Raleigh and Charlotte Shine Bright on Retirement Rankings!
It’s a beautiful day in the Tar Heel State! Residents of Raleigh and Charlotte have reason to celebrate as both cities recently snagged top spots on the 2025 Best Places to Retire list. According to a comprehensive assessment, Raleigh was named the sixth-best place to retire, while Charlotte followed closely at the ninth-best—what a fantastic achievement!
A Closer Look at the Rankings
If you’ve ever wondered what makes a place ideal for retirement, wonder no more! The U.S. News & World Report evaluated several popular cities across the country using a variety of criteria. They assessed everything from happiness and healthcare quality to affordability and the local job market.
Here’s what went into the mix:
- Happiness (27%): They looked at crime rates, air quality, and overall well-being.
- Affordability (25%): This considered costs related to housing and everyday expenses.
- Health Care Quality (15%): Data from best hospitals helped paint a picture of healthcare options.
- Retiree Taxes (13%): The impact of state taxes on Social Security income was assessed here.
- Desirability (12%): Surveys about desirability, weather, and attractions factored in.
- Job Market (8%): This looked at the ease of finding employment and potential earnings.
More Rankings from Across the Tar Heel State
But Raleigh and Charlotte aren’t alone in their glory! Here’s how some other North Carolina cities fared:
- Hickory: No. 39
- Greensboro: No. 60
- Winston-Salem: No. 64
- Asheville: No. 104
- Fayetteville: No. 119
These results show that North Carolina is definitely a retirement-friendly state with a variety of great options!
What Makes Raleigh and Charlotte Special?
Raleigh is well-known for its vibrant cultural scene and outdoor activities, not to mention the lovely parks and friendly neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Charlotte boasts a bustling economy and ripe opportunities for leisure and lifestyle. Both cities have been previously recognized for being some of the most attractive places to live—who wouldn’t want to settle down in such fantastic locales?
In a delightful twist, the Research Triangle area, which includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, was labeled the best metropolitan area for hiring baby boomers in 2022. It seems like these cities are steadily climbing the ranks when it comes to the best conditions for older folks!
The Top 10 Cities to Retire
For those curious to see where Raleigh and Charlotte stand among the competition, here’s a snapshot of the top ten places to retire:
- Naples, Florida
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- New York City, New York
- Sarasota, Florida
- Boise, Idaho
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Huntsville, Alabama
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Fort Wayne, Indiana
Final Thoughts
With the sun shining on these rankings, it’s no wonder that people are considering making a move to Raleigh or Charlotte during their golden years. Both cities offer a mix of affordability, healthcare, and quality of life that is simply hard to beat!
So, whether you’re already a NC local or considering a new chapter in the Tar Heel State, Raleigh and Charlotte certainly have a lot to flaunt. Happy retiring!
