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My husband and I are thinking about buying a condo at Kure/Carolina Beach due to its proximity to the Raleigh area. We are retired and would like to enjoy at least quiet evenings while having walking proximity to the ocean. We've heard that there are areas within Carolina Beach that can flood at times and that Kure Beach has some problems with beach erosion. Opinions, please, on the desirability of this area as a part time home and if some areas could be more advantageous to living there rather than just vacationing than other areas. Thank you!
My husband and I are thinking about buying a condo at Kure/Carolina Beach due to its proximity to the Raleigh area. We are retired and would like to enjoy at least quiet evenings while having walking proximity to the ocean. We've heard that there are areas within Carolina Beach that can flood at times and that Kure Beach has some problems with beach erosion. Opinions, please, on the desirability of this area as a part time home and if some areas could be more advantageous to living there rather than just vacationing than other areas. Thank you!
It's a personal decision, of course. Personally,I would find the drive to Carolina or Kure Beach very stressful. After you get off the Interstate, it is about 20 miles through Wilmington city traffic to get to Kure Beach.
On the other hand , it is about the same distance to Topsail Beach, with a much less stressful drive from I-40 to I-140 to 17 to 210. I also find Topsail is a lot quieter, and the houses are not so tightly packed together as on Carolina Beach.
I'd suggest spending some time at other beaches before you decide.
I agree on spending time at as many beaches as you can and see which one floats your boat!
I like the Brunswick County beaches myself. Lots of people love Kure and Carolina and Topsail, but they're not my faves. The Crystal Coast (Emerald Isle area) is pretty close to Raleigh, too, and might be worth a look.
I love both - Kure would be preferable to me - but Carolina Beach has a thriving condo community. There's a small lake in Carolina Beach with a walking path around it, and there are a lot of activities there on the weekends. If I could, I'd definitely buy a small condo in either one as a beach place (I currently live in Durham).
Don't buy in the Riggings. It's the complex right on the beach next to Ft. Fisher that has sandbags in front of the first floor units. I'd personally avoid anything beachfront - flood insurance has gone up and it's just not worth it to me.
I noticed that there are a lot of happy retirees in Carolina Beach.
Thank you for the positive reply! I was beginning to think no one liked the area. Also thanks for the warning - that's the type of insider info that I'm looking for (something a realtor may not tell you!).
Carolina/Kure Beach are quickly becoming a "suburb" of Wilmington...I like the long term outlook of that area....but consider this...it will become increasingly busy (because Wilmington gets closer and closer) and more utilized. Carolina Beach is going to be less "quiet" going forward. Kure Beach is more quiet, but is also more single family residential than Condo. If the Fort Fisher Rec Area was ever sold and developed by a major developer (like Marriott or Hilton) the Kure Beach property values would skyrocket....but there has been no indication the Feds will be selling.
There is (not making this up) about 50 lights to go through in Wilmington to get to Carolina Beach...the good thing is many of them are synchronized. But it adds a lot to the trip from Raleigh as GA said.
There is (not making this up) about 50 lights to go through in Wilmington to get to Carolina Beach...the good thing is many of them are synchronized. But it adds a lot to the trip from Raleigh as GA said.
Yes, it takes forever! When I lived in Wilmington, near the airport, it took around 35 minutes to get to Ft. Fisher, and took 15 to get to Wrightsville beach (but then sometimes another 1/2 hour to find parking at Wrightsville).
I know folks in Raleigh who have a beach condo at Ocean Isle, too. You might include that one in your investigations. It's a little further down than Carolina and Kure, but you don't have to go right through Wilmington.
Great info. Can't wait to see how all those traffic lights pan out.
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