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So to maintain the above choices First year = $32,490 (if choosing Sport membership) After that, $7,490/yr.
Also, there is an additional $5k tacked onto the $25k membership fee IF you don't start your membership within 30 days of closing your home purchase. So you pretty much have to know beforehand if your going to join or not before making an offer. If you stay there for 20 years, that $25k initiation fee (if invested at 6% annual average ROR) would be $80k. Something to keep in mind. At least the other fees get you something; the $25K is buying the "privilege" to spend more.
So, if I was to join, I'd want to tack on the fee for the membership + interest ($25K compounding @ 6% x years lived there), and add that to the price of my home, in order to feel whole again.
When you stop and think about it, these kind of fees probably DO increase the likelihood of attracting a more "snooty" crowd than you'd find elsewhere, since people tend to want to live among those similar to them (high net worth).
Thanks so much for this info! Isn't Southport among the lowest elevation? I can imagine to expect flooding, but if we can get something NOT prone to it regularly that'd be great. Also, I am a bit concerned about the infrastructures not being able to manage the growth. Those were the reasons to look close to Southport, but maybe not right in it. The Calabash and Carolina areas seemed so very affordable and closer to Myrtle amenities, but, if the area is less than desirable, then we shall keep looking. Very much appreciate all your help!
We don't live in Southport (currently Durham) and have not made a decision where to move. We looked at SJP almost 2 yrs ago but then when prices went through the roof we suspended our effort. Now we are dealing with extraordinarily low inventory. Not sure about elevation but you should be able to find that easily online by area. If it's prone to flooding you'll need flood insurance and that can cost big time.
So to maintain the above choices First year = $32,490 (if choosing Sport membership) After that, $7,490/yr.
Also, there is an additional $5k tacked onto the $25k membership fee IF you don't start your membership within 30 days of closing your home purchase. So you pretty much have to know beforehand if your going to join or not before making an offer. If you stay there for 20 years, that $25k initiation fee (if invested at 6% annual average ROR) would be $80k. Something to keep in mind. At least the other fees get you something; the $25K is buying the "privilege" to spend more.
So, if I was to join, I'd want to tack on the fee for the membership + interest ($25K compounding @ 6% x years lived there), and add that to the price of my home, in order to feel whole again.
When you stop and think about it, these kind of fees probably DO increase the likelihood of attracting a more "snooty" crowd than you'd find elsewhere, since people tend to want to live among those similar to them (high net worth).
If you are concerned about recouping the club fees, that package is not for you. I would suggest that if you really want to live in St. James then you might want to go with just the basic POA assessment or look at another plantation like Winding River which offers a lot of amenities for a low POA assessment.
St. James is not for everyone The original concept of St. James was for a "country club" community. Over the years, this concept has been adapted to sell more housing without the country club concept. Good luck.
can you explain what you mean by "Over the years, this concept has been adapted to sell more housing without the country club concept?"
As I understand it, from some of the original/ first people who purchased in St. James the the place was pitched to people in the Northeast US as an upscale country club community ie The Founders Section. Over the years and after Homer past away, less grand homes were marketed to the public. I know several retired blue collar people from NY/NJ that currently own homes in St. James.
To be honest, I sold the lot I owned in St. James several years ago. The wife was not a "country club' type of person and I could never get her interested in building a home in that plantation. She was a southern girl who didn't like Yankees. As I stated, St. James is not for everyone. I am sure other longer term residents have a better grasp of the situation than I do since I no longer own property in that place.
Interesting assessment. I think the large NY/NJ presence is well-verified since we were told by an agent that SJ promoted itself heavily in the NE for many years. On another note, unfortunately, my wife is attracted to the country club lifestyle and the kind of residents it attracts (despite the fact we do not play golf or tennis; she never steps foot in a pool; even pickleball is questionable with my knees- lol!). And, I suspect she'd very quickly get caught up in the unrelenting, not-so-subtle pressure to keep up with the Jones's (an ongoing battle I have no desire to engage in). I grew up in a country club environment - didn't appreciate the attitude. I've had more than a few (non-serious) skin cancers removed over the years, so telling my Dermatologist I'm "moving to be near the beach" would prompt him to ask if I've suffered brain damage. Lounging on the beach is pretty much out for me.
We do love to travel internationally and being near a large airport (not Wilmington) would be a very nice convenience. I'm very picky about my healthcare options (I come from a healthcare background). I'd also like to be near a large lake for boating, however, ocean boating is not of great interest to me. Seems like too much work.
............We do love to travel internationally and being near a large airport (not Wilmington) would be a very nice convenience. I'm very picky about my healthcare options (I come from a healthcare background). I'd also like to be near a large lake for boating, however, ocean boating is not of great interest to me. Seems like too much work.
It sounds like the Charlotte area might be a better option for you. The towns along Lake Norman would give you the boating access, and the Charlotte airport has international flights. There are numberous 55+ communities, most in the upper price ranges. Some might offer the country club life for your wife. For example, Regency at palisades offers both a golf course, and access to Lake Wylie.
[quote=Mr. Purple 2;65519286]As I understand it, from some of the original/ first people who purchased in St. James the the place was pitched to people in the Northeast US as an upscale country club community ie The Founders Section. Over the years and after Homer past away, less grand homes were marketed to the public. I know several retired blue collar people from NY/NJ that currently own homes in St. James.
To be honest, I sold the lot I owned in St. James several years ago. The wife was not a "country club' type of person and I could never get her interested in building a home in that plantation. She was a southern girl who didn't like Yankees. As I stated, St. James is not for everyone. I am sure other longer term residents have a better grasp of the situation than I do since I no longer own property in that place.[/QUOTE
By the way, Homer Wright is alive and well at 98 years young. Signed my book on the history of St James Plantation just last year. Been a home owner here for 6 years and it's resort style living. Golf, tennis, pools, gyms, dining, etc. May not be for everyone but it is for us and our large group of friends we have made here. Yes, many are North East folks and SJP reps were always at the retirement shows up North.
True, many of the newer homes built in certain sections are smaller, 1800-2300 sq ft, and we are one of them. We wanted to downsize, don't need 3,000-4000 sq ft with the kids gone and SJP saw that opportunity. And almost all of these newer homes are Clubs members. Great for convenience, physical fitness, socialization, etc.
Interesting assessment. I think the large NY/NJ presence is well-verified since we were told by an agent that SJ promoted itself heavily in the NE for many years. On another note, unfortunately, my wife is attracted to the country club lifestyle and the kind of residents it attracts (despite the fact we do not play golf or tennis; she never steps foot in a pool; even pickleball is questionable with my knees- lol!). And, I suspect she'd very quickly get caught up in the unrelenting, not-so-subtle pressure to keep up with the Jones's (an ongoing battle I have no desire to engage in). I grew up in a country club environment - didn't appreciate the attitude. I've had more than a few (non-serious) skin cancers removed over the years, so telling my Dermatologist I'm "moving to be near the beach" would prompt him to ask if I've suffered brain damage. Lounging on the beach is pretty much out for me.
We do love to travel internationally and being near a large airport (not Wilmington) would be a very nice convenience. I'm very picky about my healthcare options (I come from a healthcare background). I'd also like to be near a large lake for boating, however, ocean boating is not of great interest to me. Seems like too much work.
Seriously, if you and you’re wife don’t golf, play tennis/pickle ball, hang out at the beach, or have an interest in ocean boating, I really don’t think you’d be happy in SJP. Most of the social activities revolve around these things. I have friends who lived in SJP, both moved this year. One moved elsewhere in the Southport area and one moved out of state.
You also mentioned healthcare being a concern. I am also retired from the healthcare field, having worked for many years in a large academic medical center. I assure you that healthcare here is a huge issue. There are not enough primary care physicians for the population and quite a few of the providers are DO’s or graduates of foreign medical schools. They may be excellent physicians…I’m just stating facts. I read CV’s and see where doctors do their residencies/fellowships as I feel this is more important than the schools they graduated from. You’ll likely have to go to Wilmington for certain types of specialists and many people travel back to Duke or UNC.
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Very much appreciate all your help!
