3 Steps To Easily & Affordably Retire or Relocate To The Best Places In The Carolinas
Bob Bencivenga
Who I am…
I'm Bob Bencivenga and I don't sell any real estate!
I'm a professional site locator and location analyst and I've spent over 35 years finding the best real estate locations for major corporations.
The companies I've worked with have made hundreds of millions of dollars based on the locations I've selected.
Why I Created Places Of Value…
Five years ago, I started using my skills to research the growth of cities and towns in North Carolina and South Carolina, for the relocation of my family, to find OUR Best Places to Live.
I wanted to find those areas other people hadn't spotted yet. Places that are affordable, have a low cost of living and have great economic growth potential for the future!
Hidden gems with great lifestyles and services…the Best Places to Live in North Carolina and South Carolina.
During my research, I discovered many people who like me, were considering relocating to the Carolinas. The difference was, finding "best places" that would produce a successful outcome was what I did for a living.
That's when I decided to share what I was learning about North Carolina and South Carolina and also share some "insider secrets" on how to find Your best place to retire or relocate.
So, I put together … 3 EASY STEPS to Finding YOUR Best Place to Live in the Carolinas!
I've made it easy, fun, and exciting to find your best place!
STEP 1 -
You must decide, "What's Important To You?"
What are the Lifestyle Qualities a city or town must have to be on YOUR list of the Best Places to Retire or Relocate? Remember, how you want to live affects your Best Places to Live!
Don't pick your best places to relocate or retire to in North Carolina or South Carolina based on what a neighbor, friend, co-worker, or relative has told you.
Pick your best places to relocate or retire to because they have the lifestyle qualities you've decided are important to you.
What makes a city or town one of the best places to live for YOU in the Carolinas?
To help you decide What's Important To You, download my FREE 45 Lifestyle Qualities Relocation Checklist Make sure you print a copy of the relocation checklist.
You'll need to take it with you when you visit your list of Best Places to Live in North Carolina or South Carolina.
STEP 2 -
"Educate Yourself!"
Now that you know What's Important To You, you need to know what cities and towns are available to you.
Do you want to relocate or retire to North Carolina or South Carolina? Does one state have more to offer for the lifestyle you want?
Take your time, this is an important decision.
To help you, I've personally handpicked some of the Best Places in North Carolina and South Carolina for affordability, low cost of living, climate, jobs, lifestyle, and future economic growth.
Take a minute, read my articles on Cost of Living in the Carolinas, How to Pick Your Best Planned Community, Relocation Tips, The "New" Retirement and the list goes on.
And rather than spending unnecessary money, watch my videos of cities like Asheville, North Carolina, Greenville, South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina and coastal Wilmington, North Carolina and more.
Join the Places Of Value community of others just like you and I and keep informed by signing up for my Free weekly e-newsletter,The Carolina Report and get the Affordable Best Places In The Carolinas Report as my gift to you.
There are Special Reports on cities in North Carolina and South Carolina, In Depth Reports, Community Directories and The Ultimate Guide to help you every step of the way.
And did I mention my climate and geography section? I know climate is very important to me. Make sure where you decide is your best place to live also has the climate you love.
Read about the different climates for each area Coastal, Piedmont and Mountains of North Carolina and South Carolina.
And…you can always write me at "Ask Bob" and I'll gladly answer whatever questions I can to make sure you find YOUR Best Place to Relocate or Retire to in North Carolina or South Carolina.
Okay now on to …
STEP 3 -
Now that you've created YOUR list of the Best Places for you and your family to relocate or retire to in North Carolina or South Carolina, it's time to "Visit Your Best Places."
Remember, a picture may be worth a thousand words, but a personal visit is worth a thousand pictures. Nothing replaces a personal visit and talking to the local residents.
However, before you spend the time, money and effort to make a personal visit, download my Special Report
...21 Things To Watch Out For In Finding Your Best Places to Live
Now, if living in a planned community makes it onto your list of what's important to you, you must read
…28 Things you Must Know When Choosing a Planned Community
and print a copy of my
…Community Cost of Living Comparison Checklist
This way you will be able to compare every aspect of the planned communities that interest you, side-by-side.
But before you make your plane reservation to visit these communities, visit my 
I'm always updating the list that will tell you which communities offer Special Weekend Getaway Packages that have discounted prices on lodging and meals, so you don't go broke visiting places.
If you follow these 3 Easy Steps, you'll find YOUR Best Place to relocate or retire to in North Carolina or South Carolina, with the lifestyle you want, at a price you can afford.
Have Fun finding Your Best Places to Live in the Carolinas!
PS – I look forward to hearing from you. Let me be your expert in finding a place that fits What's Important To You…"Your Best Place to Live in North Carolina or South Carolina", and help you avoid making any costly mistakes along the way!
Have a question about the Best Places To Live In North Carolina or South Carolina? Or having trouble finding what you're looking for? Have a quick question to help make your decision? Submit a question using this form for a speedy response.
Comments on 3 Steps To Easily & Affordably Retire or Relocate To The Best Places In The Carolinas
Thanks for posting, I'll definitely be subscribing to your blog.
Thank you for your comment! Glad to have you as a subscriber! Let me know if you have any questions that will help you in finding your best places to live in the Carolinas!
I think that your site is very interesting and nice. Good job !
I really enjoy looking through your website
Excellent Web Site! Very professional and full of great information. I am greatly enjoying it. Your enthusiasm is wonderful!!!
Hi My wife and I would like to thank you all for this web site. Hours of pleasure and all
I really like your site
howdy I quite enjoyed this website .
Pretty nice post. I just found your blog and wanted to say
that I've really liked browsing your blog posts. In any case
I'll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!
Hi Jenny,
Glad you found the blog helpful. Once you become a subscriber, you will receive an email from me each Friday with a new blog post. Please let me know if there are any questions you have or any specific topics you would like me to write about.
Bob
Great website, it was actually quite real helpful.
Perfect site
I will recommend it to all my friends and fans
Logging into this website should be a requirement for anyone
knowledgeable on earth these days
Hello, What a beautiful and awesome site. I adore what you've done with your setup and graphics. Thanks you so much.
Cool post, just subscribed.
Dear Bob,
As always you have done a great job in letting people know what to expect. We finally decided on the state but still struggling with the cities. I can say one thing after dong what you said it changed what I thought was going to be great into what I know the State will be great now just to decide where!
I love this site, there is so much information to be found. Thank you.
I'd just like to thank you for taking the time to create this internet website. It has been extremely helpful
Thanks for your kind words!
It's a lot of work providing people with good quality, valuable information.
It makes it all worthwhile to hear that our subscribers appreciate it.
Thanks Again,
Bob
HEllo there Sir, just concerned about the economy and finding employment down in NC, that is my only hold up. Please advise.
Hi Crystal,
The Carolinas have not been immune to the downturn in the economy, however North Carolina has done much better than many other States.
As a matter of fact, take a look at my recent blog post in my Carolina Report of 11/6/09 and 11/20.
I will also be doing another post in the near future about North Carolina's business climate. It was just ranked Number 1 again for 8 out of the last 9 years!!
There's a number of reasons for that which I will describe, in my post.
Hello! I stumbled across your blog while looking for some information on good places to live in NC. I recently graduated from central michigan university with my teaching degree. Michigan is in such rough shape right now, especially for teaching jobs! I am looking to relocate and I have always noticed that North Carolina is hiring many teachers – Do you know much about the school systems in North Carolina? Do you know much about the benefits ans contracts the state stands by for teachers? Any info would be helpful!
Thank you!
Amy Dewey
Hi Amy,
You will be better off to contact each school district individually.
I can help you with How and Where to relocate or retire to in the Carolinas.
After you decide that, then I'd meet with the Superintendent of each school system you're interested in.
Bob
Great web site. I am planning to retire. My wife & I made three trips to western NC & SC. All reports we read noted that Asheville was the place to live; we didn't like Asheville. However, we loved an decided upon Greenville.
Bob,,
Thank you for your wonderful site. Your site
is so informative and useful.
So where do you live north or south area?
Thanks so much again for all you do to enrich
all of us.
Tammy
Thanks Tammy for taking the time to give us some feedback,
especially the positive kind!
My favorite place is Asheville. We are planning to build a home there.
However, we are also looking at the Charleston area, and between you and I, the Greenville, SC and Anderson area is very special!
Thanks Again,
Bob
Hi, good post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for posting.
Looking to relocate in mid NC. How is the PineHurst area??? Have to find a place without to much humidity for health reasons. Can you help??? Also, are there any 55+ communities without monthly fees available? Thanks for your help & your info.
I'm sorry I forgot to answer your question about "fees".
I haven't found any planned 55+ communities that don't have
some sort of fees.
My Community Directories list complete detailed information on
over 300 communities including all the fees they charge.
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post
Dear Bob,
I desperately need some help to find the perfect place for a non-profitable cancer/family unity retreat center along the coast of NC/SC. I'm leaning towards the SC area because I have family there. I think a place near or close to a med. to large city for fundraising purposes would be better. Also, close to an airport for families to come in and out of. I'm hoping to find someone to donate some land as well so I 'm at the mercy of others. Before I start asking for all this, where do you think would be the best place to place this retreat. Were should I start my begging?
Sincerely,
Karen Brix
Karen,
If you go 20-30 minutes out of Charleston, SC, you can find affordable places and still be close enough to use the airport and services of the City when needed.
You could also consider Greenville/Spartanburg, SC.
Bob
I have tried to email you, and it has been returned! I am trying to get some ideas on living in SC with my family. Thanks!
Hi Heidi,
I apologize for any difficulties in reaching me. My email is working…You can email me at bob@placesofvalue.com
Bob
My husband and I are relocating from NJ…we are having the most difficult time deciding what area we should move to. I will be working (insurance industry) but my husband is semi retired.
My husband would like to live in a place that is secluded from everyone. I would like a place that is newer and private but not so far away from everyone. I would also like to spend under $200,000 with a newer home (not a condo or townhouse) any suggestions?
PS..we have taken several trips to both North and South Carolina and we are still unsure…
I enjoy looking at my email every day and seeing Places of Value. I have been looking into areas in NC and SC for years. I plan on retiring in one or the other and sometimes I cannot even decide between Raleigh or Charlotte. I need that Checklist and I just downloaded it today.
Thanks for all the information. I love it. And, I love North Carolina!
Hi Donna,
My wife and I really love the Charlotte area!
One of the reasons why is because there are so many small to medium sized towns in the general vicinity that you will have a lot to choose from, and you can get good value for your dollars spent on housing.
Bob
Hi Ellen,
It sounds like you and your husband are looking for different things.
Take a look at the "45 Lifestyles Checklist" in my Ultimate Guide, and go through it together. It will help you decide which things are critical for each of you, and settle on the type of setting you're both looking for!
I can then help you narrow it down to specific Towns that have what you're looking for, and are in your price range.
Bob
Hello Bob,
Thanks so much for the reply about Raleigh vs Charlotte. If I was thinking more seriously about SC because my sister moved recently to Bluffton, SC., I probably would be thinking about the Charleston SC area. Would you say the outlying areas around Charleston such as Summerville and others would be possible areas for affordable retirement living in SC?
The areas outside Charleston are definitely very suitable for retirement, and also relocation.
Summerville is a good choice, and don't forget Beaufort!
Be Well,
Bob
Thank You Andrew,
If you have other questions about retiring or relocating to the best places to live in North Carolina and South Carolina, please let me know.
Hi Bob,
My husband and I want to retire to South Carolina. I am a retired Literature Professor from San Diego State University and my husband Chuck owns his own company. We would like to find a Town-home with 3 bedrooms and 3 or 2 1/2 baths, to live in. Is there any available Town-homes to buy or to rent in the city of Seneca, SC? I would appreciate it if you can get us some information please?
Thank you so much. God Bless,
Mimi Belen
Hi I would like information on what are the best Cities to live in NC. The most important thing for me are : 1. a safe neighborhood where I can live without fear with my son and secondly a good public schools for my 2 years old son that need special education for hyperactivity
Have a nice day
Hi from florida. Looking to relocate to the carolinas. We have no clue to what city. We like the beaches but dont have to have it. 2 children a 6 yr and a 3 yr.
I own a small commercial transport company and my wife is a nurse. any ideas. not crazy about big city's. thanks
Hi Ellen, My wife and I are from NJ too and are trying to find a place to relocate that has all the benefits that we are used to in NJ but with lower cost of living.
I live in Bergen County….Let's keep in touch and share any info we gather. I'm not sure whether SC or NC at this point.
Hi,
I would suggest you locate 15-20 minutes outside areas like Raleigh/Durham, NC and Charleston, SC. You'll be able to find smaller towns, and still have access to the City.
Take a look at my "Ultimate Guide".
Bob
Hi Bob,
I just foumd your site and have been reading some of your answers to people's questions. In one post (to Donna 5-24-2011) you indicated that you like many small to medium towns around Charlotte that you like, could you please name a few? I am 50, so I'm not ready for retirement yet and am looking for housing good values, town character, and potential for job growth. I'd also be open to other areas, than Charlotte, you might like to suggest.
Thanks,
Mark
Hi Mark,
Places around the Charlotte, NC area are Concord, Salisbury, and Kannapolis.
Lake Norman is beautiful and you have towns like Mooresville, Cornelius, and Huntersville close by.
Bob
Dear Bob,
I just wanted to say, I just joined your mailing list a week or so ago. I love it! I am moving down to Hilton Head Island in two weeks and I have been finding your newsletter and blog most useful.
Thank you again so much! I look forward to more reading once I get down there and settled for places to live.
Take care,
Michelle
The Pinehurst, NC area is a pretty area. However, I don't know what size town you like living in. Pinehurst has about 10,000 people. It's located in the south/central part of the State, in what some call the Sandhills area. It's very well known for its golf!
You might also want consider the northwest mountain areas of North Carolina.
Live in concord, kannapolis area for 20 yrs and its sad to let you know that this area isn't faring to well with job market. Unemployment is growing rapidly and we see no end in sight soon. People who have lived here there whole lives are starting to move away.
Hi Renee,
I'm sorry to hear that, but it's happening all over.
However, it's happening a lot less in North Carolina than in many other areas. The State is still very growth and business oriented.
Bob
My husband may be relocating for a job to Florence, SC. We are from CT and the cost of living here is terribly high! I have 2 children as well; 5 and 4 and really need a great school for them. Kind of scared about what we'll find in Florence. Any insight on this area or advice? Thank you!
~Jen
Hi Bob- My husband and I are looking to relocate to SC. We have fallen in love with the Greenville area but are also looking at Dorchester 2 county for their schools. I have a 5 yr old and a 10 yr old, so schools are very important to us. We want something that has a low crime rate but affordable. Currently we are in CT and as I am sure you are aware, it is VERY expensive. WE ARE TAXED TO DEATH!We were looking to purchase your book, I was wondering if it is updated yearly. We would like something current. Thanks for any info that you can provide to us….
Rachel Cormier
Hi Rachel,
I love the Greenville, SC area also! Check out Taylor just to the north. Dorchester County is very different.
I would also consider Waxhaw south of Charlotte, NC.
When you get my "Ultimate Guide", we can further discuss these areas in detail. I just updated the Guide according to the new 2010 Census info.
Be Well,
Bob
Hi Jennifer,
Go to this Friday's (11/4) Blog Post…all about Florence!!
Bob
Very great information thank you kindly
I just added this web site to my favorites. I really enjoy reading your posts. Thanks!
@Rachel Cormier:
Hi Rachel,
My wife and I have been looking in the Waxhaw area, we are from CT as well. I have three children 3, 7 and 9, it seems like you and I have the same sentiments about the taxes in CT. I have a couple of years before moving, please let me know if you hear of any good locations, I would be willing to share any info as well.
Best Wishes,
Steve
Hi Steve,
Waxhaw is a nice area! You need to also check out Greenville, SC.
Bob
Bob,
Stumbled upon your site while conducting my own research and wish I'd have found this site first. I've looked at all of your guides and am a bit overwhelmed by the choices, hoping you can help. I am relocating to Charlotte from Houston this summer with my wife and 13 year old daughter. Because I work from home, I don't have any real geographic restrictions, except, I need to be within about 45 minutes from the Charlotte airport. A top notch high school is one of the top requirements on our list. We are looking at areas in SC south of Charlotte as well as areas around Charlotte. Which guide or guides do you recommend?
Hi Ray,
Check out the Charlotte Guide. Then email me at Bob@placesofvalue.com with some days and times I can call you to talk.
I'll explain the area to you, and make suggestions on surrounding Towns you should consider.
We can also discuss living in the Charlotte itself and the areas south of it.
Bob
Hi bob, your site is very interesting! I have been wondering if there are any communities where one can find both golf and horseback riding stables in the same place. Thanks for yor time.
Hi Louis,
The areas of Aiken and Landrum, SC as well as Saluda, NC
would fit what you're looking for.
Bob
Hi Bob…. My wife and I both worked for Eastman Kodak here in Rochester, NY for several years….we all that know how that chapter ended, and here we sit in the second highest taxed county in the US. It is time for us to move further south, to be closer to our daughter, and only child, who is an attorney in South Florida. We just aren't sure Florida is where we want to settle, but perhaps South Carolina. My wife is an admin. assistant, and has about 10 more years to work,, so we'd like to be near a city, hopefully where she can find something. Not sure about unemployment rates in the various areas of S. Carolina. We discovered your site today, and will remain connected to it. It's a wonderful tool if people like us are at a crossroad, and want to re-locate, but aren't quite sure where.
Love your picture by the way; we too have a Golden and two other dogs…just one more thing to think about when re-locating. What can you tell us about the tax rates in NC vs. SC? We will be downloading your material….can't wait to start researching this. It's great to find a site that will answer some of our questions.
Hi George,
I used to live in Syracuse, so I'm very familiar with Rochester's fate!!
If I were you, I'd consider New Bern, NC, Charleston, Beaufort, and Greenville, SC.
Consider getting a copy of the "Ultimate Guide", and we can then talk further about the areas best suited for you!
Bob
@Lorraine: mid nc humidity can be between 70%-100% in the summer except the mountains. You do not need to live any where near pinehurst for health reasons. Its very hot and humid in summer. From hickory and up would be better. But nc is one of the worst states for mold and humidity. Our dr told us this is one of the worst states for breathing problems or allergies.