Overview
Lowell, a suburb of Charlotte, is a small city in Central North Carolina. Its prime location and low cost of living have made Lowell an ideal retirement option. Besides that, residents enjoy nearby outdoor recreation, annual festivals and parades, and local breweries.
Climate & Geography
Lowell experiences a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and muggy, and winters are cold and wet. Residents can also expect more rain than the national average and about 200 sunny days a year.
The city is located in the Piedmont region, which is characterized by low valleys and hills. Lowell is a part of the Cramerton Watershed and is bordered by the South Fork Catawba River.
Recreation, Culture & Entertainment
Lowell is great for active adults who want to get outside. There are many outdoor recreation opportunities to choose from, such as Cannon Water Adventures and Riverside Paddle and Row, where residents can participate in paddleboarding, rafting, kayaking, and more. In addition, Crowders Mountain is a popular location for sightseeing and hiking.
The city’s downtown is home to a farmers market, breweries, small shopping outlets, and restaurants. Lowell also has plenty of annual parades, food and music festivals, and community fairs.
Lowell is also close to Charlotte, where residents can find many more museums, sporting events, and shopping centers.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The overall cost of living in Lowell is below both the state and national averages. This is due to low housing and transportation costs.
North Carolina does not tax Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits. All other forms of retirement income are taxed at the state's flat rate of 5.25 percent. Property taxes in the state are low, and Lowell's sales tax rate is 7 percent.
Health Care
The Charlotte metro area scores well on Gallup's Well-Being Index, ranking in the top 55 communities across the country.
The main hospital for residents in Lowell is the CaroMont Regional Medical Center, which is rated high performing in four procedures by U.S News. Residents are also within 15 miles of Charlotte, where residents can find the nationally ranked Carolinas Medical Center.