Are you looking for a place to spend your golden years? Are you also looking for a place where you can enjoy life and still be full of vigor thanks to things to do? If so, then you might want to consideractive retirement in North Carolina. The Tarheel State might not look that big on a map, but it can take a full 12 hours or more to drive across, which is coincidentally how long it takes to drive to either Miami or New York from there, making it a great central Atlantic Coast location for travelling up and down the Eastern United States.
The state has three distinct geographic regions which can lend themselves well to an active and enjoyable retirement.
The Coast: The state is famous for its Outer Banks. Far from the only barrier islands in the world, they are among the most unique in how far out to sea they sit, often not being able to see the mainland from them. You can visit the USS North Carolina WWII battleship memorial in Wilmington, scale the steps of Cape Hatteras lighthouse, or visit Kitty Hawk where the Wright Brothers took the first-ever airplane flight. There are also hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches, ranging from crowded city fronts with piers to untouched stretches of undeveloped coastline in parks.
The Piedmont: The rolling hills of the central Piedmont region are home to some of the biggest cities in the state, including the Queen City of Charlotte and the Triangle area of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Charlotte is home to several professional sports and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, as well as the National Whitewater Center and Carowinds, the largest amusement park in the Carolinas. Swing through Asheboro for one of the world’s biggest outdoor zoos. The Triangle area is home to numerous colleges and universities where you can keep your lifelong learning going or just enjoy the many athletic events and competitions.
The Mountains: The western end of the state is home to some of the tallest Appalachian Mountains, including Mt. Mitchell, the highest mountain east of the Mississippi. During the winter, several ski resorts are active. In the spring, rhododendrons bloom, offering a stark beauty at high elevations. In the fall, the brief peak of foliage offers a stunning display of color that draws in visitors from near and far. Summer is when most love coming here, as the days are long and beautiful with mild temperatures and low humidity. Make sure to visit Asheville and see the Biltmore Estate.
active retirement in North Carolina doesn’t just have to involve travelling around and enjoying the many activities there are here. North Carolina ranks 9th in the nation in terms of population, so there are plenty of people to meet and make friends with. Also, given how huge tourism is in the coastal areas and the mountains, there’s plenty of seasonal work available if you want your active retirement to include working at least some of the time.