Guide to Best Places to Retire in North Carolina
Best Places to Live & Retire in North Carolina
Beaches, Mountains, History and Great Weather
Ideal-Living offers a free comprehensive service that begins with helping you find your Ideal Lifestyle. Until you know how you want to live, you can’t know where you want to live. We offer a wide array of tools to help
you get answers to the questions that are keeping you from moving to your ideal destination. That includes finding the best place to retire in North Carolina.
Our resources can help you find best retirement communities in North Carolina in the best retirement locations. We can help you gain all this information as well as talk with representatives from the top retirement and resort communities in North Carolina, this includes communities in Wilmington, Southport, Raleigh, even the North Carolina high country areas like Boone and Asheville.
In addition to its natural beauty, great climate, and combination of mountain, lake and coastal communities, North Carolina also offers numerous tax benefits for residents and retirees.
No tax on social security benefits
Property tax deferment program for qualifying seniors
Prescription drugs are exempt from state sales tax
No inheritance tax
Those over 65 may qualify for Homeowners Exemption
Our free Digital Retirement Guide and Ideal-Living Magazine offer an abundance of information on which states, towns and cities are the best for retirees, vacationers and second-home buyers.
Because we can give you first-hand information on so many communities, virtually any type of community or neighborhood is available for you to consider, such as:
Coastal Communities
Golf Communities
Active Adult Communities
Mountain Communities
Lake Communities
Gated Communities
Inland Communities
Green Communities
Vacation Homes
Luxury Homes
University Towns
Small Towns
Affordable Homes for Retirement
Ideal-Living provides you the resources to not only compare North Carolina against other states, but also compare communities within North Carolina. And not just a few communities, but over 20 of the most popular communities in North Carolina. From the beaches to the mountains, all that North Carolina has to offer is at your fingertips.
Sample Communities to Discover
Delamar
Welcome to Delamar, Hampstead’s newest premier waterfront community, where timeless coastal charm meets modern resort-style living. Perfectly positioned between the quiet serenity of Hampstead and the vibrant energy of nearby Wilmington, Delamar is designed for those who dream of building not just a home, but a lifestyle. Here, every detail has been carefully planned to capture the essence of North Carolina’s coast—wide stretches of Intracoastal views, luxury amenities that feel like a year-round retreat, and a sense of community that invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and truly live where others vacation.
From the moment you arrive, Delamar makes an impression. A private gated entrance ensures peace of mind, while the community’s waterfront setting provides the perfect backdrop for adventure and relaxation alike. Delamar is uniquely designed for those who feel most at home by the water. Beyond the shoreline, thoughtfully planned amenities create the feeling of a resort right outside your front door. A luxury amenity center with a fitness facility, resort-style pool, and club house is at the heart of the neighborhood. Residents can also enjoy tennis and pickleball courts, outdoor fire pits and grilling stations, golf cart paths, and tranquil spaces designed to bring neighbors together and families closer.
Delamar is also defined by its unbeatable location. Just minutes from public beach access and surrounded by direct Intracoastal access, it offers the ultimate in coastal convenience. Local dining, shopping, and entertainment are close at hand, and Downtown Wilmington is only a 30-minute drive away, placing you near the region’s cultural hub while allowing you to retreat to the tranquility of Hampstead whenever you choose.
Now is your opportunity to be among the first to call Delamar home. Homesites will be released in phases, with the first round available exclusively to reservation holders. To learn more about how to secure your reservation, visit DelamarNC.com. Delamar proudly partners with Bluecrest Homes the community’s exclusive builder, known for their craftsmanship, attention to detail, and deep understanding of coastal living. From spacious family retreats to elegant coastal escapes, these homes are built to enhance the natural surroundings. You can browse available floorplans and learn more about the building process at DelamarNC.com.
Horizon Homes of Wilmington LLC
Horizon Homes of Wilmington is a family-owned custom home builder in Southeastern North Carolina. Every Horizon home starts with your “wish list”. Robin Hackney, a Green Certified Professional with the National Association of Home Builders, designs every home with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind. Providing quality, energy efficient, custom homes designed around the individual wants and needs of their customers is what sets Horizon Homes apart. Send your “wish list” directly to Robin at BuyHorizonNewHomes.com and begin your dream home journey today!
Legacy Homes by Bill Clark
Legacy Homes by Bill Clark is the crown jewel in a long line of North Carolina home building history. As one of the Nation’s “Top 100 Builders” for over a decade, the Legacy Homes division is a trusted partner in the Wilmington, NC region that spans four counties, and is a featured builder in many of the South’s premier planned communities, such as Brunswick Forest, Bluffs on the Cape Fear, Compass Pointe, River Bluffs, Riverlights, St. James, Summerhouse, with more to come. The Legacy Homes’ mission is to walk alongside each client as the dream of their new home becomes a reality… Best known for thoughtful floor plans, maximized living spaces, attention to detail, and custom trim work, any Legacy Home is destined to be a showstopper.
The goal at Legacy Homes is to make the homebuilding process as seamless for each client as possible. Whether choosing from one of the professionally designed available model homes or building from the ground up, a Legacy team member will be with you each step of the way. As a semi-custom builder, you will have the opportunity to create the dream home that fits perfectly with your lifestyle.
Get Started
Finding and choosing the right active adult community can be a daunting task. This is where ideal-LIVING can help. Sign up below to receive our complimentary relocation package, which offers tips on how to find a community that suits your needs. In this guide, you’ll discover the top communities in North Carolina, as well as what you can do to get started. Sign up for this free package to take the first step in your exciting journey.
Free Package includes:
- ideal-LIVING Relocation Guide
The ultimate guide to find your ideal destination, life and home. This annual guide contains more than 15 state maps, a location-based cost of living and climate comparison chart and discovery travel packages.
- ideal-LIVING Magazine
Quarterly print magazine features the best places to retire and/or purchase your ideal second home.
- ideal-LIVING E-Newsletter
Receive our digital newsletter, two to three times a month, highlighting communities around the country and abroad.
- Tickets to ideal-LIVING Live Events
The ideal-LIVING Resort & Retirement Show has helped retirees and second-home buyers find their ideal community and home for more than 30 years.