That connection to waterfishing, 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 craft beer capital of the east coast is a safe Uber drive away, and some great hiking and biking depart from downtown. in Journalism from Columbia University. Oak Island offers more than 10 miles of coast with immaculate sandy beaches. Surrounded by water on three sides, the town has a maritime feel about it. Legendary fudge shops, pubs, and fine dining establishments provide so many options; youll have to come back to try them all. The areas economic center has packed in microbreweries and homestyle meals to give you plenty of activity once youre off the water. Just south of town you'll find the impressive Wright Brothers National Memorial. Matthews is a large suburban town of Charlotte located in southeastern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Official Website. In the summer, there are fireworks every Thursday night and live music concerts featuring a variety of musicians across the musical spectrum. In 2012, Budget Travel Magazine named it Americas Coolest Small Town. Within two minutes of arrival, youll understand why. This impressive concrete structure extends 1,000 feet out into the Atlantic Ocean. 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. One of the most unique features of Kitty Hawk is the large maritime forest in Sandy Run Park. 1. Fresh breezes off the ocean and cool waters to swim in make for a refreshing retreat. Whether you stay a week, a year, or an entire lifetime, youre unlikely to regret your decision. The population was 24,866 at the 2010 census. Asheville is an artsy city that brews fantastic beer and is home to award-winning chefs, two of its traits making Asheville one of the best places to live in the U.S. Cradled by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville draws in outdoor enthusiasts . Close to Virginia and entirely flanked by the Roanoke River, Downtown Roanoke Rapids has a little bit of everything you need for a quiet weekend in the woods. In New Orleans,, Read More The 10 Richest Neighborhoods in New OrleansContinue. These places make ideal escapes from the heat and humidity of summer. Credit (Getty Images) View as article. Named by PlanetWare as one of the best coastal towns in North Carolina, Edenton is a peaceful, charming town thats the perfect antidote to the stresses and strains of modern life. Just a short drive from Wilmington brings you to golden sands and warm waters at Carolina Beach. Small: No major cities allowed. Early inhabitants dug a canal here that used to power local mills. The first Colonial capital of North Carolina, this 300-year-old town is replete with wonderfully restored historical homes and buildings. 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. Beaufort is full of history and is North Carolina's third oldest town. A glance at the 2020 Florida election results says your beachside options are pretty limited: the Jacksonville area, the three counties in the southeast corner (Palm Beach, Broward and. This is an escape complete with pirate lore; long stretches of pristine sands all protected by the National Park Service; a fishing village with summer pleasures like ice cream, seafood, and boat charters; and its own bright white, picturesque lighthouse. Then well take a closer look at each of our top 10 most liberal cities in North Carolina. Not all of them are the kind youd want to live in, but all are imbued with their own distinct sense of charm, personality, and, Read More The 10 Richest Neighborhoods in Denver, COContinue, Overall, Louisiana isnt an expensive state. Views up and down the coastline from here are spectacular. The Great Smoky Mountain train line departs from the town center, and theres always plenty of action downtown after the sun sets. Carolina Beach is known as one of North Carolina's top surfing destinations. It's located in the municipal grounds near the town hall. Straight south of town is the Bodie Island Lighthouse, and just a few miles north is the Wright Memorial National Monument. It is listed as a gamma-minus global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. With a population of more than 736,000 people, it is the third most populous metropolitan area in North Carolina. 1. North Carolina is the kind of state that offers a little something for everyone. In addition to dining, shopping, and walking, additional things to do include fishing from the boardwalk, crabbing on the sound, cycling along the six-mile Duck Trail, or catching a free show at the Amphitheater. A sizable full-time residential community gives this area some authentic flavor. It's a fast-growing city because of its desirability with good standards of living. Avon is another wonderful beach town in the Outer Banks that is a great place to base yourself to see the best of the area. Beaufort is what happens when you build a small town where the land meets the sea and it's easily one of the best small towns in North Carolina. Florida Tech is a technical research university in Melbourne, Florida, on the Atlantic coast. The town itself is easy to navigate by foot. Pull off the Blue Ridge Parkway right into Blowing Rock for an upscale dining and vacation experience. Our aim is to help you get the most out of your travel around the Carolinas. If youre sick of the noise and congestion of the city, Duck might be just what youre looking for. This two-bedroom condo is listed at just under $200,000 in a high-rise with bay and ocean views. One of the best things to do in North Carolina is enjoy world-class BBQ. 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. Cape Hatteras. All that great fishing translates into great seafood at the many fine restaurants spread throughout the town. Its reputation for charm precedes it, known mainly as the hometown of Andy, (free!) Vendors set up nearby selling everything from homemade ice-cream to savory dishes. Bronxville, New York Sarah Lawrence College; Concordia College Quiet, calm, and as peaceful as a summer breeze, its the perfect place to experience the simple pleasures in life. Nags Head is well located for easy day trips. In 2020, we decided to share more about our home in the Carolinas. Tracey holds a B.A. The small town in NC is the home of the unique vinegar concoction that defines the state. The town has plenty of dining and entertainment offers, so youll never get bored, and has held on to its Southern charm to make it feel like home. Climb up the 257 steps to the top for 360-degree views of the surrounding area. It is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. Now that were starting up the election swing to decide not only our next President, but many other local statewide initiatives, its important to put into context the types of decisions that will be made in the coming years. Even within a single year, a particular neighborhood or metro area can change from being a sellers market to a buyers market and back. 4. 2 - Fayetteville, Arkansas Retiree Cost of Living: 13.8% below national averages Average Retiree Income: $85,436 Tax Status: Not Tax-Friendly Politics: 40% Democrat 50% Republican 2,984) Weaverville (Pop . Credit. The 10 Most liberal Places In North Carolina For 2019 1. And to be clear, we didnt form this list based on our own biases we relied on the cold hard data. While the best BBQs are often found in the hole in the wall spots along state highways, the best BBQs in NC all use Lexington sauce. The main street, also known as Highway 12, has an assortment of unique shops, restaurants, and hotels spread along its length. Kitty Hawk is the place where Orville and Wilbur Wright first managed to fly. Dont leave without having a meal at Shuckin Shack, one of the best Carolina Beach restaurants, followed by a margarita at the Tiki Bar on the ocean. They have plenty of sites to explore, whether you're a pirate fanatic, intrigued by early colonial history, excited by sea turtles, or anxious to see herds of wild horses. Other forms of accommodation include vacation rentals and comfy bed and breakfasts. These Are The 10 Best Places To Live In North Carolina, These Are The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In North Carolina, These Are The 10 Cheapest States To Live In, These Are The 10 Best Counties To Live In North Carolina, 10 Cheapest Places To Live In North Carolina, 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In North Carolina, These Are The 10 Best Places To Retire In North Carolina, These Are The 10 Richest Cities In North Carolina, 10 Worst Places To Live In North Carolina, # Of Contributions To Democrats Per Capita, $ Amount Contributed To Democrats Per Capita. She moved to Birmingham, Alabama, in 2014, where she spent many hours exploring and writing about the Southern travel and culture. The town has its roots in the railroad, which still operates today with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. You're 20 minutes away from Raleigh, 20 minutes away from Durham, and 10 minutes away from Cary. Beaches Parks. This is one of the top fishing destinations on the Outer Banks. Population: 11,038Percent Democrat: 65.2%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $2.24# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.02More on Tarboro:Photos |Data. High 78F. Powered by Mai Theme, 15 Best Romantic Getaways In Arkansas You Must Try, the prettiest Outer Banks towns you should visit. (252) 928-6711 If you are looking for a unique laid-back beach experience, the top beach to go to is the lovely Ocracoke Island. Nags Head is one of the few towns on the Outer Banks where you can find a good selection of hotels, including resorts. Elizabeth Berry is a fact checker and writer with over three years of professional experience in the field. Founded by Charles and Laura Douglass in 1893, Charles was the son of the well . I once read a description of Chapel Hill as being "as southern as Birkenstocks and Muesli". The price-to-income ratio in Ogden is 3.9, vs. 5.3 for Denver,. Median Household Income: $42,612. Bright white cottages with red roofs, stately sea captains' homes, two lighthouses, local shops, 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. There are so many reasons to escape from this place--not the least of which is the harsh winters, snow shoveling, etc. 6. This small mountain town in North Carolina has grown up naturally. Just south of Beaufort, this quiet fishing community known for retaining the Down East dialect has also become a popular spot for retirees. ferry takes you from Hatteras to the northern tip of the island. The town springs to life in the summer, and you can expect special events and remarkable sunsets every weekend from spring through fall. In fact, the world-famous Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament takes place here each year the second week of June. A (free!) Itll only take you four blocks to make it through downtown Saluda, each block an eclectic mix of new shops and stores that havent changed in decades. No matter which of our favorites you choose, you'll feel restored by an escape to small-town life at the beach. Nowadays, locals have their fair share of high-quality coffee shops, local goods, and fresh eats to share with any visitors who want a low-key weekend away. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Nearby, the Rachel Carson Reserve has wild horses, birdlife, and turtles among other wildlife. If you prefer a hotel room, there are a few places just south of town in Buxton. It is just across the Intracoastal Waterway from the small beach town of Indiatlantic and several miles north of the Sebastian Inlet, widely recognized as one of the best surfing beaches on the East Coast and one of the state's most popular beaches. The beach here is wide, and the sand is soft. This black-and-white beacon can be climbed, and the reward for the effort of going up 257 stairs is amazing views up and down the coast. In addition to dining, the town offers great opportunities for shopping across a wide variety of retail shops. The 17 Most Romantic Hotels in the U.S. 3. Its population was 57,233 in the 2010 census, making Chapel Hill the 15th-largest city in the state. You'll find both hotels and vacation rentals in which to enjoy a classic beach vacation. Best Places 2022-2023 Rank: 137. Topsail Island was not even accessible by car until WWII; the Missiles and More Museum shares the island's history as the former home of a secret missile operation. With low property taxes, low home prices, and a delectably high standard of living, this beachy paradise offers a little something for everyone. One of the best seafood meals can be had here at Provision Company. One of the most charming towns in rural North Carolina, Washington still retains coastal charm while being a simple, charming, and cool small town all on its own. Asheville, North Carolina. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Tracey Minkin is an award-winning writer and editor whose work has appeared in national and regional magazines as well as digital platforms including Southern Living, Coastal Living, Travel + Leisure, Outside, Food & Wine, Men's Journal, VERANDA, and many more. You'll know you are in the right spot when you see the colorful kites of the kiteboarders just offshore. Editors Note: We updated this article for 2019. With lots of hiking trails, state parks, recreational areas, art galleries, music festivals, and popular restaurants in town, Columbia enjoys the youthful vibe of some of the more liberal colleges and towns. Wrightsville Beach. Most of the action is found at the base of South Broad Street. Compared to other nearby states, North Carolina has more republican voters. Tarboro is a town located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States. Chief among its attractions are its beach towns. Beaufort is what happens when you build a small town where the land meets the sea and its easily one of the best small towns in North Carolina. With its romantic historic mansions; 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. The town, which is part of the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill combined statistical area, was named after North Carolina industrialist Julian Shakespeare Carr. Specifically, we wanted to know which cities have the highest number of liberal voters in the Tar Heel State? 1,516) Trent Woods (Pop. Two nearby campgrounds are some of the best places to camp in the Outer Banks. Whether youre looking for something small and quaint or big and boisterous, theres a North Carolina beach town to match. For entertainment, the huge, one-mile boardwalk is the perfect place for romantic sunset walks. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Until a craft beer and outdoor sports explosion, Saluda wasnt much more than a truck stop with peaches in the summer and apples in the fall. It is the county seat of Durham County. Nantahala Outdoors Center is located in the Nantahala Gorge and provides excursions for whitewater rafting, ziplining, mountain biking . The rapid growth of the city is in part, because o its affordable cost of living. The area has attracted thousands of summer campers every year thanks to the variety of outdoor activities available, with Brevard as a centerpiece. Attractions for mom and dad are in the form of outlet malls, beach shops, Gallery Row, and the Historic District, with its unpainted traditional cedar shake beach cottages. The Olde Town Square is the social center of downtown, drawing crowds for festivals and other family-friendly events. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Kitty Hawk. When you click through real estate links on our site, we earn an affiliate commission. Delaware. Tucked away from the mighty Pamlico River, Bath is one of the smallest towns in North Carolina, with a population of just over 200. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. Along the beach, you can witness one-of-a-kind wild horses, the Colonial Spanish Mustang - the island's true treasures, and go on a guided ride with them. 4,751) Biltmore Forest (Pop. The beach is one of the best in the area, with soft sand, surf-ready waves, and a smorgasbord of activities to enjoy. As beach towns go, youll struggle to find much better than Wrightsville Beach. With a population of 230, it would not be easy to find a smaller beach town that is as beautiful and unique as Bald Head Island. There are many urban areas, including the states capital Chicago, but there is also plenty of rolling hills, wetlands, farmland, and forests. Book a stay at one of the charming old bed and breakfasts and spend a leisurely day exploring the town. 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, locally owned shops, and a community of beautiful beach houses, this is most certainly a Treasure Isle. Asheville is known for its outdoor recreation, craft beer scene, and overall artsy vibe. What's not to love about Oriental, a town with more than three times as many boats as year-round inhabitants? In the summer, every Tuesday, a free concert takes place at the town park, with bands providing a mix of musical styles. Black Mountain has chilled dining options and a walkable downtown area to provide a great stop on your next vacation. The town itself is a delight, with charming, Victorian-era homes sitting side by side with modern-day architectural gems. Don't have a 4WD vehicle? Pay your dollar and wander out onto the pier. We receive compensation if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra. Morehead City, NC (28557) Today. Kitty Hawk. With low property taxes, low home prices, and a delectably high standard of living, this beachy paradise offers a little something for everyone. With 65 public beach access points, it is one of the most welcoming beach towns in the country. For more on how we ran the numbers, keep on reading. Located right on the coast near Wilmington, spending a day here is never dull. 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. Be prepared for a bit of exercise on your visit. Most of the accommodation is in elevated beach houses that can be rented through one of the local real estate companies. Founded in 1705, it is the state's oldest town and was North Carolina's first port of entry. Consider these retirement communities in North Carolina: Asheville. 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. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the doorstep of great hiking trails, scenic drives, and spectacular waterfalls, the location is hard to beat. All of this puts it at number 23 on the national list of millennial migration. The trees you see growing in the water are bald cypress trees, ranging in age from 500 to 2,000 years old. Durham County was even more lopsided - Clinton won 78-18. The cost of living is well within reach, the schools are more than respectable, and the housing options will suit a wide range of tastes and budgets. Only electric carts and bicycles can travel the roads, making sure you catch everything while you're in paradise. Its not hard to see whats bought them to the conclusion. Here are some of the world's best beaches for partying. This was actually the first place I saw the ocean after moving to the US from Germany as a child! Written by Lana Law and Michael Law Updated Jan 31, 2022We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). So happy it has helped good luck with your move! The iconic Carolina Beach Boardwalk with its carousel, arcade, carnival rides, and ice cream parlous is the place to be in the warmer months, especially on Thursday evenings when it comes alive with firework displays and live music shows. Just drive your car to the access road area, and walk the short distance to the beach. Albino squirrels dance along the open campus of Brevard College, which intermingles with the town center. One of the highlights is the Chowan County Courthouse. 1/13. A token fee is charged to walk out on the pier and is a worthy investment for the fine views you'll encounter. At first, Rick Scot was hesitant to trade in West Hollywood for a new home in North Carolina. Named by Southern Living as one of the best beach towns in Northern Carolina, Emerald Isle is a small, charging community that makes the perfect home for families, singles, and professionals alike. The downtown shacks have been slathering up the same recipe for decades, and folks have never stopped loving it. We have been writing about travel for the last decade. Boiling Springs, North Carolina Gardner-Webb University The town has grown up and spread out a touch over the years, and its proximity to Asheville has rubbed off on it. 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 among the . We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. Calm, sedate, and gorgeously green, Duck is the perfect option for city folk who secretly hate the city. The NC coast is known for vacation beach towns with small populations and not a lot of full-time residents, and they are heavily conservative, by and large. Hillsborough provides plenty of history as you stroll through an authentically lovely downtown. In 2016, the U.S.Census Bureau estimated the population was 842,051, making it the 17th-most populous city in the United States. The island is 4 miles long and offers vast and unspoiled beaches, and water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing are popular. Wilmington was also founded in the first half of the 18th century by colonists, so it has a number of historical buildings. Compared to the nation as a whole, North Carolina leans more republican.