Winder, GA 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Winder is a small city located 50 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta and 20 miles west of Athens. Winder boasts a historic downtown with many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. The quaint downtown area has great restaurants and a variety of unique shops to browse. Retirees who love the outdoors will enjoy nearby state parks, rivers, and golf courses. 

Cost of Living & Taxes

The cost of living in Social Circle is a little lower than average in the U.S., mostly because of lower housing costs. On a 100 point scale where 100 is average for the U.S. as a whole, Social Circle's housing cost average is 81.4, close to Georgia's 82.4 average. Winder's average transportation costs are 126 compared to Georgia's 105.1. Groceries are consistent with state averages although lower than national averages. Health care costs are higher than state but lower than national costs. Utilities are higher than the national average but lower than the average for Georgia. 

Winder is in Barrow County where the average property tax is 0.82% and sales tax is 7% which includes the 4% state sales tax plus a 3% Barrow County tax. Georgia has a state income tax with rates ranging from 1% to 5.75%. Social Security is not taxable but other retirement income is although residents 65 and older can get a maximum deduction of $65,000.  

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

There are a variety of leisure options for active adults in the Winder area, including: 

Art & performances

• Colleen O. Williams Community Theatre
• Winder Cultural Arts Center

Historical sites and museums

• Barrow County Museum
• William Harris Homestead
• Winder Train Depot

Outdoor activities

• Fort Yargo State Park
• Braselton Mulberry RiverWalk
• Pine Hills Golf Course
• Providence Golf Club
• Chimneys Golf Course

Other activities

• Winder Barrow Speedway

Climate

The Winder area sees about 37 inches of rain per year with much of it falling during the month of August. Average winter temperatures range from 35° to 50° and snowfall averages just under 2 inches with the greatest chance of snow in February. Summer in Winder is hot and humid with summer temperatures averaging between 70° and 90° with 73% humidity. 

Health Care

The closest hospitals to Winder are: 

Northeast Georgia Medical Center Barrow in Winder is a 56 bed community hospital which has been named as one of Georgia's top 5 small hospitals. NGMC Barrow is fully accredited by the federal agency DNV Healthcare, The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and more. 

Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton, 11 miles from Winder. is a 134 bed community hospital. NGMC Braselton received quality achievement awards from the American Heart/American Stroke Association and is listed by the state of Georgia as a primary stroke center.

Piedmont Walton Hospital in Monroe, 14 miles from Winder. Piedmont Walton is a 77 bed community hospital with a designated Level III trauma center. The hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission, American College of Radiology, American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the American College of Cardiology.