Do you know any beautiful retirement destinations in North Carolina? Keep reading to discover the best ones!

North Carolina has year-round mild weather, beaches, and the gorgeous Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. There’s something for every retiree in college towns, historic cities, farming communities, and coastal areas, which offer a variety of stunning locations to live in.

There are several retirement destinations in North Carolina, and it’s way more than just its breathtaking scenery and friendly people. State income tax is also very low, at 5.25%, and there is no state tax on Social Security payments. Fabulous!

We wanted to find the best places to spend your golden years, so we did a bit of digging. We considered several factors, such as crime, weather, outdoor activities, housing accessibility, cost of living, additional data on housing costs, safety ratings, and neighboring amenities. We think we’ve found the best retirement destinations in North Carolina. If you want to discover them, keep reading!

1. Belmont

If you’re one of those people who loves natural recreation, history, and the benefits of being close to a bigger metropolis, Belmont is the perfect destination for you! It’s about 12 miles west of Charlotte and is gorgeous!

Thanks to its exquisite old architecture, the Downtown Belmont Historic District is included on the National Register of Historic Places. The community has a young and fresh vibe due to the two great universities there, Belmont Abbey College and Gaston College. So, if you’re into studying, you’ll like living there.

If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be happy to hear that Belmont’s cost of living is marginally lower than the national average, so you can save money at the same time!

2. Duck

Duck, an Outer Banks city, might be the perfect retirement destination in North Carolina if you enjoy the beach, a laid-back lifestyle, and a small-town feel. Along with a mile-long promenade for dining, shopping, and morning strolls, there are free guided walks available to teach visitors about the island’s ecology and animals. A jazz festival, an Independence Day parade, a winter holiday celebration, summer concerts, and outdoor fitness classes are just a few of the local events, so get ready to have the time of your life there!

Duck receives excellent ratings from specialists for safety, nightlife, and housing metrics. Experts report that Duck’s overall cost of living is around 5% less than the national average, so that’s great for everyone who’s looking to save money but have fun at the same time!

3. Carolina Beach

Retirees who love a vintage vibe, exciting nightlife, world-class fishing, miles of beaches, and stunning dunes will think Carolina Beach is a dream place. This retirement destination in North Carolina is a lovely suburb of Wilmington. With sea breezes and stores, restaurants, and entertainment, it has a classic boardwalk that will impress everyone.

Summertime in the Carolina Beach area is incredibly exciting, thanks to music festivals and events. Moreover, if you go closer to Wilmington, you can visit incredible historical buildings, restaurants, museums, and several performing arts venues.

Experts say that Carolina Beach received great ratings for nightlife, outdoor activities, and health and fitness overall. Approximately 70% of people are homeowners, and the median home price is $695,000.

…The next retirement destination in North Carolina is perfect for those who want to keep up with an active lifestyle! Keep reading to discover more about it!

4. Pinehurst

Pinehurst might be the ideal location for you if you plan on playing golf when you retire. This lovely city is conveniently situated two hours from the coast, three hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, and one hour from Raleigh. If you enjoy driving and going on frequent road trips, this is the place for you!

And for those who want to be active, Pinehurst is well-known for its golf courses and quaint small-town charm. Beyond golf, the greater Sandhill area offers outdoor pursuits, museums, art galleries, wineries, and farms to explore. And let’s not forget that the Village of Pinehurst provides an array of adult programs that are fun and worth checking out.

Experts say Pinehurst is one of the finest places to retire in North Carolina due to its accessibility to healthcare and huge retiree population. So, if you want to make friends, this might be the place to meet new people!

5. Laurinburg

Have you ever been to Laurinburg? This is a great retirement destination in North Carolina, especially for those who enjoy water. Situated in the center of the state, this lovely city offers easy access to Charlotte, Raleigh, and the coast.

There are a lot of outdoor activities available for people, such as hiking, kayaking, and fishing along the Lumber River in the vicinity. You can also check out their stunning museums, wineries, golf courses, and historical places. Trust me, you won’t get bored!

The city is among the most reasonably priced retirement locations on our list; the median property price in Laurinburg is $159,000, according to experts, and the cost of living here is pretty good too.

6. Reidsville

Reidsville is a reasonably priced hamlet in the northern portion of the state, minutes from Greensboro. It offers the conveniences of a big metropolis while maintaining a small-town atmosphere. This lovely place is a desirable retirement location thanks to its two public lakes, parks, walking trails, and vibrant neighborhood.

Moreover, Reidsville offers a plethora of activities, such as playing golf, watching high school football games, and admiring street art and historic homes. If these sound like your type of activities, check out this retirement destination, because you won’t regret it!

The Reidsville Center for Active Retirement Enterprises (RCARE) provides outings and events such as fitness courses, bocce ball, pickleball, dancing, and card games. Last but certainly not least, Reidsville is a Certified Retirement Community, and according to real estate agents, the median price of a property is $205,000.

7. Marion

Retirees looking for outdoor recreation, a bustling downtown, and vistas of the mountains can think of moving to Marion because it’s a wonderful option. Is located roughly 36 miles northeast of Asheville and has several fun things to try. The restaurants, art galleries, and festivals in Marion are top-notch.

If you like to walk, bicycle, or hike, the neighboring state and national parks are great places to do so. Do you want to connect with Mother Nature more often without exerting yourself? Enjoy a beautiful trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Experts consider Marion a Certified Retirement Community, thanks to the fact that it satisfies the requirements for offering opportunities, amenities, and services for retirees to enjoy active and productive lives. Moreover, real estate agents say that the median price of a property is $275,000.

8. New Bern

New Bern, the original home of Pepsi-Cola and a source of inspiration for novelist Nicholas Sparks, was once the capital of North Carolina. Residents of this 300-year-old city on the Neuse River are never too far from the beach because it’s situated around 30 miles from the Atlantic Coast.

People living in this gorgeous city love boating, hiking, biking, and golfing, and if you like them too, this is the retirement destination for you. You can find lots of housing options at their historic homes, condos in the downtown area, and gated communities. If you like cultural events, you’ll be happy to hear that there are lots of art galleries and musical events at the New Bern Civic Theater.

According to experts, the median price for a home is $330,000, and New Bern is a wonderful retirement destination for those who plan to spend their golden years peacefully. If you want to check out these retirement destinations in North Carolina, I recommend you visit them for a few days to see what the vibe is and if you’d like to live there. Pack your bags, try everything, and have the most magical golden years!

Did you find this article helpful? If you know of any other great cities for retirees in North Carolina, feel free to share them with us! Until next time, here’s another good post for you: The 5 Pillars of Retirement: How to Retire Successfully