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The Scenario: Eyes on the South
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Check out the choices Donna Deans had in search of her forever home.
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1. Sanford, Florida - Sunny in Sanford ($849/month)
Donna’s cousins, who live in this suburb north of Orlando, talked up work possibilities and a vacation-like feel. A gorgeous two-bedroom apartment with new appliances and a small garden “felt like a steal,” says Donna.
2. Wilson, North Carolina - Back to Wilson ($750/month)
![apartment home community in wilson north carolina apartment home community in wilson north carolina](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/home-family/your-home/info-2022/donna-deans/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par7/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/home-and-family/your-home/2022/08/1140-07-wilson-nc-house.jpg)
Donna’s father grew up here and left during the Depression. “It’s seen better days,” Donna admits. But the people were so friendly, and a one-bedroom rental came with a doorman, a fitness center and a pool.
3. Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia - Family in Fort Oglethorpe ($750/month)
![exterior photo of a brick and tudor styled single level house exterior photo of a brick and tudor styled single level house](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/home-family/your-home/info-2022/donna-deans/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par9/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/home-and-family/your-home/2022/08/1140-07-fort-oglethorpe-duplex.jpg)
Another cousin convinced Donna to look at this inviting Chattanooga suburb (on the Georgia side), where she found a sunny, two-bedroom duplex with a patio and new appliances.
Her pick: Option 3! The Georgia duplex!
![donna deans watering plants on the porch of her new home in oglethorpe georgia donna deans watering plants on the porch of her new home in oglethorpe georgia](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/home-family/your-home/info-2022/donna-deans/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par11/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/home-and-family/your-home/2022/08/1140-07-donna-deans-2.jpg)
Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia ($750/month)
“I’ve been here since May 2020 and couldn’t be happier,” Donna says. All her expenses are covered by her Social Security payments, with money left over. She adds: “I was terrified of driving, but now I tool around in a big old SUV that I absolutely love. I have a cat and a vegetable garden, I volunteer at the North Georgia Animal Alliance, I play bingo on Tuesdays, and I’m auditioning churches.”
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