What Are the Best 55+ Communities in North Carolina to Retire In?
Many NC retirees consider communities with lakeside or mountain views, miles of hiking routes, and well-appointed courtyards and sports courts for recreational use to be the best place to retire, as these areas blend the best of outdoor living and fresh air with luxury homes and facilities.
North Carolina’s wide-open spaces provide endless options, but the here are a few areas often regarded as some of the most ideal places to find retirement community homes for sale:
- Tuckasegee, on the shores of Bear Lake, tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains: This NC town is close to Asheville for convenience, with community homes including access to wellness clubs, swimming pools, and lakeside dining.
- Belmont, a quiet, peaceful North Carolina suburban city within thirty minutes of Charlotte: These resort-style 55+ communities and homes are great for golf, outdoor sports, and hiking, with exclusive dog parks, social clubs, and sports facilities.
- Wilmington, NC awarded the title of one of America’s top ten small cities: This town has multiple luxurious residential communities for active retirees, from gated golf resorts with eighteen-hole championship courses to complexes with quality condos, townhouses, and wellness centers.
Other superb retirement properties are available for sale in larger towns and cities such as Asheville, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, and Durham, NC each with its own unique selling points. Find out if Raleigh, North Carolina is a good place to retire.
Health Care in North Carolina
Retirees looking for communities in North Carolina often prioritize those close to excellent healthcare facilities and services, and have numerous options, with the state home to world-class hospitals and specialist centers. This includes Duke University Hospital, which is rated as one of the finest hospitals nationwide.
Cost of Homes and Living in North Carolina
Choosing a state to call home in retirement can be a difficult decision, and understanding the ongoing costs of living in upscale home communities in North Carolina, alongside the average cost of homes for sale, is important. North Carolina offers a cost of living that is 5% beneath the national average, with homes costing 14% less, alongside affordable transportation and utilities–all of which combine to help make sure that retirement savings and incomes can support high living standards.
Retirement-friendly taxation policies mean North Carolina remains in the five most popular retirement states, with no state taxation against Social Security benefits, estates, or inheritances. While there is a NC state income tax that applies to IRAs, pensions, and 401(k)s, the lower housing and living costs often counterbalance this.
Are North Carolina College Towns Good for Retirement?
There is no doubt that North Carolina is a fantastic option for active adults, with homes close to the vast waters of Lake Norman or Lake Mattamuskeet providing numerous water-based sports team activities and events. College towns like Greensboro, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh, NC stay busy with free community festivals and are a perfect match for retirees who want a buoyant, vibrant, and thriving community! Browse our collection of the best NC communities and select your perfect home.
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