North Carolina offers several good retirement options. The state has beautiful cities on the coast and in the interior that provide endless amenities.
Each of its locations opens the door to opportunities for outdoor adventure. In addition to recreation, green areas, a good climate and a vibrant culture.
You may be interested: What are the safest cities in North Carolina?
8 Best Cities to Retire in North Carolina
Below, we share the eight best places to retire in North Carolina, selected by Home Bay and USNews:
- Asheville
- Cary
- Chapel Hill
- Charlotte
- Concord
- Hickory
- Greensboro
- Raleigh
Asheville
It has the largest population of seniors. 30% of the residents are over 60 years old.
That's almost 43% more than the average, making it truly an exceptional retirement community. Its senior residences also have the highest rating (3,75 stars on average).
The city has the largest number of art galleries, excursions, music venues, hiking options, art classes, street markets, botanical gardens and senior centers, per capita.
Asheville also has excellent healthcare, with 1,5 highly-rated Medicare network hospitals per 100.000 residents within a 80-mile radius, so you'll never have to wait long for an appointment.
Cary
Cary has more than 150 residents and boasts a remarkably low crime rate.
It is located just 11 miles from the Research Triangle and includes 20 of the state's best hospitals within 25 miles of its center.
The only downside to Cary is that the median home sale price in October 2023 was $567,500, according to Redfin data.
Still, if you're relocating from an area with a higher cost of living to make the most of your retirement plans, choosing a smaller home in Cary can still keep you on budget.
Chapel Hill
The university town offers a small-town feel without lacking any of the amenities.
With just under 60 residents, the city is a solid size without being too overwhelming.
The crime rate is low, the cost of living is barely above the national average, and it's just 13 miles from the Research Triangle, with 16 of the state's best hospitals within a 25-mile radius.
Housing, however, can be expensive, with an average sales price in October 2023 of $542 to purchase.
City of Charlotte
If you're looking for a larger city in North Carolina to call home, Charlotte is a great option.
It is a city of 809 thousand inhabitants, but its cost of living is just above the national average, and the crime rate is still below the national and state average.
It has 27 of the state's best hospitals within a 25-mile radius. Housing is also below the national average, with an average sales price in October 2023 of $412.
City of Concord
If you are looking for somewhere small but not tiny and cheap but not insecure, Concord may be your retirement destination.
With a population of about 85, the city is big enough to be interesting, but not so big that it has all the problems of big cities.
The cost of living is just below the national average, crime is very low, and the median home sale price in Concord in October 2023 was $377, significantly below the national average.
There are 15 of North Carolina's best hospitals within a 25-mile radius.
Town of Hickory
Home values are very reasonable and have seen gradual increases over the last decade.
Property taxes are well below average, as are average utility prices.
It also features hundreds of acres of scenic hiking trails, a large lake for boating, a nationally recognized artisan furniture store, and a world-famous short track that has produced many NASCAR stars.
The city also offers the largest number of golf options per capita.
Hickory has the highest number of high-quality Medicare network hospitals (13) on this list, as well as the highest rate per 100 residents, which translates into the best access to medical facilities and providers.
City of Greensboro
This city really stands out in housing affordability and golf.
Despite being the third most populous city in North Carolina, home values are well below the national average. Utility costs are also very low, and estimated property taxes are only 0,98%.
It is also known as the “City of Tournaments” for its abundance of stadiums, courts and golf courses (29), so sports fans will have plenty to do here.
Access to healthcare is also better than average, with 0,9 high-quality hospitals per capita within a 80 kilometer radius.
This figure triples the national average, of only 0,3 quality hospitals per 100 thousand inhabitants.
City of Raleigh
Although Raleigh isn't the cheapest place to live in North Carolina, you get a bustling metropolitan area full of innovation and some of the brightest medical minds in the country since it's just 16 miles from the famous Research Triangle.
The city has a population of 439 thousand inhabitants and a low crime rate, but the cost of living is above average.
In October 2023, the average sales price of homes was $415. It also has 25 of the state's best hospitals within 25 miles of the city.
Raleigh is also one of the 3 “Happiest” North Carolina Cities in the United States.
In addition to ideal cities to retire, North Carolina also offers endless attractions to be in contact with nature, including its forests, beaches and national parks. Get to know its main attractions here.
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A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.
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