Independent research on North Carolina and South Carolina: regions, towns, 55+ communities, taxes, insurance and risk, healthcare access, and the tradeoffs that matter. Not a brokerage and not a listings site.
Start with a state
North CarolinaA large, geographically layered state where retirement choices span mountains, the Piedmont metros, the Sandhills and a growing coast, each with a different cost, climate and healthcare profile.NC
South CarolinaSouth Carolina pairs a 2026 income tax restructuring, a 4 percent assessment ratio on owner-occupied homes and a property tax homestead exemption at 65 with a hurricane-exposed coast and an inland Upstate and Midlands.SC
Then a kind of place
Asheville & Western MountainsA Blue Ridge Mountains region of western North Carolina centered on Asheville in Buncombe County and Hendersonville in Henderson County, where steep terrain, winter weather, the effects of Hurricane Helene in September 2024 and an unusual property-revaluation sequence shape the retirement decision.NC
Triangle: Raleigh, Durham & Chapel HillThe Triangle is North Carolina's Piedmont research-and-university region, anchored by Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill across Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties, with major hospital systems, an international airport and no ocean or mountain exposure.NC
Wilmington & Cape FearSoutheastern North Carolina's Cape Fear coast, where the city of Wilmington in New Hanover County and fast-growing Brunswick County across the Cape Fear River hold most of the region's active-adult communities.NC
Outer BanksThe Dare County barrier islands of North Carolina's northeast coast, where year-round retirement means bridges and NC 12 for access, evacuation zones, flood and wind insurance, town beach nourishment taxes and one hospital serving a summer population many times its winter size.NC
Charleston & LowcountryCoastal South Carolina region centered on historic Charleston, with three 55+ communities: two in the Summerville area and one on the Cainhoy Peninsula within the City of Charleston.SC
Beaufort, Bluffton & Hilton HeadThe Lowcountry coast of southern South Carolina, pairing the barrier island of Hilton Head with mainland Bluffton and Hardeeville, where several large 55+ communities are located.SC
AshevilleThe largest city in Buncombe County in the North Carolina Blue Ridge, home to Asheville Regional Airport with nonstop service to 26 destinations and a central place in the state's Hurricane Helene recovery and in its 2026 property-revaluation dispute.NC
CharlotteMecklenburg County's central city, a large urban option for retirees who want in-city living near two major hospital systems, a major airport, county greenways and a 2027 property revaluation to plan around.NC
WilmingtonThe port city and county seat of New Hanover County on the Cape Fear River, whose retirement housing includes resale-only active-adult neighborhoods such as the Del Webb neighborhood at Riverlights.NC
CharlestonHistoric coastal city whose limits span Charleston and Berkeley Counties and include the Point Hope area of the Cainhoy Peninsula, where Del Webb is selling a 55+ community.SC
Hilton Head IslandA barrier island in Beaufort County with its own hospital and airport, whose main retirement tradeoff is ocean access against hurricane evacuation dependence on US 278.SC
GreenvilleSouth Carolina's Upstate hub, with a walkable downtown on the Reedy River, the region's largest referral hospital and its main airport within driving distance.SC
Sun City Hilton HeadA large Del Webb 55+ community with a Bluffton address, opened in 1995, with three golf courses and recorded CC&Rs requiring a resident aged 55 or older.
Carolina ArborsA Del Webb 55+ community of 1,292 main-floor-living homes in Durham, with Piedmont Hall, a 37,000 square foot community center, indoor and outdoor pools and racquet courts.
Del Webb at Cane BayGated 55+ active-adult community on 360 acres at 325 Palmetto Point Drive, Summerville, built out in 2017 with about 1,000 homes, per its association site and secondary sources.
Del Webb Wilmington at Mallory CreekA Del Webb 55+ community of ranch-style single-family homes in Leland, with an amenity clubhouse, indoor and outdoor pools and pickleball courts.