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I know there have been several posts on this topic, but haven’t found exactly what we are looking for.
We currently are FL residents and split the year between FL and WI, where our family is. FL is getting so congested and a little too warm for us, and we are there in winter/spring during the mild temperatures. Beyond the gorgeous beaches we live near, FL doesn’t really appeal to us anymore. We are liberal-leaning so there’s that too.
N.C. is a beautiful and geographically diverse state, offering mountains to ocean, and that is appealing. We are considering a permanent move to NC if we can show it to make financial sense...moving is a very big deal to us and want to only do it once more! We know that we’d pay state income tax in N.C. but it looks like overall it would be cheaper?
The nitty gritty:
We are early 60’s and retired
Want to continue splitting time between WI and N.C., and be N.C. residents (does N.C. have the 183 day thing?)
Want reasonably mild winter temps, some 50s, 60s, and 70s
Walking, biking, hiking, golfing are desired
Communities with people like us...older, friendly, active, relaxed, retired...and not ultra conservative
Reasonable driving distance to good healthcare options
Would love a scenic, private setting (vs staring into someone else’s condo or patio and smelling the cigarette next door)
Budget $200k or under...condo or single family ok, doesn’t have to fancy...just clean and safe
HOAs under $300 per month
Ok...this is getting long...any thoughts on areas to focus on? Torn between the coast to give us the beach fix and desired temperatures, and the western area for scenic beauty, like Hickory area but not too far up because we do not want to live with snow! Been there, done that.
We anticipate this move to happen in 2-3 years, if warranted. Heading to N.C. for a few days on our way back to WI so suggestions on areas is most appreciated ☺️
THANK YOU in advance for your help.
Well housing prices have popped so much here that even in rural areas, it's getting tough to buy a single family residence under $200K. It can be done, but you would want to ask yourselves if you really feel like the quality of home/neighborhood that you're encountering in searches justifies all of the effort to move.
How rural are you willing to live? Is 30 minutes drive to a major city (with multiple commercial amenities, full medical, etc) OK?
As far as climate goes, only the mountains get truly cold winters (which can alternate between foggy or clear and very windy). Nights go below freezing just about anywhere, but if you are only studying piedmont and coastal plain locations, the climate will be mild enough that it normally gets above freezing by the middle of the day - and snow/ice is something you encounter a couple of times a winter. Whatever falls normally melts away within a few days (again, aside from the mountains.)
EDIT: - Just to give some sort of ballpark answer though, as retired people you don't have the same imperative that others do ... to move near high paying jobs, and pay a lot of money to live in strong school districts. That drives much of the discussion here from younger couples.
I'd suggest shrugging aside being "close to" Raleigh or Charlotte. Look at second-level cities of modest size, that don't have "everything" but have a fair breadth of services.
You probably could also keep open minds about investigating upstate South Carolina. The Greenville/Spartanburg area draws people too, and it generally meets what you're describing in terms of amenities and climate.
......
Budget $200k or under...condo or single family ok, doesn’t have to fancy...just clean and safe
HOAs under $300 per month
...........
Southport or Leland in Brunswick County will give you acces to the beaches as well as decent health care. There are also condos in Wilmington closer to the hospital.
However, your price range will get you a nice condo or 1-story townhouse, or a run-down single family. As long as you are willing to pay HOA fees, I'd look for a 1 or 1.5 story townhouse. Here's an example in Wilmington: https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...1_M51009-89915
Scenic and private is probably completely out of your price range unless you want to be out in the boondocks.
Thank you!
We’d be happy with a 30-45 min drive to amenities and healthcare, except groceries we’d like within 15-20 mins...Hope that’s possible.
We haven’t spent much time looking at SC since it has a reputation of being pretty conservative and we are not. Perhaps there are areas that would work, however.
......
Budget $200k or under...condo or single family ok, doesn’t have to fancy...just clean and safe
HOAs under $300 per month.....
Would you consider a manufactured home, eg doublewide? In your price range, there are some senior communities in Hendersonville that have nice views of open space. Hendersonville is more reasonable than Asheville, and is still close to the mountains.
Well housing prices have popped so much here that even in rural areas, it's getting tough to buy a single family residence under $200K. It can be done, but you would want to ask yourselves if you really feel like the quality of home/neighborhood that you're encountering in searches justifies all of the effort to move.
How rural are you willing to live? Is 30 minutes drive to a major city (with multiple commercial amenities, full medical, etc) OK?
As far as climate goes, only the mountains get truly cold winters (which can alternate between foggy or clear and very windy). Nights go below freezing just about anywhere, but if you are only studying piedmont and coastal plain locations, the climate will be mild enough that it normally gets above freezing by the middle of the day - and snow/ice is something you encounter a couple of times a winter. Whatever falls normally melts away within a few days (again, aside from the mountains.)
EDIT: - Just to give some sort of ballpark answer though, as retired people you don't have the same imperative that others do ... to move near high paying jobs, and pay a lot of money to live in strong school districts. That drives much of the discussion here from younger couples.
I'd suggest shrugging aside being "close to" Raleigh or Charlotte. Look at second-level cities of modest size, that don't have "everything" but have a fair breadth of services.
You probably could also keep open minds about investigating upstate South Carolina. The Greenville/Spartanburg area draws people too, and it generally meets what you're describing in terms of amenities and climate.
30 mins to a major city can be less than 7 miles outside the city. We live 7 miles from Uptown Charlotte and in rush hour it can take us over 1 1/2 hours to get city center.. better get way further out than that. Then ask yourself how liberal leaning you think small town, Deep South, NC is.. I’ll save you the headache.. it’s not.. at all.. not even close..
As far as winter you better stay more coastal. In Charlotte we hit 30’s for highs some days in winter and get low 20’s and even single digits and teens.
I can remember a few days of single digits in my lifetime while living in the piedmont, and foot deep snows. But *generally* we don't have difficult winters here. Did we even have a single day this winter, where it failed to get above freezing in daytime? It didn't feel like it to me, and my heating bills were sensible the past few months ... including staying at home constantly during the pandemic.
Even those occasional nights in the teens, tend to be early morning temperatures just before daybreak, while people are in bed. For retired folks, who don't need to get up and defrost a car to drive to work, they might not even notice or be inconvenienced.
I have been watching the weather and comparing to what we have in FL. Obviously we are warmer here, but I don’t mind the cooler temps in N.C., as long as it isn’t always 30s and 40’s every day! It’s the rain we are concerned about as it makes it more challenging to get out for activities. We are spoiled in FL with the abundance of sunshine, but when it’s consistently 75 and above, it is already feeling too warm to walk the dog or even us! Thus the interest in a little cooler temp area.
Thanks for the perspective on political views as well. I guess some of that would be expected and we can respect people’s beliefs as long as they do the same
I don't know if the Raleigh area is an option for you, but it's pretty moderate and slightly left learning here. I was in FL before and found it too right wing for me. Good luck with your decision!
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