Retirees Find Reasonably Priced Housing, Welcoming Residents and a Simpler Lifestyle in the Quaint, Historic Coastal Village of Swansboro, North Carolina

Cost of Living:  Meets the National Average

Founded in 1783 and located directly on the Intracoastal Waterway and the White Oak River, quaint, historic Swansboro, North Carolina (population 1,500) got its start as a shipbuilding center.  After the Great Depression, it transformed itself into a fishing village and remains one today.   Swansboro is just 70 miles northeast of Wilmington, but it is off the national radar, and instead of daily traffic congestion, crowds, splashy developments and noise, residents enjoy clean beaches, unspoiled boating venues, a downtown waterfront and plentiful fishing spots.  Perhaps best of all, Swansboro has a cost of living that meets the national average, something not easy to find along the eastern U.S. coastline.    Laid back, friendly, scenic and in no hurry to become a tourist destination, this unassuming community attracts fishermen, families, a few lost vacationers and retirees.   Forty percent of the population is age 45 or better, and the overall population has grown by 5% in the last decade.

Swansboro is on the southern end of an oceanfront stretch known as the Crystal Coast.  This line of sand includes some Outer Banks coastline, some Inner Banks coastline, where Swansboro is, and a handful of beach towns.  By land, North Carolina Highway 24 (NC-24) is the only way in and out of Swansboro, and even though this quiet hamlet is known as "The Friendly City by the Sea," it is often overlooked as people pass through it on their way to a beach community named Emerald Isle, which is a little father east and directly on the Atlantic Ocean.  The good citizens of Swansboro, however, do not seem to mind that their home is often paid little attention since that fact has helped it retain its rustic charm and rich quality of life.   For the lost and confused tourists that do exit into Swansboro and spend some time here, an estuary brimming with dolphins, herons and ospreys is just beyond the waterfront.    Boats of all shapes and sizes bob in the water, and gentle waves lap at the docks.   The sea air soothes, and the relaxed and authentic coastal ambiance entices.  Before long, the spell is cast, and nearly all wanderers feel right at home.   The median home price is $185,000, down 5% in the last year, but as in most towns, prices depend on location, and houses closer to the water generally cost more.   Swansboro has its share of beautiful $400,000+ residences, but inventory is most plentiful in the $160,000 to $250,000 range, and homes date from the early 20th century to nearly brand new construction.  Most upscale neighborhoods and subdivisions have private community boat slips.   Town homes are not in great supply, but the ones that are here start for sale in the low-$100,000s.   Apartments are not in great abundance, either.   Many residences are located within a flood plain and require flood insurance which adds to the cost of owning a home.

North Carolina is considered a tax-friendly state for retirees.  Social Security is exempt from state income tax.  Federal, state and local pensions, plus some private pensions, receive a partial exemption.  Property tax rates for the city and county are approximately .313 and .503, respectively, for a combined rate of .816 per $100 of a home's value which is assessed at 100% of fair market value.   A homestead exemption lets people age 65 or better, people who are disabled and people with an annual disposable income of less than $25,600 exclude the greater of $25,000 or 50% of a home's appraised value.  There is also a circuit breaker tax deferment program for people age 65 or better.   Without any exemptions, the annual taxes on a $185,000 home are approximately $1,500. 

Seventy-four of Swansboro's buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, and architectural styles include Federal, Craftsman and Greek Revival.   Although Swansboro is more than 225 years old and off the beaten path, the infrastructure is solid (although sewer capacity has been an issue), and roads are in good condition.  Most necessities can be found in town or in a neighboring town.  The historic downtown is cute and has kept the flavor of an earlier, seafaring way-of-life.  The main street, Front Street, is lined with various shops and boutiques, including giant Russell's Old Tyme Shoppe, a wonderful gift and home-furnishings store.   The Onslow County Public Library is small but has two dozen public computers with internet access.  On town outskirts or within a short drive are some retail chain stores such as Lowe's Home Improvement, Walgreen's and Wal-Mart.   

 This is an interactive map.  Click on the arrows in the upper left hand corner to move the map to the East, West, North or South, and click on the +/- signs (more than once if necessary) to zoom in and out.

For a small town, Swansboro has a surprising selection of very good seafood restaurants.  One in particular that receives rave reviews is Captain Charlie's Seafood Paradise, serving possibly the world's finest fried seafood (not recommended for those watching their cholesterol levels).  For lunch, Yana's Ye Olde Drug Store, with a 1950s-style lunch counter, is fun and serves a great milkshake.

Generations of Swansboro residents have made their living from the sea.  Water culture is everywhere, and fishing (both salt water and fresh water) is still a way of life.   Boating traditions run deep, and with three marinas, Swansboro sees plenty of boat traffic, some local and some transient. Casper's, in the center of the waterfront, is the primary marina.  Flying Bridge Marina is mostly composed of "boataminiums" (boat condos).  Bogue Inlet offers quick ocean access for deep sea fishing and off-shore scuba diving.

There are dozens of public beach access points in and around Swansboro, and for the most part, the beaches are uncrowded and clean.  Nearby Hammocks Beach State Park is a nearly 900-acre recreation area that is also a nationally recognized coastal wildlife nature preserve and nesting area for logger head sea turtles.  Two islands make up the Park; access to Bear Island is by ferry only but is worth the fifteen minute trip.  This is an excellent spot for kayaking.  

Swansboro has a number of fun annual festivals, including Arts by the Sea, the Swansboro Trout Tournament, the Christmas Flotilla and the Mullet Festival, which celebrates fish, not the haircut, and the Swansboro Oyster Roast, Pig Out, and, yes, Cotillion.  Numerous clubs, such as the American Legion, Rotary Club and Shriners, are active.  Churches hold seafood potlucks and lobster festivals, and the Onslow Volunteer Center, located in Jacksonville 20 miles south, places volunteers in various jobs around Onslow County.  There are also three nearby military bases; Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville is the largest.   Swansboro crime rates meet the national average.

The climate is sub-topical but relatively mild.   August temperatures average 80 degrees (and generally do not climb above 95 degrees); January temperatures average 46 degrees (below-freezing temperatures are uncommon).  The average annual rainfall is 53 inches, with July being the wettest month and April the driest, and the relative humidity averages 75%.   The sun shines 215 days of the year.  The water quality and air quality are both above the national averages.

Swansboro does not have its own hospital, but Carteret General Hospital is in Morehead City, just two miles away.  It has 135 beds and is accredited by the Joint Commission.   It meets or exceeds national averages in most safety areas and accepts Medicaid and Medicare patients.  Seventy-one percent of patients would recommend it to a friend, which is above the national average.  Onslow Memorial Hospital, with 165 beds and also accredited by the Joint Commission, is 15 miles away in Jacksonville, North Carolina.  For military retirees, the nearest VA hospital in 105 miles away in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Swansboro does not have a senior center, but the Onslow Senior Center, a certified Senior Center of Excellence, is located in Jacksonville and provides a number of services, including exercise programs, Meals on Wheels and transportation for seniors throughout Onslow County.

While Swansboro is a delightful place to retire, it has what some may consider drawbacks.  It is a rural spot - big city amenities are nowhere close.   Retirees seeking sophistication, cultural events or an active nightlife will probably be bored.    Senior services are limited.   The North Carolina coast is prone to hurricanes, and in 1996, Hurricane Fran, a Category 3 storm, caused damage to Swansboro's waterfront (Hurricane Irene, which came ashore in August, 2011, caused minimal damage).

Despite these issues, Swansboro's appeal is hard to deny.  Undiscovered, quiet and affordable towns along the water are a rarity, and retirees who settle in this seaside gem consider themselves a lucky bunch, no longer wandering in search of the perfect retirement spot.

Back to Top

Great Retirement Spots is published by Webwerxx, Inc., 2770 S. Elmira St., Denver, CO  80231.  Copyright © 2006-2011.  All rights reserved.   No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc.  Many attempts were made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this bulletin, but some information may have changed since publication. Webwerxx, Inc. cannot be held responsible for information that has changed since this publication appeared online.  Please contact us at staff@greatretirementspots.com if you have questions or comments.   View our privacy policy. 

North Carolina Real Estate    Active Adult Developments in North Carolina   Retirement Communities   North Carolina Homes for Sale