Best Retirement Towns

If there’s any publication that best understands life in the South, it’s Southern Living… which is why we value their opinion so much! Who are we to argue with the foremost experts in life below the Mason-Dixon? So when they released their list of “Best Lake Towns” in which to retire, we had to take their word for it. After all, one local town nabbed a top spot so of course they must be right. 

Which Local Lake Town Is It? 

While the overall No. 1 spot went to Branson, Missouri, our very own Davidson took the No. 2 spot on best lake towns in which to retire. As Southern Living puts it: “Retire to Davidson and you’ll find all the small-town charm you crave near North Carolina’s Lake Norman, plus proximity to the bustling Charlotte metropolitan area. Don’t miss the restaurants, like Kindred, located on the downtown stretch across from Davidson College.”

Davidson’s relaxed atmosphere, emphasis on education and the arts, proximity to Charlotte, and high quality of living make it an ideal place to retire. Not only is the community walkable and friendly, but it emphasizes all the benefits that lake living has to offer: sun, surf, health, and friends.

The next closest North Carolina town to make the list is Lake Lure which we have to agree is another amazing contender. 

Southern Living’s Top 10 list is as follows: 

10. LaGrange, Georgia
9. Cashiers, North Carolina
8. Greensboro, Georgi
7. Florence, Alabama
6. Lexington, South Carolina
5. Lake Lure, North Carolina
4. Gainesville, Georgia
3. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
2. Davidson, North Carolina
1. Branson, Missouri