Good Bye North Carolina Coastline
It’s hard for me to say goodbye to the North Carolina coast but today we’re going to visit the last of our best small towns and cities under 30,000 people in this area.
Since it is our last look at the coast, at least for the time being, I think it’s worth looking back at some of the key points about finding your best place to relocate or retire along the North Carolina coast.
In the last few weeks we’ve roamed the white sandy dunes of the coastal barrier islands we all know as the Outer Banks, traveled up the great river estuaries of the Inner Bank and moved even further west into the agricultural heartland of eastern North Carolina.
I hope you've noticed that all three areas of North Carolina’s coastal region are not only filled with some of my favorite best places in North Carolina, but also the significant number of small towns and cities with median population sizes in the 10-15,000 people range.
Another point I want to mention is the closer to the ocean you get, the more you can expect to pay for housing but overall I think you now know there are affordable places to live.
There are many places to relocate or retire to in North Carolina with various advantages and disadvantages everywhere we went; it just comes down to what you want and how that matches up with the places and choices available to you.
I hope that this series of blog posts has opened your eyes to some new possibilities and helped you with your decision-making process and without further ado let’s work our way down to one of the southernmost tips of the North Carolina coast.
The city of Southport, NC, population 5,233, sits about 45 minutes south of Wilmington, NC not far where the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean meet.
Frankly some of you may have already visited Southport, NC, or a least seen it in the movies as it has become a favorite shooting locale for Wilmington based film studios.
Southport has the air of a little fishing village and its location on the main waterway to a major port city like Wilmington, NC means much of its story and appeal centers around the water and boats.
So don’t be surprised when you find amazing marinas, a wonderful riverfront walk and the aptly named Waterfront Park which I swear has some of the most beautiful views of the water you’ll find on the North Carolina coast.
Southport, NC has a very laid-back feel enhanced by all the beautiful old homes and oak lined streets.
Downtown is five solid blocks packed with galleries, antique stores, cute boutiques, clothing stores, nice restaurants and cafes, as well as a visitor’s center and library.
Best of all Southport, NC is known as the “Fourth of July Capital of North Carolina” and although I’ve never been, their annual July 4th celebration actually draws thousands of people from all over the country so you know it has to be good.
And finally, the median home sales price is only $145,000 which is pretty impressive.
Whiteville, NC, population 3080, is another one of those farming communities meant for people wanting to be near the coast when they relocate or retire and still have access to bigger cities (Wilmington, NC) yet enjoy a relatively hassle-free small-town existence.
Whiteville, NC is known for it beautiful scenery from the lovely dogwood trees that line most of the streets to nearby fisherman’s paradise, Lake Waccamaw.
But you’ll also find an active art and cultural scene, a regional healthcare facility and one of the finest community colleges in North Carolina.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the annual Pecan Festival but it only adds to the mounting evidence that Whiteville’s a fun and interesting place to live.
The median home value in Whiteville, NC is only $85,000 so you know it’s quite affordable.
Come back next week when we move southward once again and remember if you are interested in more information about our best small cities and towns in North Carolina be sure to check out NC Best Places.
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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