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WYLT Rankings · 2026

Best neighborhoods for retirees
in North Carolina

Ranked by safety, affordability, and livability — neighborhoods with low crime and manageable costs.

✓ Safety
✓ Affordability
✓ Walkability
25 neighborhoods ranked
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families💻 Remote Workers🌅 Retirees🔑 First-Time Buyers

#1 Pick for Retirees in North Carolina

Hickory, Hickory — Good for now

#1

Hickory

Good for now

Hickory, NC

Price

$262K

Schools

6.8/10

Walk

55/100

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#2

Greensboro

Good for now

Greensboro, NC

Price

$157K

Schools

6.4/10

Walk

80/100

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#3

Garner

Settle here

Garner, NC

Price

$356K

Schools

7.9/10

Walk

55/100

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#4

Apex

Settle here

Apex, NC

Price

$551K

Schools

8.5/10

Walk

68/100

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#5

Asheville

Good for now

Asheville, NC

Price

$359K

Schools

6/10

Walk

87/100

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#6

Belmont

Settle here

Belmont, NC

Price

$374K

Schools

8.3/10

Walk

54/100

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#7

Chapel Hill

Settle here

Chapel Hill, NC

Price

$664K

Schools

7.9/10

Walk

71/100

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#8

Fuquay Varina

Settle here

Fuquay Varina, NC

Price

$414K

Schools

9/10

Walk

51/100

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#9

South Lakes Fuquay Varina

Good for now

South Lakes Fuquay Varina, NC

Price

$414K

Schools

9/10

Walk

51/100

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#10

Calabash

Good for now

Calabash, NC

Price

$309K

Schools

7/10

Walk

41/100

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#11

Cary

Good for now

Cary, NC

Price

$456K

Schools

8.2/10

Walk

82/100

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#12

Raleigh

Settle here

Raleigh, NC

Price

$349K

Schools

8.3/10

Walk

41/100

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#13

Mebane

Settle here

Mebane, NC

Price

$312K

Schools

6/10

Walk

68/100

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#14

Canton

Good for now

Canton, NC

Price

$238K

Schools

6.1/10

Walk

28/100

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#15

Clayton

Settle here

Clayton, NC

Price

$321K

Schools

8.1/10

Walk

32/100

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#16

Maggie Valley

Good for now

Maggie Valley, NC

Price

$314K

Schools

6.3/10

Walk

31/100

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#17

Aberdeen

Good for now

Aberdeen, NC

Price

$303K

Schools

7.8/10

Walk

29/100

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#18

Bolivia

Good for now

Bolivia, NC

Price

$295K

Schools

6.3/10

Walk

26/100

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#19

Holly Springs

Settle here

Holly Springs, NC

Price

$523K

Schools

9/10

Walk

41/100

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#20

Hampstead

Good for now

Hampstead, NC

Price

$392K

Schools

7.8/10

Walk

32/100

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#21

Swannanoa

Good for now

Swannanoa, NC

Price

$303K

Schools

6.1/10

Walk

26/100

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#22

Flat Rock

Settle here

Flat Rock, NC

Price

$198K

Schools

6.1/10

Walk

19/100

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#23

Tryon

Settle here

Tryon, NC

Price

$345K

Schools

5/10

Walk

28/100

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#24

Wake Forest

Settle here

Wake Forest, NC

Price

$498K

Schools

8.7/10

Walk

38/100

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#25

Harmony

Good for now

Harmony, NC

Price

$153K

Schools

6.4/10

Walk

14/100

View report →
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