Georgia Retirement Communities

Along the South Georgia Coast, you’ll find palm trees and beautiful sandy beaches. One of the most popular retirement destinations in Georgia is in and around Savannah. There is probably no place more inviting in Georgia than Savannah, a city renowned for its hospitality, congenial climate, authentic culture and extraordinary natural beauty. Here you’ll find, beaches and rivers, shopping and dining, museums and galleries as well as theater and music.

If you love to golf, you can choose from one of the Georgia retirement communities that are located on a golf course. If you want to live near one of the many prestigious golf courses designed by Fazio, Crenshaw, Nicklaus and Palmer, you'll find them in small towns like Greensboro or Resorts like the ones at St. Simons and Jekyll Island that have long played host to corporate executive as well as multi-millionaires. And who can forget the Masters, held each year in Augusta.



For retirees who might want to use some of their spare time to continue their education, there’s Athens, home to the University of Georgia. With a population of 102,000, this college town has recently been named as one of the best places in the country to retire.

Some of the benefits to choosing one of the Georgia Retirement Communities:

• Free tuition for residents over 62 years of age

• Relatively low cost of living

• State Income Tax: This is being phased out for retirement income of seniors age 65 and older with all senior retirement income being exempt from state income tax by 2013.

• Compared to states like Florida, the average price of both car insurance and housing are much lower.

Some of the cons:

• There is still a State Income Tax for seniors who work past 65. They will continue to pay state income taxes on the wages they earn.

• Folks call it the “Birthday Tax”. Georgia currently has an Ad Valor em tax on all vehicles. This is a yearly tax on the value of your vehicle.(This will hopefully be phased out over the next few years)

• State Sales Tax: 4% (food, prescription drugs exempt), local taxes may add an additional 3%.

• Property Tax: property tax is levied at 1.7% of the assessed value of your property but individuals age 65 and over may claim an exemption from all state ad valor em taxes on their home and up to 10 acres of land surrounding the home. There may also be local homestead exemption taxes depending upon the county that you live in.

The top 10 places to retire in Georgia, according to RetireinGeorgia.com, are (in no particular order):

• Albany

• Atlanta

• Big Canoe

• Gainesville

• Douglas/Coffee County

• Georgia Lake Country (Morgan, Greene, Putnam and Baldwin Counties

• Lowndes County (Valdosta)

• Brooks and Lanier Counties

• St Mary’s

• Thomasville

Another one of the great Retirement Communities in Georgia that did not make the list is the Marietta area. This booming suburb of Atlanta has over 50 golf courses within a 20 mile radius.

**Selections were based on: Weather / climate, State parks, local parks, etc., Lodging and hospitality amenities, Cost of living, Health care infrastructure, Housing, Population dynamics, Community commitment, Lifelong learning opportunities.

The benefits to retiring in one of the many Georgia retirement communities far outweigh the cons.

For a list of some of the best Active Adult Communities in Georgia, be sure to check out our page on Active Adult Communities in Georgia

Median Home Price: $136,921

Personal Income Tax: Yes
For single taxpayers:
-- 1 percent on the first $750 of taxable income
-- 2 percent on taxable income between $751 and $2,250
-- 3 percent on taxable income between $2,251 and $3,750
-- 4 percent on taxable income between $3,751 and $5,250
-- 5 percent on taxable income between $5,251 and $7,000
-- 6 percent on taxable income exceeding $7,000.

For married persons filing joint returns and heads of households, the rates remain the same but the income brackets cover earnings from $1,000 (at 1 percent) to $10,000 (at 6 percent).

Taxpayers age 62 or older or those permanently and totally disabled may exclude up to $30,000 of retirement income. In tax year 2008 and beyond, the excusable amount increases to $35,000. A tax credit is allowed to Georgia residents for income taxes paid to other states, but not to foreign countries. Some Georgia residents whose federal adjusted gross income is no more than $19,999 might be eligible for a low-income tax credit.

Sales Tax: Yes
Georgia state sales tax is 4 percent.

Prescription drugs, certain medical devices and groceries are exempt from sales and use tax.

Local jurisdictions may impose additional sales taxes. These could include levies for local option tax, educational local option tax, special purpose local option tax, homestead local option tax or Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, or MARTA, tax.

Atlanta also collects a 1 percent municipal option sales tax.

Property Tax: Yes
All real and personal property are taxable unless specifically exempted by law. Real property is land and anything built on it, growing in it or affixed to it. Personal property is everything owned that is not real estate.

Real property is taxable in the county where the land is located. Personal property is taxable in the county where the owner has his or her permanent legal residence.

Each county administers its own system and sets its millage rate to arrive at the amount of ad valorem tax due. Homestead exemptions of up to $2,000 are available to persons who own and occupy their home as a primary residence. Apply for a homestead exemption through the local county tax commissioner if you reside in a home you own by Jan. 1.

Inheritance and Estate Tax: No

For more Information:
Contact the Georgia Department of Revenue website

If you are considering one of the Georgia Retirement Communities, make sure you do your homework and be sure to visit the area you are considering at least twice, once in the summer and then again in the fall before you make your final decision on where you want to spend your golden years. With a little work, you can find the Georgia retirement community that is right for you.

Is Georgia on you list of "America's Best Places To Retire"?

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