It may be hard to believe, but members of Generation X have started to move into the active adult phase of life. But today’s 55+ residents aren’t the same as their Baby Boomer predecessors. In many cases, these aging adults aren’t ready to retire; instead they are still deeply embedded in their jobs and careers while also trying to figure out how to make that transition into a slower pace of life. With that in mind, they need to live in a metro area that caters to all of their needs. Enter: Atlanta.

“Atlanta and its surrounding suburbs check multiple boxes simultaneously for those who are 55 or older: lower cost of living and taxes, outstanding health care access through systems like Emory and Piedmont and a growing market of active adult residential communities,” says Ryan Frederick, CEO of Here, which provides resources for people deciding where to live later in life. His book, “Right Place, Right Time: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Home for the Second Half of Life,” closely examines place planning, and he notes the many benefits associated with metro Atlanta for active adults. For instance, WalletHub placed Atlanta as the sixth best U.S. city to retire, as well as the 12th best for jobs in 2026. That combination is critical as Gen X members work longer in life.

Here, KnowAtlanta Magazine examines five benefits in particular for those heading into their Golden Years as they start a new, active chapter of life in Atlanta.

COST OF LIVING

Despite the city’s many amenities and the many corporate headquarters in the region (including Home Depot and UPS), Atlanta’s overall cost of living is 5.2 percent lower than the national average, according to Apartments.com. Of note, the average listing price for a home in Atlanta is $415,734, which is 21.9 percent lower than the national average.

The numbers look even better as you age. In fact, Georgia is generally considered among the country’s most tax-friendly states for older workers and retirees. Major perks include tax breaks for older individuals on their retirement income and property and no state tax on Social Security, estates or inheritances.

THE LIFESTYLE

As a result of money saved, aging local residents have more money to spend on recreation, dining out, shopping or heading to the theater or a museum. Fortunately, metro Atlanta offers access to an array of renowned cultural hubs, including the Fox Theatre, Fernbank Museum and the Atlanta Botanical Garden, just to name a few. And there is no shortage of outstanding eateries and retail locales throughout the metro area. Plus, finding a spot for fresh air is easy, too; 82 percent of Atlanta residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, according to the Trust for Public Land, and there are more than 300 parks in the area. Many green areas, like Piedmont Park, transform into homes for cultural and music festivals throughout the year.

PREMIER HEALTHCARE

No matter how they feel at the time, older Americans are wise to seek out homes that offer access to top-of-the-line healthcare—and it’s difficult to compete with Atlanta’s offerings. In addition to being home to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the metro area boasts half a dozen major hospital systems, which feature multiple hospitals, specialty centers, community physician offices and related services. For example, Emory University’s esteemed medical facilities attract some of the country’s top physicians, while Grady Health, Piedmont Healthcare, Northside and Wellstar all have facilities in locations throughout the region.

THE WEATHER

As this past winter proved, Atlanta has a few cold streaks per year, but temperatures are generally comfortable year-round. Averages run from the low 50s in January to the high 80s during the summer. Individuals looking to embrace the four seasons can be assured that spring brings rain while fall features dramatic color shifts. As a bonus, the temperate climate allows for more opportunities to stay active, with walking, gardening, golfing or cycling always on the table to local residents in the ATL.

BOOMING RESIDENTIAL MARKET

Many active adults opt to move into a 55+ community, which allows residents to downsize into comfortable ranch-style homes while gaining access to amenities like a swimming pool, tennis or pickleball courts and a community center for classes and wellness activities, among many other options. Given all of the other advantages of living in the region, it’s hardly surprising to see a surge in the adult residential market. In fact, many local homebuilders have placed active adult living at the top of their residential lists, with communities popping up across the area from Peachtree City and Newnan to Buford, Dacula, Flowery Branch, Lake Lanier and Braselton.