Avon, NC

Avon sits right in the middle of Hatteras Island on North Carolina's Outer Banks, between Salvo and Buxton. With the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Pamlico Sound to the west, it functions as the island's main commercial hub. Residents have convenient access to the area's only full-service grocery store, along with local tackle shops, seafood spots, and surf outfitters.

ATTRKen Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0

Day-to-day life here moves with the seasons, shifting from quiet winter months to lively summers centered around the beach and the Avon Fishing Pier. Steady soundside breezes make the area a favorite for kiteboarding and windsurfing, while families send their kids to the Cape Hatteras elementary and secondary schools just down the road in Buxton. Living on a narrow barrier island means keeping an eye on tides, weather forecasts, and Highway 12, but it rewards residents with a tight-knit community and easy access to the water.