Home > NC > Elizabeth City > Experiences & Adventures > 7 Reasons to Move to Elizabeth City, NC

7 Reasons to Move to Elizabeth City, NC

Oysters + riverfront shopping + Edgar Allen Poe = This must-visit North Carolina town.

By Kevin Litwin on January 24, 2019

Oysters
iStockPhoto.com

Oysters: check.

Seaside charm: check.

Serious Edgar Allen Poe cred: oh yeah, that’s a check.

You’ll find all three right in the heart of Elizabeth City, NC. Billed as the “Harbor of Hospitality,” the city is situated along the picturesque Pasquotank River, which connects to Albemarle Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Home to briny plates of fresh seafood and a bustling waterfront market, Elizabeth City is all at once charming and intriguing—giving both residents and visitors plenty to love about it.

1. It’s Got Everything

Elizabeth City is the economic, educational, health care and cultural hub for 16 counties in northeastern North Carolina. Outlying residents also drive to Elizabeth City for shopping choices, and the community features the most antebellum homes in the state as well as six National Register Historic Districts.

2. Meeting the Test

Parents can send their children to the high-ranking Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public School district, while college students can attend Elizabeth City State University. ECSU offers 37 undergraduate programs and four masters programs, and two other local academic options are College of the Albemarle and Mid-Atlantic Christian University.

3. Feast First

Foodies, rejoice. Elizabeth City houses many popular culinary destinations, from coffee shops to independent restaurants to fine dining. Sweet treat stops include The Cupcakery, Kathy’s Kreations and The Wildflower Café, while lunch hotspots include Bryon’s Hot Dog Stand, Currituck BBQ Company, Sidney’s Café & Bistro and Souper Simple Café. For dinner, three favorites are Cypress Creek Grill, Grouper’s Waterfront Seafood Restaurant and Montero’s.

4. Technically Speaking

A cluster of high-tech employers highlight the economy of Elizabeth City, which is paced by the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City – the largest Coast Guard base in the nation. In addition, a $13 million Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Aviation Research and Development Commerce Park is now open near Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Regional Airport to accommodate aerospace companies, while some of the community’s highly advanced and high-paying companies include DRS Technologies, TCOM LP, Telephonics Corporation and VectorCSP.

5. Embrace Adventure

After visiting Dismal Swamp in the early 1800s, Edgar Allen Poe penned his famed poem, “The Raven,” and today the swamp still inspires. On the North Carolina-Virginia border and open year round, Dismal Swamp State Park offers outdoor recreation opportunities like camping, canoeing, hiking, kayaking and mountain biking. Bird watchers also flock to the park to get a glimpse of more than 200 species of birds.

6. Wear Comfortable Shoes

Bring your credit card and enjoy a day of shopping at the many retail destinations available throughout Elizabeth City. Interesting antique stores and shops can be found in the historic downtown district, while other popular shopping clusters are along Ehringhaus Street/US 17 Business as well as Hughes Boulevard/US 17. Also available to shoppers is the City Center West/Halstead Boulevard Extended corridor.

7. Have Fun

Elizabeth City residents know how to have a good time, scheduling nearly a dozen get-togethers and festivals every year. The most well known is the North Carolina Potato Festival each May that celebrates one of the region’s most important crops, while the Juneteenth Celebration commemorates the freeing of African slaves in America. In December, Albemarle Craftsmans Fair features all things Christmas.

Newsletter Sign Up

Keep up to date with our latest rankings and articles!
Enter your email to be added to our mailing list.