Affordable Small Towns With Big Value In The Carolinas

One way to find an affordable lifestyle in North and South Carolina is to look at their many small charming towns. They're a good bet whether you're retiring or relocating to the Carolinas.

I like to find small towns with active communities, just outside the larger metropolitan areas, or small towns within close proximity to other small towns, or small towns with colleges in them. These situations give you the advantage of small town living, but with big town services. 

When I say small towns, I'm talking about towns of approximately 10 - 30,000 people.  Towns like Banner Elk, Blowing Rock and Boone in North Carolina are great examples of living in a "cluster" of smaller towns that have a lot to offer.

The western part of North Carolina also has some of the best places in the Carolina's, like Cashiers, Fontana Lake, Bryson City and Waynesville.

One of my very favorites is New Bern, North Carolina. It's one of the best places I've been to in the Carolinas. It's a quaint small town with a historic housing stock and beautiful open spaces. The Neuse and Trent Rivers come together in the middle of Town. It's gorgeous!

Although it's still considered a small town, you won't lack for shopping, culture and great restaurants. The ocean is only 40 minutes away and the Pamlico sound is right next door. And the people are some of the nicest I've ever met!

In South Carolina, you'll find beautiful, quaint, small town living in places like Anderson, Beaufort, Summerville, and Georgetown, SC

Today, people are interested in living just outside small towns where they can walk to shopping, restaurants, and activities.  Especially with the price of gas!

Small towns in the Carolina's have become very popular for relocating empty-nesters, as well as boomer retirees.  There's usually a greater sense of "community" in these towns, and opportunities to get involved as a volunteer or civic leader.  Other advantages include less traffic, more affordable housing and usually lower taxes.  You might also find some great old houses just waiting for you to restore them. 

Whether you're relocating to the Carolina's or looking for an active adult retirement community, there's a small town that could be just right for you.

But wait, I must also tell you the downside.  You won't find as much diversity in the people, you might be considered an "outsider" at first, and all the cultural events and services you want may not be readily available.

 However, if you pick a small town in the Carolinas that's a short ride from one of its urban areas, you'll be assured of a variety of services, good medical care and plenty of activities to keep you busy.  If you locate in a small town with a college or branch of a major university, you'll have plenty of intellectual stimulation and diversity among it's population.   And if you use my "cluster" concept of locating around other small towns, the drawbacks will be far outweighed by the slower pace, quality lifestyle and lower cost of living.

Two of my favorite small towns in the Carolinas are Lenoir, North Carolina which was just voted a "Hot Bargain" in National Geographic Adventure Magazine, and Aiken, South Carolina, which is located in the middle of beautiful horse country just northeast of Augusta, GA.

Read my review by clicking on their links above.

If you want to read about other communities in North and South Carolina for relocation and retirement, take a look at my Ultimate Guide.  I've reviewed over 100 "Places of Value" with quality lifestyles and great values!

If you look at my Articles on this site, under Best Places, you'll find articles on the College Towns of North and South Carolina that offer small town living without big town prices.

Enjoy!