I dont know that much about North Carolina as I've only lived here for three years. I am familiar with the Beaufort area and I also like Cape Carteret and Emerald Isle both nice areas and easy access to big fishies but I can't help you with the rest of the eastern towns.. I am retired but if you are not, jobs are very hard to find that pay anything ..You can have a Coast Guard 6 pack license with a 100 Ton master along with a towing endorsement and be a dive master with over 2,000 dives and only get $12 and hour for part time work. I still dont understand why wages are so low down here...Frank