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My fiance' and I are planning a (semi-blind) move to NC and would like to find an area within an hour of the ocean. I am an administrative assistant and he is a chef-We're both in our late twenties and would like to live in an area that is semi "hip and fun" to be able to have some sort of social life on the weekends.
Does anyone have any advice for any cities that may have any of these characteristics?
We would also love advice on the housing market-we have been renting a house and would like to find a small home to rent that would allow pets-possibly even a short term lease so that we could keep our options open once we arrive. We haven't had any luck with any good websites that really show or describe the properties very well. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks!
I fear you are going to have to locate a little further than one hour from the ocean in Cary or Raleigh. You may find something in New Bern. Jacksonville may be another option also. Good luck.
Wilmington is only 10 minutes or so from the ocean but has a lively downtown scene. Seems that it attracts a lot of young hip types. It's also large enough that you could probably get a decent job. I'm not sure about housing affordability, but again, it's large enough so that you can probably choose different price ranges and neighborhoods.
Wilmington is only 10 minutes or so from the ocean but has a lively downtown scene. Seems that it attracts a lot of young hip types. It's also large enough that you could probably get a decent job. I'm not sure about housing affordability, but again, it's large enough so that you can probably choose different price ranges and neighborhoods.
Wilmington has the most expensive housing market in the state. If you want to buy and have access to decent jobs, I would suggest you situate yourself around the Raleigh metro area. Beach will be a couple of hours, but you will be able to afford a home
I live on the Crystal Coast--the Beaufort/Morehead City area. You might want to check out this pretty place. Great beaches--Cape Lookout Natl. Seashore is here--magical! Miles of beach to stroll and gather shells. Wild horses and dolphins. Pretty special and still wild and undeveloped. Unusual.
Lots of great restaurants here, and more opening all the time, so I suspect there would be chef opportunities here.
Go the local newspaper's web site and look at the help wanted classifieds: Carteret News Times. Google it for the url.
Re your AA work--you might want to check with Carteret General Hospital, the Community College, and Cherry Point, the military base for openings. Otherwise, call some of the local builders or real estate companies as building is busy here.
Oh, I forgot to mention about housing. You'll find it much, much easier to find rental housing in the off-season--after Labor Day-May. During the high tourist season, rentals can be scarce.
When we moved here, we rented a furnished condo on the beach from Feb-May until we located permanent housing. Our dog wasn't a problem, though landlords seem more open to smaller, well-behaved dogs...
i just went to all of the cities listed above. i am in my late 20s also, and i am from Ohio. I live near cleveland and used to live in columbus. i LOVED wilmington for the culture. there is a much younger crowd there, and much more to do than Morehead City. It is clean and pretty there. I am in the same situation as you, but i wanted to check out all of the cities first before I moved. BOY am i glad i did. Raleigh / Durham area is not at all what i had heard it was going to be. it is way too far from the beach, and the downtown hip spots are not that great. i am looking to move to wilmington. charlotte traffic was a headache, and there seemed like nothing to do.
i just went to all of the cities listed above. i am in my late 20s also, and i am from Ohio. I live near cleveland and used to live in columbus. i LOVED wilmington for the culture. there is a much younger crowd there, and much more to do than Morehead City. It is clean and pretty there. I am in the same situation as you, but i wanted to check out all of the cities first before I moved. BOY am i glad i did. Raleigh / Durham area is not at all what i had heard it was going to be. it is way too far from the beach, and the downtown hip spots are not that great. i am looking to move to wilmington. charlotte traffic was a headache, and there seemed like nothing to do.
hope that helps!
The problem with Wilmington is that the housing market is very expensive, so most young people like the original poster (maybe even you) will have a hard time buying their first home. And renting long term is like flushing your money down the toilet
Housing in many Wilmington communities is very competitive with the Cary/Raleigh market, often less expensive, depending on what you're looking for. It is a wonderful place with a very cosmopolitian feel. It reminds me a lot of Charleston, SC. There are many wonderful restaurants, great shopping, golf, access to decent health care... the list goes on and on. The historic district is really beautiful. And then of course, there's the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. I would recommend the Wilmington area.
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move to NC and would like to find an area within an hour of the ocean. I am an administrative assistant and he is a chef-We're both in our late twenties and would like to live in an area that is semi "hip and fun" to be able to have some sort of social life on the weekends.
Beach move
