Beaufort, Morehead City, Newport (Atlantic Beach, Harkers Island: houses, bill, land)

[Rtom45]

These 3 towns just seem to be a continuation of the same metropolitan area. Does one have an advantage over the others, does one have a disadvantage compared to the others? Is the geography different enough to distinguish one from the others? How about local governments and services? (I purposely chose not to include Atlantic Beach).

[Bill Hitchcock]

The towns of Newport, Morehead and Beaufort are entities of themselves with their own distinct personalities. But I do agree-Due to growth in the area the lines have become somewhat blurred.
Next time you cross over over to Radio Island notice that the Morehead City city limits sign is about in the middle of the island.

[Hamish Forbes]

My theory would be that sixty years ago the three places were pretty much alike. But over time, they have changed in different ways. Newport has continued along its original path. Morehead (and I would include Atlantic Beach) now includes some richer people who have fishing boats and summer houses, looking for fun on the ocean and some degree of privacy. Beaufort has tended to be more into boutiques, "events," foodies, gays, crunchies, and visiting pleasure boats.

I like all three places a lot.

All this is just my theory, and it could be all wet. Maybe Bill Hitchcock will comment again -- he knows a lot more about this than I do.

[Bill Hitchcock]

Hamish is pretty much correct.
Up until recently Carteret County was a composition of a couple of dozen mainly unincorporated communities. Although to you and I there was no difference-A resident from each community could spot someone from another community a mile away.

I copied the list below from Wiki of current unincorporated communities:
Atlantic
Bettie
Broad Creek
Cedar Island
Davis
Gales Creek
Gloucester
Harkers Island
Harlowe
Lola
Marshallberg
Merrimon
Mill Creek
North River
Ocean
Otway
Salter Path
Sea Gate
Sea Level
Stacy
Stella
Straits
Smyrna
Wildwood
Williston
Wiregrass

Actually there are more communities such as South River and Brandywine but I think everyone gets the idea.
Also keep in mind that Carteret County is pretty big. From Cedar Point to Cedar Island is probably close to 100 miles. The county also has an extremely diverse land and waterway system.
So here we have a big area with few people in an ever changing environment. Each community depended upon itself for survival. And yes-Sometimes a Hatfield & McCoy type attitude developed.