• Travel + Leisure magazine ranked Wilmington, NC as the 7th best place to live in North Carolina.
• Wilmington offers a balance of beach access, a charming downtown, and a relaxed pace of life.
• The city boasts affordable housing compared to other coastal cities in the Carolinas.

A popular travel magazine listed Wilmington as one of the 10 Best Places to Live in North Carolina, according to local real estate experts.

If you have your heart set on living in North Carolina — whether you’re a lifelong North Carolinian or you’re looking to relocate — you’ve got options for where to plant your roots, writes Lydia Mansel in Travel + Leisure magazine June 2025.

Wilmington was listed as No. 7.

“Wilmington has been on the rise for a while now. You get the beach, a charming downtown, and a pace that is relaxed without being sleepy. It’s a great option if you want a lifestyle upgrade without giving up community or culture,” says Steven David Elliot of Fathom Realty.

Located between the Atlantic and the Cape Fear River, the Port City is a wonderful spot for anyone who wants to spend their free time on or near the water — boating, fishing, swimming, etc. Spending time on the water is within reach from Wilmington with nearby beaches ― Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. Also with the median home value of $416,708, Wilmington offers more affordable housing options than some of the larger coastal cities nearby in North and South Carolina.