WHY RETIRE IN THE TRIANGLE* AREA?

*(historically, Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill made up the "Research Triangle," or "Triangle," but that term now also encompasses Cary, Wake Forest, and many smaller area towns)

Here are what I think are the top 5 reasons you should consider retiring here:

1) HOUSING (specifically, the variety for retirees, and cost) 

The Triangle has just about any kind of house and neighborhood you can think of, including a plethora of golf communities and a good number of active adult and maintenance-free homes with either one or one-and-a-half stories.

Houses in this area cost much, much less than what they go for in NY, NJ, CA, FL, the Washington DC area or any other major city. Type in your housing criteria and see for yourself.

2) WEATHER

If you live anywhere north or west of NC, your utility bills here will probably be half of what you pay now in the winter ... and our "cold weather" lasts less than 3 months!

The springs and falls in Carolina are just glorious. And they last for months, not weeks. We get a full range of seasons here -- the air gets brisk, and the leaves turn colors and fall off the trees in autumn; it gets cold (40s) and occasionally snows in winter; but the landscape becomes lush and almost tropical in the spring and summer. And no matter what month it is, the sun is never gone for very long.

3) HEALTHCARE

The Triangle has outstanding healthcare facilities in the Duke, UNC, WakeMed and Rex Hospital centers. All are nationally recognized for excellence overall and in many specialty areas. And many retirement communities have continuing care programs on-site as well.

4) TAXES

County and city property taxes (combined) in the NC Triangle area are just a small percentage of a home's assessed value:

Raleigh/Cary/Apex - max 1% (many towns are more like .8%)

Durham - 1.4% 

Chapel Hill - 1.6%   

5) THINGS TO DO

The Triangle area has an almost embarrasing wealth of things to do -- from golf to the performing arts to fairs and festivals, we got it. We have two big lakes for recreation, lots of college and professional sports to watch, fabulous weekly flea and farmer's markets, and several nice malls for shopping. Duke University, NC State and UNC Chapel Hill pull in wonderful speakers, musicians and other performers, all open to the public.  Request a relocation package from me and you can read about all there is to do ...

Now,

OR

Click below for links to the following kinds of communities:

Golf Communities

Independent Living & Maintenance-Free Homes

Independent Living & Maintenance Free Homes

Ashbury Crossing – Mebane (pronounced “mebbin,” it’s a few miles north west of Durham)

A new active adult 55+ community -- condos start in the $130s and the 78 attached cottages start in the $180s (both 2 and 3 bedroom models are available). All homes are one floor living. 

The community has a fitness center and pool, a computer room and a library.

Buckhaven – Fuquay Varina

Buckhaven is a brand new community of maintenance-free homes with 2 home ownership options:  one-story patio homes with garages and sunrooms starting in the $180s, and one and two story townhomes with garages starting in the $120s. 

Carolina Preserve – Cary

Carolina Preserve is located in Amberly, a new upscale community in Cary made up of seven different neighborhoods (Carolina Preserve is the only neighborhood of the seven that is an adults-only community).  About 1300 houses are planned for Carolina Preserve, in three different styles.  House prices are between $200,000 - $400,000. 

Carolina Preserve residents have their own sumptuous club house and pool, but they also have access to Amberly’s Amenity Center, swimming pools, gym and amphitheater, with shopping and dining options within walking distance.  Residents must be 55 or older.

A variety of home ownership options with dining, healthcare and shopping within walking distance.  The Cedars is located in Meadowmont, a gorgeous mixed-use community.  House prices start at $382,100 and monthly fees start at $2,000 (depending on what kind of house you purchase).  The monthly fee covers all meals, security, weekly housekeeping, linen service, transportation to events and shopping, high speed Internet in every home, and a full calendar of events planned by a wellness director. 

If a resident moves to health center, the first 90 days are free except for the price of 2 meals a day.  After that period, the healthcare cost is not free but is discounted (the Cedars estimates the cost is approx 50% less than care in a similar facility).  Minimum age to apply is 62 (for all parties in the residence).

Chapelwood - Chapel Hill

Chapelwood homes go from $355,000 - $450,000 and feature all brick exteriors and single story plans ranging from 1,820 – 2,577 square feet.  All the homes have three bedrooms, two or more baths, sunrooms, covered porches, and 2-car garages.  The community emphasizes green building techniques and is Energy Star and "green" certified. Chapelwood features lot of sidewalks that connect to the pool, tennis courts, and walking trails (new walking trails have been cut in the almost 30% of undeveloped land Chapelwood has designated to complement the neighborhood).  Minutes to shopping, golf, restaurants and UNC.

The Cypress of Raleigh – Raleigh

Cottages and villas for ownership on a 48 acre campus with 2 miles of walking paths.  Amenities include salons, housekeeping service, multiple dining options, an art studio, a computer lab and library, and concierge service.  On-site healthcare and wellness centers of all levels are available. 

Heritage Spring – Wake Forest

Heritage Spring has 48 maintenance-free one and two story attached cottages.  the homes were built by Centrum Homes and designed for adults aged 55 and up; they have first floor master bedroom suites and 2-car garages.  This neighborhood is part of a larger community, Heritage Wake Forest, which features swimming and tennis clubs, walking trails, parks and dining options.  Houses are priced in the low $200s.

Holt Lake West – Four Oaks (Johnson County)

This 15-acre lakeside community has single-level low maintence homes starting in the $180s.

Ivy Hall - Raleigh

A maintenance-free community of one-story brick patio homes with 2-car garages priced from the $220s.  Exterior maintenance and lawncare is included in the HOA.  Community center and pool were just finished. 

The Orchard Villas - Apex

Luxury ranch villas (sold as condos) from the upper $200s, with exterior maintenance provided.  Amenities include a clubhouse, fitness center and pool.

Potterstone Village - Pittsboro

Located in small town Pittsboro, in bucolic Chatham county (about 30 minutes from Chapel Hill and Durham), Potterstone Village has custom built homes on 1/3 to over 1/2 acre wooded home sites.  Three bedroom, first floor master suite homes with second story bonus rooms are priced in the mid to high $200s.  Amenities include a number of ponds and walking trails, a community pool and clubhouse.

SearStone - Cary

The SearStone community features four different kinds of residences with numerous floor plans available in each, and prices start at $233,000.  Part of SearStone's membership is a care program, and they have two different options:  "Life Care," which has a long term care component to it, and a fee-for-services option.  At least one resident in each household must be 62.

Summerwind Plantation – Clayton (being designed now)

A variety of housing options with in-home services available (every house comes with golf cart) and a 50,000 sq ft wellness center.

The Village at Aversboro - Garner

The Village at Aversboro is a 55+ independent living community with all-brick detached ranch houses.  Four custom builders designed and built the houses, which feature 2-car garages and sunrooms.  The homes start in the $260s, and the $100/mo HOA dues cover lawncare.  Community features include a clubhouse, trails to Lake Benson Park and convenience shopping within walking distance.

The Villas at Johnson’s Landing - Angier

Located in southern Wake County, this community is made up of three neighborhoods -- the low maintenance villa and patio homes start in the $220s, and the Victorian homes are priced from the $250s to the $350s.  Amenities include a 10-acre pond, a large, lakefront lodge/clubhouse, a swimming pool with pool house, and fishing piers and walking paths.

Villas of Wake Forest – Wake Forest

The Villas of Wake Forest are 144 ranch-style luxury condos built by Cornerstone and priced from the low to mid $200s.  The community provides all exterior maintenance, and amenities include a clubhouse, a heated swimming pool and well-equipped fitness center.

Weatherstone Creek - Cary

A condo community in the heart of Cary with workout facilities and medical facilities.  Two and three bedroom units with terraces and screened porches are available starting in the $150s