Still awesome, just not quite awesome enough. Wrightsville Beach is just a short drive from Wilmington, so getting here is easy and quick; parking is in well-marked lots, and you can pay by the hour and recharge your time via your phone. © Copyright 2021 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. There's a reason people come to Beaufort and almost immediately plan a return trip. A great way to get to Southport from Wilmington is to take the historic Southport-Fort Fisher car and passenger ferry. Where to Live Now. Not to be confused with the South Carolina town of the same name (and pronounced differently), this small and charming harbor town at the southern end of the Outer Banks has a lively downtown marina, is dotted with historic buildings, is home to a wonderful North Carolina Maritime Museum, and is a stone’s throw from the natural riches of the Rachel Carson Reserve. When you enter the area via the infamous swing bridge that connects the mainland to the island, you are dropped right into the … It’s quaint. No wonder Carolina Beach was named one of the best small towns for retirement in the state. Asheville is the most expensive of the five North Carolina metro areas on the Best Places to Live list, with residents spending 24.15% of the median annual household income on housing. With historic architecture; a thriving downtown with great shops, restaurants, and bars; a picturesque Riverwalk on the Cape Fear River; and a youthful vibe thanks to the local University of North Carolina campus, this magnet is also a quick drive to the sands of Wrightsville and Carolina beaches. Pinehurst. These places make ideal escapes from the heat and humidity of summer. The town makes a somewhat outrageous claim as the "Seafood Capital of the World," but there is some substance to the statement. Begin with our list of the top coastal towns in North Carolina. These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback. In the summer, every Tuesday, a free concert takes place at the town park, with bands providing a mix of musical styles. Other forms of accommodation include vacation rentals and comfy bed and breakfasts. Creston's mountain homesites in Western North Carolina have a viable community of homeowners yet many homesites are designed to … It’s safe. It’s not just all about the fun to be had driving on the broad sands of this southern coast getaway at the northern end of Pleasure Island; or hitting its vintage boardwalk, lively beach bars, and superb seafood spots. #1 Woodstock, Vermont. ... North Carolina. North Carolina has some of the best places to retire near the water. Not to be confused with the replica courthouse, this original structure looks out over a large green space and faces out onto the sound with cannons at the water's edge. This little, eight-mile-long barrier island on North Carolina’s southernmost stretch of coast is a laid-back escape that families love, and a $15 million beach replenishment project in 2017 doubles down on its sandy gifts. Homeowners in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, can get a place by the coast for less than $250,000. Living where the sand meets the water is a dream for many people, including those who want to retire comfortably in an affordable beach house.Although beach cities have the reputation of being expensive places to live, each of the coastal cities on this list has a median home price below the U.S. average of $279,000 and a median rent below the national average of $1,483, making them … The best beach towns in North Carolina for investing are the ones that command the highest rental rates for beach houses, such as Emerald Isle, Wrightsville Beach, and Topsail Beach. Vendors set up nearby selling everything from homemade ice-cream to savory dishes. Nearby, the Rachel Carson Reserve has wild horses, birdlife, and turtles among other wildlife. Greenville. From rugged mountain paths to casual, woodland trails, NC offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature. Take some time to discover why for yourself. Just a short drive from Wilmington brings you to golden sands and warm waters at Carolina Beach. The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Yes, named (with a smile) for the abundance of waterfowl that traditionally lured hunters to this northern end of the Outer Banks, this resort town has low-key sophistication that’s utterly winning, including a vibrant small community of independent shops and restaurants (and a respected jazz festival). Wilmington is somewhat far from many big-city amenities and services, but the climate is pleasant and residential sections are attractive. Although the town is really a collection of retail stores and restaurants along the highway, it's the stunning beach and nearby attractions that make it a popular place to visit. Be sure to stop by the weigh-in area in the afternoon when the boats return with their catches, some of which are enormous. Rated as one of North Carolina's best small towns by Frommer's, Edenton sits on the Albemarle Sound and Edenton Bay, about 70 miles south of Norfolk, Virginia. It’s also home to the Jockey’s Ridge State Park, which is the East Coast’s tallest natural dune system and an incredible place to try hang gliding. Know Before You Go. The main things to see and do are easily reached by foot, and if you find yourself tired out by the adventure, stop in at one of the restaurants and recharge with a fine seafood meal. You can check the inventory and house features online and make bookings there as well. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. The town of 58,800 residents is also part of the famed Research Triangle, and if education is one of your priorities when choosing a place to settle in North Carolina, this should be one of the top places to consider. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Nags Head. Many great equestrian communities are too steamy in the summer months, while others are just right for enjoying the sunshine. One of the main attractions off the beach is Jockey's Ridge State Park. It’s likely that Holly Springs will climb back up to number 1 soon, but second safest place to live is not a bad thing at all. Best Places to Live in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Beach city complex / college town - Northeast South Carolina on Atlantic Coast, 20 miles from North Carolina border. Fort Collins, CO; Full rankings list. 1. Best Places to Live in South Carolina ... North Charleston is also an entertainment hot spot, with live shows taking place at the North Charleston Coliseum and North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Nags Head. A cult favorite, this Outer Banks island is accessible only by boat (unlike other OBX stars) and has a relaxed romance imbued with salt air. Some of these beautiful treasures are now bed and breakfasts, shops, and restaurants. The trees you see growing in the water are bald cypress trees, ranging in age from 500 to 2,000 years old. One of the highlights is the Chowan County Courthouse. Best places come at a cost– If you want to raise your family in one of the best places in North Carolina, you’ll likely need to spend. Because of the curvature of the coastline, the ocean lies about 5 miles east and about 20 miles south. Similar in nature to Nags Head, most of the services are along the main highway. Although Surf City and Topsail Island are technically two different places, you can visit both in one fell swoop because the tiny town of Surf City is sandwiched between North and South Topsail. It is right next Research Triangle Park (RTP), which is filled with many companies like Cisco, IBM, & Biogen. If you can plan for it, the North Carolina Seafood Festival happens the first weekend in October each year and is considered one of the most popular festivals in the state. Austin, TX #4. Fort Mill ... Oh and we said always the bridesmaid because the city located on the North Carolina border near Charlotte finished second for safest and best this year. Nags Head is the largest town in the Outer Banks and also one of the best known beach towns. Mix in a surf vibe on the Atlantic, a boating and SUP-centric world on Banks Channel, miles of broad beaches and a deep bench of old-fashioned Carolina beach cottages for sale and rent, and you’ve got a sense of the magic that makes Wrightsville Beach one of the best real estate investments on the NC coast. Holden Beach is an ideal destination for families, as one of five barrier islands that make up the Brunswick Islands off the North Carolina coast. #2 Best Places to Live in North Carolina Current Resident: Cary is a wonderful place to live overall! If you are looking for a romantic getaway, Edenton is the perfect place. Explore the best places to live near Wilmington Area based on crime, public schools, cost of living, real estate, and local amenities. Access to the world's best surf forecast team at Surfline. Check out the best places to live in North Carolina. One of the highlights of a visit to Beaufort is a stop at the North Carolina Maritime Museum, where treasures from Blackbeard's sunken pirate ship discovered just offshore are on display. Just saying, America.) 1. This classic summer vacation spot is also home to natural gifts, including Carolina Beach State Park, with some of the area’s finest fishing and the Flytrap Trail, named for the carnivorous Venus Flytrap plants along its path. iconic fishing pier with a conservation focus. Voters favored Wellington for winter warmth and the … The beach at Kitty Hawk is long and wide with golden brown sand, ideal for long beach walks. At the southern end of the coast and a quick hop from buzzy Wilmington, this laid-back beach town on a four-mile-long barrier island has charm in spades, from a bird nesting sanctuary at the south end to its iconic Johnnie Mercers Pier. Duck is unique from many of the towns in the Outer Banks. The town has fishing piers: The Nags Head Fishing Pier, which also has a public aquarium, and the Outer Banks Fishing Pier. Sunset Ridge is an active lifestyle community in Ocean Isle Beach, NC and provides residents with a prime location in coastal North Carolina, offering retirees plenty of outdoor recreation, local sandy beaches, and parks. From here, you can catch the trolley for a tour of the town, take a boat tour on Albemarle Sound, or stop in at the historic Cupola House. Largely a residential isle, Holden Beach is all about simple pleasures, from biking and kayaking along with playing on the beach during the day, to ghost crabbing at night. I have been other places and there is nowhere else I would rather live. Near Asheville alone, there's Pisgah National Forest, Mount Mitchell, Cherokee National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and numerous smaller state and regional parks. Majestic pines, indigenous wildlife, pristine mountain streams—there's so much to take in. Carolina Beach is perfect for families, with the ocean in front and fun and games behind. North Carolina in Pictures: 15 Beautiful Places to Photograph, 14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Charlotte, NC. Residents can enjoy 6 of South Carolina’s best beaches, 22 public and private golf courses, some of the state’s best public and private schools, three colleges/universities, numerous parks, farmers’ markets, the South Carolina Aquarium, and many … That's one reason why North Carolina has many of its towns & cities listed among the countries best retirement places. What’s not to love about a town with more than three times as many boats as year-round inhabitants? This is a great place for families, with numerous things to do, including mini golf, family-friendly restaurants, and one of the best beaches in North Carolina. I have lived here almost all of my life and plan on staying here when I get older. 1. Pepsi was invented here. (P.S. See more articles. The beaches offer pedestrian access, so you need not a car or boat to cast away. Emerald Isle, NC began as a small fishing community and is now home to a wide variety of ice cream shops, martini bars, and bistros. Here, you'll find people fishing, strolling hand in hand, or just hanging out gazing out at the ocean. The main town area of Duck is set on the broad and flat Currituck Sound and is protected from the worst of the Atlantic Ocean weather. The Best Places to Live By the Beach. Southern Living is a registered trademark of, These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021, 70 Wedding Vow Examples That Will Melt Your Heart, 7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020, 50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime, best North Carolina towns for buying real estate, Not to be confused with the South Carolina town of the same name (and pronounced differently), best real estate investments on the NC coast. Fresh catches are prepared in ways that will delight your taste buds. Denver, CO #3. Duck is also unique for its extensive, elevated, one-mile boardwalk out over the water that connects various restaurants, shops, and parks while providing great views out over the sound. Fight writer's block and find ways to express your love with these romantic, funny, and short wedding vow examples. Colorado Springs, CO #5. 1 city on … Fun for all ages, activities include walking, running, and even surfing down the tallest sand dunes in the Eastern United States. We've included below the best places to live in South Carolina so that you can become familiar with the most popular areas that folks choose! One of the most unique features of Kitty Hawk is the large maritime forest in Sandy Run Park. North Carolina's coastal towns offer a mix of experiences, from quaint historic communities with 18th-century homes and tree-lined streets to thriving beach scenes and fun activity-based destinations for families. That connection to water—fishing, pleasure boating, paddling, and sailing (Oriental is known as the sailing capital of North Carolina)—defines the maritime charm of this village-like spot on the broad Neuse River as it opens into Pamlico Sound. The beach is wide, and the water here is clear with an aquamarine color. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance of one another, and many are free to enter. ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter. Homes dating from the 17th century are on beautiful tree-lined streets that entice you to stroll along and think about what life used to be like here over 200 years ago. Charlotte Known as the largest city in North Carolina and one of the best places to live in the U.S., Charlotte has become a popular destination for migrants around the country. To customize the list of best places to live in and around Carolina Beach, NC, you are able to first select the search radius, which is the maximum distance you'd like to search for nearby cities or neighborhoods. Set along the Trent and Neuse rivers in a central stretch of Carolina coastline, New Bern’s leafy streets played a starring role in the film version of The Notebook, and it’s considered one of the best places to retire in North Carolina. This riverfront port is technically a city, but there are so many things to love about visiting and enjoying Wilmington, it’s impossible to leave it off the list. Still, Americans consider Asheville an ideal place to live, placing it 16th for desirability on the overall Best Places to Live list, based on a series of SurveyMonkey surveys asking U.S. residents where they would … DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images. Down at the dock areas there is always something to see or do, whether it's a fisherman showing off his catch or people catching up on an outdoor patio. Displayed first is the matching location - Carolina Beach, NC, followed by the best places to live near Carolina Beach, NC, sorted by Livability Score. Best Places to Live in South Carolina. Head to Jacksonville, North Carolina, to snag a home that’s even cheaper—albeit without the amenities of Malibu’s year-round Mediterranean climate or world-renowned shopping. Real Estate Rankings Best Places to Live #1. Meet North Carolina’s earliest capital—and an utterly charming harbor town with plenty of historic architecture (more than 160 homes on the National Historic Register and four historic neighborhoods), waterfront fun, arts and culture, and a deep legacy of Southern hospitality. There’s a reason this tiny harbor town at the outlet of the Cape Fear River was voted America’s Happiest Seaside Town in 2015. While many Outer Banks spots could be considered among the best North Carolina beaches, the village of Hatteras on Hatteras Island boasts some of the highest-rated rentals. Bright white cottages with red roofs, stately sea captains’ homes, two lighthouses, and water in seemingly every direction (what with the confluence of the river and the Intracoastal Waterway) create vistas at every bend in the road. Named one of the best places to retire in North Carolina, this island near Wilmington has 10 miles of south-facing beaches, not to mention two fishing piers and nostalgic pleasures that include ice cream and miniature golf. Here, you'll find an extensive assortment of family restaurants, mini golf, a Children's Museum, and beach shops. Stroll past the various shops, stop by the waterfront to catch the action, and then retire to a waterfront patio to soak up the views of Sugarloaf Island. 3. This westernmost community on Bogue Banks is a treasured vacation getaway for families, with its 12 miles of clean shores, clear waters, and old-fashioned neighborhoods and vibe. With nearly 85 percent of its total area a preserved landscape of salt marshes, tidal creeks, and scrubby, subtropical forest, plus 14 miles of pale sands, the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina, and a community of beautiful beach houses, this is most certainly a Treasure Isle. 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