This is the largest city in western North Carolina and is a must-visit for nature lovers. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to the Carolinas, as seen through the eyes of Cameron Seagle and Natasha Alden. Outer Banks towns have never had tons of real estate. Stop by Ms. Sils for a famous cream pie. Duck has devoted extensive energy and funds to the nourishment of its beaches (named among the Best Restored Beaches for 2018), but it's important to note that access is for residents and vacation property renters only. Museums pay homage to the cotton mill upbringing of the area, and authentic Southern food establishments, like the Sugar Magnolia Cafe, give you plenty of reasons to head downtown. A farmers market takes place throughout the summer, from the middle of May to the end of September on Monday's beginning at 8am. North Carolina is the kind of state that offers a little something for everyone. There are more golf carts than cars driving through town, and with a plethora of rental options available, you can have your choice of open-air off-road vehicles to explore the uncrowded beaches. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. The town's most popular fishing pier and one of the major attractions is Janette's Pier. Bald Head Island, North Carolina. It is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. The beach is a popular destination for those who like to surf, stand up paddleboard, and kayak, so bring your gear. If youre sick of the noise and congestion of the city, Duck might be just what youre looking for. Located right on the coast near Wilmington, spending a day here is never dull. One of the most unique features of Kitty Hawk is the large maritime forest in Sandy Run Park. Right along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Beaufort has created a wonderful Carolinian destination that showcases the sea that has given the area life. Population: 7,033Percent Democrat: 72.8%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $122.5# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 1.29More on Hillsborough:Photos |Data. Sure, youve got all the amenities youll need, but rather than chain stores and drive-ins, youll get an eclectic range of independent boutiques and eateries. 2. Population: 826,060Percent Democrat: 62.3%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $9.56# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.04More on Charlotte:Photos |Data. The area was one of the states industrial headquarters, and as businesses died down, warehouses and brick mill buildings morphed into a hip district worth checking out. Working as a vice president at a Fortune 500 . Despite lying only two miles off the North Carolina coast and due south of Wilmington, this three-by-one-mile barrier island feels like a secret hideout from a Robert Louis Stevenson story. Cary and Chapel Hill are very liberal. A token fee is charged to walk out on the pier and is a worthy investment for the fine views you'll encounter. This two-bedroom condo is listed at just under $200,000 in a high-rise with bay and ocean views. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Swipe left for slideshow. 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. Dana has extensive professional writing experience including technical and report writing, informational articles, persuasive articles, contrast and comparison, grant applications, and advertisement. 1/13. Its the voters. Liberal voters: 42% Thrift store rank: 2nd Vegan rank: 11th Waynesville might be considered a little hippie town just west of Asheville. If you are a foodie and like charming small towns, Calabash should be number one on your destination list. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance of one another, and many are free to enter. Corolla retains wild horses and enough identity to be one of the best small beach towns in the state. The 10 Most liberal Places In North Carolina For 2019 1. 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. High 78F. The areas economic center has packed in microbreweries and homestyle meals to give you plenty of activity once youre off the water. Bryson City. Miles to Beach: 1 mile. Carolina Beach is known as one of North Carolina's top surfing destinations. Carolina Beach is not just a beach, but an island between the Cape Fear River on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. The. The 20 Most Populated Cities in the World in 2019, The 10 Richest Neighborhoods in Denver, CO, The 10 Richest Neighborhoods in New Orleans, How Bebe Rexha Achieved a Net Worth of $10 Million, The 20 Worst Cities for Human Trafficking in the World, How Simu Liu Achieved a Net Worth of $4 Million, The 20 Best Chevy Muscle Cars of All-Time, How Lizzo Achieved a Net Worth of $40 Million. The area has several good campgrounds for tenters or RVs. 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. Carolina Beach is a popular place to visit in the summer as vacationers flock here from around the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 11,415. The South Florida hot spot is the seventh-most populous metro area in the U.S., and its beaches attract vacationers year-round. Kitty Hawk has a small pier at the northern end of town, right where highway 158 joins up with Highway 12. Theres a dramatic dining scene once youve completed your check-in. Rockaway Beach, NY isn't as liberal/gay . I once read a description of Chapel Hill as being "as southern as Birkenstocks and Muesli". Park your car and remember where you put the keys; you wont need them for a while. 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). The main street, also known as Highway 12, has an assortment of unique shops, restaurants, and hotels spread along its length. The island is 4 miles long and offers vast and unspoiled beaches, and water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing are popular. As beach towns go, youll struggle to find much better than Wrightsville Beach. Small: No major cities allowed. Whatever you're seeking, this lively beach community has plenty of watersports, family activities, and beachside events in the summer. Sunny. Elizabeth Berry is a fact checker and writer with over three years of professional experience in the field. Pay a visit to the Center for Wildlife education and get acquainted with NC's rich biodiversity. The George on Wilmington's Riverwalk. But . An ideal way to begin your tours is to view a 15-minute video at the tourist information office at the top end of South Broad Street. 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. The town has its roots in the railroad, which still operates today with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. 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. While they vote more Republican, obviously they value the true hippie creed: cheap, vintage clothes and vegetarian food. A world-class golf course at nearby Pinehurst resort has defined the town as the golf capital of a state rich in opportunities for a tee time. Why We Recommend This Beach Boasting its 16 miles of undeveloped shoreline, you'll be surprised with what's in store in Ocracoke Island. The price-to-income ratio in Ogden is 3.9, vs. 5.3 for Denver,. Pinehurst Pinehurst Pinehurst was recently named the "Best Place to Live in North Carolina," by Smart Travel Tips. Her academic degrees include AA social Sci/BA English/MEd Adult Ed & Community & Human Resource Development and ABD in PhD studies in Indust & Org Psychology. North Carolina is one of the pork capitals of the country, and they take their BBQ seriously. 1,516) Trent Woods (Pop. Learn how your comment data is processed. Quiet, calm, and as peaceful as a summer breeze, its the perfect place to experience the simple pleasures in life. [ See: The Best Places to Retire in 2022. ] A tiny town located near the outskirts of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach is known and loved for its wide beaches, soft white sand, and picturesque stilt houses situated right on the water, many of which . Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $950. If warm waters and golden sands tick your box, youre going to love Carolina Beach. in Journalism from Columbia University. The Greenville area is a college town, not terribly far from the Coast, but if you absolutely must be in a NC coastal town and want the most progressive, Wilmington is your only hope. You can keep walking straight from Main Street and quickly find yourself on top of Polly Mountain, and stop by a swimming hole on your way down. If youre considering making your next visit the permanent kind, check out these 10 best places to live in North Carolina near the beach. iconic fishing pier with a conservation focus. The town of Hillsborough is the county seat of Orange County, North Carolina. Getting to the ocean via 4WD vehicles is easy through multiple beach access roads, allowing you to access some of the finest beaches in the Outer Banks. The town itself offers festivals, galleries, shops, sporting events, and all activities hosted by the Biltmore Estate. Not only is Asheville one of the coolest cities in the state, but it's also one of the most beautiful since it's in the middle . If you want to live somewhere that combines the best of both beach and urban living, look no further. Tucked away from the mighty Pamlico River, Bath is one of the smallest towns in North Carolina, with a population of just over 200. Read More The 20 Best Places to Live in IllinoisContinue, Denver has a total of 78 neighborhoods to its name. Written by Lana Law and Michael Law Updated Jan 31, 2022We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). Asheville. 3. 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 . Accommodation: Where to Stay in Carolina Beach 6. These are the best towns in North Carolina where LGBT individuals and families can find a warm community: Asheville Raleigh Durham Charlotte Winston-Salem Wilmington Greensboro 1. Also known as the Prairie State, Illinois borders the Mississippi River and Indiana. 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. 20. 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. 9. 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 If you're looking for a liberal city in the purple state of Pennsylvania, look no further than Pittsburgh, the 19th most liberal city in the US and the 15th most affordable on our ranking. Stroll along the picturesque docks on the Calabash River or join a deep-sea fishing tour to catch your own dinner. In the first of a new series exploring cool US towns and cities, Emma John soaks up the sporting fanaticism, liberal traditions, food and music of a university town where the 'individual streak . The town itself is a delight, with charming, Victorian-era homes sitting side by side with modern-day architectural gems. A wonderful walk along the Duck Boardwalk starts at the kayak launch parking area and heads south along the shoreline ultimately ending at Aqua Restaurant, where you can have a leisurely lunch on their wonderful outdoor patio. The Culture Trip considers Kitty Hawk one of the ten most beautiful towns in North Carolina. It has many historical churches, some dating from the early 19th century. Wrightsville Beach. That may be so, but its not only the gray brigade who stand to benefit from its attractions. Median Household Income: $42,612. 3. Roanoke Rapids has embraced the natural beauty of northern North Carolina to serve as a fantastic outdoor sports border town destination. The US Office of Management and Budget also includes Durham as a part of the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Combined Statistical Area, which has a population of 2,037,430 as of U.S. Census 2014 Population Estimates. No visit to the North Carolina coast is complete without visiting Carolina Beach. Take some time to discover why for yourself. Oak Island offers more than 10 miles of coast with immaculate sandy beaches. In 2012, Budget Travel Magazine named it Americas Coolest Small Town. Within two minutes of arrival, youll understand why. Vendors set up nearby selling everything from homemade ice-cream to savory dishes. In 2016, the U.S.Census Bureau estimated the population was 842,051, making it the 17th-most populous city in the United States. Greenville is the 11th-most populous city in North Carolina and is known as the state's health, entertainment, and educational hub. Some of these beautiful treasures are now bed and breakfasts, shops, and restaurants. 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. You can camp or stay at many rental homes near this small town center and enjoy everything a day on the lake has to offer. Be sure to check out the Southport Pier and Riverwalk with its great views and fresh breezes. The pier is located behind the large Hilton Garden Inn. Fresh catches are prepared in ways that will delight your taste buds. All of this puts it at number 23 on the national list of millennial migration. Ken Christensen, CEO of Washington-based The Politics Company Inc., a Democratic messaging and fundraising firm, said there are reasons a candidate would want to keep initial fundraising numbers . The town itself is equally noteworthy, with every kind of amenity youll need and enough housing options to please all tastes and budgets. As one of the largest towns in the Outer Banks, Nags Head is one of North Carolinas best-known beach towns. Many small towns in North Carolina claim to be the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, but Bryson City has a serious argument. 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. Compared to other nearby states, South Carolina has more republican voters. A great way to get to Southport from Wilmington is to take the historic Southport-Fort Fisher car and passenger ferry. Duck is unique from many of the towns in the Outer Banks. Wrightsville Beach (Pop. Legendary fudge shops, pubs, and fine dining establishments provide so many options; youll have to come back to try them all. 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