North Carolina has year-round mild weather, beaches, and the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. There is something for every retiree in college towns, historic cities, rural villages, and coastal locales, which provide a variety of lifestyles and beautiful locations phrazle to live. North Carolina is a great destination to retire because of more than just its varied cities and breathtaking scenery. State income tax is also very low, at 5.25 percent, and there is no state tax on Social Security payments.

We took into account ratings from Niche.com, which rates cities with a letter grade based on factors like crime, weather, outdoor activities, housing accessibility, cost of living, and more. We also took into account additional data on housing costs, safety ratings, and neighboring amenities. This helped us determine the best places to retire in North Carolina.

Duck, an Outer Banks city, may be the perfect retirement destination if you like the beach, a laid-back lifestyle, and a small-town feel. Along with a mile-long promenade for eating, shopping, and morning strolls, there are free guided tours available to teach visitors about the island's ecology and animals. A jazz festival, an Independence Day parade, a winter holiday celebration, summer concerts, and outdoor fitness classes are just a few of the local activities.

Duck has excellent ratings from Niche.com for safety, nightlife, and housing metrics. Redfin.com reports that Duck's total cost of living is around 5% less than the national average. Belmont is a desirable retirement location for those who value natural recreation, history, and the benefits of living close to a bigger metropolis. About 12 miles west of Charlotte, the expanding city of Belmont is situated. Due to its exquisite old architecture, the Downtown Belmont Historic District is included on the National Register of Historic Places. Two universities, Belmont Abbey College and Gaston College, provide a young aspect to the community. 

Belmont's cost of living is somewhat lower than the national average, according statistics from Salary.com and BestPlaces.net, and the city has an overall Niche.com grade of A. Pinehurst may be the ideal location for you if you want to play golf after you retire. Pinehurst is conveniently situated two hours from the coast, three hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, and one hour from Raleigh. It is well-known for its golf courses and quaint small-town charm. Beyond golf, the larger Sandhill region offers outdoor pursuits, museums, art galleries, vineyards, and farms to explore. In addition, the Village of Pinehurst provides an array of adult programs.