Best Places to Retire in North Carolina: 55+ Life in the Triangle!

Curious about the best places to retire in North Carolina? Hint: There’s a reason that the Triangle area ends up in many best-places-to-retire lists! We have a warm, temperate climate, great healthcare options, and affordable housing. A myriad of lifestyle and recreation opportunities make the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area an excellent choice for anyone considering retiring in North Carolina. 

Is North Carolina a Good State for Retirement?

Retirement is no longer a one-size-fits-all option; few people collect a gold watch and settle back into a recliner anymore! The Triangle area is an excellent choice for potential retirees looking for vibrant and active communities. A lower cost of living - 5% below the national average - and overall quality of life are two key reasons many retirees choose the Triangle to call “home.” 

Why Active Adults Love the Quality of Life in the Triangle

Let’s think of “quality of life” as encompassing recreational opportunities and social life. In that case, it’s no wonder that the Triangle shines. 

We have world-class dining options readily available. Easy access to museums, performing arts, and sporting events enhance means that retirees are never without something to do! And recreation opportunities are bountiful, in the form of greenway trails for hiking, biking, and walking, as well as golf courses, public parks, and lakes. 

1. North Carolina’s Warm, Temperate Climate

Our mild weather is always a draw for retirees looking to escape harsh winters. While we certainly have four separate and distinct seasons, our winters have an average snowfall of about six inches, and our average rainfall is around 44 inches yearly. 

Spring is enjoyable as the landscape turns green again and flowers bloom of all colors and varieties. Summers are hot, but fall turns our lovely oak trees into beautiful yellows, oranges, and reds as the weather becomes crisp. 

2. 55+ Recreation in the Triangle

The Triangle offers a wide range of options for golfing, from public courses to private clubs to golf communities. Raleigh has over 8,000 acres of parks, greenways, and recreational centers for tennis and swimming. 

The Triangle has numerous lakes that offer boating, skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing - and that’s just on the water! Most lakes have extensive trail systems and some offer camping, too. Depending on which end of the Triangle you choose, you may spend time at Jordan Lake, Falls Lake, Lake Johnson, and Bond Lake. 

3. Cultural Opportunities in the Triangle

Social and entertainment opportunities are plentiful throughout the Triangle. The Durham Performing Arts Center brings Broadway touring companies, high-profile concerts, and comedy acts to the Triangle. Raleigh’s two major concert venues, PNC Arena and Walnut Creek Amphitheater, attract some of the biggest bands in the world. (Note: The PNC Arena is also home to the Carolina Hurricanes, a professional hockey team.)

Museums are found throughout the Triangle, including the NC Museum of Art and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh), the Ackland Art Museum (Chapel Hill), and the Museum of Life and Science (Durham). 

Durham features the Durham Bulls, an iconic minor league baseball team, and the primary colleges in the area - UNC, Duke, NC State - provide exciting collegiate sports options, especially for basketball fans.

4. The Triangle’s Shopping & Dining Options

You will find a wealth of dining options between the three main cities of the Triangle. From fine dining to the casual diner, from food halls to coffee shops, there is not a cuisine you will not find represented somewhere. And that’s before we focus on BBQ, which is, let’s just say, “popular” in NC.  Many chefs in the Triangle choose local ingredients and work closely with area farmers and food artisans.

Photo by MOHAMAD Aziz on Unsplash

Shopping? Yes, indeed. You’ll find everything from major shopping centers with national brands to small niche stores with one-of-a-kind items. 

5. Higher Learning in the Triangle

The Triangle has three important institutions of higher learning - the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC State University, and Duke University. The Research Triangle was created because of the proximity of these schools. The talent and industry attracted by the Research Triangle support our economy and offer options for retirees interested in ongoing education. 

NC State, for example, allows any NC resident who is 65+ to audit courses for free! 

6. Accessibility of Healthcare in the Triangle

The Duke University Hospital and the UNC Hospitals offer world-class healthcare, and people from all over the country and the world travel here to take advantage. And many of the clinicians trained here set up their own practices in the Triangle so residents can experience the best health care options. 

Both Duke and UNC have specific geriatric programs for the 65+ community with a cross-disciplinary approach that gives patients access to both experienced specialists and advanced medical technology. 

Financial Reasons Active Adults Love the Triangle Area in North Carolina

No matter how well prepared you are for retirement, no one wants to spend more money than they need to! Fortunately, you’ll find the dollar stretches farther here in the Triangle.

1. State & Local Taxes

North Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits. Other retirement income is taxed as regular income, subject to a flat rate - currently 4.99%. NC has lower property taxes than other states, and its sales tax rate is close to the national average. 

Groceries are exempt from state tax, although some local taxes may apply, and car purchases are exempt from sales tax but instead taxed at a flat 3% highway use tax. 

2. Low Cost of Living

Overall, North Carolina has a lower than average cost of living. Raleigh’s cost of living in the Triangle is slightly higher than Durham’s. Chapel Hill’s is higher than both, especially for housing costs. The cost of living is somewhat higher in the Triangle compared to other parts of the state. Still, the area has the lowest cost per living for a tech hub anywhere in the country.  

3. Affordable Housing & 55+ Communities

The cost of 55+ communities in the Triangle area ranges from mid-$300k upwards of a million, with options at every price point. These communities, sometimes known as active adult communities, offer many amenities, including pools, fitness centers, tennis and pickleball courts, and planned community activities. 

Homes range in size from 1-4 bedrooms, and many feature single-level living. Many Triangle 55+ communities are new, which means they are pre-wired for wifi and TV. Many new builds are “smart” homes, using technology for comfort, convenience, and security. 

Find Your Forever Home in North Carolina’s Triangle

Obviously, we think that the Triangle area is one of the best places to retire in North Carolina. We’d love to help you find and purchase the retirement home that’s perfect for you. 

You can view the latest listings for active adult communities or contact us today with any questions or to start your search!