Best Places to Live in North Carolina

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Table of Contents

Best Places to live in North Carolina.

A significant advantage of moving to North Carolina is the low cost of living.

The cost of groceries, transport, healthcare, and other utilities are below the national average.

However, there’s much more to benefit from in North Carolina:

The weather is warm all year round, the job market is thriving, and there is a great deal of diversity.

North Carolinian landscape boasts both sparkling beaches with barrier islands in the east and mountains in the west.

The economy of North Carolina is one of the best in the country, mainly because of the focus on quality education and advancing the tech industry. And as a result, there are ample job opportunities in NC.

With so much good, what’s not to love in North Carolina?

Let’s have a look at what are the best places to live in North Carolina:

Charlotte

As quaint as its name, Charlotte is one of the best places to live in NC.

One of the most thickly populated cities in North Carolina, Queen City, has a tight-knit community that- despite being urban, gives it a rather quaint feel.

The charming town of Charlotte is a few miles’ distance from both the sea and the mountains, so you have easy access to both for a quick weekend getaway.

If you would rather stay in the city, The Catawba River provides plenty of water activities. Just 20 miles from Queen City is Lake Norman, where locals go for fishing and paddling.

Charlotte has a brilliant nightlife. Numerous clubs, bars, concerts, restaurants, and pubs are a constant source of entertainment. The city takes care of its foodies quite well- the restaurant scene has been growing steadily. You can get anything from French and Italian to the Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cuisines.

If you think craft beer can only be found in Colorado, you’re in for a surprise. The Charlotte denizens are quite big on the craft beer scene, and it has well over 15 breweries (we believe the number will only grow!)

The cost of living and the cost of median houses is lower than the national average. Rest assured, despite all the fun things, living in Charlotte won’t be too heavy on the pockets.

All of Colorado is tech-centered, and Charlotte is no different. It is the second-largest banking center in the country. The economy of the city is growing at a good pace, and there are plenty of jobs.

We reckon it is one of the best places to live in NC for families and remote workers.

Raleigh

Raleigh has a strong focus on technology and research and is part of a tri-city region (Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh). It has attracted many new residents because of the strong growth prospects, a stable job market, and good quality of life.

Being a part of the research triangle, Raleigh has some major universities; Duke, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina, and Meredith College. The quality of education provided is excellent. Post-graduates students don’t have much to worry about as there are enough job opportunities in remarkable firms.

Although the cost of living is slightly high, the house prices and rentals have quite reasonable rates. Utilities like fuel are found at a cheaper rate than the rest of the country, and sales tax is lower too.

The weather is generally pleasant throughout the year, but summers may get a bit hot. There is a lot to do in the city of Raleigh, go hiking up the mountains or try some biking. There are parks for some much-needed relaxation. Less than three miles from downtown Raleigh is Lake Raleigh where you can go paddleboarding, kayaking, or rafting. Downtown Raleigh itself has some fun offerings; museums, bars, restaurants, cafes, local shops and boutiques, and much more!

Although well-known for southern barbeque, there is still a lot to try in Raleigh. More than 1200 restaurants and award-winning chefs present cuisines from all over the world.

Raleigh is the fourth most remote-work-friendly city in the country and has 6.9% of its population working remotely. Many public spaces like Leesville Community Library and Cary Regional Library give access to free wifi. The top internet providers are AT&T and Spectrum which provide up to 5000 Mbps of speed.

All of this has made Raleigh easily one of the best places to live in North Carolina.

Asheville

This small city is tucked away between the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains. It is characterized by the mountains that surround the city, scenic views, and a mild and gentle climate.

If you are a nature nut, then Asheville will be your heaven. The landscape gives citizens access to outdoor activities like hiking, biking, Segway tours, horseback riding, and watercraft on the French Broad River.

Asheville has some of the best parks in the state, including Pisgah National Forest and Mount Mitchell State Park. Both parks have miles of trails, camping grounds, and picnic sites.

Art is revered, and the encouragement has increased the number of artists in the town. You can find traditional art in the museums and contemporary art in the form of murals and street art.

The city has some of the best restaurants that serve delicious local food. It is worthy to mention that the restaurants here do amazing brunches.

A little-known fact about Asheville: it consistently ranks as the top brewery city in the US and has about 30 of them. Asheville Brewing Company comes highly recommended.

Asheville is the ninth most remote-work-friendly city and one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Coffee houses and public libraries provide citizens with free wifi. Good internet with good speed is the primary prerequisite for working remotely. Asheville citizens have access to both coaxial cable and DSL. The top internet providers are AT&T and Spectrum, offering up to 5000 Mbps of speed.

Wrap Up

If you want to move to a place with an intelligent and educated population, diverse and breathtaking landscape, opportunities for advancing your career, and lots of outdoor activities- then do not think twice before moving to North Carolina!

 

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Dan McCabe

Long time remote worker with the dream of enabling everyone to join the remote workforce. Owner and Editor of caniworkfromhere.com.

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