Lovely North Carolina City Was Just Crowned America’s Safest Place To Retire
When the time comes to retire, there’s a number of factors to consider, not the least of which is safety. So, it’s helpful to see guidance pointing us to America’s safest place to retire.
America’s Safest Place To Retire And Why
And, according to a study discussed in Travel+Leisure, America’s safest place to retire is Pinehurst, North Carolina. But, of course, financial security is also a matter of concern.
So, the study looked at a number of data points, including violent crimes reported, property crimes reported, overall cost of living and expenditures among others to come up with the 25 safest and most affordable places to retire.
After everything was factored in, Pinehurst scored the highest to top the list as America’s safest place to retire. The study ranks Pinehurst ‘violent crime rate score’ at 0.989 and the ‘property crime rate score’ at 0.983.
And, the ‘annual cost of living’ comes in at $68,516. Plus, the study indicates almost 40% of the population of America’s safest place to retire is 65 or older.
Other Things To Love About America’s Safest Place To Retire
Although, we aren’t near retirement age, my husband has spent plenty of time in Pinehurst. He is an avid golfer, as is my son. And, they both love this spot nestled in the Sandhills Region of North Carolina.
And, it’s often referred to as ‘Home Of American Golf.’ According to Travel+Leisure, the history is built upon the Pinehurst Golf Club and its establishment at the Pinehurst Resort at the beginning of the 20th century. And, it’s home to more than 40 golf courses.
I even accompanied the guys on a trip to Pinehurst once. We had lunch at Pinehurst Brewing Co. And, it was one of the best meals ever.
I highly recommend the Beer Cheese appetizer with pretzel sticks and homemade beer mustard. And, the Pit Boss Brisket Chili was unbelievably delicious. Plus, don’t neglect the cornbread!
Pinehurst is a quick drive from Charlotte and the Blue Ridge Mountains, too. So, easy access to airports and travel is a plus.
But, if you’d like more info on why Pinehurst was named America’s safest place to retire and to see the whole list, see the full article. And, decide which of the top 25 you’d choose to retire!
These 6 Cities Are The Best Places To Retire In North Carolina
6. Greensboro, NC
Greensboro, North Carolina skyline from the west. (Photo: Raynor Garey/Getty Images)
Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,195
Median monthly rent: $846Greensboro is much more affordable than the other large metro areas of the state but it’s still a short drive from all those cities have to offer.
5. Charlotte
Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,419
Median monthly rent: $1,073The largest city in the state has a lot to offer retirees and many others. And while the cost of living is higher than other areas of the state it’s cheaper than many parts of the country.
4. Hickory
Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,048
Median monthly rent: $708Hickory keeps popping up on lists among the top cities in North Carolina, and in this case placing higher than Charlotte. It’s lower cost of living is a large factor in those rankings.
3. Winston-Salem
Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,178
Median monthly rent: $790A quieter city in the Triad and with easy access to the popular Yadkin Valley, Charlotte, lakes, and other resources makes Winston a fantastic place to retire.
2. Raleigh and Durham
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA downtown skyline.
Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,602
Median monthly rent: $1,162The triangle gives residents all the benefits of a large city and a metro of the state’s most prominent college towns.
1. Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina, USA at twilight.
Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,357
Median monthly rent: $953While it has a significant cost of living, if you can afford to retire in Asheville then its money well spent to spend your time in the beautiful mountains.
