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Do consider the limited availability of medical services on the NC Coast. Again, we know of several people who have already or are planning on selling their homes for this reason.
All the developments/plantations are saying how wonderful New Hanover Regional Medical Center is. Is this just wishful thinking on their part?
Oh Boy, I know how you feel! Right now, we live in an area where everything is at our finger tips. But the traffic gets tedious.
Parts of Coastal Carolina are more sparsely populated, with that, less traffic and less access to shopping etc.
It does become a challenge to find a balance that you are comfortable with.
Not to further add confusion to your search for the right place, but further south on 17, you will find many other developments-
The Farm
Brunswick Plantation
Crow Creek
Sea Trail
The Thistle
Meadowlands
Carolina Shores
Devaun Park
Ocean Ridge
These communities have quick access to N Myrtle Beach/Myrtle Beach. Certainly not the same as historic Wilmington, but they do offer tons of shopping.
Nancy- both St James and Ocean Ridge started development about the same time, early '90's (1991?)
St James became an incorporated town in 1999.
lorrmich- have fun searching for your "right" place, hopefully you will know it the minute you drive into the development!
Good luck with your search!
Don't forget River's Edge in Shallotte. 1 mile from Main St. and 12 miles from Holden Beach. We will be building our dream home there soon.
Would also appreciate some advice. I have read on here many times that buyers should have a "buyers agent". If I am just possibly purchasing land at this point from one of these plantations, do I need an agent. Are lot prices negotiable? In NY I never would have thought so in a large development. Resale houses yes but lots no. For the developments we have seen so far in NC, I always call the agent on the premises and ask them to show us around. Should I be going with an outside agent?
Granted, we were there peak summer, but I was a bit underwhelmed with the ease of beach access with SJP. The private beach club is definitely a plus, but you better get there early. There are only 60+ parking spots, and are filled by 10am. It's a great club, but it certainly gets crowded at times. The pool is nice but small for that kind of volume of people. The club is also about a 25 - 30 minute ride from SJP if you assume 5-10 minutes to get out of the community, and 15 - 20 minutes to go over the bridge and get to the club.
I imagine it's much more enjoyable off-season (or outside of the July vacation peak), but we decided to just use public parking near the new bridge and to avoid the club when it's busy.
Does it really take 30 minutes to the beach in Oak Island for St James Beach house??
I thought it was much closer
Lot prices are certainly negotiable. I guess your price range would determine whether you need a buyer's agent. If you are spending $170K for a nice golf-course lot, I would have a buyer's agent. However, if you are trying to find a foreclosed lot at $30K, perhaps not.
All the developments/plantations are saying how wonderful New Hanover Regional Medical Center is. Is this just wishful thinking on their part?
I'm sure it isn't. But have you ever seen it on one of the top 25 in the country lists? Does it have any specialties or specialists that are internationally renowned? Do you have other choices if you don't like the limited choice of service providers at that hospital?
If I had a simple broken leg, or a standard spot of skin cancer that had to be excised, or needed age related cataract surgery, I'd have no problem with that kind of place. But DH has some serious back surgery a few months ago. I've no doubt that there is at least one surgeon who could have preformed the surgery at New Hanover, but do I want the guy who does it twice a month, or the guy who does it ten times a week?
As we age, we KNOW our problems may exceed those standard services and we preferred to be closer to major University hospitals. We also like having choices of providers, especially when we need second opinions.
I'm sure it isn't. But have you ever seen it on one of the top 25 in the country lists? Does it have any specialties or specialists that are internationally renowned? Do you have other choices if you don't like the limited choice of service providers at that hospital?
If I had a simple broken leg, or a standard spot of skin cancer that had to be excised, or needed age related cataract surgery, I'd have no problem with that kind of place. But DH has some serious back surgery a few months ago. I've no doubt that there is at least one surgeon who could have preformed the surgery at New Hanover, but do I want the guy who does it twice a month, or the guy who does it ten times a week?
As we age, we KNOW our problems may exceed those standard services and we preferred to be closer to major University hospitals. We also like having choices of providers, especially when we need second opinions.
Yes these are all good points. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Lot prices are certainly negotiable. I guess your price range would determine whether you need a buyer's agent. If you are spending $170K for a nice golf-course lot, I would have a buyer's agent. However, if you are trying to find a foreclosed lot at $30K, perhaps not.
Goldenage, so if I already scheduled a visit with the real estate office of say, landfall and porters neck, I should cancel and go through my own agent? Can't I just make an offer to their agent then and see if it is accepted, now that I know they are negotiable? What exactly would the buyers agent do? And do you know anyone to recommend? Are you allowed to private message on this forum, if you are more comfortable with that? Appreciate your help.
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