The town itself is packed with attractions, including the fascinating Wrightsville Beach Museum of History and the Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center. Pull off the Blue Ridge Parkway right into Blowing Rock for an upscale dining and vacation experience. Stay in a home on the sound side for a great view of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Rent Change in the Past Year: 17.09%. 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. 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. Oriental Flickr / Zach Frailey Oriental is home to 898 people and thousands of boats. An alternative may be a cool/liberal town that is near the shore if not right on it. Sail on the Neuse River. The colorful shrimp boats are quaintly decorated and the whole town radiates saltwater charm. This 30-minute ride across the mouth of the Cape Fear River is a cheap way to see the seaside scenery and much better than taking the long way around to get to town. The best way to capture the town's essence is to walk around. Here are some of the world's best beaches for partying. No visit to the North Carolina coast is complete without visiting Carolina Beach. 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. The beach at Kitty Hawk is long and wide with golden brown sand, ideal for long beach walks. 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 $1,483, making them among the . The beach is one of the best in the area, with soft sand, surf-ready waves, and a smorgasbord of activities to enjoy. Over the past several decades there have been significant changes in the population of the world. ferry takes you from Hatteras to the northern tip of the island. Residents are referred to as Charlotteans. Population: 21,099Percent Democrat: 72.8%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $75.38# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.71More on Carrboro:Photos |Data. Winston-Salem. Rockaway Beach, NY isn't as liberal/gay . One of the main attractions off the beach is Jockey's Ridge State Park. 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 (which features old-school amusement rides in summer), lively beach bars, and superb seafood spots. Duck is unique from many of the towns in the Outer Banks. in Journalism from Columbia University. Cn Gp Th Nail Cho Tim ng Khch In Liberal, KS. Asheville Source:Flickr.com With a population of less than 90,000, Asheville is just barely over a tenth the size of Charlotte and a fifth the size of Raleigh. With history running through its veins (including pre-Civil War Fort Macon), the oldest town on Bogue Bankswith its back to Bogue Sound and facing the Atlantic Ocean to the southis also home to the nostalgic (and 1,000-foot-long) Oceanana Fishing Pier, plus a steady swell for surfing. The downtown feels different to wander through, thanks to the brick mill buildings that fuse with the natural area. The Olde Town Square is the social center of downtown, drawing crowds for festivals and other family-friendly events. But when you think of America's great beach towns, like the Hamptons, Miami, Malibu, Hilton Head, among many others, we get snapped right back into reality rather quickly the cost of living in these spectacular beach towns is pretty darn high! Perhaps as expected, the small town of Athens, Ohio was named after the ancient center of learning in . Weddings, anniversaries, and honeymooners love the tranquility and its arguably one of the most romantic getaways in NC. If youre looking for a golfing destination or an upscale small-town that invites you to relax, youll enjoy Pinehurst Village. If the wind is up, which it frequently is in the Outer Banks, you may be lucky enough to see the hang gliders launching themselves off the dunes. Camping in the Outer Banks: Staying in coastal towns is a great way to enjoy summer in North Carolina. Editors Note: We updated this article for 2019. The town is home to sunset beach, miles of iconic sandy dunes where visitors can catch the sunrise over the sound and the sunset across the ocean. Then well take a closer look at each of our top 10 most liberal cities in North Carolina. Very liberal Split evenly Very conservative South Carolina tends to be slightly republican based on voting results in recent elections. As one of the largest towns in the Outer Banks, Nags Head is one of North Carolinas best-known beach towns. In fairness, there are worse places to live than Albemarle. Buxton is home to the famous black and white Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. 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. Beaches. 1. Elizabeth Berry is a fact checker and writer with over three years of professional experience in the field. Cary and Chapel Hill are very liberal. Asheville is known for its outdoor recreation, craft beer scene, and overall artsy vibe. The towns proximity to exciting whitewater rafting and ziplining has kick-started a lovely downtown, with plenty of dining and shopping options on one side and a public park on the other side of the tracks. You're 20 minutes away from Raleigh, 20 minutes away from Durham, and 10 minutes away from Cary. As well as being a couple minutes away from a bunch of other smaller cities nearby. Fresh catches are prepared in ways that will delight your taste buds. Its the voters. Its not hard to see whats bought them to the conclusion. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Carolina Beach 6. The shoreline itself provides endless opportunities for rest and relaxation. Most of the action is found at the base of South Broad Street. Thank you for providing all of this information! The beach here is wide, and the sand is soft. Metro Population: 6,129,858. 3. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This article may contain affiliate links. Outer Banks towns have never had tons of real estate. Hillsborough provides plenty of history as you stroll through an authentically lovely downtown. The town itself is a delight, with charming, Victorian-era homes sitting side by side with modern-day architectural gems. One of the best seafood meals can be had here at Provision Company. It's a fast-growing city because of its desirability with good standards of living. iconic fishing pier with a conservation focus. The main gathering spot is at Crystal Pier. Athens, Ohio. Even within a single year, a particular neighborhood or metro area can change from being a sellers market to a buyers market and back. Central North Carolinas finest offerings come together in this small, humble town. Powered by Mai Theme, 15 Best Romantic Getaways In Arkansas You Must Try, the prettiest Outer Banks towns you should visit. The last town before the Nantahala National Forest and Parks, Bryson City pops up out of nowhere in a valley between some of North Carolinas most incredible outdoor spaces and stunning waterfalls. Population: 230. The beach itself is wide, sandy, fringed by turquoise waters everything, in fact, youd want a beach to be. Its title as 'America's Coolest Small Town' seems to be down to a combination of 300-years of history - complete with small historic district . Swansboro sits at the confluence of the Water Oak River and Intracoastal Waterway, just minutes away from Hammocks Beach State Park and Emerald Isle. [ See: The Best Places to Retire in 2022. ] That left us with 132 cities and towns. This impressive concrete structure extends 1,000 feet out into the Atlantic Ocean. 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. With Rodanthe as a base camp, you can head either north or south along the Outer Banks and find a great way to spend the afternoon. In addition to her fact checking background, she also has over six years experience of reporting, writing, and copy editing articles for digital magazines including Woman's Day and The Knot. The downtown shacks have been slathering up the same recipe for decades, and folks have never stopped loving it. The 10 Most liberal Places In North Carolina For 2019 1. Kitty Hawk is the place where Orville and Wilbur Wright first managed to fly. 2. Our Top Valentine's Day Gift Ideas. It begins at the City Pier. Just a short drive from Wilmington brings you to golden sands and warm waters at Carolina Beach. As one of the best places to live in North Carolina, Greenville . If you want a low-key vacation, get a house on the lake in Semora for the weekend and relax in peace. 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 areas economic center has packed in microbreweries and homestyle meals to give you plenty of activity once youre off the water. 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. Ocracoke Island. It is the second-largest city in the southeastern United States, just behind Jacksonville, Florida. At first, Rick Scot was hesitant to trade in West Hollywood for a new home in North Carolina. We receive compensation if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra. Most liberal beach towns in north carolina October 10, 2022 By 3174179506438150 Comments are Off. With low property taxes, low home prices, and a delectably high standard of living, this beachy paradise offers a little something for everyone. Morrisville is one of my favorite cities in the Triangle Area of North Carolina. Wrightsville Beach Park. In 2012, Budget Travel Magazine named it Americas Coolest Small Town. Within two minutes of arrival, youll understand why. For more on how we ran the numbers, keep on reading. This two-bedroom condo is listed at just under $200,000 in a high-rise with bay and ocean views. 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. Some of these towns don't have large off-season populations, though, and may be pretty quiet/dull during winter months. The Citadel - The Military College of South Carolina. Best thing: Spend time visiting the Bald Head Island Natural Area. Many small towns in North Carolina claim to be the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, but Bryson City has a serious argument. Carolina Beach is perfect for families, with the ocean in front and fun and games behind. In addition to dining, the town offers great opportunities for shopping across a wide variety of retail shops. 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. Corolla - Best North Carolina Beaches. Dana has extensive professional writing experience including technical and report writing, informational articles, persuasive articles, contrast and comparison, grant applications, and advertisement. We used science and data to determine which cities in North Carolina probably voted for Obama. 4,194) Avery Creek (Pop. The trees you see growing in the water are bald cypress trees, ranging in age from 500 to 2,000 years old. Bryson City. Downtown buffets and fine dining experiences offer refined takes on Calabash-style seafood. In New Orleans,, Read More The 10 Richest Neighborhoods in New OrleansContinue. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. Beaches Parks. Brad Styron/Courtesy of Crystal Coast TDA, Photo: Michael DeFreitas/robertharding/Getty, 12 Lesser-Known Southern Destinations Our Editors Can't Wait To Visit In 2023, The Prettiest Beach Town in Every Beachy State, Emerald Isle Is the Tiny North Carolina Beach Town That Inspires a Slowdown, Duck Is the Tiny Outer Banks Town You Have to Visit Now, Affordable Florida Beach Towns Perfect For Your Next Vacation, The Under-The-Radar Florida Beach Town You Need To Visit, The 10 Best Beaches In Texas To Visit, From State Parks To Small Towns, South Carolina town of the same name (and pronounced differently). 5. The Pines and Cherry Grove are well-known for their LGBT-friendly party places and clothing-optional beaches. For an even closer look, launch a kayak or canoe and explore the twisty waterways. Nantahala Outdoors Center is located in the Nantahala Gorge and provides excursions for whitewater rafting, ziplining, mountain biking . 19. Thanks to its status as a university town, its blessed with a lively, vibrant atmosphere. A token fee is charged to walk out on the pier and is a worthy investment for the fine views you'll encounter. Carrboro is a town in Orange County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Whether youre looking for something small and quaint or big and boisterous, theres a North Carolina beach town to match. Population 28,824. Cape Lookout Lighthouse on the Crystal Coast. Now this "Mayberry by the Sea" is an idyllic spot to meander, eat out at area restaurants, and soak up the suneveryone's welcome to enjoy beaches on both the Atlantic and Intracoastal Waterway sides, including dogs, who can hit the beach with their masters year-round (but must stay on a leash from May 15-September 30). 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. 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 . This small island is also the name of the southern-most town of the outer banks. Head to Semora if youre looking for solitude. If you want a more outdoorsy experience, you may also want to consider camping in the Outer Banks. Separated from the mainland of the state by the Intracoastal, this seaside town in the southeast corner of the state is beautiful. 15 Best Small Towns in North Carolina - Great Small Towns to Visit and Live In NC. The population was 24,866 at the 2010 census. Wilmington was also founded in the first half of the 18th century by colonists, so it has a number of historical buildings. Kayaking excursions depart from near the town center to explore vast amounts of barrier islands that make up the more natural parts of the town. The workout is on the beach facing the ocean, with views of dolphins and pelicans while you sweat. Similar in nature to Nags Head, most of the services are along the main highway. 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. Delaware. 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