Trying to decide which way to head for retirement? One well-worn option: Follow the birds. Migrating south is a popular move, not just for the winter and not only among retirees. Since 2010, the South has experienced solid population growth, with a 10% increase in its large cities leading the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The mild climates, low costs and robust economies of many southern states are obvious draws for retirees. To come up with this list of great places to retire in the South, we first pinpointed one great retirement destination in each of the 50 states, taking into account living costs, safety, median incomes and poverty rates for retirement-age residents, as well as residents' sense of well-being and the availability of recreational and health care facilities. Here are our retirement picks in the 16 southern states.

Huntsville, Ala.

Courtesy Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Population: 440,230

Share of population 65+: 13.7% (U.S.: 14.5%)

Cost of Living: 4.7% below the national average

Average Income for Households 65+: $52,469 (U.S.: $53,799)

Community Score: 63.3 (U.S.: 61.9)

State's Tax Rating for Retirees: Tax Friendly

As one of the 10 Cheapest States Where You'll Want to Retire, the Heart of Dixie boasts many great spots for affordable living. And Huntsville, in northern Alabama, is one of the best. It offers all the low-cost, low-tax advantages as the rest of the state, but adds more generous incomes among retirement-age residents. The average household income for 65+ households in Alabama is $44,934.

Home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, the Redstone Arsenal and the Huntsville campus of the University of Alabama, the city offers a robust economy and a highly educated population. There are plenty of cultural attractions, from a sculpture trail to a symphony orchestra, as well as opportunities for outdoor