If youre hoping to stay in touch with civilization in retirement, this city offers everything from a great culture to major sports teams and events while still giving you the chance to experience seasonal weather with mountain ranges and nature activities nearby. Home to a population of nearly 10.5 million, North Carolina is the 9th most populous state in the country. South Carolina Low Cost of Living. While most of these are meant for hikers, there are options for mountain biking or horseback riding. This can be attributed to several factors, including a lower-than-average cost of housing. The state's income tax rate is 4.99% in 2022, but the state updated its income tax schedule for the next seven years. , both states ranked in the top five for net migration of people aged 60 and older. And its true, with median home prices coming in at $330,000, many folks end up moving to North Carolina to fulfill their lifelong dream of owning a home (myself included). One of the largest is Brunswick Forest, which is located outside of Wilmington. North Carolina compensates for its affordable cost of living by putting a significant tax burden on its citizens. Home to a combination of 21 professional and minor league teams, North Carolina has a football team, minor league baseball teams, basketball, and hockey teams. Read More. According to a chart from the U.S. News & World Report, North Carolina also has a poor ranking for Medicare quality, coming in at 38th. You will need to invest in a car to get the most out of living in North Carolina. You will need to invest in a car to get the most out of living in North Carolina. We can be reached via email at contact@retirefearless.com. Essentially, the public transport in North Carolina doesnt cover a huge ground and is rather under-serviced, so it becomes particularly tricky to get from one place to another without a car.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'retirefearless_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_19',147,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-retirefearless_com-narrow-sky-1-0'); With multiple family members currently in senior living facilities, David is in the trenches every week, learning the ins and outs of nursing homes, assisted living, memory care, and general senior living. Local venues often have bluegrass and country music bands creating a folk atmosphere. Let's look at some pros and cons of retiring in North Carolina to see if it could be the right state for you. With its picturesque beauty, stunning coastline, and southern hospitality, it isnt hard to see why North Carolina draws people from all over the country. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Rapidly Increasing Economy. While the cost of living in North Carolina is relatively low, the state does have higher taxes than some other US states. With an abundance of hiking trails and hundreds of miles of coastline, theres no seeming end to the amount of outdoor expeditions you can enjoy in the state. Find a job before moving to North Carolina is vital (especially if you plan to live in the rural parts of the state). Sadly, our state has one of the most poorly funded schools systems in the nation. in advertising from the University of Illinois, Alissa has worked all over the world as a freelance communications strategist and writer. So Ive told you home much I enjoy the mild winters after moving to North Carolina, but Id be doing you a disservice if I didnt mention the blistering hot summers. If we talk about numbers then, South Carolina is a clear winner as the people here pay 0.56% of their home's market value, and also people above 65 years of age get a deduction of about $50K.