The town itself is equally noteworthy, with every kind of amenity youll need and enough housing options to please all tastes and budgets. Carrboro has the hip feeling of Piedmonts central triangle area but doesnt quite conform like the other places. Rockaway Beach, NY isn't as liberal/gay . In 2012, Budget Travel Magazine named it Americas Coolest Small Town. Within two minutes of arrival, youll understand why. Asheville. Chasing Chains, LLC. 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. If you feel this is something you just have to try, lessons are available right at the park. 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. Chief among its attractions are its beach towns. 4,194) Avery Creek (Pop. 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. Cornelius is a lakeside town located along Lake Norman in northern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States. The town of Murphy NC is nestled in the far southwest corner of the state, near the borders with Tennessee and Georgia. Then well take a closer look at each of our top 10 most liberal cities in North Carolina. Yes, named (with a smile) for the abundance of waterfowl that traditionally lured hunters to this northern end of the Outer Banks, this resort town has low-key sophistication that's utterly winning, including a vibrant small community of independent shops and restaurants (and a respected jazz festival). Wake Forest provides a breath of fresh air for those looking to get out of the Triangles hustle and bustle. Myrtle Beach, SC, is one of the nation's most affordable beach towns. Credit. Tarboro is a town located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States. The main gathering spot is at Crystal Pier. Head over the bridge to Atlantic Beach for a little sun and sand. Located right on the coast near Wilmington, spending a day here is never dull. This classic summer vacation spot is also home to natural gifts, including Carolina Beach State Park, with some of the area's finest fishing and the Flytrap Trail, named for the carnivorous Venus Flytrap plants along its path. Southport has three museums, but the town itself is a vintage postcard sent from a halcyon past. The area has several good campgrounds for tenters or RVs. This barrier island town has amenities to please the entire family, like a town park with splash pad, skatepark, and mini-golf, and the nearby aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. Downtown shops are close enough together for an afternoon walk, but each offers an eclectic, local delicacy that makes it worth a second look. Expect to find usual favorites, plenty of pizza, and fresh seafood. The main town area of Duck is set on the broad and flat Currituck Sound and is protected from the worst of the Atlantic Ocean weather. This is the largest city in western North Carolina and is a must-visit for nature lovers. An iconic gay beach destination since the 1970s, Fire Island is 5 kilometers off the coast of Long Island, New York, and comprises a dozen beachside communities. The small towns of North Carolina are one of our favorite aspects of the state. 9. 2,716) Fearrington Village (Pop. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance of one another, and many are free to enter. The town makes a somewhat outrageous claim as the "Seafood Capital of the World," but there is some substance to the statement. Year-round energy: The town can't pack up and leave after "the season". 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. Murphy dates back to the 1830s, and acts as a gateway to a lot of of North Carolina's natural wonders. 2. Population: 826,060Percent Democrat: 62.3%$ Democrat Amount Per Capita: $9.56# Democrat Contributions Per Capita: 0.04More on Charlotte:Photos |Data. Theres a dramatic dining scene once youve completed your check-in. From here, you can catch the trolley for a tour of the town, take a boat tour on Albemarle Sound, or stop in at the historic Cupola House. Morrisville Wikipedia Population: 18,585 Liberal voters: 55% Vegan rank: First The Corolla Adventure Park provides some fun outside of the water, and a plethora of local dining options include live music. 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. In 2016, the U.S.Census Bureau estimated the population was 842,051, making it the 17th-most populous city in the United States. So much so, you're guaranteed a side of hushpuppies with almost every meal. Inside the clubhouse lies a museum that broadcasts more of the history of the area. History is everywhere here, from the Old Brunswick County Jail Museum to the Maritime Museum, right through to the Fort Johnson-Southport Museum and Visitors Center. The Charlotte metropolitan area ranks 22nd-largest in the U.S., and had a 2016 population of 2,474,314. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The main reason I want to leave is the aggressive and abrasive attitude of a majority of the residents. 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. If you are a foodie and like charming small towns, Calabash should be number one on your destination list. 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. The town, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is wonderfully restored to its original glory, and over 40 movies and television shows have been shot here. Its not hard to see whats bought them to the conclusion. Just south of town you'll find the impressive Wright Brothers National Memorial. 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. If you can plan for it, the North Carolina Seafood Festival happens the first weekend in October each year and is considered one of the most popular festivals in the state. A farmers market takes place throughout the summer, from the middle of May to the end of September on Monday's beginning at 8am. It's a fast-growing city because of its desirability with good standards of living. Sure, youve got all the amenities youll need, but rather than chain stores and drive-ins, youll get an eclectic range of independent boutiques and eateries. Some of these towns don't have large off-season populations, though, and may be pretty quiet/dull during winter months. 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. The pier is located behind the large Hilton Garden Inn. The Haw River Ballroom attracts nationally recognized bluegrass musicians, as well as plenty of local legends. 4. To feel the heartbeat of North Carolina, spend some time in Saluda. Nags Head is well located for easy day trips. 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. Although the town is really a collection of retail stores and restaurants along the highway, it's the stunning beach and nearby attractions that make it a popular place to visit. North Carolina is chock-full of great beach towns, but one of the most popular is Wrightsville Beach. 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. Bath and its surroundings around Goose Creek were once the home to the infamous pirate Edward Teach, a.k.a "Blackbeard If you dont fancy getting your feet wet, the Riverwalk is a great place to take a stroll, particularly at sunset. You can check the inventory and house features online and make bookings there as well. She has fact checked lifestyle topics ranging from destination wedding venues to gift guide round-ups for a variety of publications including Brides, The Spruce, and TripSavvy. Carolina Beach is perfect for families, with the ocean in front and fun and games behind. Trinity Overall SnackAbility 5 /10 Population: 6,610 Percent Republican: 76.5% $ Republican Amount Per Capita: $17.56 # Republican Contributions Per Capita: 0.07 More on Trinity: Data Trinity is a city in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States. Buxton is home to the famous black and white Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Compared to the nation as a whole, South Carolina leans more republican. Most liberal beach towns in north carolina October 10, 2022 By 3174179506438150 Comments are Off. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $950. With nearly 85 percent of its total area a preserved landscape of salt marshes, tidal creeks, and scrubby, subtropical forest, plus 14 miles of pale sands, the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina, locally owned shops, and a community of beautiful beach houses, this is most certainly a Treasure Isle. Wrightsville Beach is just a short drive from Wilmington, so getting here is easy and quick; parking is in well-marked lots, and you can pay by the hour and recharge your time via your phone. The beach is wide, and the water here is clear with an aquamarine color. Most families rent a vacation home for a week or more, meandering around town, fishing, swimming, and relaxing around the bonfire. It is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. Charlotte is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Calabash proves you dont need to drive to the outer banks for serene beachfront vacations. One of the larger towns along the North Carolina Coast, this vibrant outdoorsy place reels you in and makes you want to stay a while. If you have any business with the mayor of this small town, you can find him in the local tavern. The NC coast is known for vacation beach towns with small populations and not a lot of full-time residents, and they are heavily conservative, by and large. What to Do on Bald Head Island. 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. Thanks to its status as a university town, its blessed with a lively, vibrant atmosphere. (Chapel Hill is in both counties). 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. Compared to the nation as a whole, North Carolina leans more republican. The area has attracted thousands of summer campers every year thanks to the variety of outdoor activities available, with Brevard as a centerpiece. Miami. Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular vacation spots on the East Coast. Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago (but she's not trying to age herself here). Stroll past the various shops, stop by the waterfront to catch the action, and then retire to a waterfront patio to soak up the views of Sugarloaf Island. Small: No major cities allowed. 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. One of the town's major musical events is the Duck Jazz Festival. The South Florida hot spot is the seventh-most populous metro area in the U.S., and its beaches attract vacationers year-round. We then measured the voting record and donation data to determine which places lean the most rightward in their allegiances by: Next, we ranked each city from 1 to 132 for each of the criteria where number one was the most liberal. In fact, the campground near Frisco is so close to the ocean, you'll be able to hear the waves crashing on the shore as you drift off to sleep. 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. In fact, the mountain towns of Blue Ridge GA and Blairsville GA are just over 20 miles to the south. This is the oldest of all the Black resort towns in America. Homes dating from the 17th century are on beautiful tree-lined streets that entice you to stroll along and think about what life used to be like here over 200 years ago. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 11,415. It is the second-largest city in the southeastern United States, just behind Jacksonville, Florida. Bookshops, boutiques, and art galleries allow plenty of chances to find the right souvenirs. Median Household Income: $42,612. Oak Island is one of the best family beach towns in North Carolina. Official Website. It's located in the municipal grounds near the town hall. Oregon is the eighth-most liberal state in the country, with 28% of voters identifying as liberal. The small communities have teamed up with nearby Waves and Salvo to work together on development. It's a fun family thing to do. Winston-Salem. Matthews is a large suburban town of Charlotte located in southeastern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. But it turns out, your beach-town dream may not be as far out of reach as you think. It is part of the Rocky Mount Metropolitan Statistical Area. Some of these blips are barely more than resort towns, but others, like Rodanthe, are full of flavor. Largely a residential isle, Holden Beach is all about simple pleasures, from biking and kayaking along with playing on the beach during the day, to ghost crabbing at night. If youre considering making your next visit the permanent kind, check out these 10 best places to live in North Carolina near the beach. At first, Rick Scot was hesitant to trade in West Hollywood for a new home in North Carolina. Between 2004 and 2014, Charlotte was ranked as the countrys fastest growing metro area, with 888,000 new residents. 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. 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