Our Region

Maybe you’re new to the region. Maybe you’ve lived here all your life. Either way, it’s time to look at Eastern North Carolina from a fresh perspective.

For those looking to build a life that is both meaningful and affordable, Eastern North Carolina has so much to offer. Read on to learn why our region is a wonderful place to build your career, raise a family, and enjoy the beauty and adventure of the natural world.

Why Eastern NC?

Our region is a hidden gem, beloved by those who understand its unique opportunities, resources, and benefits.

Eastern NC is for those who want:

• Easy access to the water and the great outdoors
• The expanded economic opportunities that come with a low cost of living
• Access to a well-supported, employer-connected K-14 education system
• Regional proximity to progressive, future-focused career opportunities

Our region

NCEast Alliance and our initiatives serve 29 counties in Eastern NC:

Working in Eastern NC

Eastern North Carolina is a great place to make a good living and build a future-focused career. Come join us while our career opportunities are still a well-kept secret in our state and nation.

NCEast Alliance supports 6 different innovative and growing industries, including Aerospace, BioPharma and the Blue Economy.

Explore our region’s emerging industries

Living and playing in Eastern NC

If you like being close to the water, having quick access to beautiful public land, or building a full life at a lower cost of living, Eastern North Carolina may be the place for you.

• In 2024, the median cost of a home in Pitt county (home to Greenville), which is in Eastern NC, was just ~55% of the median cost of a home in Wake county (home to Raleigh).
• Eastern North Carolina has 3,375 miles of coastline.
• Eastern North Carolina is home to 4 national parks.

For those who have adventurous outdoor hobbies or just love being in the great outdoors, Eastern NC has an amazing variety of activities to offer. Common recreational activities in Eastern NC include:

• Hiking & Backpacking
• Fishing & Hunting
• Boating, Kayaking, & Canoeing
• Off-Roading & ATV Trails
• Mountain Biking & Cycling
• Eco-tourism
• Astronomy

Learning in Eastern NC

Eastern North Carolina is a fantastic place to get a high-quality, applicable education, no matter your age.

NCEast Alliance works with educators, employers, school systems, community colleges, and universities to nurture an ecosystem of hands-on and career-focused learning in our region.

From driving STEM curriculum and excellence with our efforts to expand STEM Schools of Distinction in the region, to expanding hands-on learning through our STEM Summer Camps and assistance with expansion of North Carolina’s Mock Trial Program, we are working to create innovative education opportunities for teachers, students, and the community.

• Teachers: Work with STEM East for support, resources, and access to hands-on curriculum that excites students
  Learn more about STEM East

• K-12 students: Get a high-quality public education that prepares you for the future and gets you inspired about future possibilities in the farm, sky, lab, or on the water
  Learn about STEM Ecosystems

• Adult and post-highschool students: Access a network of community colleges and universities with training programs that prepare you for future-focused regional jobs
  Learn about education partners

Learn more about our Education initiatives

We think Eastern North Carolina is a great place to live, work, learn, and play. We hope you are beginning to see all the magic this region has to offer. Ready to get involved?