NC Tax Advantages
Consider relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina where the living is easy!Why move to North Carolina
A Lake Norman Lifestyle
Temperate four-season climate – winter days often in the low 50s °F and summer highs around 90 °F, so you get a long boating and lake season without harsh winters.
North Carolina offers the best of all worlds: four true seasons, easy day-trips to both the Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic beaches, and a Charlotte–Lake Norman metro that blends big-city opportunity with relaxed lake-town living.
Compared with many Northeastern and West Coast markets, you’ll find a more moderate cost of living, competitive state income and property taxes, and strong job growth in banking, tech, health care, energy, motorsports, and more.
With 22 years in real estate and over $425 million in closed sales, Nadine and Team Nadine help you plug straight into the right lake, golf, or village community so your move to North Carolina feels seamless from day one.
Today on Lake Norman
Taxes & Cost of Living
North Carolina is designed to be predictable and competitive for both families and businesses, especially compared with many high-tax coastal states.
- Flat state income tax – currently in the mid-4% range with scheduled reductions in coming years.
- Competitive corporate income tax that is phasing toward 0%, supporting ongoing job and population growth.
- Property taxes that are typically below the U.S. average, with effective homeowner rates often under 1% of assessed value.
- State sales tax of 4.75% plus local add-ons (most areas land around 6.75–7.5% total), so everyday purchases remain reasonable.
- Retiree-friendly policies, including no state tax on Social Security benefits and multiple homeowner relief programs for seniors, disabled homeowners, and qualifying veterans.
Beaches & Carolina Coastline
From the wild dunes of the Outer Banks to the family-friendly Crystal Coast, North Carolina’s shoreline gives Lake Norman residents an easy escape to the ocean.
- 300+ miles of coastline with barrier-island beaches, historic waterfront towns, and classic coastal fishing villages.
- Popular beach destinations include Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Oak Island, Emerald Isle, and the Outer Banks.
- Most spots are a long-weekend road trip from Lake Norman, making it easy to keep a “mountains one weekend, beach the next” lifestyle.
- Coastal towns like Wilmington, Beaufort, and New Bern offer walkable downtowns with dining, arts, and maritime history.
Mountains & Blue Ridge Parkway
Head west and you’re in the Blue Ridge within a couple of hours – with everything from casual hikes to bucket-list scenic drives.
- Asheville & the Biltmore Estate – iconic architecture, gardens, a working winery, and a thriving arts and food scene.
- Blue Ridge Parkway – overlooks, waterfalls, and picnic pull-offs that make day trips feel like mini-vacations.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park – America’s most-visited national park with wildlife, waterfalls, and scenic drives.
- Peaks like Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain, and Linville Gorge offer dramatic views and four-season hiking.
- Winter fun at family-friendly ski areas such as Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, and Appalachian Ski Mountain.
Charlotte & Lake Norman Metro
Living at Lake Norman puts you in the sweet spot – a true resort-style lake community tied directly to one of the South’s most dynamic metros.
- Charlotte is a top U.S. banking and financial center with Fortune-level employers in banking, fintech, energy, logistics, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.
- Lake Norman area towns – Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Mooresville, Denver, Sherrills Ford, Troutman, and Stanley – each have their own personality, from walkable college-town charm to waterfront club communities.
- A deep bench of hospitals, specialists, and regional medical centers, including major systems in both Charlotte and the Lake Norman corridor.
- Diverse housing options: waterfront estates, golf course communities, lock-and-leave townhomes, and established in-town neighborhoods.
Getting Around & Daily Convenience
The Charlotte–Lake Norman region is built for commuters, travelers, and remote workers who still need to be well-connected.
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) – a major East-Coast hub with extensive nonstop domestic and international routes (see the airport section below for details).
- I-77 corridor – connects Lake Norman directly to Uptown Charlotte, major employment centers, and regional shopping/dining.
- Optional I-77 Express Lanes to help during peak commute times between Charlotte and Lake Norman.
- LYNX Blue Line light rail serving key Charlotte neighborhoods (UNCC, NoDa, Uptown, South End, I-485) for more car-optional living closer to the city.
Outdoor Lifestyle
Lake Norman lets you live outside almost year-round, with water, trails, and parks in every direction – and the mountains and coast both within easy reach.
- Lake Norman – North Carolina’s largest man-made lake with roughly 520 miles of shoreline, marinas, waterfront restaurants, and public parks.
- Boating, paddling, fishing, and shoreline trails for every season, plus lakefront events and fireworks throughout the year.
- U.S. National Whitewater Center on the Catawba River – rafting, zip-lines, mountain biking, and concerts.
- Regional greenways, nature preserves, and parks around the lake, plus easy access to both mountain and beach day trips.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Lake Norman communities sit roughly 25–35 miles north of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, usually about a 30–45 minute drive depending on traffic. That means you can enjoy lake living while staying one quick drive from a major global airport.
- CLT is American Airlines’ second-largest hub with hundreds of peak-day departures and extensive domestic and international coverage.
- The airport serves tens of millions of passengers each year, keeping flight options frequent and competitive for both business and leisure travel.
- Nonstop options across the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and Europe make same-day business trips and long-weekend getaways simple from Lake Norman.
- Ongoing terminal and checkpoint upgrades are focused on faster security, better way-finding, and more modern passenger spaces.
Schools & Education Around Lake Norman
Use the dropdown to see a sampling of public, charter, and private schools that serve each Lake Norman town. For exact school assignments, always confirm with the appropriate district or directly with the school.
This is a curated list of many of the most commonly requested schools in the Lake Norman area – not every single public, charter, private, or specialty campus. Always verify current assignments and options directly with the districts.
Search by Lake Norman Neighborhood
Already know the neighborhood you’re interested in? Use the dropdown below to jump to Nadine’s community guides for popular Lake Norman neighborhoods.
Nadine’s featured Lake Norman homes
22+ years of experience • $425M+ in closed residential sales
Explore a curated collection of Lake Norman and greater Charlotte properties hand-selected by Nadine and Team Nadine – from waterfront estates and golf-course communities to lock-and-leave lifestyle homes.
Thinking about moving?
Call or text Nadine with any questions about moving to Lake Norman or anywhere in the greater Charlotte & North Carolina area.
