The Carolinas - Best areas to live in NC

My wife and I are thinking of relocating to NC. We are thinking about picking up a property in the near future and possibly making it our retirement home. I would like to be as close to the water as possible and my wife enjoys quaint towns that aren't stagnant. As I am a retired LEO and my wife is about 10 yrs out from retirement, we don't require employment as a consideration. There are so many areas to choose from so, I'm trying to narrow it down.
Thanks in advance.

My wife and I are thinking of relocating to NC. We are thinking about picking up a property in the near future and possibly making it our retirement home. I would like to be as close to the water as possible and my wife enjoys quaint towns that aren't stagnant. As I am a retired LEO and my wife is about 10 yrs out from retirement, we don't require employment as a consideration. There are so many areas to choose from so, I'm trying to narrow it down.
Thanks in advance.

Being from NY I'd usually tell you we are full but you seem like a pretty nice guy. (Especially since you have a HD police bike) :thumbsup:

"Quaint"? New Bern and little Washington are a ways from salt water but both have nice rivers flowing through them. If you are looking on the coast the Beaufort/Morehead area is nice.

I live in Charlotte, NC and I grew up in Winston-Salem, NC. The only time I have left NC was to go to college in SC, although with work I travel extensively to NY, CA, TX and IL. For quality of life/cost of living it is impossible to beat NC in my opinion.
Where you want to live will depend on what you're retirement lifestyle is going to look like. If you want quaint but dont want to deal with the heat for 4 months out of the year, the Western part of the state is tough to beat with great trout fishing and some decent culture. Think Ashville and surrounding areas.
If you want the best of the mountains and the coast, the middle part of the state is terrific. Think Charlotte (although technically not the middle), WS, and Raleigh. They are all within 2 hours of each other and 3-4 hours from the coast.
If you like the coast, I am partial to Brunswick county where I have my house. Think Wilmington and below until you get to the SC line. That said, North Myrtle Beach can be a great place to live if you dont mind the tourists. Taxes, along with everything else, are cheaper in SC.

Shag mentioned nice areas as well, just too Northern in the state for me to drive to for a fun weekend. If I lived there it would be different. Although we have great fishing where I have my place, no doubt the best fishing in NC is from Morehead on up to the OBX. I dont think anyone on here would argue differently.

I would have given you the same suggestions as Shag...

Being from NY I'd usually tell you we are full but you seem like a pretty nice guy. (Especially since you have a HD police bike) :thumbsup:

"Quaint"? New Bern and little Washington are a ways from salt water but both have nice rivers flowing through them. If you are looking on the coast the Beaufort/Morehead area is nice.

LOL, you're a classy guy Shag :thumbsup:

I had been told about Beaufort and the surrounding areas. I think this might be a good starting area. I did well my last few years on OT, so my pension is very generous. I'm not rich, but well off. What can you expect for home prices in Beaufort?

LOL, you're a classy guy Shag :thumbsup:

I had been told about Beaufort and the surrounding areas. I think this might be a good starting area. I did well my last few years on OT, so my pension is very generous. I'm not rich, but well off. What can you expect for home prices in Beaufort?

On shallow water wheree you may have to build a long dock to put in a lift for a small boat250+, deepwater with slip 400+, in town even more, out of the city limits a little less all for 1800-2000 sq.ft. single family homes. Of course larger and some of the more exclusive neighborhoods are premium prices as well. Have several friends in the real estate business and they tell me the waterfront homes are still holding value well and haven't dropped near what other areas have. It' a beautiful area, still not too crowded exxcept on pretty weekends and holidays but bnowhere near like some of the bigger beach resort towns. Definitely come visit and check it out!

As a reference, where I am deepwater canals start at about $500k and ICW is over $1m. There are some less expensive ones to be found that are not on the water but you would have to put more than $200k into them to get them to where you want. Beaufort is beautiful though...

I have had a home on Harkers Island NE of Beaufort for 14 years and love it there. The water is a bit skinny but you get used to it and you are surrounded by a boat building culture. There are some nice homes for sale on the water and some waterfront lots . You will find the local culture fascinating particularly if you like carolina boats. Many have their origins on the island (Eastbay,Gillikin, Davis, Jarretbay etc) Pm me if you want some more info

I am from Ny and have moved to the outer banks. We live in pirates cove right on the water in manteo.
Great during most of the year but not much to do in the winter.

Any questions please post and I will try to answer

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I have thought about OBX, but the wife is spooked about living on an island. At least on the mainland, if a hurricane is blowing, we could make a mad dash for higher ground. My wife feels the acts of nature will seek her out and destroy her. If that is true, I'm going to raise my life insurance.

Yankee, How are the winters and summers compared to NY?

"Yankee, How are the winters and summers compared to NY?"

NY is a big state, it may have more than one climate zone. NC is similar in that the mountains can be cool during the summer and cold in the winter. Inland from the coast can be very hot and humid and cold some winter days. The coast is more moderate and seldom snows. With the humidity, the cold days (teens) seem as cold as CT. The cold doesn't last nearly as long as up north. One year I had frozen pipes in December and went fishing Jan 1st with afternoon temps above 70.

It's pretty warm today, I can see HI from my front door.

Current weather on Harkers Island...

Scan Time5:08p Scan Date08/13/12 Sunrise6:25a Sunset7:56p Temperature85.1 °F Today's Rain0.00 in Humidity84 % Rain Rate0.00 in/hr Dewpoint79.7 °F Storm Total0.00 in WindW at 3.0 mph Monthly Rain3.18 in Barometer29.944 in Yearly Rain26.16 in Wind Chill85.1 °F Heat Index98.3 °F Inside Temp79.5 °F Inside Hum.53 %
http://www.thimsen.com/assets/WindDirection.gif http://www.thimsen.com/assets/Barometer.gif http://www.thimsen.com/assets/WindSpeed.gif
Today's highs and lows...

Low Temperature76.3 °F at 4:31a High Temperature86.6 °F at 12:07p Low Humidity79 % at 11:59a High Humidity96 % at 4:38a Low Dewpoint75.0 °F at 3:45a High Dewpoint80.0 °F at 9:06a Low Barometer29.941 in at 4:51p High Barometer30.016 in at 10:58a Low Wind Chill76.0 °F at 4:27a High Heat Index101.0 °F at 9:11a High Rain Rate0.00 in/hr at ---- High Wind Speed11.0 mph at 12:05a

I am 30 miles north of NYC, so we tend to be more moderate than "upstate".

Harley - keep in mind that while the OBX start right outside of Beaufort, they run up to the VA line. It is less cool during the winter and more warm in the summer in lower Eastern, NC. Damn near sub-tropical on some days...

Wilmington / Wrightsville Beach

'nuff said.

Wilmington / Wrightsville Beach

'nuff said.


I think he said "quaint". :grin:

I have had a home on Harkers Island NE of Beaufort for 14 years and love it there.

That's a myth. Harkers Island doesn't exist. :grin:

I think he said "quaint". :grin:

Good point, but somewhat subjective term though.

Worth a look regardless, if only for a trip to the beach to see some of the University's "locals". :-)

Wilmington / Wrightsville Beach

'nuff said.

That's where I bought my boat. Didn't have enough time to check it out. Shame

That's where I bought my boat. Didn't have enough time to check it out. Shame

Shame. It's beautiful. Voted by "Boating" magazine once as best town in the US to boat in as well.

Good luck with your search.

J

There's a world of difference between Northern OBX, Hatteras/Ocracoke, Beaufort/MHC and Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach. Even the difference between Beaufort and Harkers Island is great, although they are only separated by a mile of water and 20 minutes by car. The reason I live where I live is that it's hard to get here. It's not for everyone, it's at least a half a day to go do major shopping. But, the SOBX is only minutes from my house by boat and it's 56 miles of undeveloped National Seashore.

To find the right place, you need to get to know an area. The only way to get to know them is to stay there awhile.

BTW, depending on traffic "I am 30 miles north of NYC" isn't very far north of the city. ;)

That's a myth. Harkers Island doesn't exist. :grin:

It does Tooo!!! if you got the stones you can meet there this weekend an I will show you how to run a boat that draws 3' in 2' of water:rofl:

BTW, depending on traffic "I am 30 miles north of NYC" isn't very far north of the city. ;)

It seems an like an eternity when crossing the GWB in the AM! :mad:

A lot warmer here than ny. Probably 5 to10 days under 32 degrees. None last year.boat stays in water year round
I lived in Bronx and Rochester.
In summer there is always a breeze so it is not as hot as mainland.
Great fishing until November then only if it gets cold rockfish show up.
Do what we did ,rent in each area before buying.

Apparently it's considerably warmer in Manteo than here. Maybe it's because I'm less than 10' above sea level? ;?

It's certainly is warmer than NY, but it does get cold. Then again, it might be as I get older, the cold bothers me more.

Snow in Jan 2011
Fish in Jan 2003

Wilmington / Wrightsville Beach

'nuff said.

Second that & there is a 1013 Club.
Quaint, can get old quick or it's a day trip to Southport...... ICM

Check out Edenton.

Carolina Beach / Myrtle Grove sound

It does Tooo!!! if you got the stones you can meet there this weekend an I will show you how to run a boat that draws 3' in 2' of water:rofl:

:grin:

Be there Friday. :thumbsup:

Not that you would base your retirement destination off this but... It is tough to beat the local scenery that UNCW seems to produce.....

:grin:

Be there Friday. :thumbsup:
Dang I just found out I have to work Sat. My boat is at the fishing center you should go check
her out
:(

Beaufort/MHC/Harkers Island-depends on how much "country" you want in your life.

I'm out towards HI and there are three house on my street/creek that are waterfront with docks. All under $400K. You could run a bay boat to any of them, but not a deep V. The Blackjack is OK at any tide, the Parker 2320 DVSC not at low tide unless the wind has been out of the north for a few days.

Come on down, rent a car and look around.

Harkers, New Bern, definitely check out Oriental. Two of my friend's parents are retiring there and love it.

Wilmington is not 'quaint' and the traffic sucks. Some of the areas surrounding are very nice, I particularly like the 'southern beaches'

Harkers.. is definitely an island. Though not a barrier island so it is protected from the direct onslaught of the ocean.

We are full.

Just kidding!

Dang I just found out I have to work Sat. My boat is at the fishing center you should go check
her out
:(

Will do. I need to speak at Rob anyway. :thumbsup:

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I have thought about OBX, but the wife is spooked about living on an island. At least on the mainland, if a hurricane is blowing, we could make a mad dash for higher ground. My wife feels the acts of nature will seek her out and destroy her. If that is true, I'm going to raise my life insurance.

Yankee, How are the winters and summers compared to NY?

The elevation difference from the island and the beaufort area is essentially the same, but even as far inland as Fayetteville, it's only around 100 above sea level. You have to go a long ways inland for you to consider it "higher ground"! lol

I actually knew of a guy that drove to the coast in '88 I think and got his boat, then took it to Charlotte to avoid hurricane Hugo....and the storm went straight to Charlotte and destroyed it.

Will do. I need to speak at Rob anyway. :thumbsup:

Say hey to everyone:(

Oriental is worth a look, my mom has a place with a slip and it was on the market a while back.

For reference it's about 2500sq two lots from the water with a 30' slip in a small marina

she was asking 275 ish if i remember correctly. She deciced to stay I think she like's Oriental better than her grandkids...(just kidding mom)

A lot of good info so far. The wife and I will plan a trip down to NC this winter. I would like visit in the middle of the winter and summer to get an idea of what it's like at the extremes. I think we might rent at first till we are 100% positive where we want to set up roots.

A lot of good info so far. The wife and I will plan a trip down to NC this winter. I would like visit in the middle of the winter and summer to get an idea of what it's like at the extremes. I think we might rent at first till we are 100% positive where we want to set up roots.

That's a very good plan. The difference between two adjoining towns can be considerable.

If you had the cash, this would be a good time to buy a modest home or condo as a base of operations and sell it later. I would think that we must be close to the bottom of the market and the price has to go up! ;?

We moved to Wilmington from NJ about 4.5 years ago. We like the area but it took us a little while to adjust, a lot of things are differnt than the NE, but now we really like it. To be honest I'm not sure if the area is the best for raising a family or career growth, but it would be a great place to retire.

A lot of good info so far. The wife and I will plan a trip down to NC this winter. I would like visit in the middle of the winter and summer to get an idea of what it's like at the extremes. I think we might rent at first till we are 100% positive where we want to set up roots.

Island living is a lot different than Coastal living ...... ICM

Island living is a lot different than Coastal living ...... ICM

How so?

If I was in your shoes, I'd take a long summer vaca. and stay a week in Wilmington NC and check out that area. One week in Morehead/Beaufort it is very nice with great fishing if you into that kind of thing. Check out northern OBX - some nice places there and short drive to VA Beach. As far as Harkers Island - that place doesn't exist - it is a myth - sort of like Big Foot. Don't even ask about it - people start looking funny at you;?:nono:

It does Tooo!!! if you got the stones you can meet there this weekend an I will show you how to run a boat that draws 3' in 2' of water:rofl:
I've seen your boat at the HIFC next to that 31 ft. Bertram "Constant Craving" that never moves. How the hell do you get out - only on "hoj tojt" I presume. Anyhow - very nice boat. What engines does she have? How much water does she draw?

We moved to Wilmington from NJ about 4.5 years ago. We like the area but it took us a little while to adjust, a lot of things are differnt than the NE, but now we really like it. To be honest I'm not sure if the area is the best for raising a family or career growth, but it would be a great place to retire.

Just don't tell anyone how much better things were up north (we don't care):nono: or how things need to be changed down here or you will get familiar with the term Dingbatter. ;cool; ;)

I live on Harkers Island, perfect balance of inshore/offshore fishing. Closest port to the Big Rock. If I could choose anywhere, it would be Ocracoke!!

How so?

Island living = living in a beach town, with 2 lane roads.
Beach towns have more local ordinances you will have to abide by.
You have to deal with traffic, summer crowds, party atmosphere, illegal parking, public intoxication & noise.
If your unfortunate to buy next to a rental property, expect new tenants every week.
Locals will consider you an outside for years, maybe always.
Longer drives to shopping, medical needs, auto servicing & hurricane evacuation.
High insurance, maybe without flood damage clause. Higher taxes with limited or reduced services. Higher cost of living.
Constant wear & tear from the salt air on everything thing your own.
Your retirement is spent repairing, instead of enjoying.
A simple auto tune up or a doctors visit is an all day event.
Cable repair, that's two days.

Way different mind set to "island time" when your the "islander" & not the visitor.

Coastal living = living near the beach your now the visitor without all the hassles or headaches.
You still have water access with great fishing potential.


Move to a beautiful vacation island, with limited ferry access like Ocracoke Island & exponentially expand your headaches & hassles by 10. ....... Better to visit for a long weekend.

Sorry you asked ?????
Hope this helps ...... ICM

I've seen your boat at the HIFC next to that 31 ft. Bertram "Constant Craving" that never moves. How the hell do you get out - only on "hoj tojt" I presume. Anyhow - very nice boat. What engines does she have? How much water does she draw?

She Draws 3 feet, 2 hours either side of low tide is about my limit. She has twin 7.4l mpi mercruisers. Average 14bouy -90drop BR trip is about 110 gallons with a 20 knot cruise
thanks for the compliment.:grin:

Sorry you asked ?????
Hope this helps ...... ICM

No, actually the opposite. Knowledge is power and the more I posses, the less mistakes I make. I take everything with a grain of salt. I listen to everyone's comments and make an informed decision based on what I've been told and the research I do online.

I'm not concerned about "fitting in", as I am a personable man, but I also keep to myself. Not looking to become mayor and I have a small group of friends that has taken a lifetime to build. I'm looking for a life of leisure, as I have given 21 years to a job that sucks the life from you. I can't get those years back, but I can make the years that are left, enjoyable.

Just don't tell anyone how much better things were up north (we don't care):nono: or how things need to be changed down here or you will get familiar with the term Dingbatter. ;cool; ;)

And Bernie, they got to get it in their heads that we don't need no bagles cause we got biscuits.:grin:

And they need to understand that if they move here and try to make it like it was up north, then they will lose a lot of the tax benefits because they would have made it like up there:nono:

There are many places along North Carolina's coast that are, to me, fine places to live.

I used to live in Charlotte and have lived all over the Southeast. I now live near Harkers Island and I can tell you that here a traffic jam is two pickups at a stop sign......its a great life;)

ICM is right on the $ as usual. He makes great points.

Sounds like you are heading more towards salt water. If your interested in something half way between the mountains and the beach we have 5.5 wooded lots on Lake Tillery going on the market sometime this week. All 5.5 lots are waterfront in a cove right along the main channel about a mile below the Hwy 73 bridge on the Stanly County side. Its been in our family quite a few years and we are now ready to sell. We got the 1/2 lot by buying it with our neighbor and splitting it up to keep someone from trying to squeeze in between us. Beautiful view. We are asking 265K.

Nothing has ever been built on the property. We use to have a large boathouse and pier for many years which was removed 15 years or so ago.

Our lot starts near the end of the bulkhead to the right and runs down the cove to the creek. Good deep water cove.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/rottinpeach/Lake%20Tillery%20Fall%202007/100_1062.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/rottinpeach/Lake%20Tillery%20Fall%202007/100_1064.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/rottinpeach/Lake%20Tillery%20Fall%202007/100_1066.jpg


Here is the view down river

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/rottinpeach/Morrow%20Mtn%20Lake%20Tillery/102_0401.jpg

Pirates Cove great boating community, Manteo is nice little town

I grew up in Swansboro, went to college in Raleigh, currently live in Surf Cirty, and work in Wilmington. Really love each spot but wouldn't want to move back to Raleigh (couldn't stand driving 2+ hours just to see the salt). Hard to pick the best spot in NC, but every coastal destination has great fishing/recreation opportunities. Agree with ICM about literally living on an inland. Living a few miles inland is a lot cheaper (think insurance) and less congested during the summer....although I realize lots of ppl from the NE are used to a little congestion.

I now live near Harkers Island and I can tell you that here a traffic jam is two pickups at a stop sign......its a great life;)


Don't speak too quick. I heard the HI bridge is going to be one laned this weekend. May even have a 6 car trafic jam. :grin:

Don't speak too quick. I heard the HI bridge is going to be one laned this weekend. May even have a 6 car trafic jam. :grin:

If the bridge is up you can get caught in the Otway mall (aka the $ store) traffic:rofl:

We moved from NH to Elon, near greensboro. Originally from Hoboken NJ.

We have vacationed every year on the NC beaches. Absolutely the best and before NC it was always LBI in NJ.

We just found a forclosure in Beaufort. On a creek about 3 miles from that great town. We will be there full time in 2015.

Beaufort/Morehead has it all.

Russell

I would like to thank everyone for all the great info. I will start my homework and the Mrs and I will start with some visits to the many areas.

Good luck and keep in touch

I moved to the Crystal Coast (Emerald Isle, Morehead City, Beaufort, etc) almost 3 years ago for work. I lived on EI for 6 months before moving to near Morehead City. My wife was a beach fiend but I was a bit lukewarm on coming here. I went to school and lived in Raleigh/Cary for 11 years and was quite happy there. Needless to say, Raleigh is about the only place I'd move back to and It would probably take a big bump in our overall family income (I'm thinking 75-100k) for us to move back.

Even as a 32 yr old, I absolutely love that the place turns into a ghost town in the winter and the traffic that comes here simply isn't that bad, especially compared to N. Myrtle Beach and to some extent the Wilmington or Nags Head areas.

I'm not quite sure how close "as close to the water as possible is" but you can get in our neighborhood for ~$100 sq foot and that gets you a pool, tennis court, boat ramp, and day docks.

She Draws 3 feet, 2 hours either side of low tide is about my limit. She has twin 7.4l mpi mercruisers. Average 14bouy -90drop BR trip is about 110 gallons with a 20 knot cruise
thanks for the compliment.:grin:
Very nice boat but thirsty - 110 gal. @ $4 gal. = $440 - ouch.
How much is Rob charging for that slip a month? Will you keep her in it all year around? Next time I'm at the marina - I'll hope talk to you - I have 25ft. C-hawk with a cabin "Persistence" - single 350 Chevy/Volvo - needs much less gas. I keep it on a trailer - that keeps my cost little down as far as the slip.

Very nice boat but thirsty - 110 gal. @ $4 gal. = $440 - ouch.
How much is Rob charging for that slip a month? Will you keep her in it all year around? Next time I'm at the marina - I'll hope talk to you - I have 25ft. C-hawk with a cabin "Persistence" - single 350 Chevy/Volvo - needs much less gas. I keep it on a trailer - that keeps my cost little down as far as the slip.

$2200 a year. I will finally make it down labor day weekend and we may actually wet a line if the weather is fittin' Look forward to it . BTW the NC State prof. that Buoy Scout dismissed in the motor thread was the designer for a Steam turbine cogeneration plant at nc state. I would stack his creds up against Buoy Scouts any time, but I decided I diddn't want to argue with him any more!!

Southport

We bought land and a boat slip across from Bath just downriver from Little Washington. Great area, easy to access the coast without the hassles. We were going to build and retire. But, things change. Now selling land and slip. Still love the area. Just a few miles to ECU and the medical facilities, easy pace without the traffic.

My uncle is selling his waterfront house on HI, dock with 2 lifts right off the channel looking towards Beaufort. PM me if your interested.

Southport

What about Southport and why?

Not know anything of the area...with the exception of asking once...
I was map & chart searching one day, dreaming of retirement and where I would go....
And came up with Southport.

Looks to have access for big water and nice back water fishing...

If you want to live in the mainland and want options for entertainment, check out these three cities: Wilmington, Morehead, and New Bern. All three are located near a major highway to flew from the storms. I live in Wilmington and would not trade it for anything. Wish you the best of luck

Little Washington or Beaufort. Both are small and homey. I live 20 minutes away from Washington/Chocowinity and put the boat in at Chocowinity Bay. Nice area and boating traffic is very light and only heavy on the waterfront on holidays.

if i could choose anywhere....MHC/AB

but as from a practical standpoint....I like the triangle....3hrs from beach, 3hrs from the mountains

southport

if i could choose anywhere....MHC/AB

but as from a practical standpoint....I like the triangle....3hrs from beach, 3hrs from the mountains

Sorry, not familiar with the abriviations. ;?

MHC/AB = Morehead City / Atlantic Beach

Triangle = Raleigh/Durham/and I'm replacing Chapel Hill with Cary, because Carolina can go to hell

For fishing, waterfront cost of living your not going to beat North East NC around the sound up here.

Lived in three locations by the coast over the past 30 years.
Lake Waccamaw NC for 20 years, on the yacht in New Bern for 1while looking for a home, and up here in Elizabeth City for the past 12.
Worked out of Charlotte for 10 years and Wilmington for 10 so not my first rodeo with NC.
There are almost no jobs in this area but its kept prices low and you already commented on the problem solver being retired. You can still dicker and get on the water depending on what you want for 175,000.
Living at Lake Waccamaw the boys got me headed up here for the fishing with the group. Ended up falling in love with the fresh water fishing and moved. Best Brim, crappie, fishing north of Fla and the winter run of stripers that lives right off OBX is as good as it gets and ask these boys about the offshore fishing. That could turn into a interesting thread...:)
74 miles from my house to OI, 75 miles to Crab Creek in Va Beach.
Taxes and having 4 big trucks kept me from moving to the beach with all the zoning they had but land was cheap, on the sound side so the short pull is nothing but a thing...
If your into fishing being able to hit the CBBT in Va Beach is almost a must. Fishing is unreal up there.
Wilmington is really nice but its a haul out to the blue water and you know the deal about waterfront around larger cities.. Its going to cost. New Bern is beautiful but same deal on the housing.
Anywhere around the sound for easy living is going to be hard to beat and best part is, its never going to change.. Its the slow, easy going southern style everyone always talks about...

I have always been drawn to the coast and in my opinion, NC provides the most attractive areas on the mid-Atlantic for my tastes. I have owned property on Emerald Isle, NC (lived there for two years), owned a high bluff lot on the White Oak river (near Emerald Isle and Swansboro) and owned a lot on Hilton Head Island SC. I have vacationed on the OBX for many years as a youth, but have absolutely no desire to be there as an aging adult. I currently own a ICWW view lot (with boat slip) in the Masonborough Loop section of Wilmington. I had planned to retire in Wilmington because of what it offers. Great boating area, decent inshore/near shore fishing, good climate with moderate winters, lots of shopping if you want it (your wife probably will), recently upgraded medical facilities and a popular beach destination in Wrightsville Beach. Like you, I always thought the quaint areas would be more special, but as I grew older, I realized certain things like convenience to shopping/entertainment/ restaurants and especially health care became very important. The Wilmington area has grown in the last 10-15 years after I40 opened it up and the movie industry moved in. It also became a very attractive retirement location for many people from the NE and several high end planned communities sprang up. I would highly recommend you check it out before making your decision. As my retirement plans have changed, if you have any interest, I will be happy to share with you a description and location of the lot I own which is 3rd row off of the ICWW with a deeded slip and ramp.

Best of luck with your search. I am sure you will be very happy anywhere on the NC coast.

Al

Look hard at New Bern, great place to live. Also OBX, outerbanks, but lots of tourists.

Pirates cove. I really think if you do what I did and spend time in each place it will be easy to decide. We started south down in sunset beach and worked our way up to the outer banks and decided to live full time in the outer banks.

Inland we love Raleigh. We lived in cary(containment area for relocated Yankees) so it was great for someone from the Bronx. Then we moved to t obx

one writer's opinion, but it's something to read: top 10 most fun, affordable places to live. Wilmington is #7, Winston Salem is #10. Enjoy.

http://realestate.msn.com/10-most-fun-affordable-us-cities