When it comes time to retire, will you want to live in a place with old-time southern charm as well as access to an exciting lifestyle? Charlotte, North Carolina deserves to be on your short list and here’s why:
Tax Exemptions for Seniors
The State of North Carolina excludes from property taxes a portion of the appraised value of your home if you are aged 65 or older. Also, none of your social security retirement benefits are taxed and there is no state inheritance or estate tax.
Lower Than Average Cost of Living
Charlotte has a lower cost of living than the national average. Things like housing, utilities, and transportation are cheaper in the greater Charlotte area. Some of the neighborhoods most popular with retirees include Concord, Dallas, Kannapolis, Lowell, and Matthews.
Weather
Charlotte’s mild climate is a big draw for retirees. On average, winter temperatures range from around 30°- 50° in the winter and from 69°-90° in the summer. Charlotte only averages about 2-inches of snow (national average is 28-inches) per year. In the summer it can get hot, but not oppressively hot like many cities further south.
Exciting Mountain and Beach Get-Aways
Let’s face it, today’s seniors aren’t looking to sit around all day on a rocking chair on the front porch. They want to get out and go places and explore new parts of the country. If you like driving or hiking through mountain scenery there are the Smokey Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains to explore. If visiting the beach is your thing, there is the Outer Banks, Hatteras and Roanoke Islands and over 300 miles of coastline to take in.
History Is Within Shouting Distance
North Carolina, and Charlotte in particular, are the homes of several historical sites, from Civil War battlefields, like the Battle of Charlotte Marker, to the President James K. Polk historic site, to the first U.S. gold find at the Reed Gold Mines, which is only a 30 minute drive outside of Charlotte, where you can still pan for gold.
Professional Sports
If you are a sports fan you can enjoy year-round sporting events. There’s everything from professional hockey, basketball, and football, to a triple-A baseball team. And if college sports are what you like, there’s UNC Charlotte. But let’s not forget NASCAR. Charlotte is home to the some of the best motorsports in the country. You can visit the Charlotte Motor Speedway and some of the country’s top racing teams, including Richard Petty Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Hendricks Motorsports.
Exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway
Road trips are fun and easy due to access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which begins in Cherokee and runs through Ashville and Blowing Rock. That’s 469 miles of adventure where you can hike forested trails and experience numerous thundering waterfalls.
Why Charlotte… Why Not?
In the city of Charlotte there’s lots to enjoy; from charming neighborhoods, beautiful weather, to entertainment options galore. And Charlotte consistently ranks in polls as one of the best places in the U.S. for people to retire. There’s also an international airport that makes it easy to reconnect with the family and friends you left behind when you made the move to beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina!
