Cape Carteret, NC, United States

At just over 2,200 residents, Cape Carteret is a sleepy coastal town where 65+ retirees make up a third of the population. While the median household income of $44,514 is decent, the town's demographics skew heavily older and whiter. Navigating the local bureaucracy is likely to be a persistent headache, as over a fifth of households are one-person senior living arrangements. With its remote location and aging population, this is hardly a vibrant, youthful beach town - Cape Carteret seems best suited for those seeking a tranquil retirement on North Carolina's southern shores.