Wake Forest 55+ Retirement Communities

Wake Forest, located 18 miles north of Raleigh, is a town split between Franklin County and Wake County in Central North Carolina. Retirees enjoy this quaint town for its local boutiques, farmers market, and breweries as well as its pleasant weather, which allows for outdoor leisure activities throughout the year.

Climate & Geography

Wake Forest has a moderate subtropical climate. Summers are hot with high humidity, and winters are mild to cool. The average annual precipitation is around 46 inches of rainfall, and while snowfall can occur, it is rare.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

For outdoor recreation, residents can visit Falls Lake State Recreation Area to camp, kayak, hike, fish, and swim. For picnics and easy walks, E. Carroll Joyner Park is perfect. This park also hosts a free concert series.

Downtown Wake Forest is a quaint area with antique shops, local boutiques and eateries, and community events like a weekly farmers market. The town also has numerous breweries and museums for residents to visit.

For more entertainment, dining, and cultural offerings, residents can travel a half-hour to popular Raleigh.

Cost of Living & Taxes

The overall cost of living in Wake Forest is higher than the national average because of high housing costs.

North Carolina does not Social Security benefits, but it does tax all other forms of retirement income at the state's flat rate of 5.25 percent. Property taxes in the state are below average, and the city's sales tax rate is average at 6.75 percent.

Health Care

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

There are two medical centers and hospitals around Wake Forest. They are Duke Raleigh Hospital and WakeMed Health and Hospitals-Raleigh Campus, both of which are rated high performing by U.S. News.