I currently live in Minneapolis area and am ready to get out of the cold winters. I lived in Charleston, South Carolina for 2 years and miss it. However, I always wanted to live in N.C. I need help trying to figure out where to look. We currently live 30 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and like it that way. I would prefer to be in a mid size town with access to a bigger town if needed. I want to be no more than an hour from the beach, if possible. Don't mind tripping it to the mountains every now and then. Lots of people like Asheville, but sounds a bit "Boulderish". As in Boulder, CO. Plus, if I am going to make the move, I want to be in a warmer winter area.

I would look in the area around Wilmington but outside of New Hanover County.

I don't think Asheville and Boulder are at all alike. And Asheville is 4 hours from the beach.
The Triangle would be good. Pittsboro, Hillsborough, etc. Might be a bit further than an hour, but not much more.
Are you retired? Do you work?

There aren't many mid-sized town with access to a bigger town within one hour from the beach. Wilmington area is an option and maybe New Bern or Elizabeth City?

Curious why you want to be in NC? Are you aware of our tax burden vs SC?

I understand what you mean by Asheville being a bit Boulderish.

The Triangle area is about two hours from Wilmington beaches, about fourish to the Outer Banks. Unless that distance immediately crosses it off your list, I have several friends who have moved to Hillsborough recently. It's about 20 minutes from Durham and a little further (40?) to Raleigh. Lots of other towns like that around the Triangle, though.

Don't know if any of these are factors, but:

Are you retiring or do you have a profession (nursing?) where you can get a job anywhere?

What is the real estate market in Minnesota? Are you going to be able to sell your house for a bundle?

The places with lower housing costs in NC (probably everywhere) are also places where employment is likely to be difficult.

If you like Charleston, I'm not sure why you wouldn't move back there. Wilmington is likely the closest place that meets your criteria. Brian is correct & AckI raises some valid points as well.

What's drawing you to NC?

I'll ask again - why not SC?

I'll even ask it. Why not Charleston.

Or Greenville. Or Lexington. Or somewhere "no more than an hour from the beach" in SC rather than NC.

The other thing about "an hour from the beach" in NC, it will be NC beaches which are fine and lovely, but so are SC beaches.
It also makes a difference about what you like to do in the larger city you are near. Some of the cities mentioned have museums, symphony orchestras, cultural centers, but not all. Shopping is not much of a problem anywhere any more so that would not be a factor perhaps.

At the risk of sounding like a therapist (haha) I think the OP needs to say why NC. Did somebody tell you it's nice? Was it the Celebrex commercial? People who want to move have widely varying expectations and can get disappointed. A place between the Triangle and the beach may be a little rural, IMHO.

LOL suewoo!

I don't know if/when babybop will return, but I WOULD like to point out to the Carolinians that I am NOT promoting Asheville in this thread. See? I CAN exercise restraint

Durn, starrs, it doesn't fit the criteria!

Charleston is a great place to live but there are NO JOBS. NC is not as depressed but, as I was born and raised there, and love it dearly, I always wonder why people just pick it.

The big thing is to get to warmer weather. I am more familiar with the Carolinas, since living in SC. I was told while living there 15 years ago, that taxes in NC were a lot less. Not true? People I have met who live in NC or are from there, say they love it there. I am in nursing, but stay at home right now. My husband is in engineering/product manager/tech. manager. It would have to be a very appealing place to move to for him to give up 22 years at his current employment. Charleston has to be my favorite place to have lived. I was single and tired of only meeting military guys, so moved to Denver. Probably would be a much better experience now. It is hard to find nursing jobs here right now, they are actually laying nurses off. That will change in the near future. We are not looking to move soon with the economy the way it is. That would definitely have to improve first. Trying to plan for the future.

Then I think Raleigh might be right for you.

Raleigh area--lots of nice little towns nearby. Further west, ergo from the beach, Winston, even Charlotte. You could even live in SC near Charlotte! Lots and lots of medical things going on here.
It's nice to be near the beach, but you "live" in a place more of the time. We go to the beach 4-6 times a year. People in Charlotte go to the beach for a weekend all the time.
Charleston has definitely moved right on up the scale in being a nice place to live.

G is correct - Many (actually most I think) of us in CLT are transplants from the Midwest or Upstate NY. I visit the Mts. & the NC Beaches 3-5 times a year, each. The Beach takes a long weekend (for me anyway) & is about 3.5 hours one way. The Mts. more like 2-3 hours, depending on your destination.

I will even amplify on SanParis. We have lived in Charlotte for 45 years.My DH is from a little town just east of Charlotte, and has seen the SC coast evolve, AS did his parents. It is a "way of life" to go to the beach--you say it and everyone knows EXACTLY what you mean and what you will do!! I can even remember when North Myrtle BEach was Ocean Drive.
My point IS--going to the "beach" is Carolina "habit". Once you are "there" you are "on vacation". It is A_Mazing. It's like a week away. Just a thought!! LOL