By Antonio Porretta
They say there’s no greater feeling than loving what you do; but I would say that loving where you live is just as important. Originally from Rochester, NY, I came to Harrisburg, NC, in 2007, and I’ve been here ever since. I fell in love with this area’s calm suburban energy and close proximity to the city, the mountains, and the beaches. Harrisburg is the perfect combination of small-town charm and big-city living and I’m lucky enough to call it home!
If you’re looking for a place to live (or visit) in North Carolina, I highly recommend adding Harrisburg to the top of your list. Here are my top three reasons why Harrisburg, NC, is the place to be.Â
1. Activities for Everyone
No matter what your passions, interests, and hobbies are, there’s something for you in Harrisburg.
Looking for great shopping? Check out the new Town Center, the Farmers Market, or the Concord Creek Mall. We also have unique boutiques like Moxie Mercantile and the Painted Owl, which offer vintage antiques and home decor.
If you want a family-friendly outing, a trip to Sea Life Aquarium or Cedar Fair’s Carowinds amusement park is always a good choice. I also love reveling in the history of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, challenging my family to a race at the Speedpark, and enjoying the sun at the Great Wolf Lodge water park. And historic downtown Concord is a great place for dinner and a show.
If you’re a fan of sports, Harrisburg is close to three stadiums that offer premium access to professional sporting events:
- Bank of America Stadium: Home to the Carolina Panthers football team
- Spectrum Stadium: Home to the Charlotte Hornets basketball team and the Charlotte Checkers hockey team
- Knights Stadium: Home to the Charlotte Knights baseball team
2. Location, Location, Location
As a suburb of Charlotte, Harrisburg has maintained its small-town charm and all-American pride. You get to skip bumper-to-bumper traffic and enjoy a beautifully maintained and clean town while also experiencing the excitement and opportunity that comes with a big city.
Beyond the entertainment and attractions, Harrisburg also offers beautiful weather and easy access to the great outdoors. Whether your retirement dreams include strolling along a beach or hiking through the mountains, our scenic natural landscape is accessible year-round. Locals experience relatively moderate weather and enjoy all four seasons.
If you’re the adventurous type, hiking, biking, and water sports are all within reach. Sitting just a few hours from the ocean or the Appalachian Mountains, it’s perfectly suited for day-trip lovers.
3. Low Taxes
Since I’m a wealth manager at heart, this list would not be complete without mentioning the low taxes in Harrisburg. At the municipal level, Harrisburg has a combined sales tax rate of 7%, which is lower than 51% of other North Carolina localities. (1)
At the state level, North Carolina is a favorable state for retirees and high-net-worth individuals, with incentives like (2):
- Flat income tax rate of 5.25%, with a scheduled decrease to 3.99% by 2027. (3)
- No income tax on Social Security benefits, no matter how much retirement income you receive from other sources.
- No state taxes on the value of your estate or inheritance.
- Reduced sales tax rate for essential items like qualified groceries.
- The median property tax rate is $773 per $100,000 of home value, which is less than the national average. (4) North Carolina also offers tax relief programs to eligible homeowners over the age of 65.
How I Serve the Harrisburg Community
I take pride in loving where I work and where I live. In doing so, I strive to be a trusted wealth manager to my local community, whether my clients are looking for retirement planning or tax advice. If you’re considering a move to the Harrisburg area and want to learn more about my financial planning services, email me at [email protected] or call 704.960.9646.
About Antonio
Antonio Porretta is an independent wealth manager at Blackbridge Financial with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in helping people create, distribute, and preserve their wealth. Antonio received an executive MBA from Saunders College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology in 2007 and also holds the Accredited Asset Management Specialist℠, AAMS® designation. Originally from Rochester, NY, Antonio has been a resident of Harrisburg, NC, since 2007. Outside of work, he enjoys playing soccer and tennis, coaching, and spending time with his wife, Laura, and their children, Cristiano, Victoria, and Matteo. To learn more about Antonio and how he can make a difference in your financial life, visit www.blackbridgefinancial.com.
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Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Independent Advisor Alliance, a registered investment advisor. Independent Advisor Alliance and Blackbridge Financial are separate entities from LPL Financial.
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(1) https://www.salestaxhandbook.com/north-carolina/rates/harrisburg
(2) https://www.kiplinger.com/kiplinger-tools/retirement/t055-s001-state-by-state-guide-to-taxes-on-retirees/index.php?map=&state_id=34&state=North%20Carolina
(3) https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/north-carolina-tax-cuts-income-tax-wheres-the-money/275-d98f4816-93ab-497e-83da-c19cbe0b25e6
(4) https://smartasset.com/taxes/north-carolina-property-tax-calculator#:~:text=Overview%20of%20North%20Carolina%20Taxes&text=The%20average%20effective%20property%20tax,the%20national%20average%20of%201.07%25.