Affordable Small Towns With Big Value In The Carolinas

I like to find small towns in North Carolina and South Carolina 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, NC, Blowing Rock, NC and Boone, 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 either North Carolina or South Carolina.  Some of my best places for living in the Carolinas are:

• Cashiers, NC
• Fontana Village, NC
• Bryson City, NC
• Waynesville, NC

One of my very favorites is New Bern, NC.  It's one of the best places I've been to in North Carolina.

New Bern, NC is 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!

For those of you who claim South Carolina as your best place to relocate or retire, you'll find beautiful, quaint, small town living in places like:

• Anderson, SC
• Beaufort, SC
• Summerville, SC
• Georgetown  SC

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 towns, and opportunities to get involved as a volunteer or civic leader.

Other advantages of choosing your best place to live in a small town is that it includes less 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 North Carolina and South Carolina 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 the downside.

You won't find as much diversity in the people, you might be considered an "outsider" at first, and all the cultural events and services you want may not be readily available.

However, 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.

If you relocate or retire in a small town with a college or branch of a major university, you'll have plenty of intellectual stimulation and diversity among it's population.

And if you use my "cluster" concept of locating around other small towns, the drawbacks will be far outweighed by the slower pace, quality lifestyle and lower cost of living.

One of my favorite small towns in the Carolinas is Aiken, South Carolina, which is located in the middle of beautiful horse country just northeast of Augusta, GA.

Read my review by clicking on their links above.

If you look at my Articles on this site, under Best Places in NC and Best Places in SC, you'll find articles on the College Towns of North Carolina and South Carolina that offer small town living without big town prices.

Enjoy!

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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