Savannah makes list of top places to retire in the South, with praise for its arts & culture

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read
FILE - A retro mural sits on the side of the Thunderbird Inn in Savannah. The city was recently named a top retirement destination by Southern Living with a particular emphasis on Savannah's art and culture.
FILE - A retro mural sits on the side of the Thunderbird Inn in Savannah. The city was recently named a top retirement destination by Southern Living with a particular emphasis on Savannah's art and culture.

For many, retirement is the promise of freedom after decades of work. But when the world is your oyster, where should you go?

Southern Living, one of the region's top lifestyle magazines, recently published its "Best Places to Retire in the South" list and Savannah made the cut.

Each city featured was illustrated through the lens of local retirees. Cyndi and Chuck Seidel discussed how they fell in love with Savannah from the first time they visited and have always wanted to retire to the "Hostess City of the South."

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“Who can complain about trees draped with Spanish moss?" asked Cyndi Seidel. "We love the homey feel; it’s like a small town. Of course, we have our favorite spots: Go to Leopold’s Ice Cream (I order the Savannah Socialite), or head to any of the rooftop bars for great views of the city. We also love the old Savannah theaters for classic films and plays and saw Journey and Toto at the new arena.”

The list's author, Carolanne Griffith Roberts, said Savannah is also the best place for arts and culture, citing the city's rich architectural history, the vibrant festival season, and the strong presence of the Savannah College of Art and Design.

FILE - Stratton Leopold at his flagship store, Leopold's Ice Cream, a Savannah institution since 1919. The city was recently named a top retirement destination by Southern Living with a particular emphasis on Savannah's art and culture.
FILE - Stratton Leopold at his flagship store, Leopold's Ice Cream, a Savannah institution since 1919. The city was recently named a top retirement destination by Southern Living with a particular emphasis on Savannah's art and culture.

Here were the other cities listed and their distinctions:

  • Chattanooga, TN: "Best all-around."

  • Beaufort, NC: "Best for healthy living."

  • Abingdon, VA: "Best for outdoor enthusiasts."

  • Ocean Springs, MS: "Best for home buying."

  • Blowing Rock, NC: "Best mountain town."

  • Greenville, SC: "Best for food lovers."

  • St. Augustine, FL: "Best beach town."

  • Eureka Springs, AR: "Best access to nature."

  • Lexington, KY: "Best for lifelong learning."

  • Huntsville, AL: "Best for affordability."

The destinations chosen were selected from a collection of 41 top-rated cities and towns from the 2023 South’s Best awards by Southern Living. The finalists were chosen based on data from Investopedia on how each of the locations compared to the US as a whole on various economic and lifestyle criteria including home and rental affordability, average resident age, and access to restaurants, hospitals, airports, and green spaces.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Savannah makes best places to retire list from Southern Living