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
River Landing
Tucked away near the coast of Eastern NC is a picture-perfect community, complete with world-class club amenities while still maintaining the charm and ease of a small hometown. River Landing’s two championship golf courses are ideal for working on your game. Or perhaps you prefer exploring the outdoors along the scenic walking and biking trails? Whether you are starting a family or starting your retirement, River Landing has something for everyone. From enhancing your golf game to exploring the outdoors, the River Landing community offers a wide variety of activities for residents of all ages. A grand Clubhouse, Outdoor Pool, and expansive homesites are just some of the things you’ll find to enjoy.
Flowers Plantation
This award-winning community in Johnston County is located minutes from Raleigh, but still very much away from the urban bustle. Bordered by US Hwy 42, Buffalo Road, and the Neuse River in Clayton, this master-planned community was the first of its kind in Johnston County and was awarded North Carolina’s Community of the Year in 2013 and 2014 by the North Carolina Home Builders Association.
Flowers Plantation now features more than 40 unique neighborhood developments, over 10 miles of walking trails, 50 acres of lakes and two elementary schools. When complete, the development will total nearly 7,800 lots with prices starting at $150K to over $600K. Wherever you are on your housing and life spectrum, Flowers Plantation has a place for you to call home.
“You don’t need a car here. The streets are all golf-cart friendly,” says Reid Stephenson, Flowers Plantation’s Chief Executive. “You can get your kids to school, come home from work, enjoy our parks and recreation, and make convenient runs to the grocery store-all without leaving the community.”
Living in Flowers Plantation is ideal for homeowners who want a comfortable, relaxing lifestyle.
Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure
Dramatic bluffs and thick forests surround the idyllic Lake Lure, tucked within the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Here you’ll discover Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure, a retreat for outdoor exploration and relaxation for all ages.
Although Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure is only about an hour from both Asheville, NC and Greenville, SC, with 3,000+ acres of property, it’s easy to truly immerse yourself in the wilderness. There’s plenty of hiking and biking opportunities, and just beyond the community is the towering Chimney Rock. Explore the 720-acre lake via kayak, canoe, or your personal boat. Spend the day on one of the two championship golf courses, or enjoy family time at the community pool (with lazy river) or the private white sand beach.
The Spa at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure will promote further relaxation with a full-service spa menu, in conjunction with a dry sauna, steam room, and whirlpool. At the end of the day, there’s a selection of casual and fine dining options in the community, as well as a southern style kitchen.
The real estate options at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure are just as varied as the ways to pass the time. Rent a two-to-four-bedroom condo, a two-bedroom villa, a studio perfect for couples, or a motor coach lot. Whole rental homes of varying price and sizes are available, with several golf packages to choose from. Additionally, a few undeveloped properties within Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure are available for purchase, as well as a select few homes for sale.
The area surrounding Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure is North Carolina’s version of a high Alpine lake village, with charming amenities and stunning views.
To learn more about life on the lake, sign up to receive information about Rumbling Bald’s discovery packages.
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.