Best place to retire: Midtown
Pros: A park on one side, museums on the other, and a comparatively low cost of living.
Cons: Lots of high-rises are still going up, so the skyline is full of cranes.
Real estate: A one-bedroom condo in an older building runs under $200,000. A two-bedroom rental by the park runs about $1600.
Atlanta has long been called the "New York of the South," but Peachtree Street in the Midtown section is starting to look a lot like Chicago's Magnificent Mile.The city's economic boom is drawing hordes of young professionals to this 14-block strip's luxury condos and high-end retail and restaurants, but the area has plenty to offer new retirees.
Walk to Piedmont Park for the botanical garden, farmer's market, and free summer concerts. Hop on the city's light rail to head out to a course at one of the area's 45 universities, or stay in the neighborhood for exhibits at the High Museum of Art and concerts at the Fox Theater.
If the high-rise life isn't for you, there are less expensive condos, as well as charming Victorians and bungalows, once you move off Peachtree Street. For a more low-key lifestyle with easy rail access to downtown Atlanta, try Decatur, a small town with a thriving town square just east of Atlanta.
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