10 Pros and Cons of Living in North Carolina

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North Carolina is situated in the southeast part of the United States.

It is reported to be the ninth most populated state in the US and the 286th largest of all the states.

The landform in North Carolina is made up of three distinct features, which include the Appalachian Mountains in the west, made up of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smokey Mountains, the Coastal Plain in the east, and the central Piedmont Plateau.

A countryside is a beautiful place and the state features four distinct seasons.

Pros of Living in North Carolina

There are a few benefits to living in this beautiful state and for this article, we will focus on five of the top benefits of living in North Carolina.

1. Reasonable cost of living

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2020 report, you will need to earn approximately $38,295 per year in order to get by in the state of North Carolina.

Furthermore, according to data collected for the first quarter of 2022 MERIC, North Carolina ranks 22nd in terms of cost of living, placing it roughly in the middle.

This means that the state is not the most expensive in terms of cost of living, but not the least expensive either.

When it comes to the cost of living, housing is the highest expenditure.

According to Zillow, the average home price for a mid-tier home in North Carolina is around $315,331.

This number fluctuates throughout the year.

The site further explains that the average home price in the US is $349,816.

This means that North Carolina is just slightly under the national average.

2. Great for outdoor enthusiasts

If you are a fan of the outdoors and you love to do things like hiking, mountain biking, and camping, then this is the state for you.

North Carolina is known for some of the most majestic mountain ranges in all of the USA.

In addition, the state boasts some of the most beautiful National Parks.

Whether you want to go kayaking, running, or simply take scenic pictures, North Carolina has some of the best hiking trails and kayaking destinations in the country.

The state also hosts several seasonal and yearly flea markets that are well known and offer treasure hunters a great adventure.

And that is not all.

If you are into BBQs, you will be pleasantly surprised to find out that NC is known for some of the best BBQs in the country.

Making friends here means spending lots of time outdoors doing fun, adventurous things.

3. Slow-paced lifestyle

North Carolina is known for having a slow-paced lifestyle that is based on strong family values.

Sure, there are metropolitan areas where life seems to happen just a little faster, like Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, but for the most part, life is pretty easy and relaxed in this state.

However, when it comes to the smaller towns and suburbs of North Carolina, you may find that there is an encouragement towards a slower approach to aspects of your everyday life.

If long afternoon walks on the beach or a lazy afternoon is up to your alley, then this may be the ideal state for you.

The most important part of living a more relaxed lifestyle is that you will be able to savor the most important thing about life: time.

4. Great hospitality

Have you ever experienced southern charm?

Let me tell you, it’s warm and welcoming.

And that’s exactly what you will experience as a resident of North Carolina.

It is easy to get used to this kind of lifestyle.

It is quite the opposite of living in a big metropolitan city like New York where you feel like nothing more than a number in a line.

One thing you may notice about this state is that families are always open to welcoming you in and showing you southern hospitality.

You will also find that most families are very willing and even eager to help those in need or to lend a helping hand to a stranger.

5. Good job opportunities

Finding a job in a new place is usually the first thing you do.

Some do it even before they make the big move.

Luckily, the job market in this state is very strong.

You will not spend too much time finding a job here as employment is in demand and the current unemployment rate sits at 3.6%.

In addition, the state is projected to see a 6% growth rate in the job market from 2018 to 2028 with 302,000 new jobs added.

It is estimated that the technical services, professional, and scientific sectors will add the most to this trend with a whopping 15.8% growth.

Therefore, if you do plan on making the move, you can rest assured that chances are very likely that you will land a job very quickly, although it may not initially be in your chosen sector.

Cons of Living in North Carolina

The state does present a few disadvantages, some bigger than others, that may need to be taken into consideration as well.

1. Threat of hurricane

Storm season runs from the 1st of June through the end of November with most storms hitting around September through November.

But, it is not unusual for a hurricane to make landfall at any point in time during the year.

The threat of hurricanes mostly affects those living on the coast.

However, flooding is a real possibility for those living inland.

Especially when the moisture surges.

North Carolina has been identified as the third most hurricane-prone state in America due to the fact that it has been hit by 55 hurricanes since 1951.

The last major hurricane to hit North Carolina was Hurricane Isaias in August 2020, while the most intense hurricane to hit the state was Hurricane Isabel in 2003.

2. Tax burden

North Carolina may not have a tax burden that is much higher than the national average or even close to the exorbitant tax rates of some states, but the burden is, nonetheless, still heavy on families.

The state sales tax rate is 4.75% while the local sales tax rate sits at 2.75%.

The average combined state and local sales tax rate sits at 6.98%.

In addition, the state has a flat 4.99% tax rate on personal income and currently sits at the 11th position nationally in terms of the tax burden.

The problem is that each county in North Carolina adds an additional 2% – 2.25% tax.

On average, it is estimated that residents in North Carolina will pay around $771 in sales tax each year.

And, while this may not sound like a lot of money to some, it is considered to be a lot for a lower-income state like North Carolina.

3. Poor public transportation

You need a car if you plan on living in this state.

The public transportation system in North Carolina faces challenges of its own.

While there is a public transportation system, it usually does not serve an area-wide enough.

Getting from an underserved area to a mid-town may prove quite challenging and these systems are not quite as convenient as the ones in bigger metropolitan cities like New York and New Jersey.

However, reports indicate that the state is set to receive a $176 million injection into the maintenance and development of its public transportation systems, which could prove to turn this disadvantage into an advantage.

The money will be used to upgrade existing buses, rail lines, and other forms of public transit.

4. City and state governments do not get along

It seems to be no secret that the local and state governments rarely see eye to eye on certain matters.

And, as a result, this may be very disruptive for the general public due to the fact that infighting often gives rise to political controversies.

The lack of cohesion between the local and state governments is usually a result of infighting in a state that leans more towards the right politically whereas individual counties or groups tend to lean more to the left.

The result is a different set of values and the fact that each group tends to prioritize different factors, which may make it more challenging to see eye to eye.

Both sides feel quite passionate about their political stance and debates do tend to get quite heated.

5. Education system

North Carolina is known for having some of the best universities in the world that offer some of the best programs in the world.

However, when it comes to public schools and the educational system of these schools, the same cannot be said. Especially in terms of K-12 students.

The state ranks 32nd in terms of safety and quality of education at this level.

High school graduation rates rank pretty low in this state as well, coming in at the bottom half of the ranking system.

Pros and Cons of Living in North Carolina – Summary Table

North Carolina Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: North Carolina Safety Review

Safety Index:

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• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW