Canton, GA 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview 

Canton is a northern suburb of Atlanta located in Northern Georgia. The city offers local amenities like parks, nature preserves, and active downtown communities while also being accessible to one of the busiest airports in the U.S. Retirees are flocking to Canton for its pleasant and temperate year-round weather and close-knit community.

Climate & Geography 

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Canton has a mix of tropical and continental climates. Summers are warm, but extreme heat is reduced due to the elevation. Winters are mild with few cold spells and very little snowfall. There is more than average rainfall, mostly occurring in late summer.

Canton is considered “Outside the Perimeter” of Interstate 285, which runs around metropolitan Atlanta, and this "Outside" area has been most impacted from growth and expansion of the city compared to other areas nearby. The Etowah River runs east to west and splits Canton in half, and I-575 runs along its eastern edge to connect it directly to Atlanta.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment 

Active adults have a large selection of outdoor recreation thanks to two bodies of water within city limits. The Hickory Log Creek Reservoir to the north offers boating, canoeing, fishing, and birdwatching, and the Etowah River Park in the center of the city has walking trails, live music with food and beer trucks, and canoeing. The Blankets Creek Trail System has wide bike paths as well.

Canton Main Street in the historic downtown area not only has local shops, restaurants, and restored buildings, but also many festivals and events throughout the year. Residents can attend the Saturday Farmers Market, seasonal Art and Wine Walk, and First Fridays featuring concerts, local food, and a car show.

Outside of local attractions, Canton residents can easily travel 45 miles to downtown Atlanta to experience big-name shopping, larger restaurants, and access the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Cost of Living & Taxes 

Canton’s cost of living is higher than the national average, which is mainly due to the cost of housing and transportation. The typical commute time in Canton is 10 minutes higher than the national average. Other factors like groceries and health care are below average, while utilities cost are similar to the national average.

Georgia is very tax friendly to retirees. It does not tax Social Security, and while other forms of retirement income are taxed, the state offers large deductions. Sales and property taxes are moderate. Groceries are taxed, but only at Canton’s local level of 2 percent.

Health Care

The greater Atlanta metro area ranks among the top 60 communities across the country in Gallup’s Well-Being Index.

Although there are no nationally ranked hospitals in Canton, Northside Hospital-Cherokee is within city limits, but WellStar Kennestone Hospital in nearby Marietta is ranked by U.S. News as high performing and the No. 5 hospital in Georgia. Other high performing hospitals within 20 miles of Canton include Cartersville Medical Center and Northside Hospital-Forsyth.