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North Carolina Best Places To Live
Are you looking for Your Best Place to live in North Carolina? Maybe you already have a list of cities and/or towns that are potentially a great place for your retirement or to relocate your family.
Now it's time to learn more about what it's like living in NC and if it really is your best place.
I want to help!
I want to help You either find your best place to live or make sure the places on your short list are the best ones for you.
At the top of the list for most people, is affordability. Fair enough but that's not all you want to consider.
Have you thought about the services available, taxes, crime and future economic growth?
And what about transportation?
Do you have a car, is your family coming to visit so should you be close enough to an airport?
You get the picture.
Below is a list of my picks for the best places to live in North Carolina.
Take a few minutes and learn about them and discover why they made it onto my list.
Learn what you need to know about living in NC before you make the move.
BEFORE you get started make sure you read….
How To pick the best place for you to live in North Carolina
and learn about Best Places in North Carolina and what you need to know about North Carolina Retirement and Relocation.
As my gift you'll receive the Affordable NC Best Places Report.
 FREE AFFORDABLE
You'll learn about: |
| Cost of living | Economic growth | Affordable housing | ||
| Climate | Taxes | Planned communities | ||
| Health care | Schools | Greenbuilding | ||
| Low crime rate |
|
NC Best places |
I look forward to being your Expert for finding your Best Places to Live in North Carolina.
About Bob Bencivenga
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Professional site locator and location analyst for major corporations. Researches the growth of NC and SC to find the Best Places to Retire or Relocate that are still affordable.
Bob Does Not Sell Real Estate! |
© 2005-2013 Places of Value Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
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Have a question about North Carolina and how to find Your Best Place to live? Or having trouble finding what you're looking for? Have a quick question to help make your decision? Submit a question using the form below.
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Comments on North Carolina Best Places To Live
Kate @ 3:16 am
Hi Bob,
I'll be graduating college in the next year or so with a degree in Criminal Justice and I'm looking to relocate to NC from MD. Any suggestions for places to start out? I would like to get a job in what I majored in but I'm not married to the idea.
Bob @ 10:37 am
I would start out in one of the major metro areas like Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, or Charleston. Get established, learn the lay of the land, network, and then (in 3-5 years) make my next move. I like the Charlotte area because there are many affordable, beautiful towns just outside Charlotte to live. Lake Norman is also there and the University.
Bob
Josie @ 12:16 pm
Hi Bob! I live in FL but looking to move to NC. I have family in Charlotte, NC but I'm unfamiliar with area. Are there any areas near Charlotte that is country-like and away from city but SAFE at the same time? I love the quiet and nature. I would sell my FL home and buy in NC so I need to be sure where I want to live. Any suggestions?
Josie
Bob @ 8:10 pm
Hi Josie,
Charlotte, NC happens to be one of my favorite best places in North Carolina because it does have 6-8 beautiful quaint towns just outside the City. It also has Lake Norman! The North Carolina Ultimate Guide lists my picks for the best places to live in North Carolina and if you know the Piedmont region is for you, you might want to consider the North Carolina Piedmont Guide.
Bob
Natalie @ 11:34 am
Hi Bob,
I am looking to relocate from NY to NC this summer. I have two children ages 11 and 7 and would like to find a nice quiet (but not country) area with good schools and safe neighborhoods. Where should I start?
Bob @ 12:49 pm
Hi Natalie,
Finding Your Best Place to live in the Carolinas, especially when children's needs are to be considered, is definitely not a one size fits all process. You'll need to first sit down and list those things most important for you in your best place to live. We can help you with that. Please know that I do offer a one on one phone consultation when you purchase the Ultimate Guide.
Bob
nichole @ 6:34 am
My husband and I are thinking of relocating to north Carolina from Ohio. We have 2 small children and a teen. Like to keep the small town feeling maybe rural yet close to water within a small drive. Any ideas
Bob @ 11:06 am
Hi Nichole,
Take a look at New Bern, NC; Summerville, SC; and Beaufort, SC. Also, there are some great small towns outside Charlotte on Lake Norman. For more information detailed information about living in NC visit our products page.
Bob
seekingchange @ 1:39 pm
Hello there…my family and I are looking to relocate to either NC or SC, from Miami, Fl. I lost my teaching contract over a year ago, and though I have previous HR Management experience, I have been unable to get a job in either field. My husband has not been able to find full time, permanent employment either and it is getting frustrating living here, as he's had to jump from one temporary position to another.
We have three children ages 9, 11, and 13, so safety, good schools, sports, and a family oriented community is a must. Cost of living must be inexpensive, as we need to "start over" again, and we must be able to find employment. Another thing that concerns us is prejudice…is there a problem with it in some parts of either states, as I look white, but my husband and the children look Hispanic. They are Cuban-American.
Thanks for any help, would be much appreciated! God bless you…
Bob @ 9:04 am
I'm sorry you're both without work! I know it's even harder with children involved. I would start out by looking into employment in the larger metro areas like Charlotte, NC, Raleigh/Durham, and Columbia, SC.
Get their local newspapers sent to you. After you find employment, you might then be in a better position to research other areas in the Carolinas, and take this step by step. If you stay in the metro areas you will find more tolerance for diversity. The most diverse city I've found is Asheville, NC.
Bob
Kelly @ 4:00 am
I am looking to relocate this summer to NC from Washington. I'm so glad I seen a post inquiring on "prejudice". I have been looking at the Greensboro and Raleigh/Durham areas. I have a bi-racial teenage daughter (black/white) and I am wondering about the acceptance of that in the area. In WA it is a major melting pot and very prevalent and not an issue at all. Can you giv eme any insight to this specifically on this and how about the High Schools in the areas. Is there a mixture of races or not so much. This is my major concern at this point and is there any areas that I should steer away from. Looking for a suburb, close to city, but not in city, safe, low crime. Thank you for your help!
Kelly
jeff @ 6:22 pm
Thinking of moving to NC with my wife and three kids (9,7, 2).. our middle child is a special needs child that needs services and I am looking for the communities with the BEST special education programs in the state. Any help or data on the subject would be greatly appreciated.. thank you
Bob @ 10:08 am
Hi Jeff,
Yours is a very specific situation. I'm sorry I don't have much information in that area so you're going to be best served by doing some research on the Internet. I wish I could help you more.
Good Luck and let me know what you find out. I'd love to share it with others that may need the information.
Bob
Bob @ 10:14 am
Hi Kelly,
I think staying closer to a metropolitan area will be helpful. Although small minded people exist in towns of all sizes, you'll be more likely to find people of diverse backgrounds in larger areas. Asheville is an exception. It's only a town of approximately 80,000 people, but it's the most diverse and tolerant area I've found in NC.
Bob
craig freeman @ 4:26 pm
Bob,
We might be interested in relocating to NC. My wife has friends in New Bern. I am a licensed master plumber and my wife is a middle/high school English teacher. We are still working even though our boys are older, so school issues for them are not needed. We live in Scituate, RI now which is a small town and our home sits on acreage. We would like to stay away from the newly developed sub divisions if possible, but like newer construction on larger parcels of land.
Tracey @ 4:11 pm
I am a single mom who works in the healthcare field looking to relocate to NC. My daughter will be going to college in few years so I am looking for an area that has the bigger city living but also rural area close and close enough drive to the beach. Right now I am within a reasonable drive to Pittsburgh Pa so this will be a huge change. I was looking at Raleigh area any other suggestions
Deb @ 11:53 pm
Hello Bob, We are looking to retire early and looking forward to our next life, the one we've worked so hard for. We live in a big city and both work very hard in our careers. We are dying for small, charming, historical looking main street lined with street side cafes, township where everyone knows everyone, solid middle class surroundings, an hour outside of a big city. Can you get us started with a town or 2 in NC?
Bob @ 10:20 am
Hi Deb,
There are quite a few places in North Carolina that would fit what I think you're looking for. It's hard to pinpoint them without getting some more info from you like, "Do You Need an Airport? Schools? Jobs? Recreation? Culture? Shopping, etc., etc.?"
There's 8-10 great towns outside Charlotte we should discuss, as well as New Bern, Asheville, and Hendersonville just to mention a few. If you skip over SC, you'd be missing some great places that could fit what you're looking for very well!
Bob
Bob @ 10:37 am
I'd look at New Bern, NC; Charleston, SC; and Beaufort, SC. Raleigh is quite a ride to the beach.If a Beautiful Lake would do, I'd definitely look at the many quaint small towns around Lake Norman,
outside Charlotte!
Bob
Bob @ 10:52 am
Hi Craig,
I contracted for 18 acres on the water in New Bern, so I know the entire area very well! If you haven't been there yet, you must go visit. It's a quaint lovely small town. However, that kind of living isn't for everyone.
I love it there, but not everyone would.
You will definitely find larger parcels of land available, and the weather is temperate. Quite an enjoyable place.
Bob
Savannah @ 12:35 pm
Hi, Bob,
My boyfriend and I are hoping to move out to NC in search of employment. We are recent college graduates with degrees in public policy and political science. We have always heard wonderful things about NC, and although D.C. might be more suited to our educational backgrounds, we are not too keen on living a high-stress lifestyle. Could you recommend any areas in NC that could be suited to our backgrounds, where we could commute into the city if necessary, but live somewhere peaceful and not too expensive?
Thank you!
Bob @ 9:03 am
Hi Savannah,
You're right…D.C. is way too crowded! Try to stay nearer to the Metro areas like Raleigh/Durham or Charlotte, NC. Or even Charleston, SC, if you and your boyfriend like the water.
Bob
Dane @ 6:59 pm
I am looking to relocate to the Carolina's leaning towards South Carolina but i do like the Raleigh-Durham area in NC and Charleston in SC what would be a better area for me i do like beach living, but Job market (sales/logistics) and social life are more important. I am a single straight white male 44yrs old, never married,no kids looking for a change in weather orig. from the NEast near Philadelphia,PA who knows maybe find a great girl to settle down with. thanks for the help….Dane
dee @ 1:17 pm
I am a seasoned realtor in the Charlotte and Union County area. My suggestion is come visit for a couple weeks, take the load off your shoulders, enjoy the various areas. This way you can better able to say if you want to live in the Carolinas. If you need assistance with finding places to stay during your visit or wants to see homes in certain areas that you find you like the most please contact me.
dee @ 1:26 pm
I also have several places of my own for rent or purchase. There is a little town called Marshville, NC in Union County. This town is very reasonable, hardly any crime, very home town feel, country setting, land and homes here in Marshville is still reasonable. Union County is one of the most fastest growing town in the US. Also, wants to mention the Monroe Bypass and Toll Road which have been approved and will start construction sometime this year. This influence alone will allow for some very good things to spur and growth not only in commerical but residential. Monroe Bypass will bring more businesses and people will have easy access to come and go from Charlotte to NC beaches using Monroe Bypass. I especially like the idea that the people in Marshville is very friendly and neighborly. The schools are very good and the farmers markets are a plus to mention. If you wish to come and visit and wants to meet with me to talk about your real estate needs, I can certainly meet with you. Thank you kindly for considering our beautiful state of North Carolina.
dee @ 1:28 pm
It is also a plus with the DNC coming to Charlotte, NC.
Bob @ 2:48 pm
Hi Dane,
I think you might be able to have your job and beach all wrapped up together in Charleston, SC.!
Go visit Charleston, get their local paper sent to you, Google "Jobs in South Carolina". The Raleigh area might provide better opportunities for you, but you'll never know until you start looking in these areas and kicking tires. Remember, the beach is pretty far away from Raleigh. You should also consider the Lake Norman area north of Charlotte. I don't sell any real estate, so I can be totally unbiased in recommending
places I feel would best fit what you’re looking for!
Looking forward to talking with you,
Bob
Savannah @ 2:04 pm
Dee, I would actually like to meet with you if possible when we are visiting NC to see if it's for us. We are recent graduates, so we don't have a ton of money, but we are hoping to look at some apartments/townhouses/reasonably priced homes for rent while we are in the area checking out the job market. Let me know if you'd be available at that time. Thank you!
Kelly @ 12:43 am
Hi Bob – My daughter and I just got back from a visit to Greensboro and I like the area, a little country/older/woodsy but liked it. Since we got back home I am continuing to research Greensboro and now the North & West areas of Raleigh. In researching statistics Greensboro seems to have a pretty high crime rate compared to other areas, do you have any feedback you can give me on this? Is this more central to certain areas or wide spread?
Kelly
Bob @ 8:58 am
Hi Kelly,
I would look at some of the smaller towns outside the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area. I'm assuming your daughter will need good local schools? I don't sell any real estate, so I can be totally unbiased in recommending places I feel would best fit what you’re looking for! My list of places to relocate or retire to in the Carolinas is a long one. It all depends on What’s Important To You. I've been helping people find their "best place" in the Carolinas for over 10 years!
When my family and I decided on the Carolinas as the place we wanted to retire to, I started looking in every nook and cranny for places that were affordable, had great lifestyles, and future value! I researched about 100 places and put them all together in my "Ultimate Guide", for people just like you who were just getting started and didn't know much about North Carolina or South Carolina or where to look for their best place.
Just not enough…However, I didn't feel that was enough to really get people on the right path, so I included a personal consultation with me when you purchase the "Ultimate Guide", so we could discuss what you're looking for and map out which places would fit!!
It covers all the things you need to know about…cost of living, jobs, schools, medical care, housing, crime, and tons more. Here's what one of my customers said about my "Ultimate Guide", "A must have for anyone moving to the Carolinas…it saved me lots of time and money. There are places in it I never knew had exactly what I was looking for" – Gary Curto
I've always felt an ounce of great information and the proper guidance, is worth its weight in gold (and that's worth a lot these days!). Especially when it's as important a decision as this.
Looking forward to talking with you,
Bob
Olivia @ 2:21 am
Hi Bob,
Where in the North Carolina Coastal region in your opinion, is your favorite? I'm looking to move there with my husband for our first home together. Is there anywhere that is between the Piedmont region and the coast? Thanks, Olivia.
Bob @ 12:23 pm
One of my favorites is New Bern, NC!! Beautiful temperate area with the friendliest people I've ever met.
Good Luck and if I can be of help, please email me.
Bob
Rachel @ 9:40 pm
North Carolina, as a whole, seems to get a bad rap in regards to crime, so safety would be of the utmost concern to me as a mother of two girls. Do you have any information on that or which towns are safe for raising a family in NC?
Michelle Roper @ 4:19 pm
I like Asheville, however, it is a little far from Charlotte. Are there any locations that are similar, where I can have an acre plus and a 3/2 for under 250K?
Bob @ 10:59 am
Hi Michelle,
Although I love Asheville, if you want to be closer to Charlotte, there are many places to consider that meet your needs. If you go to the search bar and type in Charlotte, all our articles and Carolina Reports about Charlotte will appear.
Be Well,
Bob
Emily @ 5:32 pm
Hi Emily, some of my favorite places in North Carolina are Gastonia and Bessemer City, both of which are very close to Charlotte. Oak Island is also a great town. The people are super nice! It is also only 20 or 30 minutes from Wilmington.
See you in the Carolinas,
Bob
Mrs. Ted Jervis @ 2:20 pm
Looking for a location in N. C., near Cary, that is advantageous for a retired couple, on a fixed income. Thank you!
Mrs. J.
Jen Brown @ 11:48 am
My family of 8(6 kids, ages 1-10)is considering a relocation to the North Carolina area. We currently live in Maine and I would love to feel like I'm still home somewhat. I don't need a huge lot, but would like room to play as I have a very active 9 year old boy. He loves baseball. I would like a pool but undderstand there are pools everywhere so as long as I'm near one that would be great. I would also like a somewhat private yard(not looking out my back window into someone elses window). Don't necessarily care about having somewhat close neighbors just not behind me. Education is very important to me!!! I have been looking near Charlotte and also the Raleigh area(without being in Raleigh). My husband can make lots more money down there doing what he does here and I need to look out for all of us and whats best. We also would be renting. Any suggestions of where is the best areas for families?
Bob @ 8:09 am
Hi Jen,
I don't sell any real estate, so I can be totally unbiased in recommending places that I feel would best fit what you’re looking for! My list of best places to relocate or retire to in the Carolinas is a long one. It all depends on What’s Important To You.
Looking forward to talking with you,
Bob
Ashley @ 11:12 pm
Hi,
My Family of 5 are moving to NC in November this year. My husband will be working in Charlotte. And we have been looking around Mooresville. Are there any nice little towns around there that we should check out. I want a place really family oriented and with great schools.
Also, what kind of stuff is there to do around there?
Bob @ 9:54 am
Hi Ashley,
There are probably 10-12 small towns in the Charlotte area I'd recommend. Check out the "Charlotte Report" in my products section, and see our videos and "search" previous blog posts in The Carolina Report. When you get the Charlotte Report, give me a call to pinpoint special towns.
Bob
Madalene Greco @ 12:36 pm
Hello,
We currently live in Westchester County, NY. (my husband and I). Not yet retired but the cost of living up here is killing us! We are planning to sell our condo up here and search the areas in such places at Belmont, Gastonia, Mt. Holly for a 2 BR 2 BA condo. Can anyone comment on any of these towns. How far are they from Charlotte, hospitals, doctors, shopping, movies, restaurants?
Thank you so much!
TEGAN @ 10:53 pm
Ok im looking to move to NC and i have 4 kids im trying to see what cities have the best school system and also have good sports for the young kids?
Tori Hodge @ 12:39 pm
Hi, I was thinking of relocating to Greenville Nc but I would love to truly know how is it? I've lived in North Carolina in the past (bertie county) so I've been to Greenville but its been alot of years since then. I'm looking for a big city but with a small city feel. Its me and my mom. She's in the medical field and im looking into enrolling in pcc. I'm in my 20's and she's in her 50's. Do you think greenville will be the best fit for us? Any advice will be greatly accepted. Thanks
Bob @ 9:36 am
Also, use the "search" feature on my site for Greenville. You'll find great information. And go watch my video on Greenville, SC. I really like that entire area!
Good Luck
Lonnie @ 12:36 pm
My husband and I would like to move to a warmer climate, we currently live in New York, but really want to have a lot of land as well as water views. Is that even possible in NC or SC? We have a large budget but are totally unfamiliar with that area of the Southeast. We have no interest in schools because our children are grown, but it is important to be relatively near the largest airports.
Bob @ 7:48 am
Hi Lonnie,
You certainly can have your cake and eat it too, in the Carolinas! There are plenty of beautiful areas where you can find open land, and be close to the water. The Ultimate Guide To Finding Your Best Places To Live In The Carolinas lists the areas in North and South Carolina based on mountains, Piedmont, and ocean. The guide also gives you another list with the lake areas.
Get a copy of it, and let's pinpoint specific areas that have exactly what you're looking for!
Bob
Kaitlin Kaliher @ 1:41 pm
Hi Bob!
This site has been so helpful to me in finding towns with good qualities in the Carolinas. I'm a teacher in my mid-twenties, considering relocating to NC in the summer of 2012. I've grown up in FL and don't like the weather here. I want seasons…especially snow and the changing of leaves!
Are there any specific towns you recommend for teachers, where you know they usually hire, especially in the summertime? Many school districts are so hard to get into, and obviously that may present a challenge.
I'm completely open to any suggestions and am appreciative of them! Thank you for this site.
Kaitlin
Tom Tabak @ 10:08 am
I am a Trauma Nurse in Miami. Getting very crazy to raise a new family looking for a change. I realize my income will drastically decline. What and where are the largest hospitals in NC area I could work for and where can I live
Thanks
Nursie214 @ 4:03 pm
We are looking for a family town in NC where we can find a nice house, with a decent amount of land, good schools for our kids, jobs for both my husband and I (he works with programming and computers, I'm an LPN with hopes of getting my RN in the near future) and have a budget of 150,000. Any suggestions?
Bob @ 11:18 am
There are many good hospitals in both North and South Carolina. I would locate near a teaching hospital like Mission Health in Asheville, NC. However, it also depends on the type and size area you want to live in.
Bob
Linda @ 12:43 pm
We are looking for a place to spend our retirement years that has the feel of a village or small town but is within 1 hour of Greensboro. Like the feel of places like New Bern but too far away from where we need to be. Got any suggestions?
Bob @ 9:27 am
Hi Linda,
WOW…There's not many people who know about wonderful New Bern! However, there are about 6-8 great, affordable towns just like New Bern all along Interstate 85 from Greensboro to Charlotte! Check out the section in NC Best Places about North Carolina Piedmont and you'll see a list of my picks.
Bob
Brian @ 8:59 pm
Hello,
My family and I (we have 5 yr.old daughter, 3 yr. old son, and another son on the way) are considering relocating from NH to NC and would love some feedback/advice on where in NC we should consider.
We are looking for:
-great place to raise a family
-good schools
-activites near by, i.e. shopping, food, etc.
Our price range is around $500,000.00.
Any help would be much appriciated.
Frank @ 5:03 pm
thoughts about making our retirment home salisbury north carolina. need help as to the city itself, cost of living, prorerty and the elements year round. need to be va hosp in salisbury. always have heard good about the city. living in syracuse ny right now. thank you for any helfp or input that anyone has/
Bob @ 11:04 am
Hi Frank,
I like the Salisbury, NC area! You should also consider Mooresville and the Lake Norman area. Another area very much like these but with a more temperate climate is New Bern, NC.
Bob
Amy @ 7:12 pm
Hi Bob. My husband and I and our two small children are looking to buy at home in NC. We would like to find an area between the mountains and the beaches, that is affordable and in a good area. Our price range is 150 to 200,000. Any suggestions on where to start? Thanks, Amy
Bob @ 11:06 am
Hi Amy,
I'm assuming schools will be a consideration based on the fact you say you have 2 small children. I'd look at places like New Bern, Charlotte (Lake Norman is beautiful), Wilmington, NC etc. I would also consider Summerville outside Charleston, SC. We can discuss your needs further and other places that would suit them.
Bob
Gladys @ 11:19 pm
We are here!!! From Maine to North Carolina for our retirement years. We wanted to still experience some seasonal change but not the awful winters that we had in Maine.
After much ado, checking places out, reading your articles and even had a one-on-one with you, we have just bought a home in Swansboro, NC. We wanted to be near the water, not in a big town BUT near some towns with more amenities. Living in Swansboro gives us the small town life but we are near the larger towns of Morehead City, New Bern and Jacksonville. For us this seems to be the perfect fit. Thanks, Bob, for all of your information and help.
Bob @ 9:22 am
Hi Gladys,
I am SOOOOOOO glad we could play a part in finding YOUR Best Place! Good Luck, Enjoy, and Be Well,
Bob
Tish @ 8:41 pm
Hi Bob,
my boyfriend is a 2nd lieutenant in the army, and hes being relocated to fort bragg. Do you know of any Gated apt. complex thats safe? or just all around good/nice to live? im living with him, we have a 1yr old daughter. Anything as close as possible to fort bragg or in fort bragg that you'd recommend?