Often described as "The Southern Outer Banks, the Crystal Coast of North Carolina is one of the most beautiful, laid back locations on the east coast. From the quaint towns of Morehead City and Beaufort, to the beautiful beaches of Atlantic, Pine Knoll Shores, Salter Path and Emerald Isle, the area offers a wonderful style of living.

Whether your interests include history, boating, fishing, golf or other outdoor activities, you will find many opportunities along the Crystal Coast. View the wild horses on Carrot Island. Watch the nesting loggerhead turtles on the beach. Dining and shopping match that of much larger areas. This is truly a special place to livework and play.

For complete information on life in the Crystal Coast and Carteret County area, visit our Area Information section or Contact NC Crystal Coast Life.

Communities

The Crystal Coast of Carteret county is made up of eleven incorporated towns and over a dozen other small towns and communities. Morehead City is the largest town, with a population of about 9,000, and Beaufort, with over 4,000 residents, is the county seat. Both are quaint, waterfront communities, with plenty to do and see.

Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Salter Path, Indian Beach and Emerald Isle overlook the Atlantic Ocean, and offer some of the finest beaches on the east coast. While attracting many summertime visitors, the beaches can be enjoyed year round.

For complete information on Crystal Coast communities and what they offer, visit our Area Information section or Contact NC Crystal Coast Life.

Education

The Carteret County Public Schools School District includes 17 schools that serve over 8,000 students in grades PK through 12. Students per class in grades K - 8 are smaller than the state average, while expenditures per student exceed the state average. The Carteret County Public Schools School District had a grades 9-12 dropout rate is approximately 4%, about equal to the state rate.

Over 16% of district students have an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a written plan for students eligible for special needs services. In addition, Communities in Schools (CIS) has had a positive impact in reducing the number of children dropping out of school, encouraging a positive economic outcome within the communities.

There are also many fine private schools in Carteret and surrounding counties.

Carteret Community College, founded in 1963, has been instrumental in preparing students for today's workforce needs. Through working with area employers, the college has been able to design and deliver courses that address their specific employment needs.

The College's new Associate Degree in Nursing program is a collaborative undertaking with Carteret General Hospital, designed to provide the hospital with a continuous flow of qualified personnel. Other health sciences programs include Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, Radiography and Respiratory Therapy and Emergency Medical Sciences. Through a creative partnership with East Carolina University students can earn a B.S. degree in special education or elementary education without having to travel to the main campus in Greenville.

The new North Carolina Marine Training and Education Center (NC MARTEC) is recognized as one of the finest facilities for marine training and education, specializing in boat building and marine propulsion systems. For more information on all Carteret County area schools & colleges

For more information on all Carteret County area schools & colleges, visit our Area Information section or Contact NC Crystal Coast Life.

Health

Carteret General Hospital is a non-profit 135 bed facility located in Morehead City, only minutes from Beaufort and the beaches of Carteret County. The Hospital offers a full range of acute care, diagnostic and outpatient services including a comprehensive Cancer Treatment Center, CGH Imaging Center, CGH Specialty Clinic, Hospice of Carteret County, Carteret Home Health, Cardiac Rehabilitation and a Birthing Center. Taylor Extended Care Facility, the hospitals long term skilled nursing facility, provides skilled services for residents who require specialized long-term care or short-term rehabilitation.

Carteret General is fully accredited by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). With their commitment to excellence and advanced technology, the hospital offers Excellence and Educational Programs that include diagnosis and service specific programs such as Total Joint Orthopedic, Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetic Care, Breast Cancer Care and health ministries.

For more information on healthcare in Carteret County and the Crystal Coast area, visit our visit our Area Information section or Contact NC Crystal Coast Life.

Arts & Culture

Carteret County has a wealth of artists and artistic events. The Arts Council of Carteret County (ACCC), formed in 1974, has been supporting artists as well as arts organizationsand educational projects for over thirty-five years. ACCC coordinates several artistic events throughout the year, including Art from the Heart, the Candlelight Art Tour, and Student Art Shows. The council also participates with over twenty other counties in offering Regional Artist Project Grants, providing funds to individual artists in the county.

History, nature and North Carolina heritage are major attractions on the Crystal Coast. The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort is home to artifacts recovered from the shipwreck believed to be Blackbeard the Pirate's flagship, as well hundreds of items relating to the state's strong link to the sea.

The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center is a great place to become immersed in the heritage, traditions and history of the Crystal Coast. The museum is the focal point for a way of life, where living traditions of decoy carving and hunting, commercial fishing and boat building and living off the land and from the water are still passed on from one generation to the next.

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores showcases the area's maritime and marine history. Fort Macon is a five-sided fort that has seen service in many conflicts, including the Civil War and World War II. The Beaufort Historic Site takes visitors back in time for a visit to a seaside town that has been home to seafarers, patriots and pirates. Local heritage is also showcased at such attractions as The History Place in Morehead City features artifacts from native Americans, and includes both a genealogical and Civil War.

For more information, visit our Area Information section or Contact NC Crystal Coast Life.


NC Crystal Coast Real Estate

The Crystal Coast offers every style of home and home site imaginable, including historic homes, beachfront, river and marsh front and golf community homes, condos and properties. Prices range from condos in the low $100,000's to single family homes over $1,000,000. Whether you are looking to live here permanently, or just have a vacation getaway, you will find it on the Crystal Coast.

Contact NC Crystal Coast Life to learn more about real estate and properties available in Morehead City, Beaufort and the beaches and surrounding communities. You may also visit our Property Search section to view all of the properties currently available through our multiple list service.