North Carolina City One of the Best for Quality of Life on East Coast

North Carolina is home to some great cities with tons of opportunities. Not only opportunities, but a new report is stating some of the best quality of life as well. Tons of Americans and people from around the world are wanting smaller cities for their new lives. Many do not want the business of larger cities and are trying to find those cute cities with still plenty to do. Well, like North Carolina! But, where are they going?

A new report by Travel + Leisure is naming which U.S. city is the best for quality of life on the East Coast. I am sure you're wondering which North Carolina city reigned supreme. Raleigh, North Carolina is one of those cities that Americans are moving to and enjoying more and more. For the last 5 years, nearly 60 people have moved to the city per day. Back in 2020, the city was the second fastest growing in the country. Obviously, North Carolina is a great state and people around the world are seeing it and embracing it.

Raleigh has a great scene for new job opportunities, a great housing market, great school districts, and a college nearby for furthering education. It seems that many are enjoying every aspect of Raleigh overall. Price may be increasing slightly, but it is nowhere near a New York City or Los Angeles cost of living in this day and age.

In Raleigh, there are also tons of things to experience and do. The foodie scene is one for someone who loves a little bit of everything. You can enjoy everything from food trucks and sushi to Carolina barbecue and seafood. Best of all of the worlds you can imagine.

Check out the full story here and learn a little bit more about Raleigh and what the city has to offer.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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 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.

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.