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. Between 2004 and 2014, Charlotte was ranked as the countrys fastest growing metro area, with 888,000 new residents. Avon is a great place to stop and park yourself. If youre looking to enjoy life away from the hustle and bustle of the city (but still with enough amenities and attractions to pass the time), its perfect. The Olde Town Square is the social center of downtown, drawing crowds for festivals and other family-friendly events. North Carolina's Crystal Coast is 85 miles of gorgeous sand, most of which can be found forming offshore banks that shelter the mainland. The town's most popular fishing pier and one of the major attractions is Janette's Pier. Most of these areas are one, two, or three roads wide, flanked on one side by a sound and the other by the Atlantic Ocean. Head to Semora if youre looking for solitude. Population: 25,600Percent Democrat: 62.3%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $17.02# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.17More on Mint Hill:Photos |Data, Population: 30,760Percent Democrat: 62.3%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $19.27# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.19More on Matthews:Photos |Data. Asheville is an artsy city that brews fantastic beer and is home to award-winning chefs, two of its traits making Asheville one of the best places to live in the U.S. Cradled by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville draws in outdoor enthusiasts . Adventure seekers can have an exciting day in . Attractions for mom and dad are in the form of outlet malls, beach shops, Gallery Row, and the Historic District, with its unpainted traditional cedar shake beach cottages. Interestingly enough, most landlords are aware of this, but that doesnt necessarily mean that they convey the laws properly to, Read More Landlord Tenant Act: What are Your Rights as a Renter?Continue, The real estate market fluctuates and shifts constantly. Black Mountain has chilled dining options and a walkable downtown area to provide a great stop on your next vacation. Population: 257,232Percent Democrat: 77.7%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $53.76# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.36More on Durham:Photos |Data. Average Annual Salary: $52,970. Because North Carolina has 3,000 miles of coastline (including more than 300 miles of barrier beaches alone), there are many wonderful beach towns and harbors that are just a short boat ride away from the sand. 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. If you feel this is something you just have to try, lessons are available right at the park. in Journalism from Columbia University. 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. 9. If you cant get enough of the sauce, Lexington-sauce lovers flock to the town every year to sample 1,000s of sauces made in the traditional style but full of new kicks. The entire downtown is surrounded by parks and the Appalachian Mountains, and serves up plenty of delicacies that are easy on the eyes. If you want a more outdoorsy experience, you may also want to consider camping in the Outer Banks. A sizable full-time residential community gives this area some authentic flavor. 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. Head over the bridge to Atlantic Beach for a little sun and sand. Just a short distance north of Avon brings you to the tri-cities of Waves, Rodanthe, and Salvo. 2. Compared to other nearby states, North Carolina has more republican voters. Carrboro is a town in Orange County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. A+. If you want to live somewhere that combines the best of both beach and urban living, look no further. Carolina Beach, one of three island beaches near Wilmington. RoadSnacks is reader-supported. This town is a great base camp for exploring Mount Mitchell, the largest mountain on the East side of the Mississippi. 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. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The trees you see growing in the water are bald cypress trees, ranging in age from 500 to 2,000 years old. Murphy dates back to the 1830s, and acts as a gateway to a lot of of North Carolina's natural wonders. 13. 1,516) Trent Woods (Pop. These places make ideal escapes from the heat and humidity of summer. World class rafting, mountain biking, and hiking are all within a 20-minute drive of the town center, which offers plenty of grit on its own. Nags Head is well located for easy day trips. On the days the waves are large, keep an eye out for surfers doing their thing beside the pier. Corolla is an OBX beach town full of lively ambience. 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. North Carolinas middle section is full of flat plainland, perfect for growing strawberries, and playing golf. This quaint, historic town is full of local shops and restaurants where you can happily while away the day. With low property taxes, low home prices, and a delectably high standard of living, this beachy paradise offers a little something for everyone. The town itself is equally noteworthy, with every kind of amenity youll need and enough housing options to please all tastes and budgets. Rent kayaks to explore the islands or take a ferry for prime shelling on Shackleford Banks. Best thing: Spend time visiting the Bald Head Island Natural Area. Myrtle Beach, SC. 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. Founded in 1705, it is the state's oldest town and was North Carolina's first port of entry. 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. The town itself is easy to navigate by foot. Ocracoke Island. If you dont fancy getting your feet wet, the Riverwalk is a great place to take a stroll, particularly at sunset. Very liberal Split evenly Very conservative South Carolina tends to be slightly republican based on voting results in recent elections. If youre sick of the noise and congestion of the city, Duck might be just what youre looking for. This fishing town off the Intracoastal Waterway and Little River Inlet at the South Carolina border is dubbed the "Seafood Capital of the World" for a reason. 15 Best Small Towns in North Carolina - Great Small Towns to Visit and Live In NC. 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. The first Colonial capital of North Carolina, this 300-year-old town is replete with wonderfully restored historical homes and buildings. With two fishing piers, a miniature golf course, and a clutch of ice cream parlors to its name, its a paradise for nostalgia lovers. Here, you'll find an extensive assortment of family restaurants, mini golf, a Children's Museum, and beach shops. 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. As is the case with most California towns on our list of the most affordable liberal college towns, the biggest difference in cost is housing. The. Year-round energy: The town can't pack up and leave after "the season". 27. 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. 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. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Carolina Beach 6. Those who need a beach in their life will find tiny Town Beach a quick fix, and the broad strands of Atlantic Beach aren't far away. Oak Island is one of the best family beach towns in North Carolina. You're 20 minutes away from Raleigh, 20 minutes away from Durham, and 10 minutes away from Cary. Carolina Beach is known as one of North Carolina's top surfing destinations. While the channel is no longer in use, the town has erected a museum and accompanying trail that allows you to glimpse the areas industrial beginnings. To feel the heartbeat of North Carolina, spend some time in Saluda. In fairness, there are worse places to live than Albemarle. The South's new divide: Blue cities and red states. Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $950. The Charlotte metropolitan area ranks 22nd-largest in the U.S., and had a 2016 population of 2,474,314. Santa Cruz's median home price is about $909,500, while a one-bedroom apartment can be had for about $2,070 per month. 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. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Nags Head. 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. Outer Banks towns have never had tons of real estate. The George on Wilmington's Riverwalk. Whether youre looking for something small and quaint or big and boisterous, theres a North Carolina beach town to match. In 2012, Budget Travel Magazine named it Americas Coolest Small Town. Within two minutes of arrival, youll understand why. 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. Population 28,824. The beach here is wide, and the sand is soft. It's located in the municipal grounds near the town hall. 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 town itself is packed with attractions, including the fascinating Wrightsville Beach Museum of History and the Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center. Learn how your comment data is processed. Yes, the Denver area will have more brewpubs and live music and will be more socially liberal, but it's also a lot pricier. This barrier island town has amenities to please the entire family, like a town park with splash pad, skatepark, and mini-golf, and the nearby aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. The workout is on the beach facing the ocean, with views of dolphins and pelicans while you sweat. Morrisville is one of my favorite cities in the Triangle Area of North Carolina. Separated from the mainland of the state by the Intracoastal, this seaside town in the southeast corner of the state is beautiful. Oak Island offers more than 10 miles of coast with immaculate sandy beaches. Its population was 57,233 in the 2010 census, making Chapel Hill the 15th-largest city in the state. Asheville is known for its outdoor recreation, craft beer scene, and overall artsy vibe. Chapel Hill is a town in Orange and Durham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. #1 Best Places to Retire in North Carolina Pine Knoll Shores Town in North Carolina A minus Overall Niche Grade A Public Schools A+ Good for Retirees Population 1,288 View nearby homes #2 Best Places to Retire in North Carolina St. James Town in North Carolina 3 reviews Current Resident: We moved here in October 2020 and love it! The 10 Most liberal Places In North Carolina For 2019 1. 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 . If youre curious, here are the least liberal cities in North Carolina: For more North Carolina reading, check out: Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. Book a stay at one of the charming old bed and breakfasts and spend a leisurely day exploring the town. 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. In order to do so, we turned our sites on measuring how each city in North Carolina with populations greater than 5,000 voted and contributed to political campaigns in the past several years. The chance that anyone you meet who lives in the city will identify as a Democrat is 85%, with other political and religious leanings panning out as follows: Greensboro beat out the capital city coming in at number 18 on the national list of millennial migrations. In addition to dining, the town offers great opportunities for shopping across a wide variety of retail shops. The cities are vibrant, the towns are charming, and the landscape will leave even the most jaded city slicker a little breathless. Cape Hatteras. Most liberal beach towns in north carolina October 10, 2022 By 3174179506438150 Comments are Off. The town of Hillsborough is the county seat of Orange County, North Carolina. Best yet, Columbia's cost of living averages about 7% less than average. Camping is nearby at Carolina Beach State Park. 2,716) Fearrington Village (Pop. 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