Southern Shores, NC

Tucked along the northern Outer Banks between Kitty Hawk and Duck, Southern Shores offers a quiet coastal setting for around 3,000 year-round residents. Located just off the Wright Memorial Bridge, the town sits on a scenic stretch of land bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Currituck Sound on the other. Shaded by dense live oaks and maritime forest, its winding residential roads and multi-use paths make getting outside for a walk or bike ride a daily pleasure.

ATTRVirginia Retail from Virginia, USA / CC BY 2.0

For families with school-age kids, students attend Kitty Hawk Elementary before moving on to First Flight Middle and First Flight High School. The community is largely residential, featuring single-family homes, private beach accesses, and tranquil sound-front neighborhoods. When you need groceries, dining, or retail, neighboring towns like Kitty Hawk and Duck are only a few minutes down the road, giving residents an easy balance of privacy and convenience.