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These 2 Carolina Beaches Are Ranked Among The Best On The East Coast

Author KC Atkins
The beaches of North and South Carolina are some of the best in the world.

With the summer season approaching, now is the time to start scoping out beaches for you and the family to hit up. Luckily for you, two of the best beaches on the east coast can be found in the Carolinas, according to a new poll from StudyFinds.

How The Best Beaches Were Chosen

I’m sure many who didn’t grow up near the coast would assume that most beaches are the same. After all it’s usually just a mix of sand, water, and some guy wearing a speedo who should absolutely NOT be wearing a speedo (it’s me).

But those of us who have grown up in the Carolinas know there is a major difference between beaches. Some beach locations are great for partying, others offer a more tranquil atmosphere. It’s all about finding the right beach spot for your specific needs.

The StudyFinds poll consulted various travel experts in order to determine the best beach destinations along the east coast. The beaches were chosen based on a variety of different factors, including overall appearance and upkeep and the abundance of fun activities along the beach’s surrounding area. The study then narrowed down the experts’ choices to just eight of the best, most pristine beaches.

Which Carolina Beaches Are The Best?

According to the study, Myrtle Beach in South Carolina and Nags Head in North Carolina were included in the top eight picks. Myrtle Beach ranked 3rd overall while Nags Head brings up the rear for the list at number 8.

Don’t let the not-so-endearing nickname “Dirty Myrtle” fool you. Myrtle Beach has much to offer for families looking to have an unforgettable summer experience. The study highlighted Myrtle Beach’s high quality golf courses, as well as their numerous amusement and water parks. The famous Myrtle Beach boardwalk was also a major deciding factor in including the South Carolina locale.

Nags Head, North Carolina was chosen for its plethora of beach-related activities. This includes surfing, kayaking, and fishing. The nearby Roanoke Island National Wildlife Refuge is also available for nature lovers to enjoy. Nags Head also boasts nearly 40 different beach access points, providing many visitors with breathtaking beachy views and experiences.

What Separates These Two Carolina Beaches

Myrtle Beach is definitely better suited for the more extraverted crowd, offering tons of lively events and a thrilling night life scene. It’s also considered a favorite among college students for summer vacation and spring break.

Conversely, Nags Head is the more lowkey beach destination of the two. It would certainly be an ideal destination for couples looking to get away from the noise and distractions of their day-to-day lives.

Either way, it’s hard to go wrong with either of these two wonderful Carolina beaches! Sorry in advance if you see me out there this summer in my speedo.

KC is bringing you the Workday Wind Down, afternoons on KML. He’s a Carolina boy making Carolina noise! When he's not slinging music and mouth sounds on the BIG 95.7 WKML, you can catch him at the gym, live wrestling shows, open mics, or wherever fine pasta is sold. KC is a big fan of self-expression, as his many tattoos will show you. KC's favorite pastime is making others laugh. In his mind, if he can bring a smile to your face then it's a day well spent. KC likes to write about TV and film, especially Spider-Man, and Fayetteville happenings.

Two North Carolina Cities Among Top 10 Best Places To Live

U.S. News & World Report has released their new Best Places to Live rankings for 2024-2025, and the Tar Heel state got some major love! In a list of 150 major cities, two North Carolina cities were ranked among the top 10 best places to live in the US.

How Cities Were Ranked

According to U.S. News & World Report, the ranking was compiled using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor, and some of the publication’s own internal resources. The data was then sorted into four different categories by which each major city would be scored.

The categories were assigned different weights depending on how strongly Americans felt each factor mattered when choosing a place to live. The four categories in order of weight are as follows:

  1. Quality of Life (crime rates, quality of education, health care availability, etc.)
  2. Value (housing affordability, price parity, etc.)
  3. Desirability (net migration, weather temperateness, establishments-to-population ratio, etc.)
  4. Job Market (unemployment rate, average salary, etc.)

Which North Carolina Cities Are The Best Places To Live?

According to the official rankings, Charlotte and Raleigh are the two best places to live in North Carolina. The two cities made it to #5 and #6 respectively.

Charlotte scored extremely well overall, with the Queen City’s quality of life and economic value placing it among the top places in the country to live. Charlotte was also commended for its sprawling metro area and bustling downtown scene, while still maintaining its southern charm.

Raleigh ranked almost neck-and-neck with Charlotte, with North Carolina’s capital scoring highly in the Quality of Life category. The publication highlights Raleigh’s bustling art and music scenes, as well as its beautiful green spaces and activity space. The city of Raleigh also received high marks for its strong sense of community among the residents.

Additional Ranking Information

The full rankings (seen here) reveals some interesting information about other major cities in the US, including other cities in North Carolina. Here are some of the key takeaways.

  • The Top 4 Best Places To Live In The US

  • 1. Naples, Florida

    Ranked #1 overall, Naples, Florida was determined to be the best city to live in the US. The city scored highly for its overall quality of life, especially among retirees who desire a pristine beachfront view in their twilight years.

  • 2. Boise, Idaho

     

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    A post shared by City of Boise (@city_of_boise)

    It’s certainly a surprising #2, but Boise, Idaho has much to offer for outdoorsy types. Boise offers a plethora of different terrains for adventurers, including mountain ranges, canyons, deserts and lakes.

  • 3. Colorado Springs, Colorado

     

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    A post shared by Visit Colorado Springs (@visitcos)

    Colorado Springs, Colorado was ranked as the #3 best place to live for its blend of natural beauty and rustic modernism. Despite its endless array of events and activities, Colorado Springs maintains a small town charm that residents find intoxicating.

  • 4. Greenville, South Carolina

    North Carolina’s sister state did just a hair better in the ranking, with the South Carolina city of Greenville landing at #4 in the overall ranking. Greenville’s downtown area is a central hub for local businesses, bars, restaurants and boutiques. The city is also quite lively during the summer season.

  • 5. Charlotte, NC

  • 6. Raleigh, NC

  • Other North Carolina Cities Ranked

    – Asheville (#17)

    -Greensboro (#23) 

    -Hickory (#26)

    -Winston-Salem (#60)

    -Fayetteville (#113)

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Author KC Atkins
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