10 Welcoming Towns to Retire in North Carolina
After decades of working to pay bills and raise a family in the hustle and bustle of larger cities, many people want to spend their retirement years at a slower pace. Perhaps you are looking for somewhere with pleasant weather or a town with a low crime rate. There are many things to consider when choosing the place you will call home later in life.
In recent years, North Carolina has steadily climbed to be a top choice for retirees. It has the advantage of having cooler summers than the South and warmer winters than the North. The cost of living is lower than in cities with comparable populations, and there are towns throughout the state that offer many activities for seniors to fill their time with. Here is a look at ten towns in North Carolina that stand out as wonderful choices for retirees to spend their golden years.
Monroe
Monroe offers a nice blend of southern warmth, small-town living, and modern amenities, ideal for people entering their retirement years. The downtown area is steeped in history, with old buildings and landmarks on every corner. The Union County Courthouse serves as the centerpiece of this area, along with the Monroe Depot, which helps tell the story of the people who settled in the area many years ago.
A nice and leisurely lakeside stroll through beautiful Lake Monroe Park awaits every morning as you settle into your new surroundings in Monroe. You will also enjoy plenty of places to dine and shop, from the downtown district to the Monroe Mall. Many people retiring to Monroe enjoy the selection of healthcare providers and low home prices, the average being $338,000. Monroe is a wonderfully picturesque place to slow down as you head into retirement.
Hendersonville
If you are tired of city life and want to slow down and experience small-town America, you will feel right at home in Hendersonville. This historic town dates back to 1838 and is surrounded by museums and sites for history lovers. The downtown area is picturesque and will make you feel like you are stepping back in time every time you walk down the main street. Driving through the surrounding areas, you will see beautiful scenes of the western mountains of North Carolina and Hendersonville’s famous apple orchards.
Retirees love Hendersonville because of the low population of just over 13,000 people and the low cost of living. Housing prices are lower than the national average, and the town focuses on building relationships with the community. Many events take place throughout the year, including festivals and farmers markets. People who retire to Hendersonville will also find plenty to keep themselves busy, with plenty of shops and eateries downtown, visiting the Art MoB Studios and Marketplace to see the work of local artists, or taking a hike nearby to see beautiful landscapes and waterfalls.
Goldsboro
Goldsboro is a delightful place for retirees who are looking to continue an engaging lifestyle at a slower pace. The city is rich in history with landmarks like Union Station, a restored train station that is still serving as a stopping point for Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses. There are also many museums to explore if you desire to learn more about the area's heritage.
Many retirees enjoy the activities that come to town yearly, like Street Jams in the summer, filling the streets with fun, music, and food. There are also many places to shop, enjoy a cup of coffee, or have a bite to eat. The welcoming community and choice of recreation will win you over. If you need more convincing, the easy access to quality healthcare and home prices less that $200,000 will make you feel great about your decision.
Cornelius
Some retirees love small-town life. With a population of nearly 33,000, Cornelius will let you experience plenty of respite from the chaos you may be accustomed to. The city has gorgeous parks and green spaces, such as Lake Norman, where you can relish your new landscapes. There are also numerous restaurants, such as Big Bite'z Grill, art galleries, museums, shops, and entertainment venues to help keep you engaged!
Access to good healthcare is abundant in Cornelius. A study conducted by Smartasset voted the town the seventh best place for retirees to find a great doctor. The average home price is a little above average, at around $519,000. You might opt for apartment living, which could get you right into the heart of the city.
Sanford
Boasting a population of nearly 32,000, Sanford is another town with an influx of young people coming to attend Central Carolina Community College. With that comes more opportunities to find things to stay occupied around town. You will find places to eat, like the Local Joe's Tap & Grille. There are many entertainment options, such as the TempleTheater.
Retirees looking for a town with a lower cost of living will enjoy Sanford. The average cost for a home is $282,000. There is also a lot of access to good health care with physicians and specialty clinics throughout the area. Sanford could be the best choice for seniors looking for a new home after retirement.
Morrisville
This old town could be perfect for retirees who want to slow down their way of life. Morrisville boasts a population of 32,000, making it a candidate to live in small-town America. This town has a lot of southern charm, but enough modern amenities to which retirees may be drawn.
The cost of living in Morrisville is comparable to other towns in North Carolina with homes being sold for an average of $504,000. The crime rate is low and there is a sense of community that seniors will feel at home with. The downtown area is very inviting with shops and restaurants retirees will love. There are also plenty of events to keep busy with like the Music in the Park where you can get some delicious food and enjoy live music.
Mt. Airy
If you are looking for a small town, you might want to consider moving to the most famous one in the world, Mayberry. Mt. Airy was the hometown of Andy Griffith and he used it as the template for the close-knit community he created for his famous television show. Today, Mt. Airy's population is just over 10,000, and it has the most picturesque downtown area you have ever seen. Every year there is an influx of visitors coming to see the Andy Griffith Museum and take their picture at key locations that inspired their favorite TV show. True fans will adore experiencing the Mayberry Days events.
In addition to its fame, Mt. Airy has much more to offer retirees who want to keep an active lifestyle. Ideal for hiking, The Pilot Mountain State Park is not far away and the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains surround the town. The cost of living is lower than average with homes being sold for around $204,000. Retirees can come to Mt. Airy and live comfortably without worry!
Wilson
Not everyone who retires is to slow down too much. Wilson has a population of 48,000 people. Because of that, you will find no end of things to do in the city. Wilson is full of restaurants, entertainment, and shopping. There are plenty of places to take in some history and culture like the worlds greatest tobacco market. Entertainment is abundant in Wilson, particularly with its Oktoberfest events.
Home prices in Wilson are low at $211,000. There are also plenty of opportunities to find quality healthcare with clinics and hospitals in the area. Retirees looking to continue city life at a lower cost will find a lot to enjoy in Wilson.
Carrboro
Much like many of the mill towns scattered throughout the state, Carrboro has transitioned to being a town with a lot of history while having a modern sense of community. With a population of just over 21,000, you will enjoy a sense of small-town life while still experiencing a busy downtown area. Enjoy the Carrboro Farmers Market, have a drink and some crab cakes at ACME Food and Beverage Company, or listen to some live music at Johnny’s Gone Fishing.
The cost of living in Carrboro is lower than average, but home prices can still be around $535,000. You will also find plenty of access to medical care at Carrboro Medical Center with the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area being close by. If you like to live small but do not like seclusion, a town like Carrboro may be what you are looking for.
Salisbury
There is a lot of North Carolina history in the town of Salisbury. From its origins as a settlement for trading with Native Americans to becoming one of the fastest growing communities in North Carolina. Today, with a population just over 35,000, retirees are moving into the area because of the low cost of living and the sense of community. There are many things to do in Salisbury including visiting historic locations, enjoying restaurants like the Italian Grill, and attending festivals like the Buskar’s Bash and the Bell Tower Brewfest.
Retirees can enjoy the fact that home prices are an average of $271,000. In addition, medical care is abundant with physicians and specialty clinics located all over the area and the Rowan Medical Center nearby. Many people choose to move to Salisbury and find a new purpose in Salisbury.
When looking for a place to settle after retirement, North Carolina offers a variety of ideal towns with unique advantages and charm. The beautiful vistas of Asheville, the novelty of Mt. Airy, and the hustle of Charlotte all offer retirees a vibrant lifestyle while still having what they need to live a comfortable life. Affordable living, quality healthcare, and an abundance of culture and entertainment wait for you in these communities. Whether you crave green space and outdoor activities, a sense of community, or access to art, North Carolina has what you need to enjoy your retirement years in happiness.
