For those of you interested in finding your Coastal North Carolina best places to live on the ocean, the barrier islands are some of the most beautiful places youll ever experience.

Unlike their cousins to the south, Coastal North Carolina barrier islands, commonly referred to as the Outer Banks, are long, thin stretches of land just off the coast. For the past few weeks we have been talking about the best small island living along the coast of South Carolina.

Weve looked at the popular best small islands of:

Weve also looked at other CoastalSouth Carolina best places to live small cities and towns:

This week were heading north up the Carolina eastern coastline. To look at the best small islands of Coastal North Carolina to live.

One author referredto the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a thin arm of sand nudging its way into the Atlantic.

Think remote white sandy beaches where small towns and villages are few and far between.

Imagine beaches coexisting with wildlife preserves and all manner of natural beauty.

Only then can you have an idea of why these small islands off Coastal North Carolina are so popular.

Life on the best small island of Coastal North Carolina is laid back. And this attracts people looking to get away from the daily grind. Those wanting to slow down and reconnect with themselves and their surroundings.

Needless to say the Coastal North Carolina Outer Banks are a big tourist attraction. And these small islands are inundated with visitors for part of the year.

Local residents typically find work in the tourism industry, real estate, fishing, education and government agencies like the National Park Service.

All you beach lovers .Wow the Coastal North Carolina beaches are amazing!!!

Its not uncommon for people to have a variety of jobs to tide them over until the tourists come back.

Although there are restaurants and shops, residents often have to go to the mainland for various services and amenities.

And more than the tourism, perhaps one of the biggest downsides to living in Coastal North Carolina is you have to evacuate the islands in the event of a really strong storm.

Nevertheless, the Coastal North Carolina Outer Banks remain popular.

And the people that have settled down here wouldnt live anywhere else.

So what do the best small islands of Coastal North Carolina have to offer you?

Bald Head Island NC sits south of another Coastal North Carolina best place to live. Wilmington NC just a few miles off coast near the mouth of the Cape Fear River.

Bald Head Island NC is a private resort community of a little less than 165 people and is only accessible via ferry.

Mostly a wildlife reserve. The island has golf courses, historic lighthouses, creeks and maritime forests.

Oh and forget about cars because the only thing with four wheels you can travel in are golf carts.

Housing is more expensive with a median home sales price of around $850,344.

Youll find a fully stocked grocery store as well as police and fire departments. But Bald Head Island NC residents must go to the mainland for most medical services.

Ocracoke Island NC, population almost 948, is one of the more remote barrier islands on Coastal North Carolina. Accessible only by a 45 minute ferry ride or plane.

Once mostly dominated by fishing, the village of Okracoke NC is mostly all about tourism.

And is a prime destination for summer vacationers because of its award winning beaches.

Tourism has brought development including hotels and restaurants but services like hospitals you can expect to go to the mainland.

The median home value is around $364,673.

You can get to another popular island location, Hatteras Island NC by car, boat or plane.

People generally think of historic lighthouses, amazing beaches and tourism when they think of Hatteras.

Surprisingly, it is home to roughly 4000 people spread out among several quaint village communities like Rodanth, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras.

The median home value for Hatteras Island North Carolina is about $400,000.

Stay tuned next week as we explore more about North Carolina Coastal living.

Have a good one and well see you again next week!

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Robert Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location analyst for major corporations. Robert researches the growth of NC and SC to find the Best Places to Retire or Relocate that are still affordable.

Robert Does Not Sell Real Estate! 2005-2014 Places of Value Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without permission prohibited.

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Best Small Islands of Coastal North Carolina To Live