Kinston, NC

Kinston is a friendly small town of around 20,000 residents in eastern North Carolina, sitting right along the bends of the Neuse River. Positioned between the Triangle and the Crystal Coast beaches, it offers an unhurried pace of life, plenty of green space, and affordable housing. While the community has deep roots in farming and traditional manufacturing, ongoing revitalization along the river and downtown has brought new life to historic storefronts.

ATTRRhodes Military Institute (Kinston, N.C.) / Public domain

Everyday living revolves around Queen Street and the surrounding riverfront, where you will find local spots like Mother Earth Brewing, neighborhood cafes, and classic eastern North Carolina barbecue joints. You can spend summer evenings catching minor league baseball at historic Grainger Stadium or take the family to the 55-acre Neuseway Nature Park for kayaking, hiking trails, and a planetarium. With community traditions like the annual BBQ Festival on the Neuse and continuing education at Lenoir Community College, Kinston offers an easy, welcoming place to put down roots.