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These Are The 4 Most Charming North Carolina Towns To Move To

Author Melanie Day

With the popularity and availability of remote work, you can quite literally work from anywhere. This means you may one to call one of these charming North Carolina towns home. Because as the cost of living continues to skyrocket, you can get a lot more out of your money living outside the major cities. (But still get paid like you’re living there).

This means many people are making the smart financial decision to relocate from the major cities to smaller towns. US Census Bureau data supports this, showing that people are moving to smaller towns at rates greater than before 2020.

And why not? Small-town living offers a more affordable lifestyle, a slower pace, and an overall better quality of life in many cases. (Though I think personally I’ll always be a city girl no matter the cost). So you think this idea of relocation might be for you? But which charming North Carolina towns should you consider?

Our friends at High 5 Casino recently shared with us their “Small Town/City Relocation Index”. They used 22 metrics to compare 161 small towns and cities to determine the most charming small towns to move to.

Rankings are based on things like “charm, quaintness, and picturesqueness”. All important aspects of small towns. Because if it doesn’t look like it came from a Hallmark movie I’m personally not interested! And 4 North Carolina towns made the list.

4 Most Charming North Carolina Towns

  • New Bern, NC (#43): Small Town/City Relocation Index score = 43.04/100.
  • Black Mountain, NC (#72): Small Town/City Relocation Index score = 41.41/100.
  • Burnsville, NC (#89): Small Town/City Relocation Index score = 40.36/100.
  • Cashiers, NC (#103): Small Town/City Relocation Index score = 39.57/100.

It is surprising that New Bern, the highest ranking of the most charming North Carolina towns, is the lone beach town on this list. But there is something about a North Carolina mountain town that’s hard to resist.

Thanks to our friends at High 5 Casino for sharing their research with us. You can view the full study and methodology here.

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.

4 North Carolina Small Towns Named Most Adorable In The South

Are you looking for a fun, laid-back summer getaway? Perhaps just for a long weekend? Then look no further than right here in North Carolina. There is no shortage of adorable small towns in North Carolina (which we already knew!).

But we love seeing places in our state get recognized for how incredible they are. And Southern Living recently gave us just that. They released a list of “The 15 Most Adorable Small Towns For A Summer Getaway”. And of the the 15 small towns included 4 of them were right here in the great state of North Carolina.

While there are fantastic towns all across the state, 3 of the 4 highlighted in this article are in the mountains. Maybe not the first place you’d think to visit this time of year. But less crowded than the beach and who couldn’t use a break from the insanely hot temperatures we are currently experiencing?

So what makes a small town classified as “adorable”? According to Southern Living, it’s a few things. Here’s what they had to say:

“To be a truly adorable small town, several boxes must be checked. A walkable and charming main street or downtown are requirements. An old-fashioned ice cream parlor or candy shop is a nice touch. And finally, excellent community and friendly locals are a must.”

So keep reading to see which 4 adorable small towns in North Carolina Southern Living thinks you should visit this summer! I’ve also included one from South Carolina and Georgia close enough for a quick getaway as well.

Read the full article from Southern Living here.

The 4 Most Adorable Small Towns In North Carolina

  • Boone, NC

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C8sCSkZPjEt/

    Who doesn’t love this college town on the Blue Ridge Parkway? Boone is filled with everything adrenaline lovers could ask for combined with numerous opportunities to relax in a gorgeous setting. Plus it averages some of the coolest temperatures across the state. Yes please! Learn more about what to do in Boone and the surrounding area here.

  • Black Mountain, NC

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C4Bcfw3u0Cz/

    While I’ve never personally visited I’ve heard wonderful things about Black Mountain. The town is a short 25 minute drive from Asheville and is home to a lively downtown filled with much of what Southern Living classifies as adorable. This includes art galleries, shops, and quaint restaurants all at an elevation of 2,405 feet. Learn more about visiting Black Mountain here. 

  • Mt. Airy, NC

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CyWg2XKgxJr/?img_index=1

    You can’t have an “adorable small towns” list without featuring Mayberry or Mt. Airy as it’s officially known. And while there is plenty of “Mayberry” to see and do there is also a lot of Mt. Airy to love and explore. You’ll find the town in the upper part of the Yadkin Valley near the NC/Virginia state line. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy some local wine, listen to live bluegrass music, and simply slow down. Learn more about visiting Mt. Airy here.

  • Brevard, NC

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C8c2D-YO3Cl/

    As you can see in the video above Brevard is known as “the Land of Waterfalls”. The area is home to 250 waterfalls on 100,000 acres of public lands made of the Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest, Gorges State Park, and Headwaters State Forest. In addition to unbeatable natural beauty, there is also a thriving live music scene in the town as well as can’t-miss restaurants and breweries. Learn more about visiting Brevard here.

  • Beaufort, SC

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C8-iqDFsNmP/

    Beaufort is located on South Carolina’s Port Royal Island. The second oldest town in South Carolina is known for its incredible Antebellum mansions and architecture. Visitors love the live oaks covered in Spanish moss that line the Beaufort Historic District. This coastal town truly embodies the idea of “Southern Charm”. Learn more about visiting Beaufort here.

  • Ellijay, GA

    https://www.instagram.com/p/C7FubmhKiMF/

    Nestled in the mountains of North Georgia is the charming town of Ellijay known as the Apple Capital of Georgia. The town is home to Appalachian Mountain trails, the Cartecay River, and of course lots of apple farms. Dine at boutique local restaurants that are known for farm-to-table cuisine. Learn more about visiting Ellijay here.

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Author Melanie Day
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