No North Carolina beach towns make it on 2018 list

SUNSET BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The website Wallethub recently released their list of 2018’s Best Beach Towns to live in. So, out of a list of more than 160, how many from North Carolina made the list?

People we talked to out on the beaches gave us a range of guesses from three to seven. But when they heard zero beach towns made the list, they couldn’t believe it.

“I would be shocked. I would be surprised because I think our beaches are beautiful,” Sunset Beach resident Paula McGoff said.

“I’m shocked as well. I always thought Sunset Beach was a top rated beach in the country and I don’t know. Maybe there’s a flaw with the survey because that seems very surprising that not a single one made the top 10,” tourist Jeff Brown.

“Sunset or Ocean Isle but just- out of the state, it’s really not- it’s really shocking. It is,” tourist Gari Scott said.

Wallethub says they looked at specific criteria like affordability, weather, safety, economy and quality of life. But in the end, a North Carolina town is nowhere to be found. Even though not a single North Carolina beach town made the list, many people say they just can’t agree with the decision.

“Surveys can always do different things so trying not to let a survey sway me one way or another, especially when we’ve got personal experience here on the beach for many many years,” Brown said.

“I’ve seen increase in the population on the beach, every single year. And I don’t- people who love the Carolina Beaches are going to keep on coming, I think,” McGoff said.

Even though North Carolina beaches were not on the list, our neighbor, South Carolina, had a little more success with Charleston coming in at number 13, North Myrtle Beach coming in at 38 and Myrtle Beach at 57th.