Do you dream of living by the beach full-time?
Yes, we know people move to this part of the country because they love our mild winters and lower taxes, but there are other areas that offer the same perks. What really makes people attracted to the Cape Fear region is the water – they are drawn to the water!
Oh, they know about the risks. They’ve read up on the hurricanes and tropical storms, and they’re aware that half of the year they will have to deal with tourists. None of that matters. To them it is a small price to pay for watching the sun rise over the Atlantic, or taking the dog for a walk on the beach. They may never have surfed, or owned a boat, or even enjoyed fishing, but the beach life is still calling them.
That is if they can afford it.
For those with beach dreams on a budget, there is one town in the region that is getting national attention for its affordable cost of living
The writers at Thrillist combed the sand to find America’s most affordable beach towns, at least in terms of median home prices. The most affordable beach town in North Carolina is Swansboro, about 90 minutes up the coast from Wilmington.
The writers at Thrillist posted the following:
“Only in Swansboro can you watch Osprey landings while you tan. The former shipbuilding and fishing hub shares a border with Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Hammocks Beach State Park, a stretch of oceanfront where many of the gorgeous beaches are only reachable by boat, might be the area’s greatest hidden gem. Weekend getaways include quick jaunts to the Outer Banks or sleepy islands like Ocracoke. The town itself features a main street lined with boutiques and cafes with waterfront views.
The median home price in Swansboro is $322,388. Here is how that ranks with the other affordable beach towns:
| Rank | Town | Median Home Price |
| 1 | Port Arthur, Texas | $84,937 |
| 2. | Free Port, Texas | $122,312 |
| 3 | Ocean Springs, Mississippi | $243,412 |
| 4 | Daytona Beach, Florida | $256,550 |
| 5 | Deerfield Beach, Florida | $297,138 |
| 6 | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | $301,846 |
| 7 | Coos Bay, Oregon | $319,282 |
| 8 | Swansboro, North Carolina | $322,288 |
| 9 | Long Beach, Washington | $329,795 |
| 10 | Mastic Beach, New York | $344,218 |