Best small towns to live in north carolina 2021

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Best small towns to live in north carolina 2021
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Major metropolitan cities like Raleigh , Durham , and Charlotte are crushing the tech industry and local business is booming. So, grab a BBQ sammie, a pint of your favorite craft beer and read on to discover how we determined the best cities in North Carolina.

But what city is the best place to live in North Carolina for ? Well according to the US Census and FBI data we crunched, Cary is the best place to live in North Carolina if you care about home values, low crime, and a high quality of life. What Cary does not have by way of mountains and beaches, it does make up for with its beautiful neighborhoods, gold star schools, and sweet Carolina BBQ. Read on to see where to live in North Carolina that will make you feel like you have won the lottery.

The unemployment rate here is well below the national average. In fact, Cary is also one of the wealthiest cities in North Carolina, so there are probably enough butler and pool maintenance jobs available to give every single unemployed resident a job.

Now, if you love playing disc golf and just being outside, Apex has some of the best parks and outdoor activities. It, like Cary, also boasts some of the best schools in the state. These numbers are both well below the state and national level. For starters, Morrisville is family-friendly. Not to mention that Morrisville has the 12th lowest high school dropout rate statewide. There are also plenty of family-friendly activities, like the miles of trails and endless water-sports fun available at Lake Crabtree County Park.

Situated just several miles southwest of Downtown Durham, Chapel Hill ranks as the 5th best place to live in North Carolina for Not to mention that downtown Chapel Hill is positively hopping with fun things to do.

This is the first time Carolina Beach has made our top ten list of best places to live in North Carolina and we are as happy as an intracoastal clam. But, all pristine beaches, safe communities, and bicycle friendly lanes aside, Carolina Beach has the 6th lowest unemployment rate on this list—well below the national average.

Keep in mind, however, that most of these are second homes and that many of the people who keep this beach town in operation commute from the greater Wilmington area. While the unemployment rate is 4. This city of 16, residents is one of the safest places in the Tar Heel State. Here, old oak tree lined streets protect homes with large yards and porches with white rocking chairs.

However, all of this does come at a price: the cost of living in Wake Forest is well above the national average. But, the benefits of living in Wake Forest definitely outweighs the costs. A southeast suburb of Charlotte, Stallings has continued to climb our lists year after year as a great place to live in North Carolina.

Homes and rents in Stallings are higher than the North Carolina average, an indication that people will pay more to live here. To make up for it, people in Stallings make 90, to afford said housing costs.

These kids know to make a town that works for everyone. The streets are safe, the local economy is steady, and the school system produces great results. Residents also get to enjoy the 12th shortest average commute time in North Carolina. The Fat Frogg is a local favorite that always has live music.

Next 10 Cities. Before we even started to collect data, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit Raleigh with a population of , against places with a population of 18? Now we also realize that city living might not be your cup of tea, so we ran the following analysis on towns and then again for small towns.

We ranked each place in North Carolina across a number of criteria from one to , with one being the best. You can download the data here. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Cary at the end of the cul-de-sac. Cary made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in North Carolina for Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you’ve been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you’ve probably stumbled upon his writing already. You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website. Vendor List Privacy Policy. Toggle navigation Home Snacks. Article Table Of Contents Skip to section.

Overall SnackAbility 9. Chapel Hill. Overall SnackAbility 8. Holly Springs. Source: Wikipedia User Leonard J. Wake Forest. Image Version Available Here. James 5, 2. This is our ninth time ranking the best places to live in North Carolina. About Chris Kolmar Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. Best Places To Live , Rankings.

– 20 Best Small Towns in North Carolina for a Weekend Getaway

Population: 1, Come for the High Country sights, stay for the delicious eats in Blowing Rock. This village in the western part of the state is on Blue Ridge Parkway.

It gets its name from The Blowing Rock, which is a formation with scenic views of peaks, sprawling forests, and the Johns River Gorge. Population: 7, Summertime in Brevard is a small-town dream. It offers arts, music, and festivals aplenty.

Brevard is also known as the Land of Waterfalls, due its numerous cascading waters. Taylor’s Toy Store. Step into this Smoky Mountain hamlet , and you’ll be transported.

Literally, if you hop aboard a family-friendly steam train ride. This picturesque, vacation-favorite village is nestled in North Carolina’s Nantahala National Forest. The mountain peaks surrounding it reach up to more than 5, feet. And the lush area has plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventurers. Population: 12, Plan a quick trip to spend a weekend in this charming college town outside of Charlotte.

Davidson’s main street offers a variety of stores and restaurants. And the community takes pride in fostering a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environment. Population: 3, Stroll down Elizabethtown’s picturesque Main Street to get to know this small town treasure. This southeastern North Carolina town is proudly friendly and family-oriented. It hosts the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market each Saturday, where you can find a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, meats, eggs, jams, and more.

Visit Franklin, a convenient stopover along the Appalachian Trail, and you’re sure to encounter hikers with stories to tell. There, you can experience hiking, rafting, waterfalls, and more. Population: 14, Enjoy the shops and restaurants on Hendersonville’s charming Main Street. In downtown Hendersonville , you’ll find the Henderson County Heritage Museum, which exhibits Civil War artifacts and a replica of a s general store.

And don’t forget to stop at the area vineyards too. Mustard Express. This oasis of cuisine and arts in Western North Carolina is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Or visit the rainforest mountain waterfalls in a town that has become a national waterfall destination. This small town along the Eno River has plenty of cycling and walking trails along the water. More than residences, churches, schools, and other structures from the late 18th and 19th centuries may be found in the city’s historic district.

It is also considered a quiet haven for artists and writers. Hire a canoe and paddle the lake nestled next to this at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It’s considered one of the most beautiful man-made lakes in existence. Lake Lure has served as the filming location for a number of classic films, such as Dirty Dancing, Firestarter, and The Last of the Mohicans. Population: 10, The residents of Mt. Airy often call the town Mayberry, and there are plenty of reasons why. There is an annual Mayberry Days parade in celebration of the show and its star. Population: 16, Bring your clubs for a weekend spent on the links in picturesque Pinehurst.

It’s a charming New England-style village, considered one of the safest cities in North Carolina. It’s also centrally located between the beach and the mountains, and offers both recreational and world-class golfing.

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. Some of these blips are barely more than resort towns, but others, like Rodanthe, are full of flavor. You can camp right on the sand or right on the sea; every side is waterfront. Expect to find usual favorites, plenty of pizza, and fresh seafood. The small communities have teamed up with nearby Waves and Salvo to work together on development.

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. A world-class golf course at nearby Pinehurst resort has defined the town as the golf capital of a state rich in opportunities for a tee time. Inside the clubhouse lies a museum that broadcasts more of the history of the area. The village that has developed around this outdoor sport attracts anyone keen to rummage through authentic local wares.

Bookshops, boutiques, and art galleries allow plenty of chances to find the right souvenirs. Albino squirrels dance along the open campus of Brevard College, which intermingles with the town center. Brevard is in the middle of fantastic natural settings like the Pisgah National Forest , as well as cool mountain rivers to splash in on a summer day.

Some of the best hiking in NC can be found around Brevard. The area has attracted thousands of summer campers every year thanks to the variety of outdoor activities available, with Brevard as a centerpiece.

World class rafting, mountain biking, and hiking are all within a minute drive of the town center, which offers plenty of grit on its own. Come to have easy access to the outdoors and stay to feel a part of the family — oh and have a drink at one of the best Brevard breweries. If you have any business with the mayor of this small town, you can find him in the local tavern. On most nights of the week, you can find just about anyone in Hillsborough singing through the historic downtown streets.

Local establishments serve high-quality coffee and cuisine without trying to do anything different. Hillsborough provides plenty of history as you stroll through an authentically lovely downtown.

Right along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Beaufort has created a wonderful Carolinian destination that showcases the sea that has given the area life.

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. There are plenty of things to do in Beaufort for all! This town is a great base camp for exploring Mount Mitchell, the largest mountain on the East side of the Mississippi.

Black Mountain has chilled dining options and a walkable downtown area to provide a great stop on your next vacation. The craft beer capital of the east coast is a safe Uber drive away, and some great hiking and biking depart from downtown. Trapped near two industrial college towns, Durham and Chapel Hill, Carrboro is the free-spirited little sister of its larger neighbors.

Summer street festivals are a common occurrence, and most weekends will bring plenty of organic entertainment near Weaver Street Market, the prominent meeting place for the town. Its central location, only 30 minutes from the Raleigh airport, makes spending some time in North Carolina fun and easy.

No visit to the North Carolina coast is complete without visiting Carolina Beach. 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. Carolina Beach is a popular place to visit in the summer as vacationers flock here from around the United States.

Waynesville has plenty of mountain spirit. The town has grown up and spread out a touch over the years, and its proximity to Asheville has rubbed off on it. There are now several popular breweries and taprooms right downtown. Corolla is an OBX beach town full of lively ambience. Corolla retains wild horses and enough identity to be one of the best small beach towns in the state.

The Corolla Adventure Park provides some fun outside of the water, and a plethora of local dining options include live music.

A sizable full-time residential community gives this area some authentic flavor. Sylva is a quiet stop on your way towards Tennessee that will surprise you if you take the time to get off the highway. Downtown shops are close enough together for an afternoon walk, but each offers an eclectic, local delicacy that makes it worth a second look.

Nearby, Western North Carolina University more than doubles the population of this cute, North Carolina small town that has plenty to offer every time of the year. You can find a view of the town from the top of the historic Jackson County Public Library. Museums pay homage to the cotton mill upbringing of the area, and authentic Southern food establishments, like the Sugar Magnolia Cafe, give you plenty of reasons to head downtown.

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. Once the sun goes down, head to town to try their seafood dishes. Downtown buffets and fine dining experiences offer refined takes on Calabash-style seafood. You can camp or stay at many rental homes near this small town center and enjoy everything a day on the lake has to offer.

Best small towns to live in north carolina 2021

 
 
Once the state capital, Edenton is an undiscovered gem in the Inner Banks. On the coast, try your luck deep sea fishing in the Outer Banks and areas farther south. Just picture it; a morning commute where the only time constraint is the speed limit! Accommodation: Where to Stay in Morganton. Brevard is also known as the Land of Waterfalls, due its numerous cascading waters. This Western North Carolina town is a paradise for outdoor adventurers.