About Georgia

A Guide to 55+ Active Living Communities in Georgia

Written by Melissa McClave 

Beaches, Mountains, and More in Georgia

A charming southern vibe, mild weather and a variety of spectator sports make Georgia a highly desirable location to retire for 55+ active adults.

Georgia offers seniors pleasant year round weather with cool winters and warm summers. Minimal snow allows for a low-maintenance lifestyle, allowing time for active 55+ adults to take part in outdoor sports such as fishing, hiking, and hunting.

Much of Georgia is rolling hills or flat terrain with beaches to the east along the Atlantic coast. Hills give way in the northern reaches of the state as the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains offer exceptional autumn colors in the fall. 

The state’s population is fairly conservative, especially in the more rural areas. Georgia is one of the most culturally diverse states in the nation. All ethnicities are welcome. In fact Georgia is home to one of the fastest growing Asian populations in the country. Retirees looking for mild weather and racial diversity find the Southern hospitality of Georgians to be warm and welcoming.

Georgia also offers seniors a variety of sporting events to attend including the PGA Master’s Tournament in Augusta, and the annual Atlanta Motor Speedway NASCAR races. Georgia is also home to professional sports teams in the NFL, MLB, NBA, MLS, and NHL, as well as minor league and farm teams. College sport is also a popular pastime in Georgia where you can cheer on the Bulldogs in every season.

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the United States. From here you can fly with the over 75 million annual passengers to destinations throughout the world!

Georgia’s Regions and Residential Areas for 55+ Active Adults

In Georgia, you’ll find everything from historic and cultural centers to mountain regions filled with natural beauty. Live near the beach along the coast, or on a lakefront property. There are a variety of housing options within a few minutes’ drive of metropolitan cities.

North Georgia

North Georgia offers active seniors an opportunity to retire in nature! Featuring parks and forests, the mountainous region has unique hiking trails and opportunities for outdoor sports like fishing for rainbow trout in mountain streams. Georgia is also home to one of the best deer hunting regions in the USA. No matter where you live in the state, you’ll be in prime deer hunting territory within an hour in Georgia.

North Georgia is home to small towns with shopping and entertainment districts like Gainesville, Canton, Hoschton, and Cumming as well as suburbs like Woodstock.

Atlanta Metro

Georgia’s Atlanta Metro area is one of the most populated in the southeast United States. Seniors looking for a big city feel will find concerts, sport events, shopping, restaurants, and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

If you’d rather retire outside the city limits while still within a short drive of Atlanta’s amenities and lively districts, try the nearby towns of Grayson, Johns Creek, and Sharpsburg, These suburbs offer retirees a bit more space and an array of nearby golf courses.

Central Georgia

Diverse neighborhoods, cultural sites, and local industry can all be found in Central Georgia.

The region contains many art and history museums in towns like Macon, Greensboro, and Griffin. It’s also known for being a center for aerospace engineering with its own air force base and a Museum of Aviation.

South Georgia

Many cities in South Georgia harken back to the past. Plantations and antebellum-era architecture abound with history around every corner in small towns like Valdosta and Bainbridge.

This area of Georgia is an agricultural region, with towns like Alma and Vidalia offering retirees shopping opportunities at weekly farmers markets and local farm stands. Columbus, just north of Fort Benning on the border with Alabama, offers rivers for fishing and watersports plus the National Civil War Naval Museum for seniors interested in history.

Coastal Georgia

Coastal Georgia is filled with beachside getaways and waterfront communities. The idyllic town of Savannah offers retirees a historic district for shopping and dining. Picturesque parks are perfect for staying active under the 100 year old, Spanish moss covered, southern live oaks.

Indoor and Outdoor Activities for Seniors in Georgia

Explore the amenities within your 55+ active adult community or venture off-property and visit the state’s most attractive destinations. Outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and hunting are especially popular for seniors, alongside golfing and water sports.

Stay Active With On-Property Activities

Georgia’s 55+ communities are filled with opportunities for seniors to pursue hobbies, join clubs and interest groups, and take part in senior-friendly sports like pickleball and cycling.

Gated communities allow for outdoor activities in exclusive resident-only spaces. Private golf courses, stocked lakes, and resident-only swimming pools are all common amenities within these communities.

Spend Time at the Clubhouse

Community clubhouses offer a climate-controlled  space to engage in your favorite hobbies and meet with your neighbors.

Some clubhouses host live events like bands, dance classes, and motivational speakers while others include a fitness center with state-of-the-art exercise equipment and communal kitchens. 

Swim in the Community Pool

Whether you’re interested in the benefits of hydrotherapy or you just want to swim a few laps, community pools are available at most 55+ active adult communities.

Many of Georgia’s private pools are outdoors to take advantage of the warm weather in the summer, while some communities also have indoor pools for swimming year round.

Play a Match at the Tennis or Pickleball Courts

Enjoy some friendly competition with your fellow community members at the tennis and pickleball courts. Like swimming, these sports are easy on the joints and can be played indoors or outdoors all year long.

The Best Off-Property Activities in Georgia

Explore the outdoors with a hike through a state park. Or stop in at one of the rural farmstands while spending a day on the road enoying the scenery.  Georgia’s farms offer a variety of  fruits and vegetables, along with the warm hospitality the South is known for. 

Tee Up at a Georgia Golf Course

Augusta, Georgia hosts the PGA’s Masters tournament each spring, so it’s no surprise that Georgia golf courses are among the best in the country!

Avid golfers can work on their game at one of dozens of golf courses throughout the state. The Chateau Elan Golf Club is a renowned course featuring a resort and a private pool. The club also offers members the opportunity to host their own tournament at one of the property’s three courses!

Fish on the Lakes and Rivers

Georgia offers residents some of the best fishing in the country! The variety of waters across the state mean seniors can fish for many different game fish, from rainbow trout in North Georgia to giant grouper off the islands of the Atlantic coast.

Many fishing areas are located in state parks, perfect for boating, fly fishing, hiking and having an afternoon picnic!

Stay Active With Water Sports

Georgia’s lakes, rivers, inlets and Atlantic ocean coast offer opportunities for seniors to stay active in nature!

Kayaking, canoeing, boating, stand-up paddleboarding, and swimming are all popular options among 55+ active adults. If you’re feeling adventurous, Georgia’s waterways feature opportunities for white water rafting, scuba diving, and wakeboarding.

The Top Reasons to Make Georgia Your New Home During Retirement

Georgia’s warm yet mild weather makes it an attractive choice for retirement for many 55+ active adults. The climate allows for year round outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing. The state’s college and professional sports scene means retirees can enjoy a variety of spectator sports including golf tournaments and NASCAR races, as well as baseball, football, and basketball games.

Georgia also offers tax advantages to seniors that help to reduce the cost of living. Social Security income is not taxed, and other types of retirement income are tax-deductible. Adults 65 years and older can also qualify for exemption from property taxes.

Senior-Friendly Communities Available in Georgia

Many of Georgia’s neighborhoods are designed with seniors in mind offering single story floor plans in low-maintenance communities. Popular community options for 55+ active adults in Georgia include age restricted communities,  condominium (condo) communities and active lifestyle communities.

From budget-friendly manufactured  homes to luxury rental apartments, discover the perfect living situation for your retirement needs in Georgia!

Waterfront Communities

Relax on the bay or lakefront when you purchase a new home in one of Georgia’s waterfront communities.

Fishing, hiking, and boating are among the most popular activities for seniors in these communities, alongside hunting and kayaking. Georgia’s waterfront housing options are tranquil 55+ communities often located near shopping and dining hubs.

Golf Course Communities

If you’re looking to golf during retirement, then a master planned golf course community may be an excellent option for your new home!

These communities frequently have multiple golf courses as well as a driving range and putting green. Additional amenities often include a modern fitness center, lounge, upscale restaurants, and sometimes even an on-site spa!

Gated Communities

Gated communities are popular in Georgia for retirees, offering extra privacy and security plus amenities like private pools and a community center. Residents can feel safe biking, walking or mingling with their neighbors with the added peace of mind that’s included in a gated community.

Quality Healthcare in Georgia

Affordable healthcare is available across Georgia for qualifying seniors through the state’s Medicare and Medicaid programs. The Piedmont healthcare system helps ensure retirees have access to top-quality hospitals, pharmacies, and general practitioners.

Georgia is also home to leading healthcare institutes like Emory University and its attached hospital which trains the doctors of tomorrow and provides top-notch senior care.