6 Senior-Friendly Towns in North Carolina

North Carolina is considered a senior-friendly state for retirees with perks like its natural beauty, plenty of ways to stay active, a lively arts and music scene, and much more. The low cost of living is also favorable among retirees, and there is no tax on social security income. Enjoy birding at the beach in Carolina Shores, sign up for a watermelon-eating contest in Winterville, touch a toucan in Roanoke Rapids, learn pickleball in Reidsville, stroll down memory lane in Mount Airy, or read a book and walk a trail in Lumberton. There is still so much more life to enjoy after retirement.

Carolina Shores

Located right along the North-South Carolina state line, Carolina Shores is a terrific place to live for retirees. With a population of about 5,200, over 52% of its population is listed as 65 and over. The cost of living is low, with a median listing home price of $357,000 (according to realtor.com), a little higher than other homes away from the coast, but a worthwhile tradeoff for the view.

New residents can learn about the area's history and culture while enjoying wine tastings at the Silver Coast Winery. The Museum of Coastal Carolina, which includes a live touch tank, saltwater aquariums, interactive exhibits, lectures, and family programs, is perfect for visiting grandchildren. The area around Carolina Shores is rich in natural beauty, and aquaphiles can enjoy swimming, beachcombing, and beautiful sunsets at nearby Sunset Beach. Seasoned birders can discover a birder’s paradise, Bird Island Coast Reserve, a beautiful undeveloped beach with over 1,200 acres encompassing beachfront, salt marsh, and tidal creeks. Retired golfers will love being able to golf year-round at the Carolina Shores Golf & Country Club or Thistle Golf Club, which promotes a leisurely pace to the game with 10-minute intervals between tee times (as opposed to the standard 8-minute intervals)—perfect for golfers in no rush to be anywhere.

While there isn't a hospital directly located in Carolina Shores, residents can access medical care through nearby facilities, including Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, approximately 30 minutes away. In April 2024, Grand Strand Medical Center was identified as one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals.

Winterville

Located 90 minutes east of Raleigh, Winterville is in eastern North Carolina, but new residents won’t have to travel far to discover enriching activities and essential services. There is plenty for retirees to love about the town, especially its food. Indulge in the many flavors of Winterville, from classic BBQ at Tie Breakers to Cajun Seafood Boils at the Juicy Crab to Southern favorites like fried oysters and po’ boys at the Main & Mill Oyster Bar & Tavern. Winterville is also a town that takes its watermelon seriously. From August 22 to 25, 2024, it will celebrate its legendary 39th Winterville Watermelon Festival—a multi-day event featuring live music, the Watermelon Parade through town, a watermelon-eating contest, carnival rides, and midway games, and more.

Food isn’t the only thing this retirement-friendly town has going for it. Head out in the great outdoors in nearby Greenville and hit the Greenville Greenways, 8.6 miles of linear parks where retirees can walk, jog, and bike along the Tar River. Don’t forget to bring your four-legged friend along to explore miles of trails and a waterfront off-leash park. Experience the nearly 200-mile-long Tar River by booking a guided tour or renting a kayak, canoe, or paddleboat from Riverside Recreation for a leisurely 3.5-mile paddle.

Retirees can entrust their healthcare needs to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, join the ECU Health Wellness Center, and participate in classes geared for the young at heart, from aquatics to Zumba. Winterville was #3 on SmartAsset’s list of the most affordable places to live in North Carolina, which makes it a prime spot to retire. The current median home listing price is $355,000.

Roanoke Rapids

The affordable retirement community of Roanoke Rapids places retirees conveniently close to the big city of Raleigh. But Roanoke Rapids is significantly more affordable, with a median home value of $170,000 and a lower cost of living. ECU Health North Hospital is located in downtown Roanoke Rapids for all healthcare needs.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love retiring to Roanoke Rapids and enjoy the nature-rich Roanoke River from which the community gets its name. Bike or hike the scenic Roanoke Canal Trail, which tells the history of transportation on the river from the early 1800s until today, and segments of the canal remain intact. The canal, the towpath, and the canal structures were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. After pedaling along the canal from Roanoke Rapids to Weldon, tour the historic Weldon Mills Distillery or browse the craft and antique shops at Riverside Mills.

The town is also close to Medoc Mountain State Park and Sylvan Heights Bird Park—a 28-acre facility with spacious, walk-through aviaries displaying birds from South America, North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Tranquil native North Carolina gardens and lush natural areas surround the aviaries. Over 2,000 waterfowl, parrots, toucans, flamingos, and other exotic birds from around the world make their home in the park.

Reidsville

The affordable community of Reidsville, with almost 15,000 residents, is less than half an hour drive from Greensboro. As a result, museums and extensive entertainment and sports venues are all within easy reach. But there’s plenty for Reidsville residents to explore right in their own backyard. Stroll downtown to discover the Reidsville Art Tour called Project DREAM (Downtown Reidsville Empowering Art Movement). The results of the ongoing initiative are inspirational and beautiful, like the Fire Hydrants project, which includes no fewer than 24 colorful hydrants around town, some painted by professional artists and students (the youngest of which was six years old).

Market Square is a centrally located park and amphitheater that brings the community together for farmers markets, live music on the square, fitness classes, festivals, and other free events. After a visit to the square, fuel up with a stop at 24 Blackbirds Cafe and Market for Grown Up Grilled Cheese, get a caffeine kick from Sip Coffee House, or a protein smoothie from Crave Nutrition.

The Reidsville Center for Active Retirement Enterprises (RCARE) is a hub for active retirees; the center hosts trips and activities like bowling, bocce ball, pickleball, shuffleboard, dancing, card games, and more. Attend an aerobics class or learn how to paint—endless opportunities. For those looking to relocate, the median home value in Reidsville is an affordable $213,000, and the town has a low cost of living; Reidsville’s hospital, Annie Penn, part of the Cone Health System, takes care of retirees’ medical needs.

Mount Airy

Mount Airy is often called "Mayberry" due to its close association with "The Andy Griffith Show," which ran from October 1960 through April 1968, making it a town remembered by retirees over 55. The show's creator, Andy Griffith, was born in Mount Airy, and the town served as the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry depicted in the television series. Visitors to Mount Airy can explore the Andy Griffith Museum, the Andy Griffith Playhouse, and Floyd’s Barbershop, take a nostalgic drive through town with a Mayberry’s Squad Car Tour, and stop for breakfast at Snappy Lunch.

But there is more to Mount Airy than its connection to a classic American television series. Known as “Napa of the East,” the Yadkin Valley wine region is a vibrant river valley with at least 40 wineries. Retirees can hire a driver and spend time on the Surry Wine Trail or stay closer to home in Mount Airy with a visit to the Old North State Winery for a tour and a wine flight. Book the Chef’s Table Experience with locally sourced produce paired with wine from the winery for an extraordinary occasion. Also in Mount Airy, retired spirit and beer lovers can visit Mayberry Spirits, Thirsty Souls Community Brewing, and the White Elephant Beer Company.

This welcoming town offers retirees a low cost of living and a median home value of $278,000 as of April 2024. Mount Airy is served primarily by Northern Regional Hospital, which offers the community a wide range of healthcare services.

Lumberton

For an affordable retirement community offering everything retirees need within minutes, look to Lumberton, the geographic midpoint between New York and Florida on Interstate 95. This city of an estimated 22,000 residents provides the convenience of larger hubs—comprehensive medical centers like Southeastern Regional Medical Center, quick access to two interstate highways, and cultural centers galore—with the charm and reasonable prices of suburban living. Better yet, for those looking to move in, the median home value is $240,000. And for seniors still in the mood for big city life, head to Fayetteville in 45 minutes or to coastal Wilmington in 90.

Lumberton is home to unique cultural institutions, such as Givens Performing Arts Center at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, the Robeson County History Museum, where new residents can learn about the area’s rich tobacco and cotton history, and the Carolina Civic Center Historic Theater, which opened in 1928 as a vaudeville theater and silent film house.

For a walk in nature, retirees can spend days exploring Lumberton’s lakeside trails and The Riverwalk that skirts the peaceful Lumber River State Park. Considered Lumberton’s best-kept secret, Luther Britt Park is a beautiful 142-acre park that offers swimming, boating, fishing, paved walking, and biking trails. Bring the grandchildren and walk the StoryWalk Robeson Trail in the park, where 20 permanent signs are spaced along a quarter-mile trail with interactive activities and questions that help promote comprehension of suggested books that are changed four times throughout the year. Bring a picnic lunch, read a book, and walk the trail.

North Carolina’s nickname is the “Tar Heel State,” as the state was once a significant producer of tar derived from the resin of pine trees, and workers would often get tar on their heels while working, leading to the nickname "Tar Heels." Today, the term "Tar Heel" is used as a symbol of pride for the state and its residents.

Still, retirement is the time to kick off the heels in towns like Carolina Shores, with activities like wine tastings and birdwatching, or Winterville, with its diverse culinary scene. Relax in Roanoke Rapids, retire in Reidsville, relive “Mayberry” nostalgia in Mount Airy, or read in Lumberton. With attractive costs of living, good healthcare, and an abundance of amenities, these towns offer retirees a carefree life beyond retirement.