Across the South, a handful of small and mid-sized cities offer something increasingly rare: walkable downtowns, rivers and mountains within reach, and rents that leave room in a retirement budget for more than just the essentials.
Many of these cities also carry college-town energy, waterfront parks, or a slower Southern pace that appeals to retirees who want to put more money in their pockets when living on Social Security (without giving up character). Here are 12 worth considering.
Editor’s note: Rent and home value figures come from Zillow. Cost of living figures come from Sperling’s BestPlaces…