Have you considered or looked at Beaufort, SC?
Smaller city, better people, lower taxes, and just overall cheaper to live as a whole.
It may be too small for you then. If that's the case, I still prefer any town outside of Charleston, SC better than Wilmington, and it's not even close IMO.
That's why I live in the upstate, and visit...lol my house would be $1.5M in Chucktown. $300k is way better with a job that pays the same...good luck and keep sharing your ideas...
Beaufort is home to Parris Island (Marine Corps east coast boot camp). It's a worn out military town (sorry to anyone that is from there, but it's true). I'm sure if your drive 15 minutes out of town it's not so bad, but it's not a place I'd consider - and I've been looking for military base locations (as I'll be retired military in a few years and want to be near a base to take advantage of some of the amenities on base).
There are a lot of coastal towns in southern North Carolina and upper SC worth looking into.
If all you know about Beaufort is "Parris Island", you have no idea what you're talking about. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in SC, and I'd much rather go there than just about anywhere (Pawley's Island is great too and first, though) in the state. Best shrimp and seafood to catch, laid back, and just all around great. If you like being a little more
yuppy, then Chucktown may be more your forte, but I guess it sucks too with its Naval base and all as well...
See what happens when someone's town gets bashed. Folks, this is false advertisement. Anyone here ever heard of a TED? Typical Enlisted Dude. There are TED's all over Beaufort....but the beaches are beautiful!!! (and FYI, I'm active duty military....enjoy your rundown military town....and all the tattoo shops, used car lots, strip clubs, and paycheck loans).
It's not my town, I don't live there, not from there, and couldn't careless what you think about it. Hunting Island state park and the numerous parks across downtown aren't anything like you describe. There's a reason Hunting Island and the lighthouse are the most visited park in the state, and you have zero clue as to why...like stated, I guess charleston sucks too with its military background. Beaufort is nothing like you describe...
Major. Lol
