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Hi all,
I am an NC native (currently living in Raleigh now) and have moved all around because of my job for the past 20 years. I am now separated and looking to put down roots in another city on the beautiful NC coast. My friends and family are scattered with jobs, marriages and/or loss of both so I am at the point where I am ready to start over and make a new life. Can anyone recommend a coastal city with a good infrastructure and culture that doesn't evaporate when rental season is over? I have been to Southport and liked it but housing is somewhat limited. I don't need to be on the water but do want to be somewhat close - even the ICW is just fine.
I ADORE being a North Carolinian and the NC coast is the one place in this world that makes me feel like I have come home. I practically grew up at Atlantic Beach and spent time in Caswell Beach, Southport and Wilmington. I don't want to be secluded from civilization -I want to be involved in the community and to have an active church and social life as well. I know this is a tall order but I am not getting younger and am ready for Chapter 2 in my life. I am looking forward to my future and would love and appreciate any suggestions from people who live in the different coastal cities and towns.
I live in Southport and love it. Many beach communities empty out in the winter and don't provide much of a sense of community. I'd look at Southport again, also maybe Carolina Beach and Beaufort. Whats your housing budget?
My brother bought a place in Calabash, and my Nephew (his son) bought in Sunset Beach.....they both love the areas they moved to, but once the weather started to get cooler, my brother high tailed it to his house in Florida
If you're a little adventurous you could look at living on a boat if that's your lifestyle. Some of the marinas around Wilmington are very nice and it's a beautiful life in the summer to come home and live on the water.
I live in Beaufort and once the renters go home, life does not end. We have the American Music Festival (Chamber music), lots of local musicians appearing a various locales, all sorts of civic groups meet all year, the theater in Morehead still puts on performances, various libraries, in Beaufort and elsewhere, have the Let's Talk About It series where a series of books on a certain topic are read and then discussed, led by a scholar on the topic/book.
Since you mentioned you wanted to join a church where you'll be sure to find all sorts of ways to get involved and be part of the community.
Speaking as a "local," you just might find that the off-season is even busier than the summer season culturally...it's easier to have events when the population returns to its non-seasonal numbers. It sure is easier to get around.
I live in Beaufort and once the renters go home, life does not end. We have the American Music Festival (Chamber music), lots of local musicians appearing a various locales, all sorts of civic groups meet all year, the theater in Morehead still puts on performances, various libraries, in Beaufort and elsewhere, have the Let's Talk About It series where a series of books on a certain topic are read and then discussed, led by a scholar on the topic/book.
Since you mentioned you wanted to join a church where you'll be sure to find all sorts of ways to get involved and be part of the community.
Speaking as a "local," you just might find that the off-season is even busier than the summer season culturally...it's easier to have events when the population returns to its non-seasonal numbers. It sure is easier to get around.
Funny you mention this. My Nephew (Sunset Beach) says that once the tourist leave, the locals reclaim the beaches
Vacay at the coast and living there are totally different.
Many people who live at the coast have returned in search of the one positive event from their youth. Others are "retired on board." By that I mean though they hold jobs, they are after a good wave, bite, or round of golf, first. Frequently service providers are no shows for appointments/meetings, etc. Finally there are people at the coast who have retired and become restless. So, they get into local politics since "everything" was so much better where they came from.
I experienced all of the above on Oak Island, back in the day.
Admittedly, AMAZON PRIME has mitigated a lot of the negatives. If you can insulate yourself from the negatives I have outlined above you will be ok. The coast is a lovely area.
I just found after several years I was unable to deal with the compounding irritants.
Good luck!
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