When we talk about growth, the conversation often focuses on rooftops, traffic counts, and school enrollment. But true smart growth isn't measured only in numbers—it's measured in balance. And one of the most important, and often overlooked, components of a thriving community is its retirees.

Until recently, Richmond Hill wasn't known in the market as a retirement destination, that's Sun City and Amelia Island's calling. But the arrival of a community designed for active adults has changed that—and affirmed what locals have always known: this is a place for every generation. The fact that a nationally recognized brand like Del Webb chose Richmond Hill as its coastal Georgia location speaks volumes. It tells the world that our city, already beloved by families and businesses, is now being discovered by retirees who also see a promise, or perhaps feel the pull.

There's something magnetic about Richmond Hill—something that draws you in and makes you want to stay awhile. Maybe it's the way the woodlands lean in to kiss the marsh grass at the edge of the coast. Maybe it's the salty breeze drifting off one of the rivers, carrying with it whispers of a storied past. This is a place that's seen centuries of life unfold: Native Americans fished these waters before the Spanish missionaries "discovered" the barrier islands just offshore. The rice basket era brought prosperity and grand homes with sweeping driveways that faced the water—because the river was once the only road. Then came Henry Ford, who saw a promise true still today, this is a place worth imagining a future for, and he certainly wasn't the last newcomer to see a future for themselves here.

So, are we onto something new? Perhaps "Retire in Richmond Hill" is more than a tagline—maybe it's the next evolution of our story. Because whether you come for the deep water views, the grandkids, or the sense of belonging, one thing is certain, once you're here, you'll never want to leave.

Rhonda and Shawn Morrissey know this better than most. It was thirty-five years ago when they first discovered Richmond Hill by way of the Army. For decades, they called Belle Island home—a deep water escape surrounded by the same Lowcountry beauty that first captured Henry Ford's imagination. When retirement approached, they looked everywhere for their next chapter. But as Rhonda told me, "We just couldn't leave Richmond Hill."

What kept them here wasn't simply the scenery—it was the community. "This town has been our support system," Shawn said. "It's a place to belong, a place where we feel comfortable and cared for. People show up here—in good times and in hard times—and we wanted to stay part of that."

Recently, the Morrissey's traded their waterfront home for the ease of an active-adult neighborhood, where they've become unofficial ambassadors—welcoming new residents, sharing the Richmond Hill lifestyle, and reminding everyone that home isn't just where you live, it's where you're connected.

While they spoke about that feeling—the one that you can't explain, you just know—it led me to think about another local who has just made Del Webb her home. I grew up down the street from Debbie Hudson and her family. Her two children, Katie and Brian, were a good bit younger than me. I might have babysat them a time or two. For as long as I can recall, Debbie was a powerhouse in the mortgage industry, retiring just last year. Her kids are all grown up now, and have afforded her the new title of grandma. Both of them live here in town because of the same reason most of us who grew up here do…the schools, the beauty…the undeniable attraction to a lifestyle.

When Debbie started looking at how she was going to write the next chapter of her life, Katie found out she was expecting baby number two, which meant Debbie was not going anywhere, especially because her time is now open to whatever she dreams up for the day. Del Webb was the answer she was looking for a fun, inviting environment with incredible amenities, and people (soon to be friends) to do life with.

A New Narrative

If you are one of the lucky ones planning for retirement, Richmond Hill is more than a beautiful backdrop—it truly is a lifestyle. Imagine this: You wake up to a sun-dappled morning, play a round of golf or meet a friend for a game of pickleball in the only active adult community on the Georgia coast—grab a casual lunch, and are back in time to hop on your golf cart and meet your grandkids at school or daycare. You whip up a healthy snack, hear all about their day, then hand them back to Mom and Dad (post work) with enough time left to catch sunset happy hour at The Varsity House, your new community's gathering spot… sounds lovely, right?

For decades, families have chosen Richmond Hill for its schools, its safety, and its natural beauty; Businesses have chosen it for opportunity and access. Now, retirees are choosing it for all of those same reasons—and because it feels like a place where they can live well, stay involved, and pass something down.

Today, Richmond Hill is where history and progress hold hands. It's a place where your grandchildren can attend some of the top-rated schools in Georgia, where job opportunities abound for their parents, and where the pace of life allows for porch swings, oyster roasts, and long walks. It's a community where you can be as involved—or as laid back—as you like.

Richmond Hill today is a thriving, generational community that offers something rare: the perfect blend of history, progress, and possibility.

The arrival of Del Webb — a name synonymous with active, inspired retirement — solidifies what locals already knew: Richmond Hill is the perfect match for those who want the best of both worlds — serenity and connection, comfort and purpose.

This is more than an invitation — it's a vision. Richmond Hill is poised to become the place to retire in Georgia. The ingredients are already here: top schools for your grandkids, a booming job market for their parents, a stunning natural setting, and a community that knows how to welcome newcomers and make them feel like they've always belonged.

It's generational living at its finest, where every stage of life is celebrated. From the young families moving into Heartwood to the retirees at Del Webb, everyone is part of a larger story — one that honors the past, celebrates the present, and builds a future you'll want to be part of.

If family is at the core of your existence — if you crave connection, community, and a sense of place — take a closer look at Richmond Hill. You just might find it's everything you've been searching for… and exactly where you're meant to be.

Picture this: a place where woodlands stretch to meet the coast, where the air is thick with the scent of pine and salt, and where every sunrise feels like an invitation to slow down and savor life. Richmond Hill, Georgia, is a Lowcountry jewel — a place where history is not just remembered but lived.

This land has seen centuries of stories unfold. Long before there was a town, Native Americans fished these waters and traded along the Ogeechee. Spanish missionaries discovered our barrier islands, leaving a whisper of their presence in the tides. The rice plantations that once flourished here turned the region into a "rice basket," with stately homes that faced the waterways — because before there were roads, the river was the front door. Then came Henry Ford, who saw the same promise you'll see today: a region worth restoring and reimagining. Ford's work and vision put Richmond Hill on the map and left behind a legacy of innovation and stewardship that still shapes the community.

Today, Richmond Hill is where history and progress hold hands. It's a place where your grandchildren can attend some of the top-rated schools in Georgia, where job opportunities abound for their parents, and where the pace of life allows for porches, oyster roasts, and long walks under moss-draped oaks. It's a community where you can be as involved — or as laid back — as you like.

And if you've dreamed of retiring in a coastal active adult community, Richmond Hill is home to Del Webb at Savannah Quarters, the only active adult community on the Georgia coast. Many retirees think of Sun City, South Carolina, or The Villages in Florida — but here, the experience is different. It's more intimate, more connected, and truly generational. You're not just retiring to a neighborhood; you're joining a thriving community that's as welcoming to your children and grandchildren as it is to you.

The truth is, Richmond Hill isn't just a place to retire. It's a place to rediscover yourself, your family, and the coastal way of life. Whether you come for the history, the natural beauty, or the promise of a better tomorrow, chances are, once you arrive, you'll never want to leave.

There's something magnetic about Richmond Hill — something that draws you in and makes you want to stay awhile. Maybe it's the way the woodlands lean in to kiss the marsh grass at the edge of the coast. Maybe it's the salty breeze drifting off the Ogeechee River, carrying with it whispers of a storied past. This is a place that's seen centuries of life unfold: Native Americans fished these waters before the Spanish missionaries "discovered" the barrier islands just offshore. The rice basket era brought prosperity and grand homes with sweeping driveways that faced the water — because the river was once the only road. Then came Henry Ford, who saw the same promise you'll see today: a place worth restoring, worth imagining a future for. And he did.

That spirit of restoration and rediscovery never left. Richmond Hill today is a thriving, generational community that offers something rare: the perfect blend of history, progress, and possibility.

The Best of All Worlds

If you are one of the lucky ones planning for retirement, Richmond Hill is more than a beautiful backdrop — it's a lifestyle. Imagine this: You wake up to a sun-dappled morning, play a round of golf or meet a friend for a game of pickleball at Del Webb at Heartwood — the only active adult community on the Georgia coast — grab a casual lunch, and are back in time to hop on your golf cart and meet your grandkids at school or daycare. You whip up a healthy snack, hear all about their day, then hand them back to Mom and Dad with enough time left to catch sunset happy hour at The Varsity House, the community's gathering spot.

Here, retirement isn't about escaping life — it's about living more of it. It's about being close enough to help raise the next generation while enjoying your own phase of life to the fullest. This is a town where your grandkids can attend some of the top-ranked schools in Georgia, where job opportunities abound for their parents, and where neighbors still wave when they pass you on the road.

Savannah is Close, but This is Home

Of course, if you crave the charm of a night out, Savannah is just a short drive away — with its white-tablecloth dining, historic squares, and cultural events. But the truth is, once you settle in Richmond Hill, you may never feel the urge to leave. This isn't just another retirement destination. It's the kind of place where you build a life — one porch party, one oyster roast, one marsh sunset at a time.

People come here thinking about retirement. What they find is something far more powerful: a community that feels like home in every season of life.

Retirees represent the perfect counterweight to the rapid population growth Richmond Hill is experiencing. They pay property taxes but don't add students to our schools, helping ease strain on a system we are all working so hard to support. This alone makes their presence an incredible asset, but retirees bring something even more valuable: time, talent, and energy to invest in the fabric of the community.

The Economic Power of Retirees

Consider what retirees mean for a local economy. They have more disposable income than the average young family, which fuels the very dreams that make a small town special — boutique shops, bistros, fitness studios, art galleries, and farmers markets. They have the time to volunteer, mentor, serve on boards, and champion local causes. They support restaurants midweek, keep golf courses busy on weekday mornings, and help fill concert halls and art shows that need ticket sales to thrive.

For entrepreneurs, retirees represent a dependable customer base with the resources and time to invest in experiences, not just necessities. For investors and developers, a strong retiree population signals stability, opportunity, and long-term value.

A Multigenerational Recipe for Success

Communities with a healthy mix of young families and retirees don't just grow — they flourish. They become places where innovation and tradition coexist, where neighbors know one another's names, and where businesses of every size can find a critical mass of patrons. This balance helps keep schools strong, small businesses profitable, and the local culture vibrant.

And perhaps most importantly, retirees offer something money can't buy — perspective. They bring history and continuity to a place, preserving what makes it unique while embracing its evolution. In a town like Richmond Hill, where history is deeply woven into our identity, that presence is priceless.

The Call to Build Wisely

As our community continues to grow, the opportunity is right in front of us: to create a place where people can live, work, raise families — and yes, retire — all within the same zip code. The goal isn't just more rooftops; it's building a balanced, resilient economy that serves every generation.

By welcoming retirees, we are not only shaping a stronger future for Richmond Hill — we are protecting the very things that make it so special. This is what smart growth looks like: a community where history and progress meet, where every generation has a place, and where we can all thrive together.

The Heart of Belonging

Rhonda and Shawn Morrisey know this better than most. Thirty-five years ago, they first discovered Richmond Hill when military service brought them to the area. Even after four years stationed elsewhere, they knew they'd return. For decades, they called Belle Island home — a deepwater escape surrounded by the same Lowcountry beauty that first captured Henry Ford's imagination. When retirement approached, they looked everywhere for their next chapter. But as Rhonda told me, "We just couldn't leave Richmond Hill."

What kept them here wasn't simply the scenery — it was the community. "This town has been our support system," Shawn said. "It's a place to belong, a place where we feel comfortable and cared for. People show up here — in good times and in hard times — and we wanted to stay part of that."

Recently, the Morrisseys traded their waterfront home for the ease of an active-adult neighborhood, where they've become unofficial ambassadors — welcoming new residents, sharing the Richmond Hill lifestyle, and reminding everyone that home isn't just where you live, it's where you're connected.

The Next Great Chapter

Until recently, Richmond Hill wasn't known as a retirement destination. But the arrival of a community designed for active adults has changed that — and affirmed what locals have always known: this is a place for every generation. The fact that a nationally recognized brand like Del Webb chose Richmond Hill as its coastal home speaks volumes. It tells the world that our city, already beloved by families and businesses, is now being discovered by retirees who see the same promise Henry Ford did nearly a century ago.

So, are we onto something new? Perhaps. Maybe "Retire in Richmond Hill" is more than a tagline — maybe it's the next evolution of our story. Because whether you come for the deepwater views, the grandkids, or the sense of belonging, one thing is certain: once you're here, you'll never want to leave.