2023 Best Counties for Young Professionals in North Carolina

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4 out of 5  104 reviews

Current Resident: Living in Durham has been an enriching and vibrant experience. This charming city, known for its rich history and diverse community, has provided me with a unique blend of cultural and intellectual opportunities. From strolling through the historic downtown district with its captivating architecture and lively atmosphere to exploring the renowned Duke University campus, there is always something new to discover. The local arts scene has captivated me, with numerous galleries, theaters, and music venues offering a constant stream of creativity. Additionally, Durham's culinary landscape is a true delight, offering a wide array of cuisines that cater to every palate. The sense of community here is strong, as I have met welcoming and open-minded individuals who are passionate about making Durham a better place for all. Overall, my experience living in Durham has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am grateful for the opportunity to call this remarkable city my home.... Read 104 reviews

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• Population 320,146

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4 out of 5  31 reviews

Current Resident: I first visited Mecklenburg County when I came to Charlotte for a summer enrichment program for Wake Forest. It was a great introduction to the city. I visited Nascar and the White Water Center. My mom took a different job with her company and moved to Charlotte in 2021. There are a ton of things for young people to do. You have Carowinds (Six Flags), Optimist Hall to try Charlotte's favorite restaurants, No Da, Plaza Midwood and Camp North End just to name a few. You can't go wrong with Freedom Park and many other parks in the area. You have a wide array of gyms and outdoor clubs to join. This area is great and continues to grow providing more jobs and things to do. The sky is the limit.... Read 31 reviews

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• Population 1,100,984

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  53 reviews

Current Resident: This is a rapidly growing community with plenty of fun, safe opportunities to explore! There are parks, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, churches, community events, and much more. It is a short distance from Raliegh and Durham but is still small-town living. There is a perfect harmony of activities for all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. It is home to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and very close to Wake Technical Community College, NC State, and UNC-Chapel Hill. There are four moderate seasons to enjoy as well as relative close proximity to the NC mountains and beaches. From a small coffee shop to big city living, Wake County has it all.... Read 53 reviews

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• Population 1,112,883

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Nice little county on the beach, good people and good public schools... On negatives are the traffic, taxes and job availablility... Read 5 reviews

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• Population 225,175

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: I'm originally from New Jersey so moving to Orange county was definitely a culture shock, but I really enjoy it here. People are neighborly and the environment just always feels comfortable. What I enjoy most is looking out my window at the runners and walkers and dog walkers! I feel like I'm in a movie.... Read 8 reviews

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• Population 147,376

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: I like and love everything of Forsyth County. The people are very respectful and understand. They also are very comprehensive and like ti help others.... Read 7 reviews

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• Population 380,583

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4 out of 5  17 reviews

Current Resident: I love the abundance of of good schools within the area and the low chances of school-closing weather.... Read 17 reviews

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• Population 537,113

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: I moved to Buncombe county from Greenville County, SC this past year. The school system in better. The downtown area is bad for "family friendly" because of the people. I miss downtown Greenville! ... Read 2 reviews

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• Population 266,981

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.59 out of 5  17 reviews

Current Resident: I first want to acknowledge how diverse it is in Cumberland County. Since Fayetteville is a military town there are always new people coming into Cumberland County. With how diverse Cumberland County is, you're introduced to various faiths, traditions, and cultures that allow you to be conscious of what is out there in the world. The only downside of living near a military town is that your childhood friends will move away if they're apart of a military family, other than that Cumberland County is a good place to live. High School is very impressive and beneficial in Cumberland County. There are school rivalries but everybody is still friends outside of school, even friends that go to other schools.... Read 17 reviews

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• Population 333,582

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.5 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: A college town, there are parts of the city that reflect that but there are more generally family-friendly parts of the city as well. ECU sometimes has a party reputation but they also have a good education program and this is reflected across the community.... Read 8 reviews

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• Population 170,600

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.48 out of 5  46 reviews

Current Resident: Onslow County is very affordable and family friendly. There are several beautiful beaches in the area such as Emerald Isle and Topsail Beaches. It is home to great local restaurants, bars boutiques, shopping centers, and parks. There are lots of opportunities for hiking, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. There is something for everyone in this county! You can easily commute to Craven and Carteret Counties.... Read 46 reviews

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• Population 201,597

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: My experience in Cabarrus county has been a positive one. It feels like a small town, but has enough places to go and eat. Everyone is nice and I have been able to make new friends at school.... Read 5 reviews

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• Population 221,200

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.67 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: I moved to this county when I was roughly 2 years old with my family from Connecticut, and I would say that I have loved living here since we've come down here. We've also never had any serious problems while living here. Because of the city I lived in, I had to transfer to the school my parents thought would suit me better, and I've had to transfer to the relative middle and high schools every time. I like that there are many parks and places to eat around Alamance, so it's not the most boring place to live either.... Read 12 reviews

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• Population 169,185

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: It is a nice quiet community with lots of places to go eat, but not that much entertainment unless you really like golf.... Read 2 reviews

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• Population 98,618

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: That Catawba County is the best place to live. It has country and city. Its the best of both worlds for everyone. There is something here for everyone.... Read 14 reviews

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• Population 159,852

• County in North Carolina

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• Population 36,718

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: Watauga county is a beautiful place to live. The mountains provide a lot of outdoor activities and lovely scenery. This area is a popular destination for tourists as well as retirees. Appalachian State University is located in Boone also. This provides a lot of cultural events that the public can attend. The cost of living is high here. The real estate market is high as well as rent and most other things you need for daily life. There is not enough affordable housing for the common people who live in the county and this causes families hardships or the need to leave the area.... Read 3 reviews

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• Population 54,077

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4.03 out of 5  34 reviews

Nearby Resident: Great suburb of Charlotte. Growing area with new housing and entertainment options. Still not the big city yet.... Read 34 reviews

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• Population 226,097

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Wayne County is a quiet place with a lot of open land. It is the perfect place to raise a family or for retirement but it is for the most part quite rural. If you plan on living in the suburbs then commuting to work, school or really anywhere might be long.... Read 1 review

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• Population 117,692

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.58 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived here my entire life, I love it. But it isn't what it used to be, so many people are coming here to live so it is houses and houses being built and now taking all the farmland we have had here. There are not many grocery stores, so I wish they would build another with all the people coming here. But overall Currituck County is great to live in and has things to do here. I would say I do miss all the land and nature we had, but I can't say anything bad about it!... Read 12 reviews

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• Population 27,575

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.83 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: Rowan County is a small, quiet county, filled with all sorts of diverse cultures and people . Rowan has farmland, small towns, downtown life and more. With all the small neighborhoods and great community outreach, you can't turn a corner without recognizing a friend. Along with that, the school systems have diverse student body. You will feel inclusive at almost any school, private or public. In all Rowan County is a welcoming place, willing to accept any new friends.... Read 6 reviews

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• Population 145,784

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.43 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: I liked how open it is. I do not enjoy that it is becoming a busier and busier county. There is a good connection in the community.... Read 7 reviews

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• Population 211,320

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in this county. The people around here are all very kind. One of my favorite things about living in this area is the environment. Trees surround the area as locals continuously sulk in the environment. I love living around here because it is inexpensive. The spring water is absolutely amazing, and I find it as a privilege to live in this area with these kind people.... Read 2 reviews

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• Population 42,983

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: The county has attentiveness to the local needs, providing enrichment activities and services that are essential or recreational. The natural beauty of this area is retained while also the development for convenience is well balanced.... Read 3 reviews

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• Population 183,965

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: We moved here from Hampton Roads and it is so much cheaper to live here. And as a MAJOR bonus, there is no traffic like there is in Hampton Roads. We LOVE it down here! Nice and quiet, very peaceful!... Read 4 reviews

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• Population 40,240