North Carolina Retirement Communities

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Best Places to Retire in North Carolina

Asheville – Asheville is a mountain resort community with a population of about 70,000, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. The community has a very active arts calendar with music and theater of every kind. Asheville is also the resource center for the area which helps support its strong business base and considerable amenities. The climate is somewhat cooler than its latitude would suggest since the city is 2,200 feet above sea level. (Click here to view full report)

Beaufort – Beaufort (pronounced “bo-furt”) is located in the Crystal coast region of the state. It is a small seaport community (population 4,000) with a very rich history. It has an interesting waterfront with many transient private craft that travel up and down the coast. Beaufort is a charming community that maintains its character while welcoming everyone. It is very close to miles of sand beaches and protected bays, salt marsh, and seascapes. Pleasant and laid back, Beaufort is an area that has recently been discovered as a place to retire. (Click here to view full report)

Blowing Rock – Blowing Rock (population 1,500 year round, 8,000 at peak season), known as the “Crown of the Blue Ridge,” is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina. It is a resort community with many amenities, including civic and cultural events, art, music, free outdoor concerts, festivals, and many dining choices. Appalachian State University is close by. Recreational opportunities include golf, miles of hiking trails, fishing, skiing, white water rafting, and more. Situated at nearly 4,000 feet elevation, it enjoys moderate summer weather. (Click here to view full report)

Brevard – Brevard is a small mountain community (population about 7,500) in the Blue Ridge Mountains of extreme western North Carolina. It is 2,300 feet above sea level and surrounded by Pisgah National Forest. It is a tourist Mecca with 250 waterfalls and other natural beauty, and many miles of forest trails. It is also home to the internationally known Brevard Music Center and Brevard College. (Click here to view full report)

Cashiers – Cashiers (population 1,700) is a scenic mountain village at 3,487 feet above sea level, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, 65 miles south of Asheville. The hallmark of the area is its roaring waterfalls, spectacular vistas, temperate seasons, and the “off the beaten path” lifestyle it affords. At the same time Cashiers is within easy distance of the amenities and culture of Asheville, Brevard, and Hendersonville. (Click here to view full report)

Chapel Hill – Chapel Hill (population 50,000) is located in the north-central part of the state and is home to North Carolina University (24,000 students). It is a cosmopolitan city with a great many amenities, a well-educated and sophisticated population, and a very active cultural scene. The Research Triangle area (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) has grown rapidly over the past decade and a half and does have some heavy traffic at times. It has outstanding healthcare. (Click here to view full report)

Durham – See Chapel Hill report.

Hendersonville – Hendersonville (population approximately 10,500) is a charming community in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. The area is surrounded by natural beauty and enjoys a moderate, four-season climate. It offers outstanding opportunities to enjoy the arts, excellent healthcare services, and an abundance of outdoor recreation activities. Asheville, its nearest resource city, is 25 miles north. (Click here to view full report)

New Bern – “Historic New Bern” was founded in 1710 and today has a population of 30,000. A Mecca for tourism, it boasts of its historic roots, its community spirit, its outstanding waterfront, and quaint downtown area. It sits at the juncture of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. The Neuse is over a mile wide at New Bern with excellent cruising and sailing, even down onto the Intracoastal Waterway. It has a small but active arts program and seems to bustle with a Mum Fest, Ghost Walk, Christmas Boat Parade and other civic events. It is 35 miles from Atlantic Ocean beaches. (Click here to view full report)

Pinehurst – Pinehurst (population 4,800) and Southern Pines (population 11,000) are in the Sandhills area, in the south-central part of the state. It has been called “The World Capital Of Golf” and also features great tennis and many other outdoor activities. It is a major equestrian center with training activities, and events from dressage, to polo, steeple chasing and harness racing. It has a small town atmosphere with cosmopolitan elegance. There are many cultural opportunities, boutique shopping and fine dining. (Click here to view full report)

Raleigh – See Chapel Hill report.

Southern Pines – See Pinehurst report.

Southport – See Wilmington report.

Surf City – See Wilmington report.

Topsail – See Wilmington report.

Waynesville – Waynesville (population approximately 9,700) is a charming mountain town nestled in the far western part of the state, 30 miles from Asheville. Resting between the Pisgah Forest and Great Smoky Mountain National Park, it offers spectacular vistas and outstanding outdoor recreation. It is 30 miles from the Asheville airport and has easy access to Interstate Route 40. (Click here to view full report)

Wilmington – Wilmington, with a population of 93,000, is located on the Cape Fear River, and is an historic Atlantic seaport that was settled in 1732. It has a very rich southern history and a large number of its historic buildings have been restored. The city offers excellent amenities, including performing arts, entertainment, fine dining, and shopping. The many beach-oriented communities in the area offer unlimited water sports and many good golf courses. (Click here to view full report)

Wrightsville Beach – See Wilmington report.

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