I live in Weaver, AL 1 mile from the Chief Ladiga Trail, a rail trail running along an old railroad. Sometime this spring the final 9-miles will be paved connecting the Chief Ladiga trail to the Silver Comet trail in Georgia. This provides 32 miles of non-motorized paved trail in Alabama and 58 miles of paved trail in Georgia providing a continuous 90 miles free of motorized vehicles. Weather is moderate during the winter but not as warm as Florida. I am able to ride all winter here as long as I am properly dressed for it. If you can ride with temps in the mid 40's (F) during daylight hours you can generally ride at least 3 days a week from mid January to mid February. I ride almost every day. Housing prices are the big draw in this area for retirees. Homes that would cost upwards of 1 million in other parts of the country can be purchased for less than 100,000 here and property taxes are among the lowest in the country. I live in a 2,000 SF 4 bedroom home on 2 acres and my property taxes would be $125 a year but that is exempt as I retired on disability so I don’t pay any property taxes. Land along the trail is easily available at low cost, as are homes right along the trail.
http://www.trailexpress.com/chiefladiga/index.php
The large cities of Birmingham AL, Huntsville AL., and Atlanta GA. are all within an easy 2 hour drive so access to amenities not found in small towns are easily available.