How is Georgia (state) for early retirement?

[duyen]

I am thinking of choosing between Georgia or Texas for early retirement. I am currently in a HCOL where I won't be able to afford to buy a home (and retire early).

How is Atlanta Georgia for early retirement (compared to say Austin or Dallas)? Texas doesn't have income tax but that doesn't help when I am an early retiree. Schools seem good for kids in both places

[2Birds1Stone]

Both have a huge car-centric culture, at least Dallas. Austin is more walkable/bikeable.

Without knowing your priorities or what you're lookin for in terms of lifestyle, it's very hard to say....

[duyen]

Just found that healthcare wise it is ranked bad; Seems the premium plus OOP for a silver or gold plan is close to 2k per month for a family of four.

My criteria: States / Cities with low COL, cheap ACA, with good schools where I can buy a home and retire. Preferably no snow and decent weather (not too hot)

Georgia fits everything except healthcare. Are there are any other good cities or states that fit this need?

[Roland of Gilead]

Maybe somewhere on the coast of Oregon would check the boxes of no snow, not too hot.  No sales tax, some income tax but you can manage that maybe.

I grew up in Georgia.  It is hot and humid.

[KarefulKactus15]

As someone else said, what's your criteria?

I'm a bit biased but you could investigate Greenville South Carolina for lcol. Has hot and humid summer issue though.

[bloodaxe]

According to this: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/10-best-and-worst-states_b_9030422

New Mexico is the place with the cheapest health insurance.

I would check out Sante Fe NM (Medium COL) and Las Cruces NM (LCOL).

It's hot but low humidity.

Re Atlanta: I wouldn't move there, unless you like sitting in extremely stressful traffic for half of your life.

[carameltooth]

I have lived in Atlanta for 15 years.  I feel like it is really important to live, work and find community within a 5-10 mile radius.  There are a lot of great neighborhoods and areas around the metro to find that.  Of course, you will sit in traffic from time to time...

[ctuser1]

Others have commented on the financial/utilitarian aspects. So I wont spend much time on that.


Atlanta, GA has more greenery than the average Texas city. OTOH, Austin has a great "keep Austin weird" vibe, whereas Atlanta is more of a soul-less megalopolis.

The point I am making is that you need to visit and preferably spend a week or more in each place before you decide where to move.

e.g. I dislike the arid landscapes of Phoenix, love the mountains around Denver, dislike something about Houston and Dallas (not quite sure exactly what) and can probably only grudgingly tolerate Atlanta, GA. I had no idea that I had these preferences before I visited these towns and spent some time there.

Even after all that due diligence, please don't fully commit till you have spent at least one or two full years in that area. I have two retired neighbors who moved to Florida after they retired, but hightailed out of there after the first rainy season and came back to CT where they can see the familiar "4 seasons".

[Just Joe]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micropolitan_statistical_area

More data for you. I visit Atlanta every year or so for something. NOPE! I'm a big fan of and live in a micropolitan area. Pick one with a university.

[projekt]

Athens, GA is a nice area. So is Savannah. I like Atlanta a lot, but I don’t like its burbs.

[Just Joe]

In all my many visits to Atlanta I've never found anything that charmed me. Chattanooga up the road about 90 minutes is an option you could test. Be sure to visit all the neighborhoods before you decide.

I would rent a place for a week and look all around town. Watch the evening news and see if there are neighborhoods to avoid. Also look at crime stat maps.

I think I'd like Athens too.

[The Hin]

My wife and I moved from Atlanta to Athens (GA) in 2015 and I can confirm that it's a great place to live - it's got a lot of small-town charm but has loads of fun culture and activities etc. courtesy of being home to a major land-grant university. That said, real estate prices have risen dramatically here in the desirable neighborhoods and priced out a lot of the locals, there aren't many good public schools in town, nor are there many high-paying jobs here (unless you're a doctor or a professor).

[jpdx]

I think Atlanta is a great option if you like traffic, humidity, and kudzu.

[SwordGuy]

At the rate Georgia is mis-handling the Covid crisis, longevity risk will be reduced for quite a few state citizens.   They are insistent on re-opening schools right away and not requiring masks.