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Welcome to Coastal Life: What It’s Really Like Living Along the Carolina Coast
01/14/2026
Welcome to Coastal Life: What It’s Really Like Living Along the Carolina Coast
In this inaugural episode of Quiet Waters Currents, Sean McDonnell, Founder and Broker of , introduces the mission behind the podcast and the team behind the brand. Sean shares his background as a Naval Academy graduate, former Marine Corps Infantry Officer, and real estate investor, explaining how his experience in both military service and real estate shaped Quiet Waters Realty Group. The episode focuses on what life along the Carolina Coast truly feels like beyond the highlight reels and drone shots. Sean walks listeners through the rhythm of daily coastal living, the realities of military-influenced communities, and the balance between affordability, lifestyle, and opportunity. A major portion of the episode highlights Jacksonville, North Carolina, exploring its affordability, strong military presence, rental market, and practical appeal for families, service members, and first-time buyers. Sean discusses cost of living, home prices, rental demand, local culture, and access to nearby beaches. The episode concludes with the first Community Connection Moment, spotlighting a new family-friendly local business in Surf City, High Tides and Good Vibes, and emphasizing the importance of supporting locally owned businesses that shape the identity of coastal towns. This episode sets the foundation for the podcast—clear, honest conversations about coastal living, real estate, and community in North Carolina. Key Takeaways Coastal living is about rhythm, community, and practicality—not hype Jacksonville, NC offers affordability with strong military and rental demand Military presence shapes the culture, energy, and housing market Coastal towns balance lifestyle perks with real-world tradeoffs Supporting local businesses helps preserve the character of coastal communities Quiet Waters Currents exists to provide honest, local insight into coastal life Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Quiet Waters Currents 01:00 – Sean McDonnell’s Background & Mission 04:30 – What This Podcast Is (And Is Not) 07:00 – What Coastal Life Really Feels Like 09:30 – Jacksonville, NC: Market & Cost of Living 13:30 – Military Influence & Community Culture 18:30 – Beaches, Travel Access & Local Amenities 22:00 – Who Jacksonville Is Best For 24:30 – Sneads Ferry Tease (Shrimp Fest) 26:00 – Community Spotlight: High Tides and Good Vibes 31:00 – Why Supporting Local Matters 34:30 – Podcast Mission & Listener Invitation 37:00 – Outro This podcast is produced by Content Supply.
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