SAVANNAH, Ga. — A new list from Southern Living ranked the top 12 best places in the South to retire in 2023. Only one city in the Peach State made the list.
The destinations chosen were selected from a collection of top-rated cities and towns from the 2023 South's Best awards by Southern Living. The top 12 locations were ranked on their rental affordability, average resident age, access to restaurants, hospitals, colleges, airports and green spaces.
Here's the list of the final results:
- Best All-Around: Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Best for Healthy Living: Beaufort, North Carolina
- Best for Outdoor Enthusiasts: Abingdon, Virginia
- Best for Home Buying: Ocean Springs, Mississippi
- Best Mountain Town: Blowing Rock, North Carolina
- Best for Food Lovers: Greenville, South Carolina
- Best Beach Town: St. Augustine, Florida
- Best Access to Nature: Eureka Springs, Arkansas
- Best for Lifelong Learning: Lexington, Kentucky
- Best for Arts And Culture: Savannah, Georgia
- Best for Affordability: Huntsville, Alabama
- Best for City Lovers: Fort Worth, Texas
Savannah, Georgia
Nicknamed the "Hostess City of the South," Savannah represents the Peach State as the Best Place for Arts and Culture.
This isn't the first time the coastal city has been chosen as a top-rated city. In July, Savannah was ranked as the fourth-best city in the U.S. in 2023 by Travel + Leisure.
Known as the home of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and its yearly SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival, the coastal city simmers with creativity at every corner. From vibrant galleries to outdoor sculptures, Savannah's art scene is a testament to the city's rich cultural heritage.
