I was recently looking to sell my house and move to North Carolina. The process was daunting, especially since I couldn’t get the information I was looking for on homes in North Carolina.
To save you from the hustle I had to go through to sell my house and buy my first house in North Carolina, I came up with this list. It provides you with everything you need to know about the best places to buy a home in North Carolina.
Why Move to North Carolina?
North Carolina, with a population of approximately 10 million, is the 9th most populous state in the United States. If you don’t already own property in this state, you may be asking yourself, why should I sell my house fast and move to North Carolina? Here’s why:
Weather
North Carolina boasts of a pleasant southern climate, with residents enjoying all the four seasons in their full grandeur. From the coastal plains to the spectacular mountains, North Carolina is a powerhouse for outdoorsy folk.
Diversity
The state is ethnically diverse, with a flourishing art and culture scene.
Education and Job Opportunities
Duke, a college in the Old North State, ranks among the top five schools in the country.
Livability
North Carolina is considered a haven for millennial’s. This is based on the high number of entry-level jobs, the presence of public transport, reduced commute time, affordability, and the large number of millennial’s living there.
Factors to Consider Before Moving to North Carolina
Now that you have an idea why North Carolina is a great place to live, it is time to narrow down your search for the perfect home city. You need to consider several subjective factors. Ask yourself:
• Do you wish to live closer to the mountains or the beach?
• What is your budget?
• Do you plan to work?
• How safe is the area you are considering?
• Do you or your kids plan to go to school?
• What is your ideal cultural scene?
I put all these factors into consideration before I came up with a list of the 6 ideal places to buy a house in North Carolina. It helped me sell my house fast and move to the Old North State. Here it is:
1. Wilmington
Despite being situated by the waterside, Houses for sale in Wilmington, NC, fetch a relatively low price of around $226,000. The city is set up in such a way that you can access the town on foot and thus save on transportation costs.
Wilmington residents exhibit excellent physical health. This is because the coastal town offers many activities that are inexpensive and easily accessible. Being a coastal town, Wilmington is a destination vacation spot for all beach lovers.
Furthermore, the presence of institutions like the University of North Carolina and large companies like Verizon, Dell Laboratories, and Time Warner Cable, makes Wilmington a haven for learners and workers. Buying houses for sale in Wilmington, NC, is a reasonably straightforward process.
2. Raleigh
The young and vibrant city of Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina. It has a population of 432,500 residents who enjoy a low cost of living. The median home value in Raleigh is $208,800, which can get you a 3- or 4-bedroom home.
Raleigh is a delightful town with a thriving nightlife and great food. It has a booming job market and displays high education attainment rates. This is because it is part of The Research Triangle and is close to institutions like Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the North Carolina State University.
3. Charlotte
Charlotte is the fastest-growing metro area in North Carolina. According to the U. S. Census Bureau, Charlotte’s population grew by 7.06 percent between 2013 and 2017 due to net migration alone.
Despite its rapid growth, life in Charlotte remains highly affordable. The median home price is $213,983, with the median annual salary falling at $50,150. The unemployment rate in Charlotte is 3.6 percent, which is significantly lower than the national average of 3.9 percent.
The U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte plays host to concerts, exhibits, and sporting events all year round.
The education standards in Charlotte are top-notch with the University of North Carolina, attracting a profoundly educated population. If you are a job seeker, the city is home to large employers like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Amazon.
4. Asheville
Asheville is a relatively small community with a well-established cultural dynamic. The city hosts many events, like beer festivals and concerts. It is located near the mountains and offers outdoor aficionados, everything from hiking, golf, watersports, and tennis.
The residents of Ashville are highly educated and bask in the glow of low unemployment rates. The city has a projected job growth rate of 40% over the next decade, which is notably higher than the national average of 33.5 percent.
Ashville is a safe city with a strong police presence. However, if you are looking for a cheap place to buy a home, Ashville may not cut the bill. It has a slightly higher-than-average housing cost.
5. Durham
If affordability is your go-to deciding factor, then you will love Durham. Despite its growth trend, the city has some of the lowest housing and transportation costs in North Carolina. 7 out of every 10 homeowners in Durham use less than 30 percent of their income on home expenses.
Additionally, the art and culture scene in Durham is bustling with life, with the city being famous for annual events like the Bull City Food & Beer Experience. Its food and drink scene also makes it a renowned culinary destination.
Durham has a thriving education system and job market. Apart from being the location of Duke University, it is one of the cities that are part of The Research Triangle.
The city boasts of possibly the most affordable health care in North Carolina.
6. Greensboro
Situated on the north side of North Carolina, Greensboro is a powerhouse for job seekers and students. It is home to many companies, including BB&T, United Health Care, and Ralph Lauren Corp. It also has some of the best schools in the state.
Despite being one of the largest cities in North Carolina, Greensboro has very high affordability. The median annual salary of the residents is $43,310. Additionally, the houses in Greensboro boast some of the lowest prices in the state, with the median house price set at $142,278.
Wrapping Up
Homes in North Carolina show remarkable growth and are considered a hot investor’s market. The cities in this state are ever-growing, and any investment you make is guaranteed to pay off.
