Beautiful Rome, GA, nestled in the hills of Northern Georgia, is a perfect balance for retirees of all sorts. For traditionally-minded retirees seeking a slower, more relaxed pace of life in a warm climate, and for those who want there to be plenty to see and do in their community. Berry College provides the culture, life-long learning opportunities, and more, all in a peaceful small-town setting.
Thanks to Berry there are plenty of arts events, such as the Blue Mountain Chamber Players, Jazz Ensemble with Tim Auccoin, and the Symphony Orchestra, Cuartero Tango performances, a visit from the Afghan Women’s Writing Project, or theatrical shows like Uh, Oh, Here Comes Christmas.
There are also a slew of athletic teams, including the NCAA Division III foodball team, basketball, baseball, track, and soccer among others. This provides a great opportunity to catch your favorite games at a fraction of the price sports tickets would cost in big cities.
The campus itself is a wonderful recreational hub, attracting joggers, hikers, cyclists and horseback riders to its “rolling hills, lovely vistas and plentiful wildlife.” There is a 3-mile paved pedestrian Viking Trail in addition to designated trails for other sports and vehicles. There are over 26,000 acres of land that are available for a variety of activities, including hunting and fishing in certain seasons.
Georgia Trend Magazine noted that “with the largest private multi-specialty clinic in the state, two major hospitals and one of the best doctor-patient ratios around, coupled with a college town atmosphere, Rome is becoming a magnet for retirees.”
Indeed, Dr. Michael Jackson and his wife Beryl moved there from Washington DC for retirement, and cited their lifelong love of learning and interest in strong local health care as deciding factors. Dr. Jackson said, “We were very impressed with the variety and qualifications of the healthcare professionals here. And two of the colleges here, Berry and Shorter, were of particular interest to us.”
Whether you want to take a class, enjoy the beauty of nature, enjoy a double header, or simply meet like-minded retirees in a friendly Southern town, Berry is a wonderful college town for your golden years.