A warm climate and a low cost of living make Georgia an excellent state for seniors. To the north, mountain ranges such as the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachians provide a serene environment for hiking, while to the east, the Atlantic Ocean offers popular beaches, including Jekyll, Savannah and St. Mary’s. The state’s capital city of Atlanta is home to Centennial Olympic Park, the Atlanta History Center and Stone Mountain.
Social Security income and benefits are tax-exempt and the state provides an exemption of up to $65,000 on most other types of retirement income. Georgia is also home to top hospitals. Emory University Hospital is ranked #1 in the state and #5 in the country for adult specialties according to U.S. News and World Report.
Many active seniors in the state choose independent living, which allows them to maintain their privacy and receive support only when it’s needed. Facilities that offer independent living are typically maintenance-free and may offer everything from housekeeping to meals. The average independent living community in Georgia costs $2,275 per month.
This guide includes the cost of independent living throughout the state and the surrounding region as well as covering ways to pay for it. It also includes a list of common resources for seniors.
The Cost of Independent Living in Georgia
Note: Since there is no conclusive data on Independent Living costs, we estimated the average monthly fee using the Assisted Living costs reported in the 2021 Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey. Independent Living usually costs 30-40% less than Assisted Living, so we subtracted 35% to get the averages shown in this guide.
The Peach State offers a sweet deal on Independent Living with an average cost that’s $627 lower than the national average. It’s also less than all but one adjacent state. Alabama is the only state with a lower cost, but at $2,277, it’s only $21 less. Of the remaining four states touching Georgia, South Carolina’s cost is higher by $50, Florida’s by $302, North Carolina’s by $309 and Tennessee’s by $370.
Georgia’s cities have a broad range of Independent Living costs with a gap of nearly $1,000 between the highest and lowest. Three popular cities with costs above the state average include Athens at $2,720, Gainesville at $2,530 and the capital city of Atlanta at $2,499. On the flip side, Savannah, Macon and Warner Robins all have costs below the state average at $2,283, $1,859 and $1,788, respectively.
Adult Day Health Care is less expensive than Independent Living at an average cost of $1,300 in Georgia. However, Independent Living is the lowest cost option in a residential setting. Assisted Living offers hands-on care and averages $3,535, while Nursing Home Care includes 24/7 care but at the highest cost. To save on Nursing Home Care costs, seniors can opt to share a room and pay $7,011 or pay $7,604 for a private room. Seniors can also opt to age in place and receive care at home with In-Home Care averaging $4,290 and Home Health Care at $4,385 per month.
Nursing Home Care (semiprivate room)
Nursing Home Care (private room)
Can You Use Medicare or Medicaid to Pay for Independent Living in Georgia?
Unfortunately, you cannot use Medicaid and Medicare to help pay the monthly fee for residing in an Independent Living community. For seniors who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), there may be financial assistance programs available to help cover the cost of care in Independent Living. For more information about financial assistance for those who need a higher level of care, read our guide to Assisted Living in Georgia.
Read on for more information about using alternative means to make Independent Living more affordable, such as retirement funds, the sale of a home, etc.
Paying for Independent Living in Georgia
Most seniors rely on retirement income to pay for independent living because most insurance companies don’t cover the costs. Some long-term care insurance plans cover the cost of home and community-based services such as housekeeping and grooming. Seniors may also choose to use reverse mortgages, veterans benefits and annuities to pay for independent living. Low-income seniors may qualify for programs offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which offers public vouchers and rental assistance. However, there is generally a waiting list for these programs.
Independent Living Resources in Georgia
The following is a list of common free and low-cost resources provided to seniors throughout the state of Georgia.
(404) 657-5258
Many local area agencies on aging connect seniors with available programs and services where they live. Some of these programs include transportation, insurance counseling, health and nutrition, adult protective services, caregiving, community care services and elder rights and advocacy.
(866) 552-4464
The Georgia ARDC provides information about long-term care and services, and it offers support to individuals and family members who are aging or live with disabilities. The organization serves all 159 counties in the state with multiple local offices. The agency can assist seniors who need to sign up to receive Medicare benefits and provides counseling on public and private benefits.
(866) 552-4464 option 4
MyGeorgiaCares is a free resource that provides insurance counseling to those who are unsure of their choices. It also connects low-income seniors who can’t afford insurance with financial assistance programs that help with health care expenses.
(877) 423-4746
The Georgia Senior Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) makes it easier for low income seniors throughout the state to receive food stamp benefits.
(404) 656-2300
The Georgia Department of Veterans Services helps former military members and their families receive benefits and compensation. One program pays for home and community-based services and long-term care. The department also provides housing assistance and offers health care and counseling to those in need.
COVID-19 Rules for Independent Living in Georgia
The following information is based on research done on several government websites, including dch.georgia.gov. These rules apply to Independent Living Communities and other types of senior living facilities. We’ve most recently updated this data on 2/3/2022, but since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving pandemic, contact your local senior living facility or Area Agency on Aging for more specific and up-to-date information.
Visitation Policies
RULES FOR GEORGIA COMMUNITIES
Can I visit my relative in person if he/she wants emotional support from me?
Can I visit my relative in person for end-of-life compassion care?
Will my loved one be required to self-quarantine after I visit him or her?
Do I need to wear PPE and/or a cloth mask if I do visit my relative in person?
Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors still allowed in senior living facilities?
Does the state recommend or require that senior living facilities assist families with setting up virtual visit alternatives?
Are visitors being screened for elevated temperatures?
Are visitors being asked questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?
Outings & Social Activities
RULES FOR GEORGIA COMMUNITIES
Are residents allowed to leave the facility for non-medical reasons?
Are residents of senior living facilities who leave and return required to self-quarantine?
Are senior living facilities required to cancel all group outings?
Are residents still eating together in the dining hall?
Are facilities still allowed to host group activities within the community?
COVID-19 Safety Measures for Staff and Residents
RULES FOR GEORGIA COMMUNITIES
Are staff members and contractors being screened for elevated temperatures?
Are staff members and contractors being tested for Coronavirus?
Are staff members and contractors being asked questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?
Are staff members required to regularly screen residents for coronavirus symptoms?
Are residents relied on to screen themselves and self-report potential coronavirus symptoms?
Are staff members required to take residents’ temperatures?
Are residents being tested for coronavirus?
Find Independent Living Communities in Georgia
Use the tool below to find Independent Living Communities near you – if you’d like to search in a specific city in Georgia, simply put that in the search bar below.
Directory of Independent Living Communities in Atlanta, GA
Sandy Springs Senior Homes, LLC was a small community. They have a lot of extra touches that I didn’t find in some of the other communities, most notably someone available 24/7 at the front desk for a
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Sandy Springs Senior Homes, LLC was a small community. They have a lot of extra touches that I didn’t find in some of the other communities, most notably someone available 24/7 at the front desk for an independent living community. I thought that was very important. The size of the units was very nice. There are close to about 67 residents, so just the small nature of the community was more conducive for my mom. The socialization and the services that they offered I thought were a little bit more personalized. Also, they have everything my mom needs.
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Sandy Springs Senior Homes, LLC was a small community. They have a lot of extra touches that I didn’t find in some of the other communities, most notably someone available 24/7 at the front desk for a
… (read more)
Sandy Springs Senior Homes, LLC was a small community. They have a lot of extra touches that I didn’t find in some of the other communities, most notably someone available 24/7 at the front desk for an independent living community. I thought that was very important. The size of the units was very nice. There are close to about 67 residents, so just the small nature of the community was more conducive for my mom. The socialization and the services that they offered I thought were a little bit more personalized. Also, they have everything my mom needs.
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Mom has been at Sunrise of Huntcliff Summit I. I really like the people who showed me the place. They had been there a long time. It just had a good feel to it. Mom actually loved being there. There’s
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Mom has been at Sunrise of Huntcliff Summit I. I really like the people who showed me the place. They had been there a long time. It just had a good feel to it. Mom actually loved being there. There’s a lot of great people there, and it has been a really good experience. The staff has been very good. Mom is excited about the movies, talks, and people coming in. Mom’s room has a washer/dryer, a refrigerator, and a stove.
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Mom has been at Sunrise of Huntcliff Summit I. I really like the people who showed me the place. They had been there a long time. It just had a good feel to it. Mom actually loved being there. There’s
… (read more)
Mom has been at Sunrise of Huntcliff Summit I. I really like the people who showed me the place. They had been there a long time. It just had a good feel to it. Mom actually loved being there. There’s a lot of great people there, and it has been a really good experience. The staff has been very good. Mom is excited about the movies, talks, and people coming in. Mom’s room has a washer/dryer, a refrigerator, and a stove.
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My husband and I have not been residents for a short time but we couldn’t be happier with our choice. The staff is wonderful, the residents so welcoming and the facility is lovely! Highly recommend
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My husband and I have not been residents for a short time but we couldn’t be happier with our choice. The staff is wonderful, the residents so welcoming and the facility is lovely! Highly recommend!
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My husband and I have not been residents for a short time but we couldn’t be happier with our choice. The staff is wonderful, the residents so welcoming and the facility is lovely! Highly recommend
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My husband and I have not been residents for a short time but we couldn’t be happier with our choice. The staff is wonderful, the residents so welcoming and the facility is lovely! Highly recommend!
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My mom was a resident at Saint Anne’s Terrace for almost 3 years. It was a beautiful facility. The people that lived there were very friendly and very welcoming. The staff was nice, and the kitchen st
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My mom was a resident at Saint Anne’s Terrace for almost 3 years. It was a beautiful facility. The people that lived there were very friendly and very welcoming. The staff was nice, and the kitchen staff was kind. I liked them. They had lots of activities. They had poetry readings, exercise classes, and outings, and they did parties within the building all the time. It was a very lively place. Her apartment was beautiful. She had two different apartments while we were there, and they were terrific. They were bright and airy. One would face out, but it was a beautiful setting. The other one faced into the courtyard, which was gorgeous and they had just redone it. So, it was nice.
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My mom was a resident at Saint Anne’s Terrace for almost 3 years. It was a beautiful facility. The people that lived there were very friendly and very welcoming. The staff was nice, and the kitchen st
… (read more)
My mom was a resident at Saint Anne’s Terrace for almost 3 years. It was a beautiful facility. The people that lived there were very friendly and very welcoming. The staff was nice, and the kitchen staff was kind. I liked them. They had lots of activities. They had poetry readings, exercise classes, and outings, and they did parties within the building all the time. It was a very lively place. Her apartment was beautiful. She had two different apartments while we were there, and they were terrific. They were bright and airy. One would face out, but it was a beautiful setting. The other one faced into the courtyard, which was gorgeous and they had just redone it. So, it was nice.
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Heartis Buckhead was urban. There were no grounds. I toured it immediately after it opened so it was brand new. The place was very attractive. I’ve been there several times and I met several different
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Heartis Buckhead was urban. There were no grounds. I toured it immediately after it opened so it was brand new. The place was very attractive. I’ve been there several times and I met several different people. They all were very friendly and provided a great deal of information about the place and what would be available. I had lunch there and the food was excellent. I enjoyed it. It was very well prepared and very nicely served. They had just opened and only maybe a dozen people were living there, so there weren’t many activities going on. They have a swimming pool, an exercise facility, and a library. All of the amenities were quite nice.
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Heartis Buckhead was urban. There were no grounds. I toured it immediately after it opened so it was brand new. The place was very attractive. I’ve been there several times and I met several different
… (read more)
Heartis Buckhead was urban. There were no grounds. I toured it immediately after it opened so it was brand new. The place was very attractive. I’ve been there several times and I met several different people. They all were very friendly and provided a great deal of information about the place and what would be available. I had lunch there and the food was excellent. I enjoyed it. It was very well prepared and very nicely served. They had just opened and only maybe a dozen people were living there, so there weren’t many activities going on. They have a swimming pool, an exercise facility, and a library. All of the amenities were quite nice.
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I live in Wesley Woods Towers and it’s a wonderful place. The staff is friendly, helpful, on the ball, and the activities are also good. I came from a terrible place and the food here is much, much be
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I live in Wesley Woods Towers and it’s a wonderful place. The staff is friendly, helpful, on the ball, and the activities are also good. I came from a terrible place and the food here is much, much better. The facility itself is not too great though. It’s two round towers and all the apartments have angled walls and none of them are square angles. There’s a workout area and they only offer one meal a day, but it’s a large meal that’s generous enough so you can easily divide it in half and make two meals out of it. There are ice cream socials, a meditation group, and a lot of fun, adult activities that we do here. This is a much better value than where I was.
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I live in Wesley Woods Towers and it’s a wonderful place. The staff is friendly, helpful, on the ball, and the activities are also good. I came from a terrible place and the food here is much, much be
… (read more)
I live in Wesley Woods Towers and it’s a wonderful place. The staff is friendly, helpful, on the ball, and the activities are also good. I came from a terrible place and the food here is much, much better. The facility itself is not too great though. It’s two round towers and all the apartments have angled walls and none of them are square angles. There’s a workout area and they only offer one meal a day, but it’s a large meal that’s generous enough so you can easily divide it in half and make two meals out of it. There are ice cream socials, a meditation group, and a lot of fun, adult activities that we do here. This is a much better value than where I was.
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I toured the Overture Buckhead South 55+ Apartment Homes. It was a very nice facility and it had kind of a contemporary look to it. I liked the layout. I looked at a one-bedroom with a den and I liked
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I toured the Overture Buckhead South 55+ Apartment Homes. It was a very nice facility and it had kind of a contemporary look to it. I liked the layout. I looked at a one-bedroom with a den and I liked it a lot. It had a kitchen area, living room, den, and porch, and it had a bath with a walk-in closet. I only met one staff and she was very friendly. They had a heated saltwater pool and a community room. It looked well kept up. I think it would be a good community for independent living. The area is busy where it is, but I didn’t see a whole lot around there as far as restaurants that you could walk to. There’s a separate parking garage.
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I toured the Overture Buckhead South 55+ Apartment Homes. It was a very nice facility and it had kind of a contemporary look to it. I liked the layout. I looked at a one-bedroom with a den and I liked
… (read more)
I toured the Overture Buckhead South 55+ Apartment Homes. It was a very nice facility and it had kind of a contemporary look to it. I liked the layout. I looked at a one-bedroom with a den and I liked it a lot. It had a kitchen area, living room, den, and porch, and it had a bath with a walk-in closet. I only met one staff and she was very friendly. They had a heated saltwater pool and a community room. It looked well kept up. I think it would be a good community for independent living. The area is busy where it is, but I didn’t see a whole lot around there as far as restaurants that you could walk to. There’s a separate parking garage.
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At Renaissance on Peachtree, we honor the dedication of family caregivers. We welcome and encourage family members into our educational groups and seminars, and to be involved in individual care plans
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At Renaissance on Peachtree, we honor the dedication of family caregivers. We welcome and encourage family members into our educational groups and seminars, and to be involved in individual care plans. Family and friends are always invited to on-site activities or to share a meal with loved ones.It’s a wonderful way to stay connected in a positive and supportive setting. Rest assured that we are always here for you, the caregiver. Call or stop by any time. Caring for caregivers is part of what we do, too.
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At Renaissance on Peachtree, we honor the dedication of family caregivers. We welcome and encourage family members into our educational groups and seminars, and to be involved in individual care plans
… (read more)
At Renaissance on Peachtree, we honor the dedication of family caregivers. We welcome and encourage family members into our educational groups and seminars, and to be involved in individual care plans. Family and friends are always invited to on-site activities or to share a meal with loved ones.It’s a wonderful way to stay connected in a positive and supportive setting. Rest assured that we are always here for you, the caregiver. Call or stop by any time. Caring for caregivers is part of what we do, too.
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I’m currently at Big Bethel. We’re doing OK right now. For our protection, I think the staff is doing a good job in that department. They’re trying to keep us safe from COVID. The staff is working har
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I’m currently at Big Bethel. We’re doing OK right now. For our protection, I think the staff is doing a good job in that department. They’re trying to keep us safe from COVID. The staff is working hard. The place looks nice. I like the way it looks. The cleanliness and upkeep are not the best because of COVID, but it’s all right. I think they need to just get a few new things in the yard area, like add more seating. Other than that, everything is OK. I’m satisfied. They don’t have a kitchen. You can’t get out to go to the stores, but they provide food and services for that. We used to have activities, but right now we’re sort of shut down.
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I’m currently at Big Bethel. We’re doing OK right now. For our protection, I think the staff is doing a good job in that department. They’re trying to keep us safe from COVID. The staff is working har
… (read more)
I’m currently at Big Bethel. We’re doing OK right now. For our protection, I think the staff is doing a good job in that department. They’re trying to keep us safe from COVID. The staff is working hard. The place looks nice. I like the way it looks. The cleanliness and upkeep are not the best because of COVID, but it’s all right. I think they need to just get a few new things in the yard area, like add more seating. Other than that, everything is OK. I’m satisfied. They don’t have a kitchen. You can’t get out to go to the stores, but they provide food and services for that. We used to have activities, but right now we’re sort of shut down.
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I’m going to move into a place called HearthSide Brookleigh in February. It’s for 62 and over, so I’d like that part of it. It’s a gated community, which I like because the doors are always locked. It
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I’m going to move into a place called HearthSide Brookleigh in February. It’s for 62 and over, so I’d like that part of it. It’s a gated community, which I like because the doors are always locked. It feels as if it has good safety features. I like the setup, where I can fix my own meals. There’s a kitchen, so that was advantageous to me because I didn’t want anybody to fix my meals. In other words, it’s a very independent living. It had a lot of amenities that I like. The staff was nice and helpful. The building looked very clean and very well maintained. I was impressed. They had a community room, and a little theater, and they had things for the people to get together to make it more of a community atmosphere.
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I’m going to move into a place called HearthSide Brookleigh in February. It’s for 62 and over, so I’d like that part of it. It’s a gated community, which I like because the doors are always locked. It
… (read more)
I’m going to move into a place called HearthSide Brookleigh in February. It’s for 62 and over, so I’d like that part of it. It’s a gated community, which I like because the doors are always locked. It feels as if it has good safety features. I like the setup, where I can fix my own meals. There’s a kitchen, so that was advantageous to me because I didn’t want anybody to fix my meals. In other words, it’s a very independent living. It had a lot of amenities that I like. The staff was nice and helpful. The building looked very clean and very well maintained. I was impressed. They had a community room, and a little theater, and they had things for the people to get together to make it more of a community atmosphere.
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Staff shortage. Little security. Old HVAC and electric. Only 1 meal a day with always overdone and tasteless food and ridiculous wait time. Very little transport. Be prepared for frustration and a def
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Staff shortage. Little security. Old HVAC and electric. Only 1 meal a day with always overdone and tasteless food and ridiculous wait time. Very little transport. Be prepared for frustration and a definate institution versus retirement feel.
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Staff shortage. Little security. Old HVAC and electric. Only 1 meal a day with always overdone and tasteless food and ridiculous wait time. Very little transport. Be prepared for frustration and a def
… (read more)
Staff shortage. Little security. Old HVAC and electric. Only 1 meal a day with always overdone and tasteless food and ridiculous wait time. Very little transport. Be prepared for frustration and a definate institution versus retirement feel.
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I toured Holiday The Regency House. It was a lovely facility with very nice people. I liked the staff who gave us the tours and the general manager, Paige, and Jeremiah. They were transparent in what
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I toured Holiday The Regency House. It was a lovely facility with very nice people. I liked the staff who gave us the tours and the general manager, Paige, and Jeremiah. They were transparent in what they shared with us. The facility was clean, well-kept, and lively. The grounds were lovely. It was a nice place. All things considered, it would have been a good choice for us. They’re about to go through a major renovation that’s going to start in a few weeks and I think that renovation will address all the open areas.
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I toured Holiday The Regency House. It was a lovely facility with very nice people. I liked the staff who gave us the tours and the general manager, Paige, and Jeremiah. They were transparent in what
… (read more)
I toured Holiday The Regency House. It was a lovely facility with very nice people. I liked the staff who gave us the tours and the general manager, Paige, and Jeremiah. They were transparent in what they shared with us. The facility was clean, well-kept, and lively. The grounds were lovely. It was a nice place. All things considered, it would have been a good choice for us. They’re about to go through a major renovation that’s going to start in a few weeks and I think that renovation will address all the open areas.
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Independent Living Facilities in Georgia (40)
- Acworth, GA (2)
- Alpharetta, GA (9)
- Athens, GA (6)
- Atlanta, GA (19)
- Augusta, GA (4)
- Austell, GA (2)
- Buford, GA (2)
- Camilla, GA (2)
- Canton, GA (3)
- Carrollton, GA (2)
- Columbus, GA (5)
- Conyers, GA (3)
- Cumming, GA (4)
- Dallas, GA (3)
- Decatur, GA (6)
- Duluth, GA (5)
- Evans, GA (2)
- Fayetteville, GA (3)
- Gainesville, GA (5)
- Greensboro, GA (2)
- Jasper, GA (2)
- Kennesaw, GA (7)
- Lagrange, GA (2)
- Lawrenceville, GA (7)
- Macon, GA (10)
- Marietta, GA (9)
- Newnan, GA (3)
- Peachtree City, GA (3)
- Rome, GA (3)
- Roswell, GA (4)
- Saint Simons Island, GA (3)
- Sandy Springs, GA (2)
- Savannah, GA (9)
- Smyrna, GA (3)
- Statesboro, GA (3)
- Stone Mountain, GA (4)
- Suwanee, GA (5)
- Union City, GA (3)
- Valdosta, GA (3)
- Woodstock, GA (4)
