Myths About Retiring in North Carolina

North Carolina has recently become a very popular state for retirement. The state has seen significant numbers of retired persons pulling up stakes in Florida and heading back up the coast, to end up in the Tar Heel State. A 2010 United Van Lines study showed it to be the third most popular state to move to from another state (with the District of Columbia being the top that year).

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Apparently no one believes in myths anymore – at least not ones about North Carolina. However, just in case there are a few funny ideas still keeping your from considering retiring in North Carolina, here are some myths about retirement in North Carolina that aren’t true.

Taxes Are Too High - Although North Carolina was in the middle range of U.S. states as far as tax bite goes, that all changed 2013. The state now (2015) has a flat personal income tax rate of 5 percent, no estate tax whatsoever, and no levy on Social Security income. While other states may have lower taxes than North Carolina, they are often also saddled with low education achievement rates and lackluster economies – or simply worse weather.
It’s Too Cold - Some claim North Carolina is colder than the Sunshine State, and that's true. But North Carolina offers coastal beach towns where the mercury never drops below 40 degrees. North Carolina experiences a kinder, gentler version of the four seasons of the Northeast, picturesque but never inconvenient.

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It’s Too Expensive - If you look at some isolated neighborhoods you'll find pricey houses, but overall real estate is a bargain in North Carolina. The Zillow Home Value Index in the state in early 2015 was $146,700—pocket change if you're used to paying Manhattan rates.
It’s Too Busy - Florida has more square footage of retail to offer, if you like crawling through massive malls to find the same old same old thing you find in every other massive mall. North Carolina still supports a healthy small-business ecosystem graced with a diversity of regional and neighborhood shops where you might find something that Wal-Mart's purchasing power doesn't even know exists – and you'll still get a friendly greeting. Shopping in that small-town atmosphere, in a state that has full-access to all the goods that road, rail, and sea can bring, is a delight, not an ordeal.