Georgia's Peachy Keen for The Relocation Crowd

Georgia is gaining ground on Florida as a preferred relocation and retirement destination for snow birds and sun worshipers alike. At least, that is the conclusion to be drawn from the recently released United Van Lines' annual migration study.

Specifically in 2006, United statistics showed that for the first time ever more people moved out of Florida rather than into the Sunshine State. United, the nation's largest mover, finds that its results often mirror state and federal demographic statistics. The company has been evaluating this information for the past thirty years.

Why do so many folks have Georgia on their mind?

Continue Reading...

A Show for NE Snowbirds

For those living in the Northeast but with dreams of moving to warmer climes, there is an upcoming travel show you won't want to miss.

From January 19-21 at the Hilton in Parsippany, New Jersey, Living Southern Style magazine will be hosting the Live South Real Estate Show, the largest resort and retirement real estate show in the country. Meet experts, attend seminars on topics from building your dream home to selecting the right location, and visit exhibitors from Delaware to Florida, South Carolina to Virginia and every state in between.

Just the Facts
The Live South Real Estate Show is from 5 - 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Sunday. Attendance is $15 per person at the door, but is complimentary if you pre-register by calling 1.888.248.2989 or online at www.livesouthshows.com.

  • If you enjoyed this story, we encourage you to forward it to your friends via e-mail using the form at the bottom of this page.
  • If you would like to receive a complimentary subscription to back roads, charming towns, please click here.
  • If you have enjoyed this story and have something to say about it, please add your comments in the section below.

And The Winner Is . . .

Southern Living released their annual Readers’ Choice Awards winners in the publication's January 2007 issue. Great escapes suggested by their readers and editors that are BRCT-focused and worthy of your consideration include (drum roll please): Continue Reading...

Relaxing With Crawling, Slinky, Winged Creatures

I have rhapsodized on Back Roads, Charming Towns about the increasing desire of Americans to buy vacation or retirement homes in college towns, small towns, on farms and prairie land.

Now, many of us are looking for another type of place to relax: environs where creatures creep, crawl, soar and coexist with humans. Bird watching, salamander hunts and flora and fauna hikes are all popular pursuits for yet another sector of the relaxation set.

Continue Reading...

Is Small Town USA The New Retirement Destination?

An article in Monday's Wall Street Journal by Kelly Green states what we at Back Roads, Charming Towns already know is a growing trend.

No, not that brown is the new black, but that small towns are the new retirement destinations. While golf courses, mountain terrains and shorelines continue to lure many in their retirement years, small town America is a preferred location for an increasing number of us.

What is it about these communities that makes them so appealing?

Continue Reading...

How Many Best Places To Retire Are "Charming Towns?"

Money magazine is one of several publications that put together annual rankings of the best places to retire. Lists usually consider such factors as the cost of living, property taxes, a community's amenities, weather and housing stock. But how many of these communities, in addition to the things you can measure, possess that beautiful spirit, an undeniable je ne sais quoi? The answer is several. Continue Reading...

Home Sweet (Second) Home

Thinking about buying a second home -- a place to get away on weekends or during vacations, a future retirement location, a long-term family compound to be passed on to your children and grandchildren? According to The National Association of Realtors (NAR), you are not alone. 

Continue Reading...