About Georgia Area
Retirement Living in Georgia
Also known as the Peach State and the Empire State of the South, Georgia is one of the country’s fastest-growing states. Its capital city is Atlanta. It’s a state that’s also rich in old American culture and history. Previously a British colony in 1733, this place was named after King George II of Great Britain.
A couple of years later, Georgia is now becoming one of the Top Retirement Destinations in the country thanks to the growing number of Active Adult Communities spreading out in this area. Also, retirees find Georgia’s mild climate something to look forward to.
Plus, this place boasts of its wonderful natural scenery and local attractions. Of course here you can also find the usual kind of urban entertainment like shopping, dining and nightlife.
Georgia Climate and Geography is Ideal for Active Retirement
Georgia is located in the Southeastern part of the country. It’s bordered by Florida on the South, South Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean in the East; Alabama to the west and Tennessee and North Carolina in the North. It has a land area of 57, 513.44 square miles.
On average, this city has 218 sunny days annually. The average temperature is around 62.30°F with temperatures rising as high as 91°F in July and dropping as low as 34°F in January. A big majority of the state experiences a humid subtropical climate which results to hot and humid summers.
Georgia offers Plenty of Recreation, Culture and Entertainment for Active Adults
Georgia is famous for its stunning coastal beaches, vast farmlands and mountain ranges. Retirees staying in age-restricted communities will find this place attractive and appealing with all its wonderful natural scenery and local tourist spots.
In Atlanta, you’ll find the famous Georgia Aquarium and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.
Meanwhile, in Savannah, you can see the amazing, well-preserved 18th and 19th century architecture and tree-filled public parks.
Talking about state and national parks, there’s the George L. Smith State Park, the General Coffee State Park and the Hamburg State Park.
At the Laura S. Walker State Park, retirees can go camping, swimming, hiking or sightseeing. There, they can see lots of flora and fauna and natural wildlife. If you visit the Callaway Gardens, you’ll find artificial lakes, a butterfly house and a variety of plants and greenery. There are also two world-class golf courses here.
For adventure seekers, there’s the Chattahoochee National Forest. It’s loaded with majestic natural wonders like rivers, lakes, waterfalls and towering trees. This place is perfect for canoeing, hiking, swimming, kayaking, and picnicking.
Retirees can play their favorite sport in one of the many private and public golf courses found here. There’s the Dublin Country Club, the Hawk’s Point Golf Club and the Wallace Adams Memorial Golf Course.
Retirement Communities in Georgia are mostly found in Atlanta, Savannah and Brunswick.
Cost of Living and Taxes to Consider when Retiring to Georgia
The average cost of living index in Georgia is 6.80% lower than the U.S average at 93.20. This means great news to active adult homebuyers living in Retirement Communities in Georgia. Having low taxes means they’ll get more from their retirement savings and benefits. Plus, Georgia has a progressive income tax system. The rates range from 1% to 6%. A single tax filer with an income of $7,000 will have to pay that 6% rate.
In addition, property taxes are also low in this state and varies by county with an amount
ranging from 0.44% to 1.29%. And there is no sales tax on prescription drugs, approved medical devices and food items for consumption.
Georgia Healthcare for those in Retirement
Overall, Georgia has 151 general hospitals with a ratio of 174 physicians per 100,000 population. This is a healthy ratio considering the US average is around 210 physicians per 100,000 population. Also in this state, a high percentage of residents are actively engaged in regular exercise which I think would be really nice for retirees.
The Emory Hospital in Atlanta is one of the premier hospitals in the country which specializes in cardiac care, neurosciences, and diagnostic radiology.
Some of the hospitals available here are the Athens Regional Medical Center, the Atlanta Medical Center and the Barrow Regional Medical Center. There are also quite a few veteran’s affairs medical centers here like the Atlanta VA Medical Center, the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center.
Obviously, residents from different 55+ Communities in Georgia will have no issue when it comes to health care and treatment while living in this gorgeous city.