North Carolina is a charismatic state with breathtaking views of majestic Mountains to the West and gorgeous coastlines of the Atlantic Ocean to the East. Beautiful cities, charming villages and towns add to the attraction of living in North Carolina. North Carolina has a lot to offer from wide open living spaces, small town charm, big city living and southern hospitality. North Carolina’s landscape offers to the west endless forests and the magnificence of the Appalachian snowcapped mountains, to mesmerizing beaches of white sands and turquoise water. Within a four-hour drive, travelers can find themselves at a gorgeous beach or atop a snow-capped mountain skiing. There will be plenty of wildlife waterfalls, island ferry rides, and charming towns marking the miles along the way. North Carolina is the 9th most populous and 28th largest state in the United States. North Carolina derived the name of Tar Heel State by its main products were tar and turpentine. In the 1700’s.
Lower cost of Living
The cost of goods and services, groceries, housing, transportation and utilities are all below the national average. North Carolina has a High Overall Tax Burden. The personal income tax in North Carolina is 5.75%. The state sales tax base rate is 4.75% and every county in the state adds 2-2.25% on top of that. North Carolina is one of the most affordable places to live.
Housing
The average pricing for a home is $183,000 and renters pay a median price of $1300. Homeowners are 63% in North Carolina. The best places to live in big cities are Raleigh and Durham for they have over 200 companies to work for. Chapel Hill is a college town and Ashville is the town known for their cuisines. Wilmington is for the beach lovers and beach homes. Many residents buy second homes in North Carolina.
Employment and Universities
Technology, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, agriculture, bio pharmaceuticals, energy, defense, textiles, Military, and banking are the popular industries in North Carolina. The main companies are Bank of America, Lowes, Duke Energy and Duke University. With a thriving job market, unemployment in North Carolina is lower than the national average. There are several excellent universities available in North Carolina from Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State, and Appalachian State University.
Weather
You can enjoy all four seasons and the beautiful landscapes living in North Carolina. The weather is moderate with summers being very hot and humid. The average temperature in January is 50 degrees and in the summer does not go above 90 degrees. Hurricanes are prominent in the state which have cause damages.
Healthcare
The quality of health care in this state is much better than it is in the average of the states. Duke University Hospital is one of the most well know hospitals in the United States.
Culture and Society
Lifestyle in North Carolina has diverse communities, exorbitant foods, southern charm, historic places, big cities and abundant outdoor activities. You can enjoy the beach life to the city life to the mountain life. There are over 170 breweries operating in North Carolina. North Carolina is known as the Mother vine of the oldest cultivate grapevine back in 1584 and has over 175 wineries offering all kinds of Specialty wines .Barbeque is the food they are known for. North Carolina is one of the most patriotic states in the country. Basketball, Football, Soccer, Golf and Hockey are the popular sports in North Carolina. The metropolitan life is in Hillsborough, Pinehurst. Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham. You can find charming historic rustic cities in Hillsborough and Pinehurst.
Outdoor Recreation
There are plenty of outdoor activates to enjoy. Winter activities include skiing, sledding and snowmobiling. Hiking, biking water rafting, paddle boarding and fishing are available in the summer. The majestic mountains can be seen in Smokey Mountains and Appalachian Trails. Smokey Mountain spreads across North Carolina and Tennessee and is known for the most visited national park. Mount Mitchell State Park, and Chimney Rock State Park and the Appalachian Trails are great for camping and hiking. Appalachian Trails are the most famous beautiful hiking trail in the world with 964 miles long. North Carolina has ten national parks, four state parks, and four national forests. Cape Hatters National Seashore, Emerald Isle and Cape Lookout National Seashores are wonderful places to enjoy the seaside and see the stunning beaches. At Cape Hatters is the famous lighthouse that is black and red spiral stipes. The lighthouse is the largest lighthouse in the world of 208 feet tall. Lake Lowe and Lake Norman is enjoyable for fly fishing and boating. North Carolina is nature’s lover paradise with spectacular views and amazing recreational activities for the whole family.