liberal beach towns in north carolina

Greenville is the 11th-most populous city in North Carolina and is known as the state's health, entertainment, and educational hub. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and six continents. Here you get beach town vibe mixed with southern historic town charm. Durham is the core of the four-county Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Area, which has a population of 542,710 as of U.S. Census 2014 Population Estimates. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Kitty Hawk. Named by Southern Living as one of the best beach towns in Northern Carolina, Emerald Isle is a small, charging community that makes the perfect home for families, singles, and professionals alike. 4,194) Avery Creek (Pop. #15 Oak Island Beach, Oak Island, N.C. Shutterstock Oak Island, North Carolina, didn't just make this list because of its stellar views and clean sand. 3. Next time you want to treat yourself, do it in Blowing Rock. She moved to Birmingham, Alabama, in 2014, where she spent many hours exploring and writing about the Southern travel and culture. The towns are ideally positioned to allow you to make the most of the North Carolina seashore. This is one of the top fishing destinations on the Outer Banks. 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. The Charlotte metropolitan area ranks 22nd-largest in the U.S., and had a 2016 population of 2,474,314. 22. There's a reason this tiny harbor town at the outlet of the Cape Fear River was voted America's Happiest Seaside Town in 2015. For entertainment, the huge, one-mile boardwalk is the perfect place for romantic sunset walks. 2 - Fayetteville, Arkansas Retiree Cost of Living: 13.8% below national averages Average Retiree Income: $85,436 Tax Status: Not Tax-Friendly Politics: 40% Democrat 50% Republican An ideal way to begin your tours is to view a 15-minute video at the tourist information office at the top end of South Broad Street. It is a calm, green place with large trees and stately homes. Population: 11,038Percent Democrat: 65.2%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $2.24# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.02More on Tarboro:Photos |Data. If you knew, Read More When is the Best Time of Year to Purchase a House?Continue. At first, Rick Scot was hesitant to trade in West Hollywood for a new home in North Carolina. If youre sick of the noise and congestion of the city, Duck might be just what youre looking for. Bright white cottages with red roofs, stately sea captains' homes, two lighthouses, local shops, and water in seemingly every direction (what with the confluence of the river and the Intracoastal Waterway) create vistas at every bend in the road. In fairness, there are worse places to live than Albemarle. There are more golf carts than cars driving through town, and with a plethora of rental options available, you can have your choice of open-air off-road vehicles to explore the uncrowded beaches. Some of these towns don't have large off-season populations, though, and may be pretty quiet/dull during winter months. Thank you for providing all of this information! With 65 public beach access points, it is one of the most welcoming beach towns in the country. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Nags Head. 5. With low property taxes, low home prices, and a delectably high standard of living, this beachy paradise offers a little something for everyone. 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. Chapel Hill is a town in Orange and Durham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. This is the largest city in western North Carolina and is a must-visit for nature lovers. 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. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Kitty Hawk. Tucked away from the mighty Pamlico River, Bath is one of the smallest towns in North Carolina, with a population of just over 200. Named by PlanetWare as one of the best coastal towns in North Carolina, Edenton is a peaceful, charming town thats the perfect antidote to the stresses and strains of modern life. Despite lying only two miles off the North Carolina coast and due south of Wilmington, this three-by-one-mile barrier island feels like a secret hideout from a Robert Louis Stevenson story. 1. In 2020, we decided to share more about our home in the Carolinas. If you're looking for a liberal city in the purple state of Pennsylvania, look no further than Pittsburgh, the 19th most liberal city in the US and the 15th most affordable on our ranking. You will need to follow the boardwalk just past the visitor center until the very end and then walk another 10 minutes to the base of the dunes. Stroll along the picturesque docks on the Calabash River or join a deep-sea fishing tour to catch your own dinner. Calm, sedate, and gorgeously green, Duck is the perfect option for city folk who secretly hate the city. Crammed with malls, restaurants, shops, and bars, its big, fun, and the ideal spot for a family-friendly vacation. The town's most popular fishing pier and one of the major attractions is Janette's Pier. Compared to the nation as a whole, South Carolina leans more republican. Population: 21,099Percent Democrat: 72.8%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $75.38# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.71More on Carrboro:Photos |Data. It's fun for all ages. Be sure to check out the Southport Pier and Riverwalk with its great views and fresh breezes. If you want a low-key vacation, get a house on the lake in Semora for the weekend and relax in peace. It's a fast-growing city because of its desirability with good standards of living. The small communities have teamed up with nearby Waves and Salvo to work together on development. Because North Carolina has 3,000 miles of coastline (including more than 300 miles of barrier beaches alone), there are many wonderful beach towns and harbors that are just a short boat ride away from the sand. Now this "Mayberry by the Sea" is an idyllic spot to meander, eat out at area restaurants, and soak up the suneveryone's welcome to enjoy beaches on both the Atlantic and Intracoastal Waterway sides, including dogs, who can hit the beach with their masters year-round (but must stay on a leash from May 15-September 30). Population: 826,060Percent Democrat: 62.3%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $9.56# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.04More on Charlotte:Photos |Data. Calabash-style seafood is lightly breaded right off the boat, and there are plenty of restaurants featuring the local fare. Views up and down the coastline from here are spectacular. Kitty Hawk has a small pier at the northern end of town, right where highway 158 joins up with Highway 12. Who makes the decisions? (252) 928-6711 If you are looking for a unique laid-back beach experience, the top beach to go to is the lovely Ocracoke Island. Currently we live on the north shore of Long Island, NY near Oyster Bay, (Teddy Roosevelt's home and grave). Separated from the mainland of the state by the Intracoastal, this seaside town in the southeast corner of the state is beautiful. Boiling Springs, North Carolina Gardner-Webb University Population: 230. It begins at the City Pier. Myrtle Beach, SC, is one of the nation's most affordable beach towns. But it turns out, your beach-town dream may not be as far out of reach as you think. Here are some of the world's best beaches for partying. Cape Lookout Lighthouse on the Crystal Coast. We use data, analytics, and a sense of humor to determine the dirt on places across the country. The town itself is packed with attractions, including the fascinating Wrightsville Beach Museum of History and the Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center. Cary made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in North Carolina for 2022. Inside the clubhouse lies a museum that broadcasts more of the history of the area. The shoreline itself provides endless opportunities for rest and relaxation. It's a fun family thing to do. There's a reason people come to Beaufort and almost immediately plan a return trip. Quiet, calm, and as peaceful as a summer breeze, its the perfect place to experience the simple pleasures in life. Similar in nature to Nags Head, most of the services are along the main highway. University of North Carolina at Asheville offers local residents a full calendar of arts and cultural events. Tracey Minkin is an award-winning writer and editor whose work has appeared in national and regional magazines as well as digital platforms including Southern Living, Coastal Living, Travel + Leisure, Outside, Food & Wine, Men's Journal, VERANDA, and many more. Sylva is a quiet stop on your way towards Tennessee that will surprise you if you take the time to get off the highway. Plenty of alumni have stuck around and built up a vibrant arts scene that emphasizes the towns culture. 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. Bronxville, New York Sarah Lawrence College; Concordia College Average Annual Salary: $52,970. So happy it has helped good luck with your move! This westernmost community on Bogue Banks is a treasured vacation getaway for families, with its 12 miles of clean shores, clear waters, and old-fashioned neighborhoods and vibe. 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. There are plenty of things to do in Beaufort for all! The island is 4 miles long and offers vast and unspoiled beaches, and water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing are popular. The areas economic center has packed in microbreweries and homestyle meals to give you plenty of activity once youre off the water. Some of the best hiking in NC can be found around Brevard. The university, one of the more popular ones in the North Carolina system, has brought more and more young people to the area, so there's always something cultural to do on the weekends. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 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. Adventure seekers can have an exciting day in . Well there you have it, the places in North Carolina that have the highest number of liberals per capita, with Durham ranking as the least conservative in the entire state. Some of the attractions around town are the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History and the Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center. Located right on the coast near Wilmington, spending a day here is never dull. Then well take a closer look at each of our top 10 most liberal cities in North Carolina. Greensboro. It is the county seat of Edgecombe County. Oak Island is also a dog lover's dream: Four legged friends are allowed on the beaches year-round, and they can be off the leash from October 15-March 15. The best way to capture the town's essence is to walk around. Some of these towns are quiet getaways focused on surf and sand, while others offer shopping and strolling along old-timey boardwalks and adventures on the water. The village that has developed around this outdoor sport attracts anyone keen to rummage through authentic local wares. Population: 59,234Percent Democrat: 72.8%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $165.45# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.96More on Chapel Hill:Photos |Data. Pull off the Blue Ridge Parkway right into Blowing Rock for an upscale dining and vacation experience. Domenica, Seaworthy, Chophouse New Orleans, Naked Crab, Luke, and Maypop are just some of the award-winning restaurants that will be worth your while. Asheville. Beaufort is what happens when you build a small town where the land meets the sea and it's easily one of the best small towns in North Carolina. The heart of Hyco Lake, one of North Carolinas most beautiful lakes, has one gas station that doubles as the areas only restaurant and boat launch. The workout is on the beach facing the ocean, with views of dolphins and pelicans while you sweat. The first Colonial capital of North Carolina, this 300-year-old town is replete with wonderfully restored historical homes and buildings. Bryson City. The town sits on the edge of the Haw River, close enough to major cities like Raleigh for ample accessible day trip opportunities. The population was 6,087 in 2010. Our love story begins in Wilmington, where we met while attending UNCW. The Great Smoky Mountain train line departs from the town center, and theres always plenty of action downtown after the sun sets. Buxton is home to the famous black and white Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Specifically, we wanted to know which cities have the highest number of liberal voters in the Tar Heel State? Rockaway Beach, NY isn't as liberal/gay . Durham Source: Public domain Overall SnackAbility 7.5 /10 Population: 257,232 Percent Democrat: 77.7% $ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $53.76 # Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.36 More on Durham: Photos | Data Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. This family-friendly island near Wilmington has 10 miles of south-facing beaches, not to mention a fishing pier and nostalgic pleasures that include ice cream and miniature golf. Duck is unique from many of the towns in the Outer Banks. The main street, also known as Highway 12, has an assortment of unique shops, restaurants, and hotels spread along its length. 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. You're 20 minutes away from Raleigh, 20 minutes away from Durham, and 10 minutes away from Cary. 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. The Woodlands. Oregon has a liberal advantage of -4 points due to 32% of voters identifying as conservative; however, 35% of voters identify as moderate. 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. Asheville is known for its outdoor recreation, craft beer scene, and overall artsy vibe. plenty of things to do in Beaufort for all! There are cities with unemployment rates that are higher than Albemarle's rate of 7.8%. We picked our twenty favorite beach towns based on the following criteria: 1. The entire downtown is surrounded by parks and the Appalachian Mountains, and serves up plenty of delicacies that are easy on the eyes. Charlotte is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The beach here is wide, and the sand is soft. Wrightsville Beach Park. Wrightsville Beach (Pop. The population was 19,582 at the 2010 census. Ferry service to Fort Fisher provides a fun all-in-one outing to the Fort Fisher historic site, aquarium, and beach. 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 . Best yet, Columbia's cost of living averages about 7% less than average. The beach at Kitty Hawk is long and wide with golden brown sand, ideal for long beach walks. With two fishing piers, a miniature golf course, and a clutch of ice cream parlors to its name, its a paradise for nostalgia lovers. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. The town itself is a delight, with charming, Victorian-era homes sitting side by side with modern-day architectural gems. Getting to the ocean via 4WD vehicles is easy through multiple beach access roads, allowing you to access some of the finest beaches in the Outer Banks. Best Places to Live in North Carolina for Democrats 1.Raleigh When it comes to Democratic leanings, no place in North Carolina is more liberal than the state capital of Raleigh. Its greatest claim to fame is that its home to the steepest railroad grade in the region. Camping is nearby at Carolina Beach State Park. The city is mostly democrats with a smattering of independents and a few pockets of republicans. Ascend the sand dune step after sliding step to the top, where you are rewarded with commanding views out over the surrounding area and the Atlantic Ocean. These places make ideal escapes from the heat and humidity of summer. The iconic Carolina Beach Boardwalk with its carousel, arcade, carnival rides, and ice cream parlous is the place to be in the warmer months, especially on Thursday evenings when it comes alive with firework displays and live music shows. Overall Niche Grade. Sunny. Nags Head is the largest town in the Outer Banks and also one of the best known beach towns. If youre looking for a golfing destination or an upscale small-town that invites you to relax, youll enjoy Pinehurst Village. One of the highlights is the Chowan County Courthouse. Carolina Beach is perfect for families, with the ocean in front and fun and games behind. The Greenville area is a college town, not terribly far from the Coast, but if you absolutely must be in a NC coastal town and want the most progressive, Wilmington is your only hope. Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 260,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country. Here, you'll find people fishing, strolling hand in hand, or just hanging out gazing out at the ocean. 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. Black Mountain has chilled dining options and a walkable downtown area to provide a great stop on your next vacation. If youre wondering, Archdale is the most conservative city in North Carolina of all those we measured. Duck has devoted extensive energy and funds to the nourishment of its beaches (named among the Best Restored Beaches for 2018), but it's important to note that access is for residents and vacation property renters only. Most families rent a vacation home for a week or more, meandering around town, fishing, swimming, and relaxing around the bonfire. I once read a description of Chapel Hill as being "as southern as Birkenstocks and Muesli". We love the Carolinas and think they are one of the most special areas in the world. The Corolla Adventure Park provides some fun outside of the water, and a plethora of local dining options include live music. Founded in 1705, it is the state's oldest town and was North Carolina's first port of entry. - Tim Crystal Nails. If you are a foodie and like charming small towns, Calabash should be number one on your destination list. The town springs to life in the summer, and you can expect special events and remarkable sunsets every weekend from spring through fall. The main gathering spot is at Crystal Pier. The Olde Town Square is the social center of downtown, drawing crowds for festivals and other family-friendly events. The small town in NC is the home of the unique vinegar concoction that defines the state. The cities with the highest percentage of voters who voted Democrat and gave the most to liberals where named the most liberal cities in the state. Article continues below. This is an escape complete with pirate lore; long stretches of pristine sands all protected by the National Park Service; a fishing village with summer pleasures like ice cream, seafood, and boat charters; and its own bright white, picturesque lighthouse. Small: No major cities allowed. Carolina Beach is a popular place to visit in the summer as vacationers flock here from around the United States. With history running through its veins (including pre-Civil War Fort Macon), the oldest town on Bogue Bankswith its back to Bogue Sound and facing the Atlantic Ocean to the southis also home to the nostalgic (and 1,000-foot-long) Oceanana Fishing Pier, plus a steady swell for surfing. (Getty . Not a problem. To Purchase a House? Continue make the most welcoming beach towns based on the edge of state... And like charming small towns, Calabash should be number one spot for weekend! Ideal spot for liberal beach towns in north carolina family-friendly vacation ; as southern as Birkenstocks and Muesli & quot.! We wanted to know which cities have the highest number of liberal voters in the southeast corner of services... Spot for a new home in the overall number one on your vacation. City because of its desirability with good standards of living must-visit for nature lovers this is of. Asheville offers local residents a full calendar of arts and cultural events Blowing.! 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