North Carolina is a beautiful state – one where residents and visitors alike can enjoy abundant natural beauty ranging from the mountains to the beach, not to mention many wonderful cities, each with their own unique character. It’s a state known for being “First in Flight,” as the Wright Brothers made their first daring flight from Kittyhawk, and for being home to the stunningly fabulous Biltmore Estate. It’s also a state well-known for its thriving craft brewing scene, amazing outdoor recreational opportunities, and plenty of businesses, universities, and colleges too. If you’re a part of the LGBTQ community and you have been thinking of making a move to North Carolina, there will be no shortage of unique and charming cities to choose from, each with a slightly different personality. Some of the cities you might want to consider include:

  • Charlotte: Known by many as the Queen City, Charlotte the largest city in North Carolina. It is a city that has deep historical roots but is constantly looking toward the future. From its historical past through the present, Charlotte has been a city that is constantly growing and evolving. It is now a thriving, diverse, and welcoming metropolis, and one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. It’s also very welcoming to the LGBTQ community and offers plenty to see and do, and many career opportunities too. Read the full Charlotte Gay City Guide here.
  • Raleigh: Known affectionately by residents as the City of Oaks for its vast number of oak trees and beautiful green spaces, this capital city of North Carolina has so much to offer. It is well known for its amazing educational opportunities, but beyond that, it has a diverse performing arts and music scene, plenty of museums and cultural attractions, many job opportunities, and lots to see and do. All of this, and a growing LGBTQ community welcoming to visitors and residents alike make Raleigh a great place to consider calling home. Read the full Raleigh Gay City Guide here.
  • Durham: Located in the north-central part of North Carolina, Durham forms a part of the Durham-Chapel Hill Metro Area. Durham is one part of North Carolina that is particularly welcoming to the LGBTQ community. The city is well-known for its popular annual LGBTQ events, including Drag Bingo, and the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, among others.  It’s a thriving and growing city full of opportunities and welcoming enough to have a place for everyone. Read the full Durham Gay City Guide here.
  • Winston-Salem: The city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is known as the Twin City because it was created with the separate towns of Winston and Salem grew into each other during the 1880s. The area is now home to some 240,000 people. In addition to its nickname of the Twin City, Winston-Salem is also known as the City of the Arts and Innovation due to its major arts culture and its growing technology sector and is considered to be a very LGBTQ-friendly city as well. Read more about some of the wonderful neighborhoods in Winston-Salem here.
  • Greensboro: Greensboro is a city of nearly 135 square miles and 275,000 people and is the third biggest city in North Carolina. It is part of what is known of the Piedmont Triad region of the state, which encompasses Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem, as well as many smaller cities and towns. It is a city full of beautiful green spaces, welcoming people, and plenty to see and do. Even better, it has a growing and thriving LGBTQ community where all can find their niche and place to belong. Read the full Greensboro Gay City Guide here.
  • Asheville: Asheville, North Carolina, is home to more than 80,000 people and is the central city for the Asheville Metro Area, which covers four counties. The city has been named to many different lists, including Good Morning America’s “10 Most Beautiful Places” list and as one of the best cities for writers, artists, and new businesses. Many different micro-breweries are also present in Asheville, and it has held the title of Beer City USA for many years. Even better, Asheville has a growing, thriving, and welcoming LGBTQ community. Read more about some of the best neighborhoods in Asheville here.

After you’ve decided which city in North Carolina is the best fit for you, your next step should be to connect with a realtor who knows that city and its neighborhoods well, and who can help you find a home that you will love and enjoy for many years to come. If you’re ready to do exactly that, we have over 20,000 LGBTQ realtors in our extensive network at www.GayRealEstate.com, and we are ready to help! Choose an agent and start a conversation – there is never a cost or obligation. We look forward to helping you find your perfect North Carolina home soon!