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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
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.
Cresswind Wesley Chapel
Cresswind Wesley Chapel is the Charlotte Area’s #1 selling active adult community. This gated 55+ community features an array of new ranch-style homes specifically designed for active adults. The community offers from 2- up to 5-Bedroom floorplans with hundreds of available structural and design options to help you build the ideal home to fit your lifestyle and needs. With a full-time Lifestyle Director and a wide range of resort-style amenities, classes and social clubs based around residents’ interests, our award-winning lifestyle program has been designed to help you live better, longer.
The new, resident-only Club Cresswind features amenities such as the Cresswind SmartFIT Training Center powered by EGYM, cardio studio, indoor and outdoor social spaces, art studio, resort-style pool, pickleball courts and more.
The Wesley Chapel area is one of the top-rated suburbs in Greater Charlotte, offering a relaxed, natural feel with a blend of modern conveniences and country charm. Located roughly 40 minutes from Charlotte City Center, Cresswind Wesley Chapel provides its residents with easy access to the Village of Wesley Chapel, Weddington, Waxhaw, SouthPark, Charlotte International Airport, Uptown and the many attractions that consistently rank the Queen City region among the nation’s top retirement destinations.
Retire NC
North Carolina has always been recognized for its natural diversity and gracious hospitality, which now has made it into an extremely popular retirement destination. Choices abound for a healthy, happy retirement setting, whether you want to relax on the beach or enjoy the great outdoors in our mountains or stay busy in a bustling city. The North Carolina Certified Retirement Community designation means a city has completed a comprehensive evaluation process with requirements outlined by the North Carolina General Assembly. These Certified Retirement Communities are recognized for providing the amenities, services and opportunities retirees need to enjoy active and productive lives.
 City of ReidsvilleLIVE SIMPLY, THINK BIG isn’t just our tagline, it’s our way of life. We aren’t limited by |
 Johnston CountyJohnston County (JoCo) offers you more than you expect in retirement! Discover a blend of history, entertainment, dining, lodging, and outlet shopping, along with a generous helping of true southern hospitality. With a growing culinary and craft beverage scene, as well as revitalized downtowns, you don’t have to travel far from home to find what you are looking for. The unique communities that make up JoCo have one thing in common–a relaxed atmosphere and friendly people. |
 Rumbling Bald on Lake LureIf you are looking to build or purchase in an exceptional mountain golf community, it’s time to look closer at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure. You will find a few choice, undeveloped properties within our community at pleasantly affordable prices along with several spectacular homes in a variety of settings. You can come today; enjoy our lake and golf, and choose the opportunity to live in a remarkable community. |
 Person CountyNestled in the northern piedmont of North Carolina, a short commute from the Triangle and southern Virgina, Person County is home to rolling hills, farmers markets, lakes, and trails. With two beautiful wineries, live music venues, historic general stores, and Uptown Roxboro, Person County values its history and community while embracing the new. No matter what you choose, life in Person County is homegrown, just for you. |
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.
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