Moving to NC(?): Where oh Where?

[rickydazla]

So this is an open ended question that I am just looking for input and advice on really...

My fiancee and I are in the process of relocating to the States and for a variety of reasons, not least the diving, are considering NC. We are both active instructors currently and keen divers. We are young and sociable and although we like some busy-ness we are not looking for a city by any means. Our ideal would be somwhere with a reasonably mild-warm climate that is on the coast, it would preferably be somewhere with an established or growing dive-tourism industry and somewhere with affordable housing (we would rent at first with a view to getting our own place fairly soon).

Does this place exist?!

 

[BabyDuck]

sure, if your idea of 'mild' is 'summer temps / humidity of 100* / 100%'! i'd think you might want to look near wilmington or morehead/beaufort, for the warmer water, though nags head/hatteras would be another option.

 

[herman]

You can forget "affordable" housing in any community even close to any water. The housing prices have skyrocketed in the last few years. Your best bet is to find a job inland and drive to the beach when you can.

 

[SparticleBrane]

Hmmm...New Bern is a small town with just enough busy-ness that things can be (almost) exciting occasionally. It's relatively hot and humid in the summer and can be cold in the winter but not too much. It's ~45 minutes from the beach and ~2+ hours from most quarries that people dive.

 

[packman]

All good suggestions. Wilmington is the larger of the two dive areas mentioned and offers more year-round activities. Morehead/Beaufort is smaller and is more dependent on the summer tourists, i.e. there is a big change in the activity and traffic between the summer and winter. Both areas are nice and offer outstanding diving as well as easy access to the rest of the state.

 

[jeepbrew]

Here is my vote for Wilmington.

 

[suthnbelle]

My vote would be for the Morehead City/Atlantic Beach area. My favorite over Wilmington and I lived in Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach for five years. I think the cost of living for Wilmington would be higher than Morehead?

Only time you'll get "mild" climate is around late September when it starts to cool off a bit and in the early spring. Right night the humidity is nasty and it is in the mid 90s this week!

 

[rickydazla]

We live in Fiji, humidity and heat is not a problem, in fact that's one of the main reasons we're considering the area. Wilmington's a college town right?

 

[LindaBluedolphin]

Yes Wilmington is indeed a college town. If I could live anyplace in NC I think it would be in the Wilmington area. If I didn't have to work for a living I would consider moving there now. Doubt I could get a job there that pays what I am getting now (which isn't huge, but it would be less there)

 

[flounderer]

I live in Wilmington and I absolutely love it here. Some consider this a college town but there is a lot more to it than the college. It's a good beach community that doesn't shut down when the summer ends. Oh, and the diving is pretty good also.

Pat