Grifton, NC

Sitting along Contentnea Creek between Greenville and Kinston, Grifton is a peaceful eastern North Carolina town of around 2,500 people. Straddling both Pitt and Lenoir counties, it gives residents a laid-back, small-town atmosphere while keeping them about twenty minutes from the jobs, shopping, and medical centers in Greenville. Water plays a big part in daily life here, with locals regularly out on the creek to fish, kayak, or launch a boat. The community really rallies together each spring for the Grifton Shad Festival, one of the oldest festivals in the state, packed with food vendors, live music, and the quirky Shad Toss.

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Daily living is straightforward and family-friendly. Local children attend Grifton School through eighth grade before moving on to Pitt County high schools, and commuters have quick access to Pitt Community College and East Carolina University. Housing tends to be affordable, and the neighborhood pace is quiet and unhurried. If you want a close-knit river town where you can enjoy the outdoors and still easily reach city amenities, Grifton is well worth a look.