The Inner Banks Of The North Carolina Coastline
Today, we’re going to look at a few more of our favorite small towns and cities on the North Carolina coast but instead of another week hanging out at the beach, we’re going to move inland.
One part has sandy coastal beaches and barrier islands and the other part is a broad, mostly flat, coastal plain stretching hundreds of miles westward.
The later is cut with broad river estuaries, inlets, bays, and slow moving rivers called the Inner Bank.
This inner part of the North Carolina coast is rich in history and dotted with small farming communities and old colonial river port towns.
I think you’ll find the inner part offers some great opportunities as your looking for your best place to relocate or retire in North Carolina.
For instance, the cost of living is quite low in this area and housing costs particularly so.
Also, many of my favorite best places in this area sit an almost equal distance between the sun and fun of the coastal beaches and all the services and amenities of the larger cities of the eastern Piedmont region.
Basically you get the best of both worlds without having to deal with the undesirable aspects of living in either place.
So without further ado let’s head west away from the many beautiful beaches and explore some of the best small towns and cities in North Carolina’s inner coastal plain.
As you leave New Bern, NC and head west on Rte. 70 in about 45 minutes you’ll run into the small town of Kinston, NC, population 22,360.
Sitting on the basin of the Neuse River, Kinston is a quiet historic town right in the middle of the rolling hills of rural eastern North Carolina.
Kinston, NC is one of North Carolina’s many Main Street communities which I have to say makes it the kind of small community I love; combining history, culture and small town values with a deep civic pride that can be seen in the many efforts to revitalize the historic downtown area.
You only have to check out all the public art projects around town if you don’t believe me.
I also like the fact that Kinston, NC is very close to most of the main highways and interstates in the eastern part of the state and even has its own regional airport close by.
All of which makes it easier to get to the bigger cities to the west and the beautiful beaches to the east and just about anywhere else you can think of.
A median home value of $118,000 isn’t all that bad either!
Heading north from New Bern, NC on Rt. 17 all the way up to the furthest reaches of the Pamlico River is the old colonial river port town of Washington, NC, population, 10,112.
The city of Washington, NC, named after our first president, is sometimes referred to as the “Heart of the Inner Bank” with its fascinating historic district, beautiful old homes, crepe myrtle lined streets and bustling waterfront.
Washington is the kind of place that has embraced its past but is looking forward as can be seen in the attention to making new development close to the waterfront conform to the historic character of the city.
In addition to history and culture, you’ll love all of the natural beauty around Washington, North Carolina, from nearby Goosecreek Park to the North Carolina Estuarium down by the river.
The median home value in Washington, NC is also quite affordable at $102, 000.
Tarboro, NC, population 10,257, is another colonial river port town nestled in a bend of the Tar River about 45 minutes north of Greenville, NC.
Tarboro is actually one of the oldest towns in North Carolina and sits in an area rich in agriculture where the cost of housing is low, the sense of community is strong and the quality of life is high.
You’ll enjoy the historic downtown and so many cultural and recreational opportunities its no wonder both young families relocating and retirees are finding a home here.
The median home sales price in Tarboro is only $58,000.
That’s it for this week!
I hope if you have any questions about the small towns and cities we’ve visited that you’ll checkout our NC Best Places or look into our Ultimate Guide To Finding Your Best Places To Live.
And don't forget, you can always email me.
Have a great weekend and see you next week!
About Bob Bencivenga
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Bob Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location analyst for major corporations and has been researching the growth of NC and SC to find the Best Places to Retire or Relocate that are still affordable. |
| Visit his blog The Carolina Report and sign up for FREE updates by email,his FREE Affordable Best Places To Live Report and, get FREE Expert Advice on how to find Your Best Place to Retire or Relocate to in North Carolina and South Carolina, additional resources, and a lot more.
Bob does not sell real estate. |
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