North Carolina has year-round mild weather, beaches, and the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. There is something for every retiree in college towns, historic cities, farming communities, and coastal areas, which offer a variety of lifestyles and stunning locations. North Carolina is a great destination to retire because of more than just its varied cities and breathtaking scenery. State income tax is also very low, at 5.25 percent, and there is no state tax on Social Security payments.
Which rates cities with a letter grade based on crime, weather, outdoor activities, housing accessibility, cost of living, and more. We also considered additional data on housing costs, safety ratings, and neighboring amenities. This helped us determine the best places to retire in North Carolina.
Duck
Duck, an Outer Banks city, is the perfect retirement destination if you enjoy the beach, a laid-back lifestyle, and a small-town feel. Along with a mile-long promenade for dining, shopping, and morning strolls, free guided walks are available to teach visitors about the island’s ecology and animals. A jazz festival, an Independence Day parade, Summer concerts, outdoor exercise courses, and winter holiday celebrations are just a few of the local events.
Duck receives excellent ratings from Niche.com for safety, nightlife, and housing metrics. Redfin.com reports that Duck’s overall cost of living is around 5% less than the national average.
Belmont
Belmont is a desirable retirement location for those who value natural recreation, history, and the benefits of being close to a bigger metropolis. About 12 miles west of Charlotte, the expanding city of Belmont is situated. Due to its exquisite old architecture, the Downtown Belmont Historic District is included on the National Register of Historic Places. Two universities, Belmont Abbey College and Gaston College, add a young aspect to the community.
Belmont’s cost of living is marginally lower than the national average, per data from Salary.com and BestPlaces.net, and the city has an overall Niche.com rating of A.
Pinehurst
Pinehurst may be the ideal location for you if you intend to play golf when you retire. the Pinehurst is conveniently situated. Raleigh is one hour away, the Blue Ridge Mountains are three hours away, and the seashore is two hours away. It is well-known for its golf courses and quaint small-town charm. Beyond golf, the greater Sandhill area offers outdoor pursuits, museums, art galleries, wineries, and farms to explore. In addition, the Village of Pinehurst provides an array of adult programs.
Pinehurst earned an overall A grade from Niche.com and was ranked as one of the top retirement destinations in North Carolina by SmartAsset due to its accessibility to healthcare and large retiree population.
Carolina Beach
Retirees who love its vintage vibe, exciting nightlife, world-class fishing, miles of beaches, and stunning dunes will love Carolina Beach, a suburb of Wilmington. With sea breezes and stores, restaurants, and entertainment, it has a classic boardwalk. Summertime in the Carolina Beach area is particularly exciting because of music festivals and events, and close Wilmington, has historical buildings, restaurants, museums, and performing arts venues.
Carolina Beach receives great ratings for nightlife, outdoor activities, and overall health and fitness from Niche.com, giving it an A- grade. Approximately 70% of people, according to Niche.com, are homeowners, while Realtor.com pegs the median home price at $695,000.
Laurinburg
Situated in the center region of North Carolina, Laurinburg offers easy access to Charlotte, Raleigh, and the coast. Outdoor pursuits are abundant, with hiking, kayaking, and fishing available along the Lumber River. Vis museums, wineries, golf courses, and historical places can fulfill numerous interests.
The city is among the most reasonably priced retirement locations on our list; the median property price in Laurinburg is $159,000, according to Realtor.com, and the city has an overall B- rating of B+ for cost of living from Niche.com.
Marion
Retirees looking for outdoor recreation, a bustling downtown, and vistas of the mountains can think of Marion, roughly 36 miles northeast of Asheville. The locals enjoy the restaurants, art galleries, and festivals in Marion, as do the neighboring state and national parks that provide chances for outdoor pursuits like bicycling and hiking. Do you want to connect with Mother Nature more often without exerting yourself? Enjoy a beautiful trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Retire NC certifies Marion as a Certified Retirement Community, which means it satisfies the requirements for “offering opportunities, amenities, and services for retirees to enjoy active and productive lives.” Realtor.com states that the median price of a property is $275,000.
Reidsville
Reidsville is a reasonably priced hamlet in the northern portion of the state, minutes from Greensboro. It offers the conveniences of a big metropolis while maintaining a small-town atmosphere. Reidsville is a desirable retirement location because of its two public lakes, parks, walking trails, and vibrant neighborhood. Reidsville offers many activities, such as playing golf, watching high school football games, and admiring street art and historic homes.
The Reidsville Centre for Active Retirement Enterprises (RCARE) provides outings and events such as fitness courses, bocce ball, pickleball, dance, and card games. Reidsville is a Certified Retirement Community. According to Realtor.com, the median price of a property is $205,000.
New Bern
New Bern, the original home of Pepsi-Cola and a source of inspiration for novelist Nicholas Sparks was once the capital of North Carolina. Residents of this 300-year-old city on the Neuse River are always close to the beach because it is around 30 miles from the Atlantic Coast. Boating, hiking, biking, and golfing are among the outdoor activities. Residential alternatives include historic homes, condos in the downtown area, and gated communities. Art galleries, New Bern Civic Theatre musical events, and concerts are cultural opportunities.
Niche.com gave New Bern an overall rating of B+, and Realtor.com pegged the median home price at $330,000. Furthermore, New Bern is a Certified Retirement Community.
Winterville
About 20 miles from the coast and south of Greenville, Winterville is a tiny but developing, family-friendly town that prides itself on its local flavor. The town’s delectable attractions include restaurants dishing up fresh seafood and Carolina-style BBQ, the annual Watermelon Festival, and strawberry picking at the town’s farms. Another certified retirement community is Winterville.
Winterville received an overall A rating from Niche.com, which listed it as one of the greatest places to live in North Carolina. The city has a median property price of $315,000, according to Realtor.com, and SafeWise lists it as one of the safest communities in North Carolina.
Cary
This hamlet is close to Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, as well as the colleges of North Carolina State, Duke, and UNC-Chapel Hill in North Carolina’s “Research Triangle.” The Koka Booth Amphitheatre, situated amidst 14 acres of forest adjacent to Symphony Lake, hosts festivals and events that residents may anticipate, such as the North Carolina Symphony’s Summerfest Series.
Cary scored an A+ and was recognized as one of the safest cities in North Carolina by SafeWise. Niche.com ranked Cary as “one of the best places to live in North Carolina.” Realtor.com states that the median property price is $575,000.
