http://irenakohler.com/blog/categoryname_eastern-nc/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ Coastal North Carolina has received its fair share of accolades throughout recent years for everything from the charming coastal towns, to the exploding craft beverage and food scene, to the recreational opportunities that are unique only to this region. We are big fans of our amazing area, and know that you will be too! We present you with 5 very good reasons to add coastal North Carolina to your next home search!North Carolina’s storied historyFrom tales of swashbuckling pirates (think Blackbeard!) to bustling port cities (Wilmington) coastal North Carolina is steeped in history. Seven National Lighthouses and 2 National Seashores call the coast home. Explorers and adventurers have been arriving on the coast of North Carolina since the 1700s. The Wright Brothers chose coastal NC as the place to take flight. Wilmington, Southport, Beaufort, and Newbern are among the oldest towns in the state. Those people with a passion for history and a desire to walk lands with stories to tell often find that the coast can answer their call!Geography, Weather, and Convenient LocationLocated in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Coastal North Carolina has more than just the beach going for it, though we will be the first to admit that it is by far the largest draw for most families relocating to the area. From the northernmost tip of the North Carolina coast to the southernmost tip, locals enjoy the many barrier islands dotting the coastline. These islands provide a buffer from the Atlantic Ocean. The city of Wilmington, NC has the unique position of being situated between a river (the Cape Fear) and the ocean! How is that for life on the water? North Carolina attracts many newcomers due to its location exactly between New York (for those looking to escape the cold) and Florida (for those looking to escape the heat). Temperatures are mild on the Carolina coasts allowing for residents to enjoy the outdoors for most of the year. Residents to North Carolina also enjoy the very unique situation of being only a 5 hour drive from the stunning NC mountains (some of the oldest in the United States). It really is possible to have the best of both worlds when residing in coastal NC!Outdoor Activities and RecreationDue to the mild weather and stunning surroundings North Carolinians enjoy a variety of outdoor activities unlike any other. The coast attracts surfers, boaters, fishermen, and most recently SUP (Stand Up Paddlers) in droves. It is not uncommon for locals in this region to leave the office at the end of the day and head on into the water. North Carolina beaches are far less crowded than many of the coastal regions located to the north or south or on the West Coast. Unspoiled sands stretch to form over 300 miles of beaches for local enjoyment. When the beach isn’t in the day’s plans, coastal residents enjoy some of the greatest golfing in the world. Most golf courses in our region are played year-round as the weather allows for play any month of the year. Recently newer neighborhoods are capitalizing on this unique environment by creating neighborhoods that creating extensive hiking and biking trails, canals with docks, and parks as the central shared area to the neighborhood. The Food of Coastal North CarolinaOne can not list the unique opportunities that are enjoyed by coastal North Carolinians without mentioning the food! Food is quite possibly the largest ingredient in spending time with family and friends. Coastal North Carolina adorns the tables of its inhabitants with some of the finest and freshest seafood in the world! Oyster roasts are enjoyed outdoors while attendees take in the sights and smells of the coasts. Seafood markets dot the Carolina coasts in numbers rivaling large chain grocers, and are better attended! With North Carolina’s long-standing agricultural history locals also enjoy an abundance of farmer's markets and fresh grown foods. When North Carolina cooks feel like taking the day off from the kitchen there is certainly no shortage of fine dining in this region of the state. Wilmington just celebrated its recent win as the best al fresco dining in the nation and the awarding of a Wilmington restaurant (Manna) with the prestigious AAA 4 Diamond rating. The area is also making huge waves on the craft beverage scene as breweries pop up along the eastern coast, making the area a huge attraction for foodies and beer connoisseurs alike.Arts and Entertainment in Coastal North CarolinaSince the beginning of time the sea has been a great source of inspiration of artists of all genres. This is just as true today as it was 300 years ago on the coast of North Carolina. The art scene is vibrant and growing by leaps and bounds in recent years. From small town potters, to writers attending the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s prestigious writing program, to musicians playing the well attended Greenfield Lake amphitheatre, the Atlantic ocean provides the perfect backdrop. Coastal North Carolina also provides the scenery for some of your favorite movies, as Screen Gems movie studio is located here. Wilmington, dubbed “Hollywood East,” is home to the largest soundstage on the east coast. Almost every local that you meet has an art that is celebrated and explored on weekends if they aren’t lucky enough to create as full-time endeavors. Those who prefer to soak in the art created on the coast are in luck, as Coastal NC hosts an abundance of festivals and events during each of the four seasons. Though they often have the charm of small town events they are often internationally known, attended, and celebrated. Coastal North Carolina even has a dance specific to the region, the Shag, which can be performed best in bare feet on a bed of sand. Music is a part of coastal North Carolina life, from beach music, to bluegrass the music scene in this area is a most popular source of entertainment.If a life on the edge of a continent with the view of the sea and the smell of warm sand sounds like a dream to you you might consider the affordable yet incredible Coastal North Carolina region. Opportunities present themselves at every turn for a life spent enjoying our unique environment. Inspiration and entertainment enrich the lives of everyone who decides to claim the salt air! To speak with one of our many agents or to explore the area in search of your dream home please visit us at http://www.seacoastrealty.com/ http://irenakohler.com/blog/1853/5-reasons-locals-love-to-call-coastal-north-carolina-home/ Thu, 04 Feb 2016 12:00:00 -0500 FRIDAY (October 30, 2015)NC Aquarium Fort Fisher (Wilmington)Trick or Treat - Under The Sea http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisherPoplar Grove (Wilmington)Paranormal Ghost Tourshttp://www.poplargrove.org/festivals/ghosttours_masquerade/Brunswick Little Theatre (Southport)Blithe Spirithttp://www.brunswicklittletheatre.com/Halloween Ghost Trolley (Downtown Wilmington)Horsedrawn Tourshttp://horsedrawntours.com/id2.htmlCape Fear Fair & Expo (Wilmington)http://www.capefearfair.com/CARVE THE PUMPKIN, GET THE CANDY, MAKE LAST-MINUTE COSTUME!!!SATURDAY (October 31, 2015)Spooky Sound Paddle-Fest (Wrightsville Beach)Wrightsville SUPhttp://www.whatsonwilmington.com/event.php?id=22030Trunk or Treat (Leland)Leland Municipal Parkhttp://www.whatsonwilmington.com/event.php?id=22324Trick or Treat in the Park (Hampstead)Hampstead Kiwanis Parkhttp://www.kiwanisclubofhampstead.org/Page/17060Trick or Treat and any City and County Fire Station (Wilmington)New Hanover Countyhttp://on.fb.me/1OdFVBtSunset Beach Paddlefest (Sunset Beach)http://visitsunsetbeachnc.com/events/united-states/north-carolina/sunset-beach/featured/sunset-beach-paddle-fest/Coast In & Win (Southeastern NC)http://www.seacoastrealty.com/listings/openhouse_tTRICK OR TREAT!SUNDAY (November 1, 2015)Day of the Dead Art Rove (Wilmington)Brooklyn Arts Districthttp://www.badilm.org/Coast In & Win (Southeastern NC)http://www.seacoastrealty.com/listings/openhouse_t RELAX AND RECUPERATE! http://irenakohler.com/blog/1770/this-spooky-weekend-in-southeastern-nc/ Fri, 30 Oct 2015 12:00:00 -0500 Spring is one of my favorite times of year in eastern NC. At the coast, we have a brief period of time before the tourists arrive in droves to enjoy our pretty towns and beaches. We get surprise beach days, where the parking is ample and the weather is warm. We rejoin the community that we had to watch from cold glass windows in the winter and we get outside!Every year my family eagerly awaits the opening of our many local farmers’ markets. We countdown the days until we can visit places such as Lewis Farms and pick strawberries until we collapse at picnic tables with a cone of fresh ice cream. Mmmmmm.....ice cream. I have compiled a list of some of my favorite farmers’ markets and agrarian adventures. To be honest, I will be putting this list on my refrigerator so that I don’t miss visiting any this season. Enjoy!Poplar Grove Farmers’ MarketOpens April 1stThis farmers’ market is one of my very favorites. It is the perfect place for families. We usually take a long walk on the trails then buy all of our yummy treats. There is a family day scheduled in June. You can find more information about Poplar Grove and their farmers’ market by visitinghttp://www.poplargrove.org/farmers-market/Carolina Beach Farmers’ MarketOpens May 16thThe Carolina Beach Farmers’ Market definitely conveys a bit of an island flare. We love to visit this market if there is time in our schedule to take a quick ocean dip or to boogie to the music that is performed at the market. This market also has a large array of crafts made by local artisans. To see the vendor lists, schedules, etc. visithttp://carolinabeachfarmersmarket.com/Riverfront Farmers’ Market (downtown Wilmington, NC)Opens April 4thThis market is the one that my family visits most frequently due to its proximity to our house. Although it has typically been a bit smaller in offerings than the others in previous years, each year it gets bigger. I hope that this market continues to expand. I love picking up gifts for friends and family at the Riverfront market. From pickled peppers, fresh flowers, to local honey I can always find something that makes for a unique gift. Pickled collard greens anyone?http://www.wilmingtondowntown.com/events/farmers-marketEagle Island Fruit and SeafoodOpen Year RoundThough Eagle Island is not a farmers’ market it is an amazing place to buy fish, fresh produce, and plants. Eagle Island has a rotating inventory and the best is when they have fresh cakes made by locals in stock. They also serve up a HUGE cup of ice cream for not very huge prices. This place is a true general store. It is the kind of place that I grew up hanging out in with my Pawpaw, and I take my kids here to experience the slower pace of a lot of regulars talking farm out front.  Oh, and if oysters is what you want then you might want to bring the pick-up.https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eagle-Island-Fruit-Seafood/146282825406866Lewis FarmsOpened March 27thThere are a few different Lewis Farms locations. The one that I visit (and love) is the Gordon Road location. I have more Lewis Farms buckets (you get one to fill when you enter) than I do drinking glasses! This place is kid heaven, and it isn’t too bad for parents either. We go to pick strawberries, though they do sell plants and pre-picked veggies. The berries are very reasonably priced, and picking them yourself makes them taste better, I’m pretty sure. Because the berries are planted in long rows on knee high mounds little kids can only go so far. They have a long row to run, and you are usually the only group in your row. This place became a favorite when I had toddlers. After picking berries heading to the picnic tables to enjoy fresh berry ice cream is the best. Sometimes we drive out to Lewis Farms just for the ice cream, it's that good.http://www.lewisfarms.com/lewis-farm-marketsGreenlands FarmstoreOpen year roundGreenlands Farmstore often becomes one of our family stops to or from Oak Island. The farm is located on Midway Road and it opened in 2001. This place has a little bit of everything and you never quite know what you are going to get. There is the farm store which offers  everything from jellies to goat’s milk soap. There is the cafe serving up super yummy sandwiches. There are pony rides and a petting farm. My favorite offering (even though I have not had the chance to explore it) is the Homestead and Jr. Homestead Dinners. These are farm fresh dinners that are scheduled two times a month. There are too many awesome things to list (like hayrides for the kids and s'mores). I will definitely be making room in my summer schedule to experience the farm to fork dinner. http://www.greenlandsfarmstore.info/homesteaddinners/There are so many great places in our area for buying (and eating) amazing locally grown farm fresh foods. I will be adding to this list as the season progresses and I have the opportunity to explore more of them. Where should I go? Guide me by commenting on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/seacoastrealty http://irenakohler.com/blog/1322/farm-fresh-eastern-nc/ Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:00:00 -0500