According to Forbes magazine, retirees can get more bang for their retirement buck in Atlanta, which ranks 9th among top U.S. cities where affordable housing, low cost of living and decent job prospects are available for retirees.

The ranking took into consideration the following: the number of people over age 65 who are employed, net migration for people over 65 and the number of people living in poverty over age 65. The number of doctors per person and the number of citizens using Medicare benefits were also included.

Metro Atlanta’s senior population grew by more than 30 percent from 2000 to 2005 and is expected to grow by 127 percent by 2030 according to the Atlanta Regional Commission. The area’s cost of living, climate and opportunities for things to do (shopping, dining, entertainment, sports, etc.) are all huge draws for seniors.

According to an article in Housing Zone, more than 300 senior living communities exist in the metro area. Here are a few developers of senior communities:

Isakson Living – Isakson Living develops retirement communities offering a contiuum of care from independent living to assisted living to memory care. The company currently has two communities; Park Springs in Stone Mountain and Peachtree Hills Place in Buckhead. Both communities offer resort style amenities, luxurious homes, on-site healthcare and a calendar full of community activities. These communities allow its members to age in place, never having to search for care as their health needs change.

Jim Chapman Communities – Jim Chapman Communities builds ranch condominiums in six active adult communities across the metro area. Located in the most sought-after areas (Sugarloaf, Cumming, Johns Creek, Kennesaw, Douglasville, Powder Springs), homes in their award-winning gated communities are elegant yet affordable. Their homes offer large family rooms with fireplaces, formal dining rooms, spacious owner’s suites and much more. Their communities have clubhouses featuring game rooms, exercise rooms and meeting rooms and active social programs led by an activities director.

Windsong Properties – Windsong Properties builds EarthCraft and EasyLiving certified, single story detached home communities specifically designed for those ages 55 and up. The Villas at Blackberry Run, in Seven Hills, located in Dallas, Ga., is a 78-home community. Somerset is the builder’s newest community, featuring 58 ranch courtyard homes in Woodstock, Ga. Each Windsong home offers wide, no-step doorways, lever handles and other amenities that allow for changing life situations and incorporates innovative designs and building materials typically reserved for luxury homes.

Which city ranked Number One? Columbus, Ohio.