will keep this per the Corps of Engineers and our zoning ordinances for the protection of the water source which is the giant creek that abuts my property at the back.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

[Friday 8/14/26] I agree NC @nctarheel , I am seeing MORE "online" article(s) INCLUDING your state in their lists that have ALWAYS had Florida. Seems YOUR State is the "new" Florida. And YES, gets crowded & loss of that "beautiful" green space. Lol, glad I am old & will soon be gone as my area in Virginia is "fast" becoming Concrete Jungle as what use to be "farmland" is NOW housing and/or retail. 😱 And of course add the Google Data Center these "idiots" APPROVED, now "panicking" about the DROUGHT we have = Data Center they say WILL require LOTS of water. Rivers LOW = loss of business for places that "relied" on them. Oh well, I guess that is progress my friend. Take care, Nicole 💛🤗

---

➡️[*** NC @nctarheel wrote:

The problem with being in an area with all the amenities you describe is that everyone else wants to be there too. That drives prices up. For example, the areas around college towns are historically high priced because college towns offer music, unusual shops, museums, fantastic libraries and other things retirees find interesting(even being able to monitor courses). It is also a matter of prospective. what I have seen in North Carolina, where I live, is folks from California and New York coming here, paying cash for huge homes because they made huge profits on their homes in those states and the homes here are relatively inexpensive in comparison. But that influx of people here has caused prices here to balloon. Good luck in your search.

---

[SummerOnTheWay1]

[8/14/26] @PepeLeFew , try Florida. I am in Virginia & have ALL of what you mentioned wanting, but lol - we do have WINTERS = which you DONOT want. You may or may NOT get much of a "feedback" here as this AARP Community Board has grown LESS "active" over the years. But I do HOPE people do respond.

Meanwhile, maybe CREATE a Facebook Group or "join" one. I bet you will get LOTS of "interactions" there.

At age 68 next month, I NO longer do Facebook, so have "no" idea of any groups.

GOOD LUCK with all this & stop by to "update" us if and when you can. NO pressure to do this.

Take care,

Nicole!