Narrowing down where to live during retirement is no easy feat. Important considerations include affordability, health-care facilities, population size and — according to indicators AARP uses to inform its liveability index — access to the outdoors and nature. And then there’s the toes-in-the- sand factor.
These Southern cities and towns stand out for having one trait in common: their coastal lifestyle. Whether it’s a laid-back beach town where everyone knows your name or a lively waterfront city where something is always on, this list has an enticing option for everyone who is considering a retirement move.
6 Southern towns to retire by the water
From the Gulf Coast to the Carolinas, each town trades its own mix of beach, price tag and pace. Tap a pin to explore.
Palm Coast, Florida
Ranked no. 9 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 list of top places to retire, which took into account “happiness of local residents, housing affordability, tax rates and health-care quality,” this coastal city of about 115,000 people sits conveniently between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, with about 30 percent of the population aged 65 or older. Opportunities for outdoor recreation are abundant here, including 70 miles of saltwater and freshwater canals, six designated Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trails and the Jack Nicklaus-designed Ocean Course at Hammock Beach Resort & Spa.
Savannah, Georgia
Coming in at No. 8 on Retirable’s “35 Best Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2026,“ Georgia’s first city is where retirees can find an affordable lifestyle with plenty of urban amenities. That also includes one of the best arts scenes in the South, thanks to Savannah College of Art & Design, a downtown design district and museums and galleries aplenty. And in this riverfront city, a body of water is never far away. Besides the Savannah River, retirees will have easy access to the beach at nearby Tybee Island.
Orange Beach, Alabama
Beachfront communities along the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida consistently top best-of lists of cities for retirees, but Orange Beach gets brownie points for having a more palatable price tag than most. You’ll find more than 32 miles of pristine beachfront to stretch out on between Orange Beach and neighboring Gulf Shores. Retirees can look forward to small town vibes (minus peak tourist season) with the total number of full-time residents in Orange Beach sitting just under 10,000. And they’ll be in good company, with nearly 25 percent of the population aged 65 or older.
Gulfport, Mississippi
Named a top 10 beach town in the U.S. for retirees by HGTV, Gulfport has also earned high marks for being easy on the wallet, appearing on Realtor.com’s 2023 list of most affordable beach towns in the U.S. With the cost of living at about 15 percent below the national average, retirees will have a little extra cash to do and see it all. Mississippi’s second largest city (population: about 70,000) has a thriving arts scene, casinos and marine-focused attractions like the Mississippi Aquarium and Institute for Marine Mammal Studies.
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
According to Hire a Helper’s report, “Where Retirement-Age Americans Moved in 2025 and Why,” South Carolina gained the largest number of adults 65 or older of any state in the country. What’s drawing them? Affordable coastal communities like Murrells Inlet. This historic fishing village on Carolina’s Hammock Coast topped Niche’s “Best Place to Retire Study” for its small town feel (population: around 10,000), affordability (median home values fall around $250,000) and proximity to the coastline. Attractions like Brookgreen Gardens and Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk, a half-mile boardwalk lined with attractions and restaurants, make it fun for the family too.
Calabash, North Carolina
If retiring to a quiet town on the banks of North Carolina sounds like a dream, consider Calabash, part of the Brunswick Islands and home to only 2,000 residents year round. It’s budget friendly, with the city ranking as one of the most affordable places to retire in the U.S., and has a great dining scene. Calabash claims the title of “seafood capital of the world,” so retirees can look forward to the area’s signature Calabash-style seafood (lightly breaded and deep fried). Also not to miss: nearby Sunset Beach, named to National Geographic’s list of the 21 best beaches in the world.