11 Reasons Why Living on the Outer Banks is Awesome

There may be hundreds of thousands of people that visit the Outer Banks each year, but only about 50,000 people are lucky enough to call the chain of four barrier islands along North Carolina’s coast home year-round.

It’s not always easy living on these barrier islands, but for the most part, residing on the Outer Banks is pretty awesome.

Below are just a few reasons why!

Great Weather Year-Round

Apart from the occasional hurricane, the weather on the Outer Banks is stupendous. Spring, summer, and fall is probably our favorite time of year however, winter isn’t so bad considering 50° is the usual temperature during the months of December through February.

It does snow on occasion, but only once or twice a year, so it’s not a big deal. Plus, who doesn’t love a snow day every once in a while?

Plenty of Excellent Locally-Owned Restaurants

Kill Devil Grill, Sam & Omie’s, The Blue Point, Tale of the Whale, Rundown Cafe, Barefoot Bernie’s, Mama Kwan’s…. the list of fantastic locally-owned restaurants on the Outer Banks seems to go on and on.

Locals love to have someone else do the cooking and cleaning, and there is no shortage of places to grab a bite to eat on the barrier islands.

If you’re ever on vacation and unsure of where to eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner, just as a local. We know where all of the best restaurants are!

The Beach is Always Nearby

No matter where you are (from Corolla to Ocracoke!), you’re only a few minutes' drive away from the beach. Vacationers wait all year for one week of sand and sun; we get to enjoy the area’s award-winning beaches 365 days out of the year!

The OBX Community is Filled with Wonderful People

There aren’t that many people that are fortunate enough to live here on the Outer Banks. The small community that resides here 12 months out of the year is filled with some of the kindest, thoughtful, and generous people you’ll ever meet.

Whether we’re “stuck here on purpose” or just here because you’ve got nowhere else to go, locals are ready to help and support one another, especially in times of need.

Everyone Can Be a Professional Photographer

Seriously, there has to be easily several hundred professional photographers that call the Outer Banks home.

Why are there so many?

Well, because there are so many excellent things to take photos of! The beach, lighthouses, piers...

Shoes and Shirt are Not Always Required

It’s not uncommon to see a woman wearing nothing but a bikini top and shorts while shopping at one of the many area grocery stores. And it’s not unusual to spot a local with no shoes enjoying a cold glass of beer at a locally-owned restaurant.

No shoes? No shirt? No problem on the Outer Banks!

Breathtaking Sunrises and Sunsets

Sunrises over the Atlantic Ocean and sunsets on the smooth sound waters. The Outer Banks has gotta be one of the best places on Earth to enjoy these two daily gifts from nature, which are always best when enjoyed with a friend.

Waking up early to catch the sunrise is always a drag, but once you watch the sun slowly make its way above the horizon, you immediately ask yourself why you don’t make it a point to catch the sunrise at least once a week. There is simply no better way to start the day!

Bountiful and Inexpensive Seafood

Here on the Outer Banks, you can get fresh-off-the-boat seafood at a number of different stores along the coast.

Not only is the seafood always fresh, but it’s also very affordable when you consider how much the same fillet of fish or pound of shrimp costs elsewhere in the United States.

Shorts Are Acceptable Year-Round

It’s 100% acceptable to wear shorts 365 days out of the year to the grocery store, to church, to business meetings, you name it.

Many Outer Banks locals don’t even own a pair of pants, and simply flat out refuse to wear anything that would cover their shins. This preference for shorts is totally okay with anyone who lives here.

Tourism Industry is Always Growing

Folks from Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other surrounding states travel to the Outer Banks in troves each year and help keep the local economy thriving.

Almost every year more people visit the Outer Banks – a trend that doesn’t appear to be slowing anytime in the near future. Without the island’s booming tourism industry, many locals wouldn’t be able to afford to live on the sandbar. We are grateful to our visitors!

Your Friends and Family Are Jealous You Get to Live at the Beach

Every time a photo of you at the beach pops up on one of your family or friend’s Facebook or Instagram feed, they’re probably asking themselves why they haven’t moved to the Outer Banks yet.

Chances are, your home’s guest bedroom is a hot commodity during the summer!

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