For Anyone Asking Themselves: Why Should I Move To North Carolina?
If you are wondering why you should move to North Carolina, you have come to the right place. First, let me address the question head-on.
Why Move To North Carolina?
North Carolina is an excellent place to move because of its robust economy, modest cost of living, top-notch higher education options, attractive climate, and access to quality health care. Furthermore, residents love the state’s natural beauty, abundant recreational opportunities, good food, southern hospitality, and cultural attractions.
Next, I will highlight 25 reasons to move to North Carolina that support my answer. By reading on, you will learn all about living in North Carolina.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
1. Move To North Carolina Because It’s Easy To Explore
You can drive across the entire state from East to West in about six and a half hours. Watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and hike the Blue Ridge Mountains later the same day. Everything in the state is very accessible.
2. Relocate To North Carolina For Its Rich History
The state has a patriotic feel and a rich history. It is one of the original 13 colonies. There are dozens of historical sites and civil war battlefields to explore.
3. Head To North Carolina For The Many Lifestyle Choices
The state has big cities, hundreds of small towns, mountain villages, and coastal communities. You can find a place to move for whatever lifestyle you desire.
4. Migrate To North Carolina For The Robust Economy
The state’s economy is one of the top 10 most significant of all states in the country and also one of the fastest growing.
Source: Wikipedia – List of U.S. States and territories by GDP
5. Move To North Carolina For Job Opportunities
The state has a low unemployment rate (typically 3.5-5%). And the job market bounces back quickly after recessions.
Source: Statista – Unemployment rate in North Carolina from 1992 to 2022
6. Call North Carolina Home Because It Has A Major Banking Center
Charlotte is the third largest banking center in the United States.
Source: PocketSense – Financial Hubs of the U.S.
7. Relocate To North Carolina For Its Military Community
The coastal community of Jacksonville is a military town and home to Camp Lejeune. Thus, many residents are affiliated with the military, making it a patriotic place to live.
8. People Are Moving To North Carolina’s Research Triangle
Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill form the research triangle region in the state’s center. The area is home to some of the world’s top universities, technology businesses, and healthcare companies.
9. North Carolinians Have Access To World-Class Higher Education
The state is home to world-renowned centers of research, higher education, and learning, including:
- North Carolina State University
- University of North Carolina
- Duke University
- Appalachian State University
10. Leave Your State For North Carolina’s Modest Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living runs about 4% less than the national average.
Source: Missouri Economic Research and Information Center
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11. Retire In North Carolina Because Of The Tax Breaks For Seniors
North Carolina is tax-friendly for retirees offering the following tax breaks for qualifying seniors:
- Tax-free social security benefits
- No tax on military retirement pay
- Zero estate and inheritance taxes
- Homestead property tax exemption
12. Pack Up For North Carolina Because Income Tax Rates Are Going Down
If you aren’t retired, no worries. The state’s flat income tax rate is decreasing for everyone’s benefit, as shown in the table below.
| Tax Year | Income Tax Rate |
| 2015-16 | 5.75% |
| 2017-18 | 5.5% |
| 2019-21 | 5.25% |
| 2023 | 4.75% |
| 2024 | 4.6% |
| 2025 | 4.5% |
| 2026 | 4.25% |
| 2027 & beyond | 3.99% |
13. Make A Move To North Carolina For Its Low Property Taxes
The state has one of the top 20 lowest effective real estate tax rates at .8%.
Source: WalletHub – Property Taxes by State
14. You Should Move To North Carolina For The Mild Winters
The winter temperatures are rarely extreme. High temperatures during the coldest months routinely reach into the 40s. High winter temps in the 50s are typical in many parts of the state.
15. Relocate To North Carolina For The Stunning Fall Foliage
My favorite of the four seasons here is autumn. The fall brings brilliant red, gold, and orange leaves between late September and November. It’s one of the best places to enjoy the turning leaves in the United States.
16. People Are Moving To North Carolina Because Of The Mountains
The western region of the state is home to two stunning mountain ranges. The Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains are beautiful places to explore nature.
17. Move To North Carolina For The Ocean Coastline
After moving, enjoy the state’s 322 miles of shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. Most notably, the Outer Banks’ open-sea beaches and state parks are excellent destinations for visitors.
18. A Reason To Move To North Carolina Is The Sandy Beaches
Along the coast, there are more than 25 distinct beaches. Each beach offers visitors, surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers a unique experience.
19. Everyone Is Moving To North Carolina For Outdoor Recreation
Mountains, coastlines, forests, lakes, rivers, and streams provide the perfect setting for outdoor recreation.
- Boat
- Fish
- Swim
- Hike
- Bike
- Camp
Your imagination is the only limit to what you can do outdoors here.
20. Start Packing For North Carolina If You Like Professional Sports
Head to the stadium or relax on the couch to root on your favorite pro sports team. Choose from:
- NHL hockey: The Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh
- NFL Football: The Carolina Panthers in Charlotte
- NBA basketball: The Charlotte Hornets
- NWSL women’s soccer: The North Carolina Courage in Cary
- USL men’s soccer: North Carolina FC in Cary
- NASCAR at the Charlotte Motor Speedway
21. Get Moving To North Carolina For Its Arts And Culture
The state offers plenty of chances to enjoy the arts and culture. Several examples include:
- Asheville Art Museum
- Biltmore Estate in Asheville
- Battleship Museum in Wilmington
- Carolina Shakespeare Festival in Greensboro
- Folk art and music of the Appalachians
- Museum of Art in Raleigh
- North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh
22. Come Home To North Carolina For The Good Southern Food
The state boasts some tasty regional dishes and drinks to enjoy.
- Barbecue
- Biscuits
- Collard greens
- Country ham
- Craft beer
- Fried chicken
- Fried green tomatoes
- Grits
- Hush puppies
- Macaroni & cheese
- Mountain trout
- Ocean Seafood
- Sweet potato pie
23. Settle Your Family In North Carolina For The High-Quality Health Care
The state is home to several excellent medical schools, namely:
- Duke University
- East Carolina University
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Wake Forest University
The Duke University Medical Center and the UNC Hospital system are highly respected healthcare centers serving thousands of patients annually.
24. People Are Moving To North Carolina Because It’s A Great Place To Retire
The modest cost of living, tax breaks for seniors, mild climate, access to quality health care, and abundance of recreational opportunities make North Carolina a great place to retire.
25. After Moving To North Carolina, You Will Meet Lots Of Friendly People
The state’s residents are friendly, warm, and welcoming. And you won’t be too far north to experience some southern charm.
Okay. That’s all I have for today. Here’s a recap. But first, enjoy this image and save it to Pinterest!
Why Move To North Carolina?
Why do people move to North Carolina? Now you know.
Should you move to North Carolina? I can’t say. That’s for you to decide because moving to North Carolina isn’t right for everyone.
To help you think it over, I summarized the above points for your consideration.
25 Reasons To Move To North Carolina
- Easy to explore
- Rich in history
- Lots of lifestyle choices
- Robust economy
- Plenty of jobs
- A significant banking center
- A military hub
- The research triangle
- World-class higher education
- A modest cost of living
- Tax breaks for seniors
- Income tax rate reductions
- Low property taxes
- Mild winters
- Stunning fall foliage
- Major mountain ranges
- Miles of ocean coastline
- Sandy beaches
- Lots of outdoor recreation
- Plenty of pros sports teams
- Abundant arts and culture
- Good Southern food
- High-quality healthcare
- Great places to retire
- Friendly people
Best of luck, no matter where you choose to settle down.
Author Bio, Disclosure, & Disclaimer: Please join me (Tom) as I try to achieve my goals, find my next place to live, and make the most of my money. However, I am not a licensed investment adviser, financial counselor, real estate agent, or tax professional. Instead, I’m a 50-something-year-old, early retired CPA, finance professional, and business school teacher with 40+ years of DIY dividend investing experience. I’m here only to share my thoughts about essential topics for success. As a result, nothing published on this site should be considered individual investment, financial, tax, or real estate advice. This site’s only purpose is general information & entertainment. Thus, neither I nor Dividends Diversify can be held liable for losses suffered by any party because of the information published on this website. Finally, all written content is the property of Dividends Diversify LLC. Unauthorized publication elsewhere is strictly prohibited.