New Bern, NC. Oriental, Beaufort, Emerald Isle, Swansboro, Jacksonville, etc., etc. Eastern NC is God’s county, and it’s conservative, filled with fishermen and retired military. Locals are friendly, hard working and helpful. Arts community is blooming. Lots of unspoiled nature due to the many military bases and parkland. Lots to do, with constant activities and festivals due to the great people moving here who are generous with their time and money.
Many people choose to live in the Piedmont cities, where most of the jobs are, because the coast or the mountains are an easy drive of a few hours. Some are worried about coastal storms and flooding. I’d love to live in Emerald Isle, the whole place is a huge dune field, so unusual for the southeast coast which is typically flat as a pancake along the Atlantic. The oceanfront houses are on top of large dunes, incredible views from the Atlantic to the sound behind the island. Great views from many areas in the middle of the island, atop dunes again but covered in live oak and yaupon trees.