The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Valdosta, GA for 2023

Located in southern Georgia, Valdosta is the seat of Lowndes County and boasts nearly 56,500 residents, including more than 6,400 seniors aged 65 and older. When family come to visit, retirees with young grandchildren take advantage of Valdosta’s many family-oriented activities, including water parks, roller coasters and adventures with exotic animals on land and under the sea. Valdosta also offers a nice array of activities and attractions that appeal to various personalities.

Assisted living facilities are designed for older adults who wish to retain as much independence as possible but need some assistance with daily activities. They may also need limited medical assistance but don’t require the 24/7 care provided in a nursing home environment. Valdosta seniors can expect to pay an average of $2,420 per month for assisted living, which is well below the state average and even further below the national average.

This guide helps seniors in Valdosta learn more about assisted living, including the average cost of various senior living options and how well Valdosta’s assisted living cost stacks up against nearby cities. It also presents an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of retiring in Valdosta and provides a list of free senior resources.

The Georgia Department of Community Health’s Healthcare Facility Regulation division is responsible for licensing and overseeing health care facilities, including assisted living facilities, in Valdosta and throughout the state. HFR monitors, inspects and licenses assisted living facilities and personal care homes, and it investigates any complaints brought against these facilities.

• Retirees enjoy mild winters in Valdosta without any significant snowfall. January is the coldest month, but the average low is above freezing at 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers can get hot, and June, July and August often have uncomfortable humidity. However, the city has four comfortable months when high temperatures range between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The cost of living in Valdosta is about 9% lower than the statewide average. It’s also nearly 16% less than the national average. Groceries are about 6% less, transportation is almost 19% less and housing is more than 46% lower than the national averages. Unfortunately, health care costs are about 35% higher, which can be concerning to retirees with ongoing health issues.
• Violent crime in Valdosta is slightly less than the national average, which means the incidence of murder, rape, robbery and assault are lower here than in the nation as a whole. Property crime is quite a bit higher though, including auto theft, burglary and larceny.
• Retiring in Valdosta offers a low-tax climate, as Georgia exempts Social Security benefits from state taxes. Most types of retirement income up to $65,000 for singles or $130,000 for couples aged 65 or older are also exempt.
• Valdosta has a local hospital, saving residents from traveling to the nearest larger town for general medical and surgical procedures. South Georgia Medical Center was rated high-performing in treating heart failure and COPD in 2021.
• Seniors aged 60 and older in Valdosta and throughout Lowndes County are eligible for transportation services through the Southern Georgia Regional Commission’s Area Agency on Aging and Coordinated Transportation program. Eligible seniors can request rides to medical and dental appointments, pharmacies, grocery shopping, events to prevent social isolation and other necessary errands.

According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in Valdosta is $2,420. This monthly cost is $1,080 less than the state average and $1,880 less than the national average.

The cost of senior residences at assisted living facilities is lower than the state and national averages and the rates in most nearby cities. Although the average assisted living cost is $120 per month less in Warner Robins than in Valdosta, costs in Albany, Savannah and Brunswick are all much higher. The differences per month are $415, $1,080 and $1,704 respectively.

Aging adults who aren’t sure assisted living offers the right personal care for their needs may want to compare the costs of other options. Adult day health care is generally always the least expensive option. In Valdosta, it costs an average of $1,083 per month. Seniors wanting to age in place at home may consider homemaker services or home health aides, which each cost an average of $3,813 per month. Nursing home facilities offer the most comprehensive personal and medical care and have the highest price tag. Semiprivate rooms run an average of $7,841 per month, while private rooms average $8,343.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Georgia page.