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Active Retirement in North Carolina

ARE TINY HOUSES THE NEXT BIG THING?

 

 

The tiny house trend has typically attracted young singles and childless couples because they cost less to buy and run than regular houses. But recently, many active retirees are showing an interest in planning a move into tiny houses when they retire. Some retirees are hoping to cut living costs by going tiny, and others want to move away from the city and settle down in the countryside. Some plan to travel or visit family. And others see retirement as the ideal time to change their lifestyles and achieve a higher quality of life.

WHICH NORTH CAROLINA CITIES ARE ATTRACTING RETIREES?

Recently released census data provides a look at which North Carolina cities are attracting the most residents, and which ones are losing them to other areas. Governing magazine reports that, based on the data, "most of the nation’s fastest growing metro areas are retirement destinations found in the Sun Belt."

Some North Carolina communities, such as Wilmington and Asheville, are likely benefiting from that trend. Others, such as the Triad, the Triangle and Charlotte, are drawing residents because they're home to major employers.

"To some extent, retiree migration into North Carolina is very new. It really started to uptick in the last 15 years,” said Rebecca Tippett of the Carolina Population Center, according to Governing.

TOP NORTH CAROLINA TOWNS TO RETIRE TO

When the time comes to retire, many people dream of retreating to the quiet life of a small town--preferably one conveniently located near the amenities of a larger city. For people looking for just such a situation, North Carolina is a haven.

The state offers a slew of choices that can fulfill any prerequisite hopeful retirees might have: quiet life, outdoor activities, good weather, top-notch medical care, cultural events, easy access to major highways...you name it. What follows below is our look at just a few of the many options that await you in North Carolina.

NC COLLEGE TOWNS TO RETIRE TO

Across the nation, an increasing number of people are retiring to college towns. The atmosphere of college towns is extremely attractive to retirees, and why not? If you think about it, you get a little bit of everything in a college town--cultural activities, athletic events, educational opportunities, and excellent medical facilities--which make them perfect places to retire.

It's no wonder that they are becoming some of our most popular retirement destinations. Below are just a few of our favorite North Carolina college towns.

ASHEVILLE, NC

Although not strictly a "college town," Asheville is home to the University of North Carolina-Asheville (UNCA) and the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement (NCCCR). So in this case, it fits the bill! We'll talk more about the NCCCR in a bit.

Located more than 2,000 feet above sea level in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the motto in Asheville is "altitude affects attitude." And the attitude is wonderful in this beautiful city. No wonder it consistently appears on lists of the best places to live in the United States.

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