Is Community Lifestyle in the Carolinas your Best Place?

I’m often asked which cities and towns in North Carolina and South Carolina are more affordable than others, and if North Carolina is more affordable than South Carolina, and vice versa.

First of all, look for communities that are less like a “resort” and more like a “community”. Remember, all those amenities cost money and someone has to pay for them making them less affordable in the long run.

Many communities in North Carolina and South Carolina have golf memberships, tennis memberships, social memberships, and even equestrian memberships. There are fees associated with all of them, and you don’t want to find out how much they are, after you settle into what you thought was your Best Place.

There can be fees for using the health club, pool, boat docks, and community room for social events. Recently, I was researching several communities in

North Carolina and I came across a golf community that had an initiation fee of $100,000! Plus yearly dues of $7,000, and a dining minimum of $1400 per year. I don’t know about you, but that’s one heck of a chunk of change

It doesn’t make much sense to choose a golf community, if you then can’t afford the membership and fees associated with it. Most communities have either a

Property Owners Association or a Homeowners Association, and each have fees associated with them.  If you own a townhouse or condominium, the fees are usually higher.

Many retirees today are seeking out retirement communities in North Carolina and South Carolina based on a choice of lifestyle and their interests, and they need to find out before hand if the fees associated with those activities will make it impossible to pursue them.

One way to find an affordable lifestyle in North Carolina and South Carolina is to look at some of the many small charming towns. They’re a good bet whether you’re retiring or relocating to the Carolinas.

I like to find small towns with active communities, just outside the larger metropolitan areas, or small towns within close proximity to other small towns,or small towns with colleges in them. These situations give you the advantage of small town living, but with big town services.

When I say small towns, I’m talking about towns of approximately 10-30,000 people.  Towns like Banner Elk, Blowing Rock and Boone in North Carolina are great examples of living in a “cluster” of smaller towns that have a lot to offer.

The western part of North Carolina also has some of the best places to live in the Carolina’s, like Cashiers, Fontana Village, Bryson City and Waynesville.

For coastal living, one of my very favorites is New Bern. It’s one of the best places I’ve been to in North Carolina. It’s a quaint small town with a historic housing stock and beautiful open spaces. The Neuse and Trent Rivers come together in the middle of Town. It’s gorgeous!

Although it’s still considered a small town, you won’t lack for shopping, culture and great restaurants. The ocean is only 40 minutes away and the Pamlico

Sound is right next door. And the people are some of the nicest I’ve ever met!

In South Carolina, you’ll find beautiful, quaint, small town living in places like Anderson, Beaufort, Summerville, and Georgetown.

Today, there are an increasing number of people interested in living just outside small downtowns where they can walk to shopping, restaurants, and activities.  Especially with the price of gas! Small towns in North Carolina and South Carolina have become very popular for relocating empty-nesters, as well as boomer retirees.

When I say small towns, I’m talking about towns of approximately 10-30,000 people.  Towns like Banner Elk, Blowing Rock and Boone in North Carolina are great examples of living in a “cluster” of smaller towns that have a lot to offer. 

The western part of North Carolina also has some of the best places to live in the Carolina’s, like Cashiers, Fontana Village, Bryson City and Waynesville. 

For coastal living, one of my very favorites is New Bern. It’s one of the best places I’ve been to in North Carolina. It’s a quaint small town with a historic housing stock and beautiful open spaces. The Neuse and Trent Rivers come together in the middle of Town. It’s gorgeous!

 Although it’s still considered a small town, you won’t lack for shopping, culture and great restaurants. The ocean is only 40 minutes away and the Pamlico

Sound is right next door. And the people are some of the nicest I’ve ever met!

In South Carolina, you’ll find beautiful, quaint, small town living in places like Anderson, Beaufort, Summerville, and Georgetown. 

Today, there are an increasing number of people interested in living just outside small downtowns where they can walk to shopping, restaurants, and activities.  Especially with the price of gas! Small towns in North Carolina and South Carolina have become very popular for relocating empty-nesters, as well as boomer retirees

There’s usually a greater sense of “community” in these smaller towns, and opportunities to get involved as a volunteer or civic leader. 

Other advantages includeless traffic, more affordable housing and usually lower taxes. You might also find some great old houses just waiting for you to restore them. 

Whether you’re relocating to the Carolina’s or looking for an active adult retirement community, there’s a small town that could be just right for you. 

But wait, I must also tell you of a possible downside. In these small towns, you won’t find as much diversity in the people and you might be considered an “outsider” at first, and you may find that all the cultural events and services you want may not be readily available. 

Either way, if you pick a small town in North Carolina or South Carolina that’s a short ride from one of its urban areas, you’ll be assured of a variety of services, good medical care and plenty of activities to keep you busy. 

There is also the added benefit if you find a community with a college or branch of a major university, where you can experience plently of intellectual stimulation and diversity.

All and all, if you use my “cluster” concept of relocating or retiring around other small towns, the drawbacks will be far outweighed by the slower pace, quality of lifestyle and lower cost of living.

Two of my favorite small Best Places in the Carolinas are Lenoir, North Carolina which was rencently voted a “Hot Bargain” in National Geographic Adventure Magazine, and Aiken, South Carolina, which is located in the middle of beautiful horse country just northeast of Augusta, GA.

 

 

 

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