Best Places for Retirees?

[rdolet]

My husband and I are anticipating a move into the Central Piedmont area of NC within the next couple of months (after our house is sold in NY state). We visited a city in that region this past January and had a very positive experience. We spent two days looking at homes and were pleasantly shocked at how much lower the real estate taxes are than NY state. We live between the Capital District and Hudson Valley area - very nice area but "ouch" on the taxes. We are still working part-time - both turning 62 this year. We anticipate after moving that at least I will continue to be self-employed as an expressive arts therapist/musician.

We like NC for many reasons: it's not too far from NY and family; I like the mountains and lakes; I know people who are active in expressive arts living in NC; and it's more affordable for us we expect. We attended church when we visited and I sent a note of appreciation to the church after. I received an immediate response and welcome letter from someone at the church, which we deeply appreciated. We found the people we spoke with very friendly. One thing we are really looking for is a "sense of community" and friendly but polite neighbors.

Side note: we have lived on the same street for 7 years in our present rural community neighborhood. We have never been invited to any of ourneighbors' homes or had anyone go out of their way to welcome us. We do have friends at our church. Yet we seldom see them away from church. I think it is the times we live in, but I'm looking forward to having a little more involvement in our next community. Where we are now is a ten mile drive to the closest store, gas station -- so we are looking to make some changes. North Carolina here we come!

I'd like to hear about what other expenses we might anticipate living in NC - tax wise? I will have an out-of-state NYS pension and so expect I'll have to pay income tax on that now. Any other transplants with positive experiences, I welcome your note.

[mm34b]

Top Ten Small Towns To Retire To In North Carolina

[empress80]

Salisbury, NC http://www.picturehoster.org/storage/461.jpg (broken link) nice small college town

[Ann in Oriental]

May I suggest Oriental. 900 people and most of them from the North East which makes it more progressive (liberal) and friendly then some of the other places. 25 miles to New Bern for bigger shopping. Nice houses, right on the river, 10 min. drive to the ferry to Beaufort and Morehead. 6 restaurants, 5 galleries, a theater group, joggers, yoga, kyacking, artists, sailing, festivals etc...
The county of Pamlico is somewhat poor and red-necky but the town of Oriental is it's own little world. www.towndock.net come take a look.

[macjr82]

Originally Posted by mm34b

Areas around Pinehurst-Southern Pines, Asheville-Hendersonville-Brevard and Wilmington-Southport seem to be the favorites.

negelected "down-east" Craven County (New Bern), Pamlico County (Oriental), & Carteret County (Morehead City)

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by VickiR

There seem to be alot of older people that follow their grown children to NC. I've noticed in the last two years that alot of the builders are building "Active 55" communities. One of them in Cary has a full time activities director! Also alot of the builders are building one level ranch type villas. You pay the HOA to take care of the lawn and the outside maintenance of your home. When my parents lived in Florida, alot of their friends had homes in the mountains of NC. They came in the summer time and returned to Florida in the winter time. FYI...homes in the mountains are becoming more pricey than homes at the coast. Vicki

My whole development is all first floor masters with many having a second floor master which can be larger with it's own bath. Almost all of the homes are two stories and they are great for older folks and great for younger folks.

[gman6974]

I think a lot of people here in NC are frustrated at northerners and retirees because of all the property they are purchasing. Especially beach property.