10 Worst Cities for Retirees in the South

You might be looking forward to retiring and packing up to move somewhere warm, but the grass isn’t always greener in the South.

Some cities could be welcoming, while others are going to have issues that you haven’t considered. Have you researched the cost of living, crime rate, or simply the ability to enjoy your retirement years in your desired location?

Check out some of these cities you might want to rethink if they’re on your list as you’re making plans to retire .

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Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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Hilton Head Island has been welcoming visitors for decades. If you have vacationed there, you may like to retire to the coastal town.

But Hilton Head Island is also expensive, which can quickly eat into your retirement savings. For example, according to Redfin, the median sale price for a home in August was $740,000, higher than the national median sale price of $433,229 for the same month.

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Palm Beach, Florida

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Palm Beach is becoming out of reach for more retirees due to a high cost of living as well as other issues affecting Florida residents.

Beyond food, housing, and utilities, you should factor in expensive health care, retirement communities fees, homeowners’ insurance, and sales tax if you’re considering Florida.

Nashville, Tennessee

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Nashville is home to plenty of music and entertainment venues for retirees to enjoy, but there could be hidden costs to living there.

Nashville may not be as welcoming for retirees compared to younger residents, and its health care availability and cost could also end up being more expensive than what you can afford when you’re retired.

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Raleigh, North Carolina

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Taxes can be an important factor when you’re trying to decide where to retire and cities like Raleigh or Durham may not be a good option if that’s an issue for you.

The state doesn’t tax your Social Security income, but it does tax withdrawals from your retirement accounts as well as any money you might receive from a pension.

Gulfport, Mississippi

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If you’re looking for a place with a water view or to enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, Gulfport is right on the water.

But you’ll have to balance the access to water with a lack of access to good health care, which could be a bigger issue as you age in this city.

Atlanta, Georgia

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Atlanta is a hub of entertainment with access to the busiest airport in the world, which could be a great option if you want to travel when you retire.

But Atlanta has a few downsides. You’ll have to deal with plenty of traffic that may discourage you from going out to enjoy retired life. The hot and humid weather could be a barrier to outdoor activities, too.

And while the cost of living in Atlanta is about 2% lower than elsewhere in the U.S., the cost of health care is 8% higher.

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New Orleans, Louisiana

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New Orleans can fulfill your needs for music, entertainment, and food, but you may want to reconsider moving there if you’re concerned about crime.

The city ranks high among U.S. cities for its total violent crime rate as well as its murder rate. There are areas of the city with lower rates of crime, but you’ll pay more for housing to live there.

Montgomery, Alabama

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Montgomery could be a good option if you’re looking for affordable housing. The median sale price of a home was $161,950 in August, according to Redfin.

The taxes, however, could put a damper on retirement there. The state income tax rate ranges from 2% to 5%, and the state sales tax is 4%. The state fully taxes any withdrawals you make from retirement accounts.

However, income from a pension or Social Security is not taxed and there is no estate or inheritance tax.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

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Tulsa could be a good option if you want a southern town with a Western feel, but be aware that health care options may be limited and expensive.

The state will also partially tax any income you receive from your retirement account withdrawals or pensions.

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Fort Smith, Arkansas

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Fort Smith is located along the Arkansas River, giving you access to outdoor activities like fishing and kayaking.

But the city lags compared to other retirement locations for health care or quality of life while you’re living there.

Bottom line

Retirement can be a great way to reset your life and try something new by moving to a new city.

When you can choose where you want to live, you still have many considerations. Weather, activities, the cost of living, and health care are all important.

You’ve worked for years to build your personal wealth . Making one more “right” decision on where to spend your retirement years is the payoff for your good planning.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).