Thinking of Retirement in the Carolinas

We have a number of friends in the Cary area - lots of cultural offerings and universities, and top notch medical facilities. One had to be treated for cancer and was happy that she had all the options she would have had back here in Boston. A lot of people are "from somewhere else" and my friends have found a huge group wanting to socialize and welcome newcomers, vs. a group very insulated and set in their ways. They don't travel far for the lake and boating activities, and the ocean is reachable for vacations with a little planning. They keep begging us to come down there - it never gets old for them.

I have been blessed to spend a lot of time in the Carolinas and understand completely your being drawn there. Our dear friends are in Elkin, NC and I love that area. It’s close to Mount Airy (where The Andy Griffith Show was filmed) and not too far to Charlotte or Winston Salem. We also have friends in Haw River, NC (outside of Raleigh) and another friend in Winston Salem. All of those areas are close enough to large cities but Elkin especially has a small town feel to it.

I also have friends in South Carolina, right on the border of North Carolina. I prefer North Carolina to south. The Carolinas are beautiful with 4 seasons and you can be anywhere up and down the east coast in short order, which I love.

I have experienced very friendly people there who have a lot of hospitality. Lots of transplants from other places. Duke University is well thought of and their medical care is outstanding.

I’m sure you’re aware they have state taxes there (if you’re truly in Texas, that will be a change). But I don’t think the cost of living is over the top. My husband and I have considered moving there too and haven’t ruled it out completely. We both have elderly parents living and so right now we are in a good location for this chapter in our lives.

Happy investigating. I’d recommend vacationing there several times during different seasons to get a feel for it.

This might help:

https://smartasset.com/retirement/best-places-to-retire-i...

I lived in the Charleston, SC area for many years. There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think about it. I lived in Summerville. A beautiful little town about 30 miles from Charleston. Gorgeous in spring with the azalea festival and Charleston is the perfect walking city. Of course you have your hurricane drills. But you get used to them. Just make sure you’re on high ground and you’re good. No better food anywhere than low country cuisine. Dirty rice and frogmore stew to make you cry.
Take a trip there about now through April. You won’t leave.
It’s sad, we lived in paradise but at that time we didn’t realize it.

ETA:
Debra I grew up in Summerville LOL and yes it’s beautiful!! I think the cost of living is better in the Upstate though.
My husband and I were in Europe. Someone asked where we were from, when I said S.C. they exclaimed “oh myrtle beach!!!” I couldn’t believe it. Please know that S.C. has SOOO much more to offer. Not to disbarage MB, it’s just not typical SC, so if you’ve only been there you haven’t experienced the full charm.
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Greenville SC matches your description perfectly. Visit during the summer to see if you can deal with the humidity before you make a decision, it’s not dry heat like I imagine in TX, at least that what i experienced in Arizona. The coast is more humid, the foothills are reasonable considering. Most people end up spending a week at the beach though. There’s lot of retirees up at the lakes in the Upstate but you don’t have walking cities there and have to drive “down” to get to upper level healthcare if/when needed in Greenville.
I grew up in the Lowcountry and spent most of my adulthood in the Upstate so that’s my first hand knowledge before heading to CA. The mountains of NC are awesome but more of a place to visit for me, can get cold and has a lot of snow compared to S.C. Asheville would be another place to check out if you are more alternative. Charlotte is probably bigger than what it sounds like you are looking for. It takes 2 hours to get to Atlanta or Charlotte from Greenville. I’ve had the privilege of visiting a lot of places in my years but when it’s time there’s no doubt I’ll go back home to the Upstate. It’s the best of all worlds. Go see for yourself :)

i don't have any firsthand experience, but my husband and i have considered the very same thing. we're probably not going to- both of our kids have settled here in MD and the prospect of grandkids is growing.

but the carolinas are so tempting. the main appeal for me is having the four seasons i love, but milder winters. i love winter, but the grueling length of ours is wearing me down. i don't know how people survive it further north.

khairete
S.

Wake Forest NC is a nice little walkable town with arts festivals etc (note: Wake Forest University is not located in the town of Wake Forest, don't confuse them). It is about 30-40 minutes from Raleigh (state capitol and nice small city) or Durham (home of Duke University which has an excellent medical system) so might be just what you are looking for - a nice small town a short distance from a city with all the amenities.

I don't live there, but I've visited and love that area.