How To Make Sure Your Best Places to Live in the Carolinas are Affordable

I am asked most often which areas and communities in North Carolina and South Carolina are more affordable than others, and if North Carolina is more affordable than South Carolina, and vice versa.

There are a number of ways to decrease your costs and make things more affordable, whether you're retiring or relocating to communities in the Carolinas.

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.

Many planned 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 buy or build your Dream Home in a community. There can be fees for using the health club, pool, boat docks, and community room for social events.

This week, I was researching several communities to include in my North Carolina Communities Directory.  I came to find out that for a full golf membership at one community, there was 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.

Most planned 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.

Most people today are seeking out communities in North Carolina and South Car0lina for their best place to retire to 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.

See you next week!

About Bob Bencivenga

Bob Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location analyst for major corporations and has been researching the growth of NC and SC to find the Best Places to Retire or Relocate that are still affordable.

Visit his blog The Carolina Report and sign up for FREE updates by email,his FREE Affordable Best Places To Live Report and, get FREE Expert Advice on how to find Your Best Place to Retire or Relocate to in North Carolina and South Carolina, additional resources, and a lot more. Bob does not sell real estate.

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