Home affordability in semi-coastal NC?

[Flamingo13]

SE Pa IMO is a much lower COL than coastal/semi-coastal NC.

[Wolf Howl]

I'd pull up a map of Brunswick county and do some research in that area. Could certainly find housing in your range in many different areas of the county and not be that far from the ocean either. Obviously COL goes up the closer to the waves you are but you'd have plenty of choices to find the right fit.

[Quick Enough]

Originally Posted by soulsurv

Good Morning, Folks. I'm a 60-yr-old single (never married) lady who has lived in SE PA all my life and will probably be substitute teaching for another year before throwing in the towel and, Lord willing, moving on.
I do struggle to get by with the cost of living up here, and my SS will probably be on the low side as I've juggled two and three part-time jobs for the last 12 years.

I was wondering if there is affordable, single housing (under 200K) in a safe area, perhaps 20 miles from the beach. I will always want a single home since I will have dogs until they drag me out feet-first and I'm not into the whole retirement "community" scene. I do hope to keep working part-time while collecting SS - perhaps in a non-profit, youth-at-risk genre as I have some experience with that population. I'm also a p/t pet sitter here which I love.

Things which are important to me: a first-class medical facility I can drive to (cause ya never know); excellent veterinary care, basic shopping within a 10-mile drive, good infrastructure (roads, traffic control, etc.,), farmers markets, fresh seafood, seasonal festivals, least amount of humidity possible (which is probably IMpossible, but just thought I'd ask).

I doubt if I'd have any trouble finding a good church down there, as I see that you have quite a few Calvary Chapels which I've been attending up here for 15 years

I'm also considering DE and MD, but I understand that NC is quite beautiful and, though it's far from "home," I would like to consider it. THANKS for your time and attention, Sandy

Check out SW Brunswick County, NC, Shallotte and Calabash are a couple that fit your criteria.

[Slade51]

One thing you should do is contact a real estate agent to represent you as a buyer. They are on your side and can advise based on what you want. It doesn't cost you a dime. We had one send us a packet of info about the area before we even scheduled a visit.

Although you didn't want the retirement community thing, set yourself up with a discovery package or two for a discount stay in an area you like. We did this, and it's really low pressure, you can be done with their presentation in an hour and have the rest of the time to yourself.

We will be closing on our home in Leland this month.