Best Places to Retire in North Carolina

The state of North Carolina is lovely and has many benefits for retirees. Retirement income in North Carolina is not subject to state sales or property taxes, and there are no taxes on social security retirement benefits. Our list includes vital details about each location, what retirement can be like there, and the best places to retire in North Carolina.

Guide to Best Places to Retire in North Carolina

Choose the best retirement places in North Carolina by examining previous noteworthy retirement studies in the state. It also investigated thoroughly to identify crucial elements that could make retirement joyful for people. Among the variables taken into account in the study are:

• The city’s population– helps define the city’s overall size.
• Median house value – Provides a sense of the region’s affordability and standard of living.
• Several hospitals within a 25-mile radius – Tells us about the quality of healthcare offered in that region.
• Annual property and violent crime– statistics provide data on the city’s safety.
• Quality of life and value factor – Based on the local attractions accessible to retirees, retirement communities, and other considerations, these elements indicate the total value and quality of life connected with retiring in each city.

Thanks to all these things, you can fairly judge how retirement might be in these cities. It’s vital to keep in mind that only some of these cities are thought to be reasonably priced for retirees. Both towns that are considered reasonably priced and more expensive ones are included in the study.

Hendersonville

• 16.5% of the population is over 65 years old.
• Median Home Value: $100,100
• Last year, there were 61 violent crimes.
• In the last year, There were 680 property crimes reported.
• Within 25 miles of the city, there are ten hospitals.

Hendersonville is a great place for retirees because it has a high quality of life, is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and has easy access to health care. The city also has excellent places for retirees to live, eat, and shop and recreation centers to keep them active. For retirees looking to increase their financial security, a city is an excellent option due to its affordable housing and low cost of living. Hendersonville is among the best areas in North Carolina to retire due to all these factors.

Local Attractions: There are many things to do in Hendersonville that can keep retirees and their families busy all year. Among the most popular things you can do in their area are:

• Hands-On! Children’s Museum
• Mineral & Lapidary Museum
• Air Museum of Western North Carolina
• The Apple Valley Model Railroad Museum
• State DuPont Recreation Forest

Best Known For:
The city is known for its apple orchards; every Labor Day weekend, there is a North Carolina Apple Festival. Hendersonville is known for its many wineries, cideries, and local breweries.

Roxboro, North Carolina

• Population – 8,298 – (2019)
• Median Home Value – $199k (2022)
• Two hospitals are less than 25 miles from the city.
• Property Crimes Per Year (2022) – 287
• Annual Violent Crimes (2022) – 79
• Retirement Affordability: 9 out of 10
• 8/10 for quality of life
• Value – 9/10

Many things make Roxboro a great place to live after you retire. The city has the feel of a small town, which is excellent for people who want a slower-paced environment. The city also has many historic homes and buildings, making it a perfect place for cultural activities. The cost of living in Roxboro is less than the national average, which makes it a good choice for retirees. There are also many places for retirees to live. Additionally, retirees have many opportunities to be active and take in the scenery in the outdoor setting. Roxboro is a fantastic retirement location if you want to live somewhere affordable, engaging, and fun.

Local Attractions: The city is quiet and has some small-town-like local attractions. Among the most popular things can do in there are:

• The Person County History Museum
• Lake Roxboro
• Hagers Hill
• Mayo Lake
• Museum of the Dukes of Hazzard

Best Known For:
Most people know Roxboro as a “Moccasin Gap.” Even though it’s a small city, it has a lot of businesses that make things that help the local economy.

Pinehurst

• Population – 16,050 – (2019)
• Median Home Value – $450k (2022)
• Ten hospitals are within 25 miles of the city.
• Property Crimes Per Year (2022) – 133
• Annual Violent Crimes (2022) – 19
• Retirement Affordability: 7.5 out of 10
• 8/10 for quality of life
• Value – 9/10

North Carolina’s Pinehurst is a beautiful city that would be perfect for golf-loving retirees. The Pinehurst No. 2. The course is in the city, one of the most famous and prestigious golf courses in the United States. Even though Pinehurst has a higher cost of living than other adjacent cities, it boasts lower property tax rates.

The weather is one of the best things about Pinehurst. The city has a humid subtropical climate, so the summers are great for golfing, and the winters are not too cold. Pinehurst also has an excellent healthcare system and a lively culture for retirees.

Local Attractions: Some of the main things to do in Pinehurst are related to golf, but if you’re retired and don’t play golf, there are still plenty of things to do. Here are some of Pinehurst’s most-visited places:

• Pinehurst No.2
• Pinehurst Lake
• Weymouth Woods
• Pinehurst Resort
• Playground of Camelot

Best Known For:
Pinehurst is best known for its golfing attractions and stories about famous golfers from the past few decades.

Marion -North Carolina

• Population – 7,834 – (2019)
• Median Home Value – $260k (2022)
• Two hospitals are less than 25 miles from the city.
• 439 property crimes per year in 2022
• Annual Violent Crimes (2022) – 15
• Retirement Affordability: 8.0 out of 10
• 8/10 for quality of life
• Value – 8/10

A little town in North Carolina called Marion is named after American Revolutionary War hero General Francis Marion. You may find a little hamlet at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, encircled by old houses, churches, and courthouses.

Retirement may be fun in Marion because of its lovely downtown area and the abundance of nearby eateries and breweries. It features a small-town atmosphere, reasonably priced housing, and many retirement facilities. In addition to a welcoming community, the city offers retirees various outdoor activities.

Local Attractions: Marion is a large city with many different things to do for retirees. Here are some of them:

• Falls on Tom’s Creek
• Carson House is ancient.
• Linville Caverns
• Outdoors on the Catawba River
• Cheese is made on farms in England.

Best Known For:
Most people know the city as a historic mountain town near places like Mt. Mitchell and Linville Falls.

Hickory-Downtown Hickory NC

• Population – 40,634 – (2019)
• Median Home Value – $240k (2022)
• Four hospitals are within 25 miles of the city.
• 2022: 1,717 property crimes per year
• Annual Violent Crimes (2022) – 223
• Retirement Affordability: 8.0 out of 10
• Life Quality – 8.0/10
• Value – 9/10

Many things make Hickory a great place to retire. The cost of living is meager, and retirees have many events and activities. The city is also close to great hiking trails and beautiful mountain views. Hickory is among the best places to retire in North Carolina regarding value. People with fixed incomes who are retired. Hickory has a 13% lower cost of living than the national average. Many festivals and community events help retirees keep busy and have fun throughout the year.

Local Attractions: There are many things to do in Hickory that can make retirement fun. Among the most popular things can do in their area are:

• Hickory Art Museum
• Catawba Science Center
• Hickory Flight Museum
• Catawba Farms is home to a vineyard and a winery.
• Henry Fork River Park

Best Known For:
Stock car racing has a long history in Hickory, and it is frequently referred to as the “Birthplace of NASCAR stars” and is the location of Hickory Motor Speedway, one of the most well-known short tracks. The city is renowned for producing a large amount of furniture.

Williamston, North Carolina

• Population – 5,312 – (2019)
• Median Home Value – $114k (2022)
• There is only one hospital within 25 miles of the city.
• Property Crimes Per Year (2022) – 297
• Annual Violent Crimes (2022) – 66
• Retirement Affordability: 9.5 out of 10
• Life Quality – 7.5/10
• Value – 8.5/10

Williamston is a great place to retire if you want to live somewhere cheap. This small rural town east of Durham is known for its farmland and wide open spaces. People think it’s a great place to raise a family and also a great place to retire because it’s so quiet.

The only bad thing about moving here to retire is that there are few places to eat. But the city is close to Albemarle Sound and the Pamlico River, which is excellent for people who like to hunt and fish. The median home value in Williamston is $114k, which makes the cost of living 30% less than the national average.

Overall, It is close to nature, which makes it an excellent place for people who like being outside.

Local Attractions: Even though Williamston doesn’t have a large downtown area, retirees can still find a lot to do. Among the most popular things they can do in their place are:

• Roanoke Outdoor Adventures
• Deadwood Amusement Park
• Senator Bob Martin Agricultural Center
• Martin Players in the Community

Best Known For:
Williamston is one of the best cities for people who like the outdoors. It has also been known as a sustainable community for a long time.

Forest City

• Population – 7,155 – (2019)
• Median Home Value – $190k (2022)
• Three hospitals are within 25 miles of the city.
• Property Crimes Per Year (2022) – 297
• Annual Violent Crimes (2022) – 66
• Retirement Affordability: 9.5 out of 10
• 8/10 for quality of life
• Value – 8.5/10

Forest City’s town center is clean and near the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. Seniors can do many things at two large senior citizen clubs. Forest City is great if you want to feel like you’re in a small town and have a lot to do. People may access reasonably priced medical treatment with a low crime rate.

Forest City has a much lower cost of living than the rest of the country, and there are a lot of retirement communities there.

Local Attractions: There are a lot of museums and other things for retirees to do in Forest City. Here are some of them:

• The Bennett Classics Antique Car Museum
• Rail-trail in the Thermal Belt
• The Rutherford County Farm Museum
• Park Square’s Forest City Pavilion
• The Banfield Pottery

Best Known For:
Every winter, over a million lights are put up in the downtown area of Forest City as part of a holiday celebration. It is a popular holiday tradition that has been going on since 1930 and lights up the city.

Reidsville

• Population – 13,915 – (2019)
• Median Home Value – $169k (2022)
• Four hospitals are within 25 miles of the city.
• Property crimes per year in 2022: 689
• Annual Violent Crimes (2022) – 138
• Retirement Affordability – 9.0 out of 10
• 8/10 for quality of life
• Value – 8/10

For many reasons, Reidsville, North Carolina, is an excellent area to retire. Getting quality healthcare is risk-free, affordable, and straightforward. There are numerous activities available in Reidsville for retirees as well. The low crime rate makes it a very safe place to live, and the $169k median home value makes it easy for people on a fixed income to buy a home. Health care is also easy to get in the city, which is essential for retirees. Reidsville is a great place to retire in North Carolina as a whole.

Local Attractions: Here are some of the most visited places in Reidsville.

• Lake Reidsville Park for Leisure
• Farm in Crystal Creek
• The Rockingham Theater
• Market Square

Best Known For:
Reidsville is best known as a popular place for people who like to be outside. In the past, the American Tobacco Company hired numerous workers from the city.

Raleigh

• Population – 464,485 – (2019)
• Median Home Value – $379k (2022)
• Twenty or more hospitals are within 25 miles of the city.
• In 2022, there will be 9 981 property crimes every year.
• Annual Violent Crimes (2022) – 1,940
• Retirement Affordability: 8.0 out of 10
• Life Quality – 9/10
• Value – 8/10

Due to its excellent climate, comprehensive healthcare system, welcoming residents, and high standard of living, Raleigh may be one of the most sought-after cities in North Carolina. There are a lot of exciting restaurants, public and private golf courses, wellness centers, and museums in the city, which makes it a good place for retirees to live because it has a lot to offer. Even though Raleigh is considered to have a higher cost of living than other cities, there are many affordable options for retirees in the area. Raleigh is among the top places in North Carolina to retire. Because there are so many reasonably priced homes to live in and exit from, the high cost of living doesn’t stop retirees from enjoying all Raleigh offers. Raleigh is an excellent place for retirees who want to live somewhere affordable and fun.

Local Attractions: Here are some of the most popular places and things to do in Raleigh that will keep you busy during retirement.

• Museum of Art in North Carolina
• Pullen Park
• State Park William B. Umstead
• The JC Raulston Arboretum
• County Park of the Past, Yates Mill

Best Known For:
People often call Raleigh the “Smithsonian of the South” because it has many high-quality free museums for people to enjoy. It is also known for its colleges and universities, such as North Carolina State.

Durham

• Population – 269,702 – (2019)
• Median Home Value – $360k (2022)
• There are 11 or more hospitals within 25 miles of the city.
• 11,040 property crimes per year in 2022
• Annual Violent Crimes (2022) – 2,455
• Retirement Affordability: 7.5 out of 10
• 8.5/10 for quality of life
• Value – 7.5/10

If you have the methods to manage the more excellent price of living, lots of people consider Durham one of the most effective retirement homes in North Carolina. People say Durham’s housing market is more competitive than other cities, but the city has excellent attractions and a robust health care system. The city has a rich culture, and the people there can enjoy all four seasons without dealing with extreme heat or cold.

Durham is known as a city where science and medicine come together. The Duke University Medical Center and the Durham VA Medical Center are here. The city also has a lot of private hospitals and clinics. As a result, Durham is a fantastic area to retire if you want high-quality medical treatment. There are also many ways to stay active and involved in the community. There are a lot of parks, recreation centers, and cultural events to enjoy. In Durham, people who are retired can live a good life. The area has many golf courses and parks so retirees can keep busy.

Local Attractions: Among the most popular things you can do in Durham are:

• Nasher Art Museum
• Life and Science Museum
• State Park on the Eno River
• A campus of American Tobacco
• Falls Lake State Park is a place for fun.

Best Known For:
Most people know Durham as the “City of Medicine.” It is also home to Research Triangle Park and Duke University.

Final Thought – Best Places to Retire in North Carolina

When deciding where in North Carolina it is best to retire, there are several things to consider. Some people could choose a big metropolis with many nightlife and cultural events, while others might prefer a quiet village with many outdoor activities. They have your back, no matter what your priorities are! We’ll look at some of the most well-liked locations in the state in this last part of our series on the best places to retire in North Carolina.  

So, before making your choice, consider your particular needs and preferences. Remember to account for the cost of living in each area. The ideal place for you might be a better option! Finally, before making any decisions, always get the advice of a knowledgeable retirement planner. Wish you well as you look for the ideal retirement community!