Low-Priced, Warm North Carolina Tops The List For Retirees
Whether because of hurricanes, high insurance rates, or incredibly high crime rates, Florida no longer ranks first as a retirement destination for a large percentage of baby boomers. Instead, says the National Active Retirement Association (NARA) North Carolina has taken the lead, especially among folks between the ages of 41-49. Among older participants in NARA’s study, North Carolina ranked behind Florida and Arizona.
NARA president Dan Owens explained, “Based on 1990 and 2000 census numbers, North Carolina has held steady as the fifth most popular retirement state in America. This new study shows that North Carolina is projected to become the number one retirement state over the next 10 or so years.”
Growth in the Southeast will likely continue for another quarter century. Cary, North carolina, for example was ranked the 8th fastest growing city in the naiton. According to a Del Webb Baby Boomer survey, also cited in the press release, more than half of boomers still seek warmer climates, along with recreational opportunities.
Despite the influx of new residents, most parts of North Carolina remain relatively affordable, especially compared to typical East Coast Prices. In fact, of the nearly two-dozen towns and cities in North Carolina that FindYourSpot.com has in its database, only three of them have average home prices that are higher than the national average. Gorgeous and scenic places, some even on the beach front or in the mountains, range in price from an incredibly low $130,000 (Mount Airy, a town of 8,400) to $232,000 (Wilmington, a city of 244,000 on the coast). Other really neat towns in North Carolina include Brevard, which has a plethora of water falls and an average home price of $280,000, and Edenton, which has an average home price of just $174,000.
