North Carolina 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities
North Carolina landscapes range from the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains to picturesque coastal areas, providing abundant opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and beachcombing. The state also boasts a rich cultural scene, with historic sites, theaters, and music festivals celebrating its cultural heritage. With its manageable cost of living and friendly communities, North Carolina provides a welcoming environment for those seeking an active and diverse retirement lifestyle.
North Carolina landscapes range from the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains to picturesque coastal areas, providing abundant opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and beachcombing. The state also boasts a rich cultural scene, with historic sites, theaters, and music festivals celebrating its cultural heritage. With its manageable cost of living and friendly communities, North Carolina provides a welcoming environment for those seeking an active and diverse retirement lifestyle.
Retirement communities in North Carolina have grown in popularity partially because North Carolina has emerged as popular second retirement destinations for the so-called "half-backs" or "second chance" retirees. These individuals first retired in places like Arizona and Florida and then re-settled in North Carolina.
North Carolina Climate & Geography
North Carolina's climate varies depending on where you're located. Most of the state experiences a humid, subtropical climate, except for in the far western part of the state in the Appalachian Mountains and are some of the best places to retire in North Carolina. Along the coast, the ocean moderates the temperature and provides residents with milder winters and slightly cooler summers. Summer highs along the coast are often in the upper 80s. The central region, from Charlotte to Raleigh-Durham, experiences slightly hotter summers and cooler winters. It's not uncommon for winter highs in Central North Carolina to exceed 50 degrees. The coolest temperatures in North Carolina are experienced in the higher altitudes in the western part of the state. Here, summer highs are in the mid-80s and winter highs are in the 40s. Annually, this region averages 17 inches of snow. The rest of the state experiences just two inches that tends to melt within a day or two.
Recreation, Culture & Entertainment in North Carolina
Recreational enthusiasts at 55+ communities can enjoy everything from beaches to mountains. Golf is a favorite activity for many residents of North Carolina retirement communities. Golf course communities in North Carolina are plentiful. The Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains make for great hiking, biking, fishing and camping. The colleges and universities throughout the state provide countless sporting and cultural events. Places like Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham Chapel Hill offer a wide variety of performing arts, museums and art galleries.
North Carolina Cost of Living & Taxes
North Carolina ranks slightly lower than average in overall tax burden on its residents. The state income tax is graduated from 6 to 8.25 percent, depending on your income bracket. In addition, there is a $7,200 deduction for married couples who are 65 and older. Social Security income is exempt. There is a state sales tax of 4.25 percent but local governments can add to that. There are no sales tax exemptions. Real estate taxes in North Carolina range from 0.8 to 1.6 percent of the home's value.
Healthcare in North Carolina
Some of the country's best healthcare is found in North Carolina. There are 126 hospitals throughout 83 counties and Charlotte has the highest concentration of hospitals with seven in the city. There are four nationally ranked hospitals throughout the state, and Duke Medical Center is consistently ranked among the top ten healthcare organizations in the country. It's the largest in the state and makes up one of four hospitals in the Academic Medical Center: Duke University Hospital, Vidant Medical Center, UNC Hospitals, and Wake Forest Baptist Center.
Communities Near North Carolina
- North Carolina (170)
The Courtyards at Heritage Grove
- Mid $400ks - High $600ks
- 83 Homes
- No Age Restrictions
- Resale Homes Only
- 2016 - 2021
- No Reviews
Highcliff at Palisades – The Gardens
- Mid $400ks - High $700ks
- 81 Homes
- No Age Restrictions
- New And Resale Homes
- 2017 - Present
- No Reviews
Middleton Place
- Low $400ks - Low $500ks
- 81 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 1982 - 1994
- 2 reviews
Blue Ridge Villas
- High $200ks - High $300ks
- 80 Homes (1 for sale)
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 1990 - 1995
- No Reviews
Laurel Ridge
- Mid $300ks - Mid $400ks
- 80 Homes (2 for sale)
- No Age Restrictions
- New And Resale Homes
- 2020 - Present
- No Reviews
HighRidge
- High $400ks - Mid $700ks
- 78 Homes (10 for sale)
- Age Restriction
- New Homes Only
- 2021 - Present
- No Reviews
Eagle Pointe at West Village
- High $200ks - High $300ks
- 76 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2006 - 2016
- No Reviews
The Meridians
- Mid $300ks - Mid $500ks
- 73 Homes
- No Age Restrictions
- Resale Homes Only
- 2017 - 2020
- No Reviews
The Courtyards at Cramerton
- High $300ks - High $400ks
- 72 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2019 - 2022
- No Reviews
Ridge Road Villas
- High $200ks - Low $300ks
- 72 Homes
- No Age Restrictions
- Resale Homes Only
- 2007 - 2014
- 1 reviews
Kinsley
- Low $200ks - Mid $300ks
- 71 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2019 - 2022
- No Reviews
Courtyards at Blume Point
- High $400ks - Low $500ks
- 71 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2017 - 2020
- No Reviews
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Subscribe NowThe Hills at Avery’s Creek
- High $100ks - High $200ks
- 71 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 1995 - 1999
- No Reviews
Corbinton
- High $300ks - Mid $500ks
- 70 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2016 - 2021
- No Reviews
The Highlands at Meadowlands
- Low $300ks - Mid $400ks
- 70 Homes (1 for sale)
- No Age Restrictions
- Resale Homes Only
- 2006 - 2019
- 1 reviews
The Courtyards at Eastfield Farm
- High $300ks - High $400ks
- 70 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2020 - 2021
- No Reviews
Chapelwood
- High $500ks - High $600ks
- 69 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2009 - 2013
- 1 reviews
The Courtyards on Lake Norman
- Mid $400ks - High $500ks
- 67 Homes (1 for sale)
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2016 - 2018
- No Reviews
Courtyards by Carrell
- Low $400ks - Low $500ks
- 66 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- New Homes Only
- 2025 - Present
- No Reviews
Woodbury
- Mid $500ks - Mid $700ks
- 65 Homes
- Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2018 - 2021
- No Reviews
The Villas at Culp Arbor
- High $400ks - Low $700ks
- 64 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2009 - 2013
- 1 reviews
Polo Club at Matthews
- Low $300ks - High $300ks
- 64 Homes
- No Age Restrictions
- Resale Homes Only
- 2003 - 2005
- No Reviews
The Courtyards at Homestead Road
- Low $400ks - Mid $600ks
- 63 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2015 - 2021
- No Reviews
The Villas at Robinson Oaks
- High $300ks - Mid $500ks
- 62 Homes
- No Age Restrictions
- Resale Homes Only
- 2013 - 2019
- No Reviews
The Courtyards of Marvin
- Low $500ks - Mid $600ks
- 61 Homes (1 for sale)
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2015 - 2018
- No Reviews
Pinnacle at Wesley Chapel
- Low $400ks - High $500ks
- 60 Homes (1 for sale)
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 2019 - 2022
- No Reviews
Corbinton at Kildaire Farm
- High $400ks - Mid $600ks
- 60 Homes
- 55+ Age Restriction
- New Homes Only
- 2020 - Present
- No Reviews
Camden Villas at Mid South Club
- Low $300ks - Mid $300ks
- 58 Homes
- No Age Restrictions
- Resale Homes Only
- 2007 - 2017
- 2 reviews
Village Green
- Mid $200ks - High $200ks
- 57 Homes (1 for sale)
- 55+ Age Restriction
- Resale Homes Only
- 1970 - 1972
- No Reviews