Coastal towns to raise kids other than Wilmington? (Jacksonville, Beaufort: low income, house)
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I know a version of this question has been asked but I’m struggling to find a cohesive answer. Are there any other areas in coastal NC, other than the Wilmington area, that you would consider good for living and raising kids? Meaning decent schools, safe and not economically depressed, kids activities (in addition to going to the ocean), ok shopping and family activities, etc. Both parents are self employed/work from home so jobs aren’t a requirement for us but I don’t want to move our kids somewhere that won’t have anything for them when they grow up. I suspect the answer is that Wilmington is about it but I thought I’d still ask. Thanks in advance!
Hi, Owen. We’d like to be as close as possible. I’d say no more than 15 minutes or so. It’s not that Wilmington doesn’t work for us. We actually really love downtown Wilmington and Carolina and Kure beaches and my husband is rooting for the Hampstead area. I can’t really say what my hesitation is (other than we likely won’t be able to get the 2ish acres we’d like to have) I just have this unnamed concern about moving there and was curious if anywhere else on the coast might be an option.
I will recommend looking at the Jacksonville area. You could have 2 acres in Richlands, but be about 30-40 minutes from the beach. Or you could look at Swansboro, Beaufort, Cape Carteret and Newport to be closer to the beach. They are safe and have good to excellent schools. The economy is supported by the Marine Corps and tourism. The negative is that these towns do not have the beauty, history and culture that Wilmington has.
Goldenage1, thank you for your suggestions. I don't know if Jacksonville appeals to us but some of the other towns you listed might have potential. I guess I'm hoping to find some balance between enough stuff for our kids while still allowing us to have the space we'd like without being somewhere that's dangerous.
You seem to be asking for sophisticated amenities for the kids, and future job opportunities. Is your ideal place more like the Triangle?
BTW, there are developments in Hampstead with acreage. Whitebridge is one example, but it is expensive. One house with 2+ acres is selling for $950K.
Typically Carteret County is the other good option for those with kids, but there is a bit of a remoteness factor there. Shopping, entertainment, etc is more neighborhood oriented. I know of some folks that commuted to Wilmington for travel soccer for example...hour and half each way from Cape Carteret area.
Swansboro has seen some nice growth and seems to be have a nice small town community feel.
Give up on 2 acres...you are buying close to the Ocean, where prices for land are increased the closer you get to the water. And many times, you don't want to live 30 minutes inland because its rural farmland, low income areas.
Brunswick County is increasingly seeing more families because Wilmington is growing more regionally. Leland and Southport are the main suggestions for those with kids.
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