Duluth, GA 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview

Duluth is a city in Northern Georgia popular for its diverse landscapes and numerous parks. With year-round festivals and close proximity to Atlanta, residents of Duluth have an itinerary full of fun. Retirees interested in warm summers, outdoor recreation, and a tight-knit community will enjoy all that Duluth has to offer.

Climate & Geography

Located in the northeastern section of the Atlanta metro area in Gwinnett County, Duluth has a humid subtropical climate. Winters are short, cold, and wet while summers are hot and muggy. Residents experience nearly twice as much rainfall as the national average and very little snow. There are an average of 218 sunny days in Duluth. 

Gwinnett County has diverse landscapes, including bends, lakes, streams, and cliffs. The Chattahoochee River is to the north, and the Berkeley Lake is to the west. 

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment 

In Duluth, there are several parks that offer a variety of events and recreational programs, including Shorty Howell Park, McDaniel Farm Park, and Jones Bridge Park.

Residents of Duluth get to experience various events held throughout the year, such as the Duluth Beer and Wine Festival, Fall Festival, Rotary Car Show, Indie Green Festival, and Neighbor Night Market. The International Night Market Atlanta is an open-air night market held annually with street food, cultural performances, and shopping areas. 

For residents who want to get out of the city for a day, a short drive to Atlanta provides an abundant amount of recreation options. 

Cost of Living & Taxes

The cost of living in Duluth is higher than the state and national average. Housing is the biggest factor in the cost of living difference. 

As one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees, Georgia does not tax Social Security benefits, and there are substantial exclusions for all other forms of retirement income. For retirees 62 to 64, this exclusion is $35,000, and for retirees over 65, it is $65,000. Additionally, property taxes are below average, and retirees may qualify for a double homestead exemption. Duluth has a 6 percent sales tax rate.

Health Care

The Atlanta metro area ranks in the top 60 communities across the country.

There are three hospitals within 10 miles of Duluth: Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Gwinnett Medical Center, and SummitRidge Hospital. The Gwinnett Medical Center is ranked No. 7 in Atlanta and No. 8 in Georgia, and it is rated high performing by U.S. News in six procedures and conditions.