Asheboro

Rich in culture, easy pace of life

www.asheboronc.gov/Living in Asheboro/retirees.html

Asheboro’s central location allows residents to enjoy all the natural scenic beauty and variety North Carolina has to offer.

Known for its comfortable, easy pace of life, Asheboro is located just two and a half hours from the North Carolina mountains and three and a half hours from the coast. The area experiences the best of all seasons, including vibrant fall color, mild winter temperatures and beautiful spring and summer landscapes.

The city’s cost of living is 7.7 percent lower than the national average, and the average sales price for a single-family home in 2009 was $118,501. With a population of about 25,000, Asheboro is large enough to offer a variety of activities and resources, yet small enough to make new residents feel like important parts of the community.

Asheboro is home to two quality healthcare facilities: Randolph Hospital and Randolph Cancer Center. Duke University Hospital, Wake Forest Baptist Health, UNC Hospitals, High Point Regional, Moses Cone / Wesley Long and Presbyterian Hospital also are located within a 90-mile radius.

In addition to a range of recreational facilities and a thriving arts scene, Asheboro is home to the North Carolina Zoo, one of the largest natural habitat zoos in the world. What’s more, Asheboro’s convenient location allows residents to take advantage of a range of resources and entertainment offers in the nearby Piedmont Triad towns of Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point.

Learn more about Asheboro at www.heartofnorthcarolina.com and www.asheboronc.gov, or watch a video about the area.

Lumberton

Well priced homes, good health care options

www.lumberton-nc.com

Located halfway between New York and Florida on Interstate 95 off exits 17-22, Lumberton offers fun, opportunities and conveniences for potential retirees at an affordable cost. A few great reasons to retire in Lumberton are its moderate climate, affordable housing, inexpensive cost of living, lower taxes, and outstanding medical care. Average sale price of a single family home is $120,000 for the City of Lumberton and $101,970 for Robeson County.

Within an hour drive around the circumference of Lumberton, potential residents will find a vast assortment of cultural activities in the areas of arts, music, theatres and more. Historic properties and museums are located in all directions, and festivals and events are held in nearly every nearby community. From boating or fishing, playing golf or tennis, swimming or walking, recreational sites and facilities abound.

See Lumberton’s video library

Health care facilities, housing and other services pertinent to potential residents who are 55+ are available in Lumberton, which also features great access and nearness to the beach and mountains. Interstate 74 traverses North Carolina from the coast to the mountains and intersects I-95 just south of the city. Highway 211 runs through Lumberton and connects to Pinehurst, as well as the coast. Fayetteville Regional Airport can be reached in 30 minutes and Raleigh-Durham International Airport can be reached in 90 minutes, both via interstate. Lumberton has a municipal airport for smaller aircraft.

In 2010, the North Carolina Legislature designated Lumberton as THE FIRST Certified Retirement Community in the state. Lumberton invites you to come for a visit or a lifetime. Read more about Lumberton at www.ci.lumberton.nc.us, www.welcometolumberton.com and www.lumbertonchamber.com.

Marion

Historic, adventureous, Blue Ridge Mnts

www.exploremarion.com

In the Blue Ridge foothills, framed by the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains, is Marion, NC. As our logo indicates, Marion’s South Main Street does indeed meet Mount Ida, creating a picturesque backdrop for shoppers and visitors.

With more than 67,000 acres of Pisgah National Forest inside the county, discover numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. Within minutes of downtown, explore the area’s Blue Ridge Parkway communities and trails or stunning Lake James with two North Carolina State Parks, plus the only golf course at the lake. There are also 21 hiking, waterfall and bicycle trails in these woods.

Become part of our active arts and crafts society. These residents preserve and share our mountain heritage and culture through their performances, exhibits and classes. The McDowell Arts Council and Foothills Community Theater offer organized programs and volunteer opportunities.

Interested in continuing your education? McDowell County Technical Community College in Marion provides a broad spectrum of courses including four-year degrees through partnerships with regional colleges and universities. The University of N.C. at Asheville’s Center for Creative Retirement is another choice. The center is open to anyone interested in lifelong learning.

Marion’s hospital and network of physicians and clinics are part of western North Carolina’s largest healthcare organization, Mission Health. In recent years, Mission Health has received numerous state and national recognitions. You will also find a variety of wellness classes and programs available at our senior centers and YMCA. Many residents’ wellness plans include the city’s multiple downtown walking trails and the scenic Catawba River Greenway.

Marion’s cost of living consistently ranks 6-8 points below the national average and taxes haven’t been raised in 45 years. In 2011, the population grew to 8,075 and the county population totaled 45,000. You’ll find housing options to fit any budget, including apartments, townhomes, condominiums and single-family residences.

Marion’s small-town charm extends to hosting seasonal and outdoor events and festivals, complementing the county’s additional festivals and events. Marion also hosts a weekly bluegrass jam at the historic depot. Marion’s idyllic location allows residents to take advantage of regional resources and entertainment in nearby Asheville, only 30 miles away, Hickory or Boone.

Learn more about Marion and McDowell County by visiting these websites: www.marionnc.org, www.exploremarion.com and www.hometownmarion.com.

Pittsboro

Small town charm, big city amenities

pittsboronc.gov/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={75AA1BF9-5F7E-4DE6-9376-AA7475EE342A}

Pittsboro, a charming town known for its creative community, offers residents a friendly and affordable place to live with an exceptional quality of life. Conveniently located a short drive from anywhere in the Triangle, this historic gem is the ideal retirement destination for seniors seeking an active lifestyle in a tranquil setting.

Within Pittsboro, there is a winery, a brewery, bed and breakfast inns, multiple spas, a tiger sanctuary, three farmers markets, two independent bookstores, antique shops, art galleries and a variety of eateries. In less than an hour’s drive, residents have access to two international airports, museums, performing arts centers, multiple challenging golf courses, dozens of shopping centers and world class healthcare.

Rural Chatham County, where Pittsboro is located, is rich in natural beauty with luminous rivers, 200 miles of Jordan Lake shoreline, hiking and biking trails and many parks. The town is just four hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and Atlantic Ocean to the east, making either destination an easy getaway. With four distinct seasons and a mild winter, outdoor excursions are possible year-round.

Housing options include historic homes and farms, two continuing care retirement communities, Galloway Ridge and Carolina Meadows, and several planned developments featuring housing options at a variety of price points.

Pittsboro is a short drive from Duke University Medical Center and University of North Carolina (UNC) Health Care, giving residents access to advanced medicine and some of the finest treatment facilities in the country. Both Duke and UNC have primary care facilities in Pittsboro to serve outpatients. Nearby Chatham Hospital, a UNC Health Care partner, offers around-the-clock emergency services.

Lifelong learning opportunities abound in Pittsboro, with Central Carolina Community College’s unique Continuing Education Enrichment programs, the University of Chapel Hill’s Friday Center for Continuing Education, and Duke University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Learn more about Pittsboro at PittsboroNC.gov and VisitPittsboro.com or contact our Retire Pittsboro Ambassador.

Sanford/Lee County

Year-round recreation for retirees

www.discoversanford.com

The area offers retirement living at its best, preserving the beauty and charm of its days as a small Southern railway town, and blending it with a thoroughly modern and diverse economic base and a friendly, progressive populace.

Whether you want safe, quiet neighborhoods or the hustle-and-bustle of a city, Sanford/Lee County will exceed your expectations. The area boasts an active, energized downtown with custom boutiques and cafes, as well as plenty of community events and festivals to keep you busy.

But it’s easy to find peace and quiet, too. From day spas and golf courses to winding country roads, you're never more than 10 minutes away from relaxation. You can have breakfast with friends in downtown, hit the links, and then go for a swim without ever leaving the county.

The Sanford/Lee County area is also ideally situated in the state. In less than an hour, you can be at any of the four world-class medical centers in central North Carolina. There are also two international airports less than an hour away, as well as premier shopping, arts, entertainment and dining destinations.

Sanford/Lee County isn’t just for retirees - your entire family will enjoy the area. There are well-maintained parks outfitted with the newest play features, award-winning schools with innovative curricula, and seasonal community activities that give everyone the chance to know their neighbors.

Indulge your interests with a plethora of community college courses, or jumpstart a new business under the free guidance of the Small Business Center. Participate in one of many active civic groups, or spend your time volunteering. There’s something for everyone in Sanford/Lee County.

Learn more about everything Sanford/Lee County has to offer at www.discoversanford.com and www.sanford-nc.com.