The longstanding image of retirees flocking to the warm embrace of Florida is undergoing a surprising revision as an increasing number of baby boomers opt for the rolling hills of Southern Appalachia over the coastal allure of the Sunshine State. This demographic shift is reshaping the cultural and economic landscape of a region historically caricatured by stereotypes of poverty and backwardness.
Recent data reveals that baby boomers, who first migrated from the Northeast and Midwest to Florida, are now settling ‘halfway back,’ earning them the moniker “halfbacks.” Their new destination: the rustic charm of Northern Georgia, the Carolinas, and portions of Tennessee and Virginia. Reports from The Wall Street Journal describe a transformation of Appalachia “from poor, serene and rustic to a bustling retirement haven.”
The draw for these relocating retirees? The lure of lower housing and living expenses, reduced taxes, diminished insurance costs, and a temperate climate with distinct seasons—all without the looming threat of hurricanes. Take Ed Helms and his wife Johnnie Helms, who traded the escalating property insurance and crowded restaurants of Panama City Beach, Florida, for Northern Georgia’s tranquility, asserting, “We wouldn’t go back for anything.”
The population boom from April 2020 to July 2022 in areas designated as “retirement” or “recreational” in Southern Appalachia has been stark, outpacing the national average sixfold. Dawson County, Georgia, where the Helms reside, experienced a significant 12.5% population increase during this period.
These demographic changes are not without their detractors. In Dawson County, social media platforms are rife with discontent over the perceived infringement on the region’s folksy culture. Helen Anderson, a lifelong resident, voiced a common sentiment among local Appalachians, saying, “They ought to go back where they come from.”
Yet, the economic implications are undeniable. The influx of retirees necessitates a corresponding surge in retail and dining establishments, leading to big-box stores and chain restaurants making inroads into an area traditionally sustained by local downtown economies. The Business Insider Journal identifies this upswing in development as a “sort of whiplash” for counties that were once expanses of countryside.
Amid the larger national picture, SmartAsset’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data reveals that cities in Florida, Arizona, and Nevada still attract significant boomer migrations. The study, focusing on people between 55 and 74 years old, highlights that nearly 30% of residents in cities like Cape Coral, Florida, and Scottsdale, Arizona, are boomers.
However, the tide has clearly turned for some, with quieter destinations like Billings, Montana, and High Point, North Carolina, gaining popularity among this demographic. The motivations span from the quest for lower living costs to a pandemic-induced yearning for nature and seclusion.
Relevant articles:
– Why baby boomers and retirees are ditching Florida for Appalachia, The Week
– Baby Boomers Packed Up & Moved Here in 2023, yahoo.com
– Baby Boomers Are Retiring: Implications for the Workforce and Economy, worldwideerc.org