Clayton, Georgia
What It Is Like to Retire in Clayton
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and situated at the southern base of Black Rock Mountain, Clayton, Georgia, is a small town that sits at an elevation of 1,925 feet, with several hilltops within the city limits that exceed 2,000 feet. Located in the northeast corner of Georgia, it is close to the borders of both North Carolina and South Carolina and has a population of about 2,200 residents and an average age of 49. Clayton is the county seat of Rabun County and a popular destination for hikers and visitors as the Chattahoochee National Forest and Black Rock Mountain State Park are nearby. and photo of Black Rock Mountain State Park View courtesy of Wikipedia and Thomson200 (public domain); photo of Lake Rabun courtesy of Wikipedia (public domain).
Where to Retire in Clayton and Home Prices
Zillow reports the median home value is $220,930 in mid-2021. There are single family homes, townhomes and condos, along with cabins on the mountains with beautiful views. (There is an airpark community here, see link at left).
What Is Special about Clayton
Clayton is in a scenic place (near both a State Park and National Forest), with a low cost of living, has an active downtown with shops and restaurants, and offers a lot of outdoor activities.
What Is Not Special about Clayton
The small town is isolated with the nearest large city (Atlanta) about 100 miles away, and Clayton gets more than 60 inches of rain annually.
Who Will Like Retirement in Clayton
Those looking for a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains with many outdoor activities, four seasons, a hospital, a walkable downtown with shops, restaurants, and galleries, may find Clayton as an interesting retirement town.
Local Economy Is Driven by
The diverse economy is driven by health care, retail, and manufacturing.
Climate and Physical Environment
The average January temperature is 37 degrees, with July's average at 72 degrees. Clayton's annual rainfall is close to 70 inches, and it gets about 6 inches of snow during the winter months.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Clayton has farm-to-table restaurants, a winery and a popular old-fashion soda fountain in the town's pharmacy. There is an active Historical Society in Clayton, and Rabun County has music and performing arts offerings, a few museums, and festivals.
Crime
The crime rate here is a little above average.
Medical facilities
Mountain Lakes Medical Center is located in Clayton.
Transportation
The nearest airport is in Atlanta, about 115 miles away.
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