Wilmington/Southport
Wilmington is the quintessential “southern” town, so much so that Hollywood directors have used the city and its environs as the backdrop for their productions, adding a nice extra bump to Wilmington’s stable economic base. With an active branch of University of North Carolina and both upscale and reasonably priced golf communities scattered throughout the area, Wilmington offers the kind of access to cultural, entertainment and medical options you would expect from a much larger city. And the golf is special too, with links style and seaside courses by top designers ringing the area around the city.