ideal-LIVING's Top Communities in the South
Top Communities in the South
From wide-open spaces to welcoming neighborhoods, discover affordable living, outdoor adventure, and Southern hospitality in Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, and beyond.
Find Your Ideal Southern Community
The Southern US offers an idyllic destination for retirement. Discover the best planned communities the South has to offer with ideal-LIVING, and find a place where culture, charm, and cost-effectiveness combine to create your perfect retirement.
Kissing Tree
Find yourself at Kissing Tree.
Perfectly placed in the Texas Hill Country halfway between Austin and San Antonio, Kissing Tree is a master-planned resort community by Brookfield Residential. Designed specifically for those 55 and better, Kissing Tree offers 1,300 acres of views, brews, and barbecues. Here, hundred-year-old live oak trees welcome you home, and friendly neighbors provide a genuine sense of community and connection.
When you live at Kissing Tree, every day is what you make it. Start the day enjoying the views from a workout class at the two-story Fitness Center, followed by coffee with friends at Independence Hall. Or play a leisurely round of golf on the 18-hole semi-private course designed by Gary Stephenson before having lunch at Tarbox & Brown, the onsite restaurant. Relax by the resort-style pool or swim some laps at the indoor Junior Olympic lap pool. Explore your creative passions in the Art Studio, or take on new neighbors in a friendly game of pickleball or bocce. Dance beneath the stars to live music at the Biergarten. You can be as active — or as relaxed — as you choose to be.
Here at Kissing Tree, you’ll find gorgeous homes designed for the ways you live and entertain by Brookfield Residential and David Weekley homes, priced from the $300s to $1 million plus. Whether you prefer to live large or downsize, there are floor plans to fit your style, structured in thoughtful neighborhood enclaves that encourage camaraderie. Choose from an inviting variety of architectural elevations, design options, and interior finishes that allow you to build a home that reflects your individual tastes. Or get in on the good times faster by choosing a professionally designed home that’s all ready to move in.
As a bustling college town with ample options for live music, restaurants, and festivals, San Marcos is the perfect backdrop for your next adventure (and the Mermaid Capital of Texas). Named one of Forbes’ “25 Best Places to Retire” three years in a row, San Marcos is a historic small town with big city conveniences. There are cool rivers to float and fish, clear lakes for boating, miles of trails, amazing scenery and wildlife, and winding backcountry roads for exploring on two wheels or four.
Ready to write your next chapter? Come for a visit and see how exciting life can be at Kissing Tree.
Hot Springs Village
Hot Springs Village spans 26,000 acres of the Ouachita Mountain foothills. The largest private, gated community in North America boasts amenities for both adventure and leisure including pickle ball courts, tennis center, and 9 year-round, championship golf courses. Lake-life is also delightful with 11 lakes and 2 beaches for swimming, boating, skiing, kayaking, and relaxing! The Coronado Fitness Center, spa, indoor pool, and 30 miles of scenic hiking and biking nature trails are other HSV “hot” spots. Multiple dining, churches, and over 200 active organizations are perfect for social opportunities. The HSV Police, Fire, and EMT Departments along with two manned security gates provide residents peace of mind! HSV is centrally located and only a 20 minute drive to historic Hot Springs, an hour to Little Rock, and a day trip to many surrounding parks and attractions! Hot Springs Village offers a large variety of home styles. New construction and custom designed home packages are also available– all including your choice of lake or golf front, mountain view, or just nestled in the woods. Come enjoy the affordable HSV good life; the longer you stay, the more you’re going to love us! Photos by Zac Franklin.
Homestead
Homestead is located in the small-town of Schertz, providing the perfect balance of urban convenience and countryside living with new homes near San Antonio. Just 15 minutes from the military bases, Homestead is located between San Antonio and New Braunfels in the town of Schertz, providing a quaint, close-knit community conveniently positioned near large employment hubs.
Homestead offers quick commutes and connections to exceptional shopping, dining and attractions. Residents are also close to New Braunfels, a traditional German community with small shops and boutique restaurants, just a few miles northwest of Homestead.
Cherokee Village
Holiday Island
Big Creek
Request information for your selected communities.
The Mid-South: A New Frontier for Relocation & Retirement
The mid-South states along the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River are a new frontier in the heartland for retirees and families looking for a fresh start. While it may not be the first region that comes to mind as a relocation destination, take a closer look.
Financial Advantages for Retirees & Families
First of all, states like Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas are actively reaching out to retirees and other new residents with incentives like income tax rates that range from low to zero. Property tax rates are also below national averages, and generous homestead exemptions for seniors leave more money in the monthly budget. And with lower overall living costs for basics like groceries and utilities, you’ll find that your hard-earned dollars go farther in the mid-South states.
Abundant Outdoor Recreation and Mild Climates
But the region’s best contribution to your better lifestyle may be the abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. While summers can be warm, the rest of the year offers milder temperatures that encourage hiking, biking, boating, golfing, and racquet sports under sunny skies. City, state, and national parks throughout the region offer plenty of clean-air destinations to keep you, your guests, and your grandkids entertained and refreshed.
Why Choose a Planned Community in the South?
The South is more than a geographical location, it's a unique blend of culture, charm, and hospitality. Home to enchanting coastal towns and bustling cities, the South offers an exceptional lifestyle in master planned communities. Add to that the benefit of lower taxes, and you've got an ideal place to call home.
Embrace Southern Hospitality
The South is famous for its unique brand of hospitality. From friendly neighbors to welcoming towns, the South is a place where everyone feels at home. It's not just the people, but also the serene landscapes and the gentle sway of wind chimes that echo the soul of Southern charm.
Experience the Architectural Splendor
From the lighthouse-dotted Atlantic to the warm waters of the gulf coast, each Southern state boasts its own architectural style, steeped in history and tradition.
Live Affordably in the South
Moving to the South often means paying less in taxes, leaving you with more money to enjoy the things you love. From exquisite dining experiences to cultural events, shopping, or simply enjoying a peaceful retirement, the South allows you to live life to the fullest.