Finding Great Places to Retire Since 2006
Sunset Beach, North Carolina
Nestled on a Barrier Island, Quiet Sunset Beach Features a Lovely Oceanfront White Sand Beach, Turtle Talks and Five Golf Courses
Sunset Beach (population 4,500) is the southern most coastal town in North Carolina. It sits on the mainland and along a three-mile long barrier island about half way between Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina. Laid back and unassuming, it is vacation destination and has a mature population.
In fact, nearly 80% of residents are age 45 or better, and 42% of locals hold at least a four year college degree. The town has grown 25% during the last decade, and the crime rate is below the national average. Politics lean to the right, and the cost of living is 7% above the national average. The median home price is $475,000, which reflects a 3% increase from last year.
The island portion of town is accessible via one bridge over a salt marsh and the Intracoastal Waterway. About 1,200 beach cottages with long boardwalks are packed onto the eastern side of the island and are generally only occupied during summer months (100 or so people live on the island year round).
Housing on the mainland, where the majority of year-round residents live, includes ranch ramblers, manufactured homes and condominiums. There are also several planned golf communities, including Sea Trail, Ocean Ridge and Sandpiper Bay.
Sunset Beach's commercial development is limited to a few eateries, a coffee house and a couple of outfitter stores. Some of the golf clubs have public dining, but many residents dine and shop in Little River, Ocean Isle, Calabash, Myrtle Beach or Wilmington.
The beautiful oceanfront beach is white and flat. In 2017, National Geographic called it one of the world's best. The pier is 900 feet long, wheelchair accessible and has a snack shack. Turtle Talks are held Sunday nights during the summer to educate vacationers about the green critters that nest in the island sand. The beach is nearly empty during the winter when tourists are back home.
Nearby Bird Island Reserve, accessible by foot during low tide, is a quiet, pristine state reserve with a variety of coastal birds and other wildlife. It also has a long white beach, dunes, salt marshes and tidal creeks.
There is no local public library, but Brunswick County Library system has branches in Calabash (five miles) and Shallotte (12 miles).
Brunswick Transportation System has a Dial a Ride service Monday through Friday (advance notice required). The nearest large airport is in Wilmington, 40 miles to the north.
Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc. provides services within the County, but there is no senior center in Sunset Beach. The closest centers, which are open to Sunset Beach seniors (age 60+), are in Shallotte or Calabash. Services include nutritionally balanced congregate meals, socialization events, health and wellness classes, medical transportation, prescription assistance and referrals.
McLeod Health Seacoast is 10 miles away in Little River and provides medical care.
This area has a humid subtropical climate. Summer temperatures are in the 80s and 90s, and winter temperatures are in the 30s, 40s and 50s. On average, the area receives 54 inches of rain per year. Hurricanes are a possibility. In fact, Hurricane Florence in 2018 brought fierce winds, downed trees and roof damage. Hurricane Idalia in 2023 did the same.
North Carolina is a diverse state that stretches from the Atlantic coast to the Appalachian Mountains, offering a wide range of landscapes, lifestyles, and opportunities.
Along the coast, barrier islands and sandy beaches attract visitors with fishing villages, historic lighthouses, and popular destinations like the Outer Banks and Wilmington.
In the central Piedmont region, cities such as Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte serve as hubs for education, finance, technology, and healthcare, blending Southern charm with modern growth.
To the west, the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains provide stunning scenery, hiking, and a slower pace of life, with towns like Asheville drawing artists, retirees, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Known for its cultural richness, natural beauty, and relatively moderate cost of living, North Carolina appeals to both families and retirees seeking a balanced and vibrant lifestyle.
The state is considered somewhat tax friendly for retirement.
Webwerxx, Inc. Copyright (c) 2006-2025. All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc. Reproducing any original part of this publication without written permission from Webwerxx, Inc. is plagiarism. Numerous attempts were made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this website, but some information may have changed since each article and/or report went online, and Webwerxx, Inc. is not liable for inaccurate information contained in its articles and/or reports.