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We moved to Lenoir two years ago. Much of the decision was based on the weather and the beauty of the not too distant mountains. I think it is the best weather east of California. Research it. It is amazing. I have ridden my motorcycle into the garage, driven one hour and gone snow skiing. This is perfect for active retirees. BUT, it is not a retirement community. Not yet anyway. The economy is in the tank. All of the furniture jobs have gone overseas. Many of the workers are on government retraining programs. When those programs expire I don't know what they will do. I doubt they will leave their kinfolk in search of work elsewhere.
Google is building a huge facility. The city fathers are in hopes it will revive the area and build it up. Google built such a facility in Oregon and the results were amazing. The next year should be interesting for sure. There is a lot of upscale development going on in the surrounding areas. And when US321 is finished between here and the mountains this area might really take an upswing.
Neighboring Morganton was listed in USA Today as an aggressive recruiter of retirees. The downtown area is beautiful. We had a tough time deciding between the two. It is just a bit cooler here so Lenoir won out.
If you like biking or walking Lenoir wins out. They have a great trail network. We also have a great aquatics center with indoor and outdoor pools.
Take a look at Wexford Village. Small brick one level homes with zero lot lines. I think one or two of them are for sale.
I would not move there, then look for work, unless $$ is not an issue. As hapaleeretired stated, the economy there is bad, with major unemployment, There is also an influx of illegal immigrants (I have never understood why they picked there). A lot of people are indeed getting reeducated/trained, but will most likely not be able to find replacement work in the area.
That being said, depending on where you are coming from, the property taxes are low. As for Google, it's anybody's guess, but I would not count on it for employment, as there as TONS of other people out of work due to the ongoing outsourcing, so I imagine competition will be tight.
And, yes, most of the folks here have been rooted here for a few centuries, so do not expect them to up and leave. It's a different kind of mindset.
However, there are tons of restaurants, so there may be work to be had there.
Otherwise, the mountains are close by, and the area is pretty, and good for hiking, etc.
Best wishes.
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