Stunning Mountains and Pristine Beaches

North Carolinians embrace their traditional small-town values while simultaneously promoting the state’s dynamic growth, which has made it a national leader in business and financial services, higher education, and cutting-edge medical research and innovation.

5.25% Personal Income Tax Rate

Effective Property Tax Rate (approx $3,800 per $500,000 valuation)

0.77% No Estate Taxes

Social Security is Exempt

North Carolina has added nearly 900,000 new residents over the past decade. About 70 percent of that total growth has been from people moving in from other states, including retirees and working families who’ve found new homes and an active lifestyle in master-planned communities from the mountains to the sea.

“What we found at River Dunes was a respect for the land, waterways, and wildlife, along with a desire to live in harmony with it.”

P. Skaar, River Dunes, Oriental, NC

Resources and Recreation

Farm-to-Table Water Sports Hiking + Biking

Boating, kayaking, and fishing are major outdoor recreations in North Carolina. In addition to 320 miles of Atlantic Ocean shoreline and 12,000+ miles of estuary coastline with saltwater sounds and bays, the state has more than 37,000 miles of rivers and streams plus 1,500 lakes of 10 acres or larger.

Well over 600 miles of hiking trails meander through North Carolina’s 41 state parks alone, plus the 1,175mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail that traverses the entire state and a 311-mile section of the Appalachian Trail in the western mountains. North Carolina is also home to about 550 golf courses.

Climate

There are around 50,000 farms in North Carolina, the majority of which are relatively small at less than 200 acres. The state is among among the nation’s leading producers of sweet potatoes, soybeans, and cotton, as well pigs, chickens, and turkeys. With orchards, vineyards, and vegetable fields throughout the state, local farmers markets are open for business nearly every week of the year.

The climate in North Carolina varies with its diverse topography, which ranges from oceanfront barrier islands in the east to mountain peaks as high as 6,600 feet above sea level in the west. Coastal areas have breezy summer highs around 90º, with winter lows rarely below freezing. The mid-state Piedmont region can actually be a bit warmer in the summer months and may see a few inches of snow in the winter. Ski resorts in the western mountains welcome about four inches of winter snowfall per month, while summer days are comfortably cool and the fall colors are spectacular.

Outer Banks

The Outer Banks are a series of barrier islands perched on the edge of the continent and connected by 150 miles of seaside roads and bridges. Along the way are laid-back towns with fresh seafood restaurants and pristine National Seashore beaches.

Beaufort

Beaufort is an award-winning town on the state’s Inner Banks coastal region that’s home to the North Carolina Maritime Museum. The waterfront area is also the departure point for water-taxi rides to the Cape Lookout National Seashore and the Rachel Carson Coastal Reserve.

New Bern

The town of New Bern is set on high bluffs above two rivers that flow into the Pamlico Sound. It’s a popular destination for boaters and kayakers that also offers walking tours of the historic Tryon Palace and Gardens. The revitalized downtown features galleries, antique shops, and the pharmacy where PepsiCola was invented.

Wilmington

The historic city of Wilmington and its many area beaches offer water sports of all kinds, as well as leisurely strolls along the two-mile Riverwalk and bike rides on the cross-city biking trail. The downtown area features more than 40 locallyowned restaurants and pubs, plus a walkable historic district.

Southport

The picturesque waterfront town of Southport is also the ferry-ride gateway to iconic Bald Head Island, where private vehicles are not allowed and golf carts are the preferred means of travel to the beach and Old Baldy Lighthouse.

Brunswick Beaches

The naturally beautiful Brunswick Islands constitute more than 45 total miles of uncrowded beaches. Each of the islands has its own relaxing seaside town. In addition to nature-oriented attractions and intracoastal waterway cruises, the adjacent mainland features more than 30 top-flight golf courses and renowned fresh seafood restaurants.

Research Triangle

The Research Triangle is North Carolina’s center of technological innovation and cultural-arts attractions like The Carolina Theater. The flagship campuses for three major institutions of higher learning give the region its distinctive character: the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill, Duke University in Durham, and North Carolina State University in the capital city of Raleigh. Both Duke and UNC have renowned medical schools and research centers, while the UNC Hospitals network has toprated treatment facilities throughout the state.

Piedmont Triad

The Piedmont Triad area includes the cities of High Point, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem and is home to Wake Forest University and its affiliated Baptist Medical Center. Among the region’s leading cultural sites are the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, the world’s largest open-air habitat at the North Carolina Zoo, and the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. Another area highlight is Mount Airy, actor Andy Griffith’s hometown and inspiration for the fictional setting of Mayberry.

Charlotte

Charlotte is North Carolina’s largest city, with more than 2.5 million residents in the greater metropolitan area. The “Queen City” is the nation’s second-largest banking center, with headquarters for Bank of America, Truist Financial, and Wells Fargo, as well as corporate giants like Honeywell, Lowe’s, and Duke Energy. The city is also home to professional sports franchises in the NFL and NBA, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the Billy Graham Library, as well as more than a dozen college campuses and a broad range of cultural centers. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a major travel hub, and the city’s unique LYNX urban light-rail network is currently over 20 miles long and expanding every year.

The Sandhills

The Sandhills Region of the North Carolina Piedmont is home to the towns of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen. Set along U.S. Highway 1 and Amtrak’s primary north-south rail line, the area has been a popular vacation destination for more than 100 years with spas, antique shops, horse farms, and 40+ championship golf courses at destinations like Pinehurst Resort, Pine Needles, and Mid Pines.

“This is chapter two in life. And, when you meet other people in chapter two, everyone just seems happy. No one cares what you did in your old life; nobody cares what you do now. They just want to get together and have fun. You have to be careful because you meet too many people. Sometimes you might feel like you need to take a break from retirement, because it's so busy. The neighbors want to invite your over; there are bonfires on the beach and pickleball. Then people are saying, 'Let's meet at the club for dinner,' or 'What are you doing on Saturday?' Everybody is in a good mood. Everybody is just happy and goes with the flow here in St. James.”

Robert Remail, St. James, Southport, NC (moved from New Jersey in January 2021)

Boone

The mountain town of Boone is a center of arts and culture in western North Carolina. Home to Appalachian State University and its renowned music school, downtown Boone features art galleries, handicraft centers, wine bars, and sidewalk cafes that offer local farm-to-table fare. Nearby are hillside bed-and-breakfast inns, hot-spring spas, ski resorts, and highland trails to explore on foot or horseback.

Asheville

Asheville is one of America’s most unique mountain cities that’s both a welcoming vacation destination as well as a hub of regional commerce. There are more than 50 public parks within the city limits and two well-marked urban trails that include historic sites, museums, art galleries, an eclectic mix of restaurants with local and international cuisine, and more micro-breweries per capita than any other city in the nation. Asheville is also known for its year-round calendar of music festivals and craft fairs, as well as the surrounding valleys with rushing streams that are ideal for trout fishing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting. Just outside of town is the Biltmore Estate & Gardens, with its iconic 250-room castle, sprawling gardens, majestic greenhouses, and tasty vineyards. In addition to all of these naturally fun activities, area residents also enjoy excellent health care services at top-rated medical centers like Mission Hospital-Asheville and the Asheville Specialty Hospital.

Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge Parkway twists and turns for more than 250 miles through the most scenic highlands in the western North Carolina mountains. It’s a bucket-list adventure that everyone can enjoy from the comfort of their vehicle on a two-lane road with a maximum speed of 45 mph. Along the way are dozens of overlook stops to enjoy a picnic lunch or just admire the sweeping views. Popular sites like Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls, and Mount Mitchell offer hiking trails to stretch your legs. Highland towns just off the Parkway feature lodge-style accommodations, pick-your-own apple orchards, wineries to sample the local vintage, and folk-art centers with unique crafts and bluegrass music concerts. Portions of the road are closed during the winter, but a Blue Ridge Parkway trip is unforgettable in every other season, especially when the autumn colors are at their glorious peak.

"Keith and I wanted to get closer to retirement and build our dream home, even though Keith is still working. I knew that I wanted to be closer to the beach. The beach is my happy place. We decided that 30 miles inland was perfect for us. We moved from Greensboro, NC, in 2014. River Landing is a lovely mix of young families and retirees. I’ve never lived in a planned development before, so having this pristine, beautifully-landscaped community is just beautiful. I play pickleball, walk, or bike ride every day. There is so much socially going on that you can pick and choose. You can just walk up to the club if you want to see people. But I don’t mind quiet time. I live in a small town, but if we need something more, we can get to Wilmington within 35 to 40 minutes, and I love the proximity to all the small towns around. It’s just charming.”

Hope Hall, River Landing, Wallace, NC