Best coastal cities in North or South Carolina

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by Kristynicole

I will be working as a doctorate in occupational therapy and my fiancé as a supervisor of a company that is national. We would like a lively area but not necessarily in a large city.

Charleston has a pretty large healthcare industry, being the home of the Medical University of SC, so it sounds like your best bet. However, the liveliest part of the city is the peninsula (downtown) and it's not cheap. The upper part of downtown is undergoing revitalization with some new residential development that's more affordable, but you'd want to post in the Charleston forum here to get an idea of which parts are safest and still have quick access to the heart of historic downtown.

It's right across the state line in Georgia, but you might also want to add Savannah to your short list. It has less professional opportunities than Charleston, but probably just as much or a little more than Wilmington. It definitely has the entertainment/bars, nightlife, and restaurants you're looking for.

[HP91]

I would not suggest Myrtle Beach, as it is really a huge tourist destination. Not much of a "community" feel to it.

Charleston is great if you can swing it...can be an expensive place to live though. Bigger city than Wilmington.

Wilmington has better beaches than Charleston, has a good downtown area and all the shopping you really need.

I think those are the only 3 options that really fit your criteria in NC/SC.

[theS5]

Originally Posted by HP91

I would not suggest Myrtle Beach, as it is really a huge tourist destination. Not much of a "community" feel to it.

Charleston is great if you can swing it...can be an expensive place to live though. Bigger city than Wilmington.

Wilmington has better beaches than Charleston, has a good downtown area and all the shopping you really need.

I think those are the only 3 options that really fit your criteria in NC/SC.

Based on what?

[Francois]

A look at a map will show you that NC really only has one "city" near the beach--most of NC's coastal area is rural which is part of the attraction--Wilmington. SC has Charleston. There is also Savannah, GA. But the biggest "real city" on the coast is the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area mentioned earlier. You should post in the Virginia forum about prospects there.

[LLN]

I think the overall best place on or near the coast is Washington.

Awesome little river town. Small town charm. Twenty five minutes to Greenville. A 1/2 dozen pretty good little restaurants. Fishing, yakking, and lots of bike riding areas.

Not too far to beach, easy weekend trip, Raleigh easy drive.

No it's not Wilmington or Charleston, but...

Good luck.

[Phil A. Delphia]

Originally Posted by Kristynicole

We would like a lively area

Originally Posted by LLN

I think the overall best place on or near the coast is Washington.

Awesome little river town. Small town charm. Twenty five minutes to Greenville. A 1/2 dozen pretty good little restaurants. Fishing, yakking, and lots of bike riding areas.

Not too far to beach, easy weekend trip, Raleigh easy drive.

No it's not Wilmington or Charleston, but...

Good luck.

Washington is not a lively area.

[HP91]

Originally Posted by theS5

Based on what?

Well here's what you get in the Wilmington area beaches...

You have within 10 minutes to 45 minutes of Wilmington....

Topsail Island (3 beach towns...fairly quiet)
Figure 8 Island (private)
Wrightsville Beach (high end)
Masonboro Island (natural)
Carolina Beach (fun, can drive out on beach)
Kure Beach (low key, family atmosphere)
Fort Fisher (aquarium, Fort, huge public beach, can drive out on Beach)
Bald Head Island (private)
Oak Island (affordable)
Sunset Beach (family oriented)
Holden Beach (family oriented)
Ocean Isle Beach (newer, high end)

Just the sheer number of beaches, plus there is something for everyone....I don't think its even debatable which city has better beaches.