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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

Wake Forest, Wake Forest — Settle here

#1

Wake Forest

Settle here

Wake Forest, NC

Price

$420K

Schools

7.5/10

Walk

48/100

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#2

Fuquay Varina

Settle here

Fuquay Varina, NC

Price

$340K

Schools

8.5/10

Walk

25/100

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#3

Clayton

Settle here

Clayton, NC

Price

$370K

Schools

8.2/10

Walk

25/100

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#4

South Lakes Fuquay Varina

Good for now

South Lakes Fuquay Varina, NC

Price

$375K

Schools

9/10

Walk

25/100

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#5

Chapel Hill

Good for now

Chapel Hill, NC

Price

$550K

Schools

7.1/10

Walk

35/100

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#6

Hickory

Good for now

Hickory, NC

Price

$340K

Schools

7/10

Walk

19/100

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#7

Apex

Settle here

Apex, NC

Price

$430K

Schools

8.3/10

Walk

24/100

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#8

New Hill

Settle here

New Hill, NC

Price

$550K

Schools

9/10

Walk

30/100

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#9

Raleigh

Settle here

Raleigh, NC

Price

$420K

Schools

7.4/10

Walk

18/100

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#10

Charlotte

Good for now

Charlotte, NC

Price

$392K

Schools

7.3/10

Walk

82/100

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#11

Matthews

Settle here

Matthews, NC

Price

$550K

Schools

7/10

Walk

24/100

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#12

Belmont

Settle here

Belmont, NC

Price

$420K

Schools

7.4/10

Walk

15/100

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#13

Cary

Good for now

Cary, NC

Price

$373K

Schools

8.1/10

Walk

44/100

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#14

Denver

Settle here

Denver, NC

Price

$430K

Schools

8.6/10

Walk

14/100

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#15

Bolivia

Good for now

Bolivia, NC

Price

$230K

Schools

8.6/10

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#16

Garner

Settle here

Garner, NC

Price

$340K

Schools

7/10

Walk

6/100

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#17

Tryon

Settle here

Tryon, NC

Price

$430K

Schools

4.9/10

Walk

11/100

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#18

Maggie Valley

Good for now

Maggie Valley, NC

Price

$425K

Schools

6/10

Walk

10/100

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#19

Indian Trail

Settle here

Indian Trail, NC

Price

$330K

Schools

7.9/10

Walk

36/100

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#20

Hampstead

Good for now

Hampstead, NC

Price

$320K

Schools

8/10

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#21

Asheville

Good for now

Asheville, NC

Price

$550K

Schools

6/10

Walk

48/100

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#22

Leland

Settle here

Leland, NC

Price

$350K

Schools

6.2/10

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#23

Hillsborough

Good for now

Hillsborough, NC

Price

$285K

Schools

7.4/10

Walk

29/100

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#24

Pittsboro

Good for now

Pittsboro, NC

Price

$430K

Schools

8.5/10

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#25

Hope Valley Durham

Settle here

Hope Valley Durham, NC

Price

$450K

Schools

4/10

View report →
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