While you can count on us to identify charming towns and vibrant cities across the region, that’s just half of the equation. To help you make an informed choice, we partnered with the financial experts at Investopedia, one of our sister brands, to present options that also consider your bottom line. They started with a list of Southern small towns and cities and factored in cost of living, home values, access to hospitals, and continuing education programs. Based on this information—and our own research—we landed on 12 locations that offer excellent quality of life and make sense financially.
Whether your idea of a good time is dining out or heading to a ball game, there’s a place to suit everyone, from the Mississippi Gulf Coast to the North Carolina mountains. We also asked retirees why they love their adopted hometowns, so you’ll have a full picture of what life is really like in these spots—and what it takes to get there.