Retiring to Georgia (Atlanta, Toccoa, Hartwell: crime, mortgage, schools)

[Lisa Ann00]

My husband and I plan to retire in the next 3 years. We have been all over the country and have been looking for a place to settle after retirement. We are retiring pretty young (late 40s, early 50s), but we currently live in the suburbs of Chicago and do not want to stay here with the crime, housing prices, crazy taxes, did I say crime? The housing taxes have gone so out of control, we can barely afford our mortgage anymore and we both work full time. We've stayed in the Blue Ridge Mountains a few times now, and really like it. We stayed mostly in Helen, but have visited Blue Ridge, Hiawassee and Blairsville and just fell in love, not only with the scenery, but the feel of the towns. My husband is a Gulf War Veteran and has problems with gout and osteoarthritis. I've also got arthritis in my spine, so we really are trying to stay away from extremes weatherwise. We'd love to live in San Diego with the weather but that's out of our price range, to say the least. Could someone give us some insight into the winter/summer temps in these areas? I've gotten conflicting reports of extreme cold in the winter and extremely hot summers, to moderate summer/winters to ice storms and brutal snowstorms. We aren't looking for that much, I don't think. We just want a place to retire to where our bones won't hurt as much, people are friendly (we've never had a problem making friends really anywhere), we can feel safe and we can actually afford to live. Chicago winters can be pretty brutal and the summers aren't too much fun for us.

[PTC Dad]

Here are the averages:

Month Low High
Jan 33.5°F 51.9°F
Feb 36.5°F 56.8°F
Mar 43.6°F 65.0°F
Apr 50.4°F 72.9°F
May 59.5°F 80.0°F
Jun 67.1°F 86.5°F
Jul 70.6°F 89.4°F
Aug 69.9°F 87.9°F
Sept 64.3°F 82.3°F
Oct 52.8°F 72.9°F
Nov 43.5°F 63.3°F
Dec 36.2°F 54.6°F

Atlanta experiences all 4 seasons, but winters are shorter and milder than up north. Especially when compared to Chicago. Atlanta averages snow or freezing rain a few times every winter, but it usually doesn't stick. The northern suburbs and North Georgia mountains get more snow than the southern suburbs. Many times the snow line is I-20.

[flamadiddle]

Blue Ridge is a nice area, but it can get pretty cold up there in the Mountains. Not Chicago cold, but far from San Diego type weather.

https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/30513:4:US

Not sure if you're into the Ocean, but if so, have you looked at Hilton Head? >https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/USSC0155:1:US

[stocks22]

Originally Posted by Lisa Ann00

My husband and I plan to retire in the next 3 years. We have been all over the country and have been looking for a place to settle after retirement. We are retiring pretty young (late 40s, early 50s), but we currently live in the suburbs of Chicago and do not want to stay here with the crime, housing prices, crazy taxes, did I say crime? The housing taxes have gone so out of control, we can barely afford our mortgage anymore and we both work full time. We've stayed in the Blue Ridge Mountains a few times now, and really like it. We stayed mostly in Helen, but have visited Blue Ridge, Hiawassee and Blairsville and just fell in love, not only with the scenery, but the feel of the towns. My husband is a Gulf War Veteran and has problems with gout and osteoarthritis. I've also got arthritis in my spine, so we really are trying to stay away from extremes weatherwise. We'd love to live in San Diego with the weather but that's out of our price range, to say the least. Could someone give us some insight into the winter/summer temps in these areas? I've gotten conflicting reports of extreme cold in the winter and extremely hot summers, to moderate summer/winters to ice storms and brutal snowstorms. We aren't looking for that much, I don't think. We just want a place to retire to where our bones won't hurt as much, people are friendly (we've never had a problem making friends really anywhere), we can feel safe and we can actually afford to live. Chicago winters can be pretty brutal and the summers aren't too much fun for us.

Blairsville is now crowded and crime has gone up. I recommend moving to Puerto Rico. GA is the most corrupt govt in the US.

[ipkl07]

I'd be careful on retiring in the mountains. I think it's nice as well, but lots of drugs and I think the health care is not ideal either. In fact, I know the healthcare is down right bad from our experiences. It does have great scenery, like you mentioned. You have to keep in mind there are trade offs. If you're from the Chicagoland area you're use to mainly decent schools, decent hospitals, a lot higher taxes, and decent educated public. You get down in mountains a lot of that disappears. You'll have a lot lower taxes, lovely weather a majority of the year and lots of great scenery. If you're willing to accept the trade offs. I say go for it. Make sure you are completely aware of the trade offs and are willing to accept them! One thing I learned over the years is to talk to a number of locals and get their thoughts and opinions of the area and how or if it's changed! I would not waste my time talking to a trained professional who's job it is to get your business and sugar coat bad things and tell you how great everything is when in reality it's bad. If you're in the mountains you'll probably be going to Atlanta surrounding area for health care. Next, if you're in the mountains you'll probably be on well water, have a septic tank, slower internet, and propane. Do you know how to maintain and test the well water? How often you should have the septic tank pumped out? Internet will either be through your phone company or through Satellite. You could use your cellphone as a mobile hot spot. Keep in mind you'll also get a steady dose of Cletus, Gomer, Betty Lou Sue, and Clay Junior up in the mountains. A number of them are still fighting the Civil War. Finally, a lot want to retire up in the Mountains and it is becoming ever more increasingly crowded, will you want to be their in twenty years, since you're retiring young? Big decision for you guys ahead and I hope you guys make the right decision and everything works out. Thanks

[AnsleyPark]

My wife and I are in Blue Ridge for the long weekend. Have a place here and try to get up here from Atlanta as often as possible. The weather is nice - not too hot, not too cold. Lake Blue Ridge is gorgeous and there are many other outdoor activities available. The town itself is quaint and pretty and the folks who live here are generally very nice. The one time I had the misfortune of needing urgent medical care, I found the hospital and its staff to be knowledgeable and effective.

After having spent so much time here over the last 10 years, I would not hesitate retiring to the area.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by stocks22

Blairsville is now crowded and crime has gone up. I recommend moving to Puerto Rico. GA is the most corrupt govt in the US.

Oh, for heaven's sake...

[juliehaley]

Perhaps look into some of the NE GA towns on the I-85 corridor. You have greater health care, dining, shopping, and entertainment options that way while still being able to enjoy lake and mountain views.

Stephens County / Toccoa area for instance. At the foothills of the mountains, so you don't necessarily have the snow and colder winters, but you still have hiking, waterfalls, mountains, and Lake Hartwell. There are decent healthcare options, and a downtown which has been beautifully re-vitalized. Plus, you can quickly be on I-85 to get to anything you could possibly need in an hour or less, and are not far from Dahlonga, Helen, Blue Ridge, etc to take those true mountain excursions.