North carolina best places to retire

North Carolina is a state with a lot to offer. The beautiful beaches and mountains, the low cost of living, and the large variety of cities make North Carolina a great place to live. So which North Carolina city is the best?

There are many different factors that determine which city is best for you. If you’re looking for a place with lots of entertainment options, then Raleigh might be perfect for you. This city has more than 100 restaurants and bars, as well as museums, theaters, and sporting events. If you want to live in a quieter town with lots of nature, then Tryon might be a better fit. Tryon has five lakes within its borders, as well as numerous parks and hiking trails.

A lot of people also consider safety when choosing where they want to live. Greensboro has some of the lowest crime rates in the state; however, Charlotte has more violent crime than other cities in North Carolina.

North carolina best places to retire

1. Raleigh

Raleigh again tops our list of best places to live in North Carolina — and our list of the best places to live anywhere in the U.S., as well. Apple last year announced plans for a new campus that will mean 3,000 jobs for the city, and the iPhone maker isn’t the only innovative company bringing leading engineering minds to the area. An analysis from LinkedIn also put Raleigh as the third most-resilient tech hub in the fallout from the pandemic.

There’s more to cheer for than work here, though, with the Carolina Hurricanes calling Raleigh home, and the city’s blossoming food scene making every evening a reason to get out and celebrate. The city’s calendar includes music festivals like Hopscotch, the state’s largest craft beer festival and other big events.

2. Durham

While Apple chose Raleigh, another tech giant opted for its neighbor. In 2021, Google announced an engineering hub in Durham, a city often in the same conversation as Raleigh due to its proximity. However, the cost of living in Durham is a bit less than it is in Raleigh, which scores major points in today’s inflation-driven economy.

You’ll pay a bit less, but you’ll still have plenty of activities to choose from here. Whether you want to root for the Duke Blue Devils, run or bike the 22-mile American Tobacco Trail (12 miles run through Durham) or head to a gallery crawl that shows off the artists that give Durham a reputation as a creative haven, this city might be second on our list, but it still delivers first-rate ways to enjoy your days and nights.

3. Wilmington

If all you need is a Wi-Fi signal to do your job, why not wake up next to the Atlantic sunrise each day? Wilmington is the place to be, particularly for those enjoying the ability to work remotely. In fact, data from United Van Lines shows that Wilmington saw the highest number of inbound moves in 2020.

That growth trajectory looks likely to continue, with the number of residents in the region — which includes neighboring beach towns — poised to grow by nearly 90 percent by 2040, according to population estimates. It’s easy to see why, too. Whether your idea of a good time is relaxing at the beach or running the 15-mile Gary Shell Cross-City Trail, this city can make you feel like you’re on vacation the entire year.

4. Charlotte

If you need an in-person office, a massive pool of employers to pick from and big-city energy, Charlotte is your choice. Bank of America, Truist, Lowe’s, Atrium Health and Honeywell are just a few of the large companies that have operations based in The Queen City. Charlotte also has plenty to offer when you’re not at work, including Hornets and Panthers games, or if tailgating isn’t your thing, an extensive inventory of museums to check out.

If Charlotte’s on your radar but your budget might say otherwise, check out Gastonia. The median price of a home here — which is around 20 miles west and boasts plenty of cultural activities of its own — was around $90,000 cheaper as of the end of 2021, according to Redfin.

5. Asheville

With the median price of a home standing at $435,000 (as of the end of 2021), Asheville is the most expensive city on our list. However, if you can afford it, living here can give you a new view on life — literally. The city offers access to the Blue Ridge Mountains, so you’re a short drive away from some beautiful spots along the Appalachian Trail. When you take your hiking boots off, you can raise a glass at one of the nearby wineries, including the famous Biltmore estate.

Asheville is also on an impressive growth path, and the city is especially appealing to an older crowd, so if you’re getting closer to retirement — or already retired — the city’s pace might be exactly what you’re looking for. If you’re still working, though, don’t assume Asheville isn’t a fit. In fact, if you’re working from a cafe, you’ll likely meet some new digital nomad friends. Asheville came in second on LinkedIn’s recent survey of small cities with the highest number of people working remotely.