Are you thinking of changing cities in the United States? North Carolina is one of the most popular choices. So, why is North Carolina so popular?
North Carolina is an attractive state for those who want to relocate due to many features such as the beautiful landscape, great outdoor environment, diverse cities, mild weather, strong economy, quality educational system, low cost of living, excellent healthcare options, and cultural attractions.
All these factors make North Carolina a popular destination for residents and tourists. The state receives around 37 million visitors annually. In addition, it has the fifth-highest domestic visitations among states in the country. Here, we discuss why North Carolina is so popular.
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What Makes North Carolina a Popular State?
North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the US. With thousands moving here yearly, you might want to consider it too. So, here are the reasons North Carolina is a popular place:
1. Scenery and Landscape
North Carolina is one of the states that has beaches and mountains. It’s one of the most beautiful places to live on earth. Mountains here include the Great Smoky Mountains, Blue Ridge, and The Appalachian. Some of the highest peaks are here. This makes it a great place to engage with nature. You can go hiking and mountain climbing. Or, if you’re feeling daring enough, walk the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain.
The state is also blessed with plenty of beaches due to its location near the ocean. There are a lot of beaches here for residents to explore. They include Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Wrightsville Beach. The distance between beaches and mountains in the state isn’t that much. On the west are the Blue Ridge Mountains, and on the east are the barrier island beaches.
2. Diverse Cities and Towns
The state also has all kinds of cities. Whether you like to live in a big city or prefer a small town, you’ll find both in North Carolina. The biggest city here is Charlotte. Called the “Wall Street South,” it’s a major financial hub with a bustling economy. So, it’s a great place for job seekers seeking work in emerging and modern fields. But for those who don’t fancy big town vibes, the state also has many small towns.
3. Outdoor environment
If you like spending time outdoors, only a few places can rival North Carolina, and they’re usually more expensive to live in. Its diverse terrain makes it possible for visitors and residents to have access to different activities and enjoy the natural beauty that the city offers. Outdoor activities include hiking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, tubing, boating, mountain biking, and more. There’s no limit to what you can do here once you step outdoors.
4. Mild weather
Certain states in the US are desirable because of their all-round sunshine. But this usually means there’s no snow too, or snow is rare. North Carolina is a good option if you want a place that will give you sunshine and snow. The weather is mostly mild compared to several other parts of the country. The summers are warm, spring is blooming, Autumn has its charms, and winter is snowy. But none of them are out of hand. You don’t have to worry about heat waves or raging blizzards in North Carolina. The state receives about 4 inches of snow annually with 48 inches of rainfall.
5. Great Economy
The economy here is quite great. It’s what’s attracting several professionals to the state. If you’re looking for a place with one of the best economies in the US, look no further than here. It has a knowledge-based economy with a highly skilled and educated workforce. Several Fortune 500 companies, such as Bank of America, Lowe’s, Duke Energy, BB&T Corp., etc., have their headquarters here. The major industries here include technology, vehicle parts, and pharmaceuticals. Charlotte is the second-largest banking center in the US.
6. Quality Educational System
If you’re thinking of a state with good tertiary institutions, try North Carolina. Perhaps the most notable school here is Duke University, but there are still other great colleges and universities all over the state. These include the University of North Carolina, Wake Forest University, North Carolina State University, Appalachian State University, Elon University, and Davidson College.
7. Cost of living
Despite the several factors that make this state very livable, the cost of living is incredibly low for a state like this. The overall cost of living here is 9.4% lower than the national average. This is due to the relatively low cost of almost every basic expense. The only thing you might have to spend more on here is healthcare.
The typical home price in the state is $315,331, below the average nationwide. But home prices here are rising faster than the national levels, so you have to consider that. The state tax regime is also quite great. There’s a 4.99% flat individual income tax rate and an average combined 6.98% sales tax. Property taxes are 0.82% lower than the US average due to the low cost of homes in the state. Overall, the state has one of the best tax climates in the country.
8. Excellent Healthcare Options
While its healthcare options might be costly, it’s excellent. There are several great options here. Duke University Hospital is one of the best teaching hospitals in the country. Other hospitals include the University of North Carolina Hospitals, UNC Rex Hospital, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, and Carolinas Medical Center.
9. Cultural Attractions
Whether you’re a visitor or live here, you’ll find that there are a lot of attractions for you. North Carolina is the home of several museums, theaters, galleries, music venues, and more. Notable places include the Wright Brothers National Museum, Biltmore, and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
In Conclusion
North Carolina is a great place to live and has become more popular due to this reason. US News ranked the state 7th best for education, 17th for the economy, and 7th for fiscal stability. With several people moving here recently, you might want to consider it too.
