Cary, NC 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview 

Cary is a residential town in Central North Carolina. Sometimes considered a bedroom community for Raleigh, the city boasts its own vibrant downtown area with a local farmers market, boutiques, and art galleries. In addition, there are several lakes and nearby natural spaces, giving residents plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.

Climate & Geography

The region experiences a humid subtropical climate, which means hot summers and mild winters. Though snow is infrequent, the city receives an average of 6 inches per year. 

Cary is hilly and surrounded by dense woods. Jordan Lake is directly west of Cary, and Lake Crabtree borders the city to the north.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment

Cary is surrounded by greenspaces and natural areas, making it easy for residents to get outsides. Lake Johnson Park, Lake Crabtree, Lake Wheeler Park, and Bass Lake Park offer residents water recreation. American Tobacco Trail is perfect for hiking, and the Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve has more trails and an education center. 

For entertainment, residents can head to several local breweries, catch a performance at the Koka Booth Amphitheater, and watch a soccer match at WakeMed Soccer Park. Downtown Cary has local boutiques, cafes, art galleries, and a farmers market. 

Raleigh, which has even more high-end shopping and dining, is located just 18 minutes away.

Cost of Living & Taxes 

The overall cost of living in Cary is higher than the state and national averages. This is mainly because of high housing costs. Other factors, including transportation, health care, and utilities, are below average.

While North Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits, the state does tax all other forms of retirement income at a flat rate of 5.25 percent. Property taxes are low, and there is a homestead exclusion available for qualifying retirees. Sales taxes are higher than average.

Health Care

The Raleigh metro area ranks in the top 45 communities on Gallup's Well-Being Index.

WakeMed Cary Hospital is located within the city. Nearby, UNC Rex Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, and WakeMed Health and Hospitals-Raleigh Campus are all rated high performing by U.S. News.