Living here doesn’t have to be a wild idea.

Strategically located near Raleigh, Durham, Norfolk, Elizabeth City, Greenville, the Outer Banks, and I-95, Washington County aka Bearolina is a hidden gem in Northeast North Carolina. With every town in Bearolina having direct water access to the inner banks and Outer Banks, riverside living doesn’t have to be a wild idea. It can be a wild life instead. Hop on.

Find a fuller work-life balance in Bearolina.

  • A large flock of snow geese flying above a field with a black bear walking among white geese on the ground.

    Work Life Balance

    Trade traffic jams for wildlife crossings. Trade honking cars for the calls of wild geese. Trade drive-thru lines, for lunch on the water. In Bearolina, you can. You can choose the career you want but manage the pace you want. With small commutes, easy, lower-cost living and endless options for fun and culture, it’s a fuller, more balanced life. The biggest commute you’ll be making is to the Outer Banks via water access.

  • A man shopping for jewelry at an outdoor market stall with a vendor selling various rings and jewelry.

    Lifestyle

    Bearolina offers charming downtowns and great southern restaurants with a coastal flair - being on the Albemarle Sound makes that easy. Eat at directly at a marina at The Landing at Mackey’s Marina, try french cusine at Bistro 116, and authentic cheesesteaks and hoagies at Barnyard Betsy, named after the owners grandmother.

    There’s always something to do here, with a mild climate and miles of land to explore, we work hard, but play harder.

  • Silhouettes of two people fishing on a boat during sunset over a calm body of water.

    Recreation

    You know what else is easy, direct water access to the inner and Outer Banks. For those that love the outdoors, parks, water, plus some of the best hunting, fishing and wildlife in the country are right out your door. Riverside living doesn’t have to be a wild idea. It can be a wild life instead.

  • A large, two-story Victorian house with dark blue siding, white trim, and a front porch supported by white columns. It has multiple windows with beige shutters, a red front door, and a steep gabled roof with decorative trim and a tower. The house is surrounded by greenery and flowering bushes under a clear blue sky.

    Architecture

    Southern charm meets coastal community. You’ll be surprised at how affordable many of these beautiful homes are. Leave the headaches behind, you have all the space to spread out and unwind here in Bearolina.

  • Children in a classroom working on drawing and reading activity at a table.

    Schools

    With plenty of space to roam, Bearolina is an amazing place to raise a family of wild ones. From, public Washington County Schools, to Lawrence Academy, in Merry Hill, Terra Ceia Christian School, in Pantego and Pocosin Innovative Charter, in Creswell, bear cubs are always welcome.

    NC’s higher education is one to brag about Elizabeth City State University, East Carolina University and numerous community colleges surround Washington County.

  • Testimonials

    Interviews with local entrepreneurs and community members who call Washington County home.

    Paulique Horton knows a good opportunity when she sees it. That’s why she chose Creswell, North Carolina to serve up her Philly style cheesesteaks and hoagies. She named her restaurant Barnyard Betsy after her Grandmother and hero.

    From central Massachusetts to Plymouth, North Carolina, Jill and Lou Manring wanted a warmer climate near the water. After moving to Plymouth, they finished their careers, then retired - only to renovate an old building and open a restaurant with an artisan market in the front.

Aerial view of a small town next to a winding river at sunset, surrounded by dense green trees and an open field with tents and people.
A girl walking barefoot on a wooden deck outdoors with a house, trees, and parked cars in the background.
Two men on a fishing boat on a lake, with trees in the background, standing and sitting respectively, during early evening or dawn.
Older man in a baseball cap and glasses smiling while holding a large striped bass fish on a boat on a river, surrounded by trees.

Perfectly sized and perfectly located.

Ready to leave the headaches and costs of big city life? Or maybe you’re looking for a place with a milder climate and more to do. Either way, Bearolina has it. Its wide open space, housing, retail variety, arts, culture and recreation make Bearolina the right blend of dynamic living with a small community feel. And, close enough to jaunt over to the Outer Banks, or even Raleigh, Durham and the triangle - that is if you ever feel like leaving this wildly wonderful paradise. This is what living here can look like.

Towns and Areas

Connect with us.

A circular logo of Bear-Olina Travel & Tourism features a bear silhouette walking among trees with a stylized sun setting behind mountains. The logo includes the text "WASHING TON COUNTY, N.C." at the top, "BEAR-OLINA Go Wild!" in the center, and "TRAVEL & TOURISM" at the bottom.

Washington County Travel and Tourism Authority

Downtown Plymouth Development Association

Washington County Library

Official seal or badge for Washington County, North Carolina, featuring trees, a river, a bear, and a starry sky, with country and town names around the perimeter.

Washington County Government

Town of Plymouth