North Carolina offers an exceptional quality of life that contributes to a highly desirable place for businesses to attract and keep skilled workers with:
- A moderate climate
- A culture rich in history and the arts
- World-class sports events
- Recreational opportunities
- Quality healthcare
- Low cost of living
- Low construction costs
Our moderate climate is characterized by mild winters, long pleasant periods of spring and fall and warm summers. The state is renowned for its natural resources that include the scenic mountains and 300 miles of coastline.
Cultural and educational experiences are plentiful. The nation’s first state-supported symphony and art museum continue to flourish in the state. Along with celebrated Native American and Civil War roots, we also commemorate the Wright Brothers’ first moments of flight.
Summer theaters, wineries and festivals abound throughout the state. In addition to hosting symphonies, ballets, and other performing arts, North Carolina is the birthplace of outdoor drama. A nationally recognized zoological park and fine system of aquariums support wildlife education.
Recreational opportunities range from celebrated golf courses to outdoor sports, to college and professional athletics. The state’s beaches, national and state parks and mountains offer boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking and skiing. Outdoor recreation areas include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout national seashores and 36 state parks.
North Carolina’s Pinehurst, established in 1895, is considered the home of American golf. Pinehurst will host the U.S. Open again in 2014. Pinehurst’s nearby Pine Needles was the site of the 2007 Women's U.S. Open.
Four universities in the Atlantic Coast Conference, including North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University and Duke University provide plenty of sports rivalry. National Collegiate Athletic Association Conference contenders North Carolina Central University and Appalachian State University also compete nationally with the latter winning back-to-back championships.
In addition, North Carolina boasts an array of professional football, hockey, basketball and baseball teams. The Carolina Hurricanes hoisted hockey’s biggest honor, the 2006 Stanley Cup, becoming the state’s first professional team to win a major sports championship. Our state is also home to nearly 50 racetracks and is the birthplace of stock car racing as well as many of its legends.
North Carolina has numerous nationally ranked medical facilities along with affordable healthcare costs. Four respected medical schools produce a wealth of medical professionals who spend some portion of their careers at the state’s six research hospitals and 100 community hospitals.
The cost of living in North Carolina is very reasonable. Housing, utilities, supplies and groceries, transportation and healthcare are all below the national average. In a 2005 national comparison of average construction costs, all of the state’s major metropolitan areas were also shown to be well below the national average.
For more information, download the 
Quality of Life Chapter of our Fact Book and refer to the following links:
Related Travel and Cultural Links
North Carolina Aquariums
North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
North Carolina Museum of Art
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
North Carolina State Parks
North Carolina Symphony
North Carolina Tourism Services
North Carolina Zoological Park
Related Sports and Athletic Links
Atlantic Coast Conference
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Mudcats
Carolina Panthers
Charlotte Bobcats
Durham Bulls
Related Medical and Healthcare Links
Carolinas Healthcare System
Durham Veteran Affairs Hospital
Duke Health System
Mission Health and Hospitals
Presbyterian Healthcare System
Rex Healthcare
UNC Healthcare System
University Health Systems of Eastern North Carolina
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
Wake Medical Hospitals