Retirees Find Johnston County Affordable, Entertaining
Tony Andreola and his wife‚ Susie‚ found their ideal retirement spot almost by accident.
“We’ve always been near water‚ and we wanted something on a lake this time‚” Tony Andreola says. “This was the closest lake to the kids.”
The couple’s two-bedroom villa near Holt Lake in Smithfield is a five-minute walk from the country club‚ a five-minute walk from the water‚ and a two-hour drive from their children and grandchildren in Newport.
They spend a lot of time fishing‚ relaxing and watching sunsets from the deck of their pontoon boat‚ but they’re just minutes away from medical centers‚ restaurants‚ shopping centers‚ interstates and the bustling Research Triangle area.
“I’ve probably lived in eight or 10 places‚ and I’ve never enjoyed a place as much as I do here‚” says Andreola‚ who moved here from Florida. “We couldn’t have picked a more perfect place. It just worked out that way.”
The Andreolas are part of a growing number of retirees making tracks to Johnston County for its central location‚ housing options‚ reasonable cost of living‚ access to world-class health care and its friendly‚ small-town feel.
“I’ve never made so many friends so fast in my life‚” Andreola says. “The people here are just super. Being closer to my kids is just a bonus.”
That sentiment is typical for newcomers of any age‚ says Rick Childrey‚ executive director of the Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Johnston County is growing very fast in all sectors‚ not just retirees‚” Childrey says. “It has a lot to do with the attraction of the Triangle area and the good quality jobs that are here. A lot of retirees are looking to be closer to their families‚ and a lot of families have moved here.”
The wide variety of housing options – and the relatively inexpensive prices compared to other parts of the country – are another big draw‚ he says.
Johnston County includes 10 towns‚ all with a good sense of community. Folks can choose to live in a new subdivision‚ an historic neighborhood‚ a home on several acres of land‚ a senior housing development‚ an apartment or a planned community with wooded buffers and miles of walking and biking trails.
But the word “retiree” doesn’t necessarily mean what it used to.
“A lot of people retire when they’re 53‚” Childrey says. “You’re really talking about quite a large age span there. They’re people who are active and maybe have retired from a job and are looking to do something different.”
Bob and Jeannie Williams fall into that category.
Jeannie Williams‚ a software developer who works from home‚ grew up in North Carolina and has always wanted to move back. Bob Williams is a retired naval flight officer who spends much of his time day trading.
Now living in Reston‚ Virginia‚ the couple plans to move to Smithfield in 2007 to be near their daughter and three grandchildren.
They’ve already bought a renovated home in the vibrant downtown area – just a few houses down from their daughter.
The four-bedroom‚ 1930s brick bungalow features a lush rose garden‚ a closed-in porch‚ sunroom‚ arched entryways and hardwood floors – a home bursting with character and a price tag that the Williams’ couldn’t pass up.
“It’s within walking distance of the library‚ the bank‚ the post office – even a little movie theater‚” Jeannie Williams says. “Smithfield is a neat little town. It’s near Raleigh and it’s a straight shot to the beach. That’s important.”
James and Ramona Cash have lived in Clayton since 1952‚ and they’ve watched the area grow as more people discover the balanced lifestyle Johnston County offers.
“It’s just a good place to live and a good place to do business‚” says James Cash‚ a retired businessman and former county commissioner who has been involved in the region’s civic and business organizations for decades. “It’s a good place to raise a family and to retire. You can be in Raleigh in a few minutes‚ but you can also have quality country living.”
