Best Counties to Retire to in Georgia

KudzuVine // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to retire to in Georgia

Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Georgia using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather. Read more about Niche's methodology here.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Georgia.

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Bubba73 // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Jones County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B+), outdoor activities (C+)
- Top places to live: Gray (B+)

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Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Marion County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (A-), outdoor activities (C+)
- Top places to live: Buena Vista (C+)

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JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Bleckley County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (A-), outdoor activities (C)
- Top places to live: Cochran (B)

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#22. Houston County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B)
- Top places to live: Warner Robins (A-), Perry (A-), Centerville (B+)

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Thomson200 // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Forsyth County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (C+), weather (B), outdoor activities (A-)
- Top places to live: Cumming (A-)

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KudzuVine // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Catoosa County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B+), weather (B-), outdoor activities (A-)
- Top places to live: Indian Springs (B+), Fort Oglethorpe (B), Ringgold (B)

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Pixabay

#19. Chatham County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B-), weather (B+), outdoor activities (A-)
- Top places to live: Dutch Island (A), Isle of Hope (A-), Whitemarsh Island (A-)

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Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Irwin County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B)
- Top places to live: Ocilla (C)

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John Trainor // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Monroe County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (B+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B)
- Top places to live: Forsyth (B-)

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Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons

#16. White County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (B), weather (B), outdoor activities (A)
- Top places to live: Cleveland (B), Helen (B+), Yonah (C)

#15. McIntosh County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (B+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (C+)
- Top places to live: Darien (C)

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Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Hart County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (B+), weather (B+), outdoor activities (B-)
- Top places to live: Reed Creek (B-), Hartwell (B-), Bowersville (B)

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Thomson200 // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Dawson County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (B), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Dawsonville (B+)

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John Trainor // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Putnam County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (B+), weather (B+), outdoor activities (C+)
- Top places to live: Eatonton (B+)

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Scott Long // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Fannin County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (B), weather (B), outdoor activities (B-)
- Top places to live: Epworth (B-), Blue Ridge (B-), McCaysville (B-)

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FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Stephens County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (A-), weather (B), outdoor activities (B-)
- Top places to live: Toccoa (B-), Avalon (B-), Martin (C)

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Thomsonmg2000 // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Gilmer County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B+), weather (B), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Ellijay (B)

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Thomson200 // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Pickens County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B+), weather (B), outdoor activities (B-)
- Top places to live: Nelson (B)

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Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Glynn County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: St. Simons (A), Dock Junction (B+), Country Club Estates (B+)

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#6. Oconee County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B), weather (B), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Watkinsville (A+), Bogart (A), Bishop (A+)

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#5. Towns County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B), weather (B), outdoor activities (B)
- Top places to live: Young Harris (B)

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Swall12345 // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Greene County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B), weather (B+), outdoor activities (C+)
- Top places to live: Greensboro (C+), White Plains (B-), Woodville (C)

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PTCdude // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Fayette County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (C+), weather (B), outdoor activities (A-)
- Top places to live: Tyrone (A+), Peachtree City (A+), Fayetteville (A)

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KudzuVine // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Rabun County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B), weather (B-), outdoor activities (A)
- Top places to live: Mountain City (A-), Clayton (B+), Sky Valley (A-)