Have you started the countdown yet? Do you know how many work days are left before you finally can retire and set out on that big adventure? Whether that day is just around the corner, or still several years and maybe a couple of decades away, it’s always fun to fantasize about your future.
The online magazine Moneywise recently set out to discover the places on the east coast where your retirement dollar will go the farthest. They put together a list of their top 50 picks. They considered every town from the Canadian border all the way south to the beaches of Florida. Several locations located here in North Carolina, including four in the Cape Fear Region, made the list.
Just For Buyers Realty agents know each of these towns very well, and are experienced in helping folks relocate in retirement.
Whether you are looking to spend your golden years with your toes in the sand, swinging a golf club, making new friends in a large planned development, here are the four towns in the Cape Fear that Moneywise says should be on your list.
Carolina Shores, North Carolina
Retirees will be in good company in Carolina Shores, where the median age is 64. Outdoor enthusiasts will be drawn to the coastal community and its easy access to seafood restaurants, barrier islands, and easy access to both Wilmington and Myrtle Beach.
Population: 4,163 (21% age 55-64 and 46% age 65+)
Median household income: $63,048
Median home value: $193,100 (94% own)
Median rent: $1,513 (6% rent)
Southport, North Carolina
Southport is ideal for anyone who enjoys nautical life. There’s no shortage of bucolic cottages, wooden boardwalks, and nature trails to explore in Southport. The restaurants and stores in the charming downtown area greet folks arriving by car or boat. The annual 4th of July celebration is the largest in North Carolina.
Population: 3,739 (16% age 55-64 and 35% age 65+)
Median household income: $52,917
Median home value: $252,600 (77% own)
Median rent: $980 (23% rent)
St. James, North Carolina
St. James is a town located a few miles from Southport. The community features a beach club and marina, along with golf courses, tennis courts, and swimming pools.
Population: 5,521 (25% age 55-64 and 65% age 65+)
Median household income: $104,850
Median home value: $456,600 (95% own)
Median rent: $1,862 (5% rent)
Sunset Beach, North Carolina
Sunset Beach is located on the south end of the Brunswick County Islands. It has been listed on National Geographic’s 21 Best Beaches in the World. In addition to the beach, retirees have access to golf, museums, restaurants, kayaking, and several small boutiques.
Population: 3,901 (20% age 55-64 and 51% age 65+)
Median household income: $57,265
Median home value: $267,900 (86% own)
Median rent: $1,232 (14% rent)