Nestled on the border of the Atlantic Ocean, Jacksonville is a coastal Carolina town with historic roots and a tight-knit family vibe.

Plantation-style homes whisper tales of pre-war America, and historic sites like Pelletier House—Jacksonville's only remaining antebellum house—help bring those stories alive to the next generation.

Since the city's economy gets a hearty boost from Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base and the 40,000+ people it employs, the Heart of Onslow County is, at its roots, a quintessential military town. You'll be supporting local families almost everywhere you go with Jacksonville's array of veteran or MilSpouse-owned shops, whether you're picking out a dress for your niece at She Swank Marketplace or sipping your morning coffee from A Warm Cup for Joe.

Though you might have scores of highly trained military professionals as neighbors, they're not quite there to protect your personal property. Thankfully, ADT is. An ADT monitored security system gives you 24/7 monitoring, remote smartphone home automation, and lightning-fast response times.

So once your home is secure, take the family to an outing at at the stunning Lajeune Memorial Gardens or honor the troops by visiting the Beirut or Montford Point Marine Memorial.

After a long day of exploring, grab a burger and made-to-order fries at Jeff's Burgers Dogs & Shakes and enjoy some porch time in good ole' Jacksonville.