Coastal-Besides Wilmington (Charlotte, Jacksonville, Huntersville: transplants, houses, to buy)

[Cathey]

We leave the 20th. We have reservations for 3 nights in Wilmington. Any suggestions of sorounding areas? We're looking to buy a piece of property which we can develop in 8-10 yrs. We love living coastal now.

We've already done inland Apex,Carey,Lake Norman,Charlotte,Pineville,Cornielus,Statesville,M ooresville,Huntersville,Davidson,Lake Wylie.

We live on Long Island. I grew up 8 houses from the beach, and currently live 200 yards from the Long Island Sound.

Any suggestions of areas to look at by Wilmington? I know Jacksonville is a nice place to live, is not for us. There are many little towns close to Wilimington any suggestions?

Thanks
Cathey

[jmarquise]

depends on what you want. southport is a little town about 40 minutes from wilmington. you might want to check out the crystal coast. moorehead city, and that area.

[LLN]

There are some interesting towns on the sounds in NE and central NC.

Elizabeth City is small, but within an hour or so of the Virginia Beach Megalopolos. Williamston and Edenton are on large, "coastal" rivers. There is not a lot there, part of their charm. Washington, the original Washington is on the Pamlico river with a nice waterfront, again, just at the head of Pamlico sound. New Bern is on the Neuse River, a wide river, and then you have Beaufort and Morehead City.

These smaller towns will not have all the ammenities of Long Island, please don't expect that, but if you want Long Island living, then you should stay there.

Southport, is west of Wilmington and is pretty cool, too. Housing got so expensive there, before the bust, that it is heavily loaded up with transplants.

A lot depends on what you want and don't want. Yes, and there are bugs in Eastern NC. Many folks seem surprised by that.

lln

[dsobotta]

Originally Posted by Cathey

We leave the 20th. We have reservations for 3 nights in Wilmington. Any suggestions of sorounding areas? We're looking to buy a piece of property which we can develop in 8-10 yrs. We love living coastal now.

We've already done inland Apex,Carey,Lake Norman,Charlotte,Pineville,Cornielus,Statesville,M ooresville,Huntersville,Davidson,Lake Wylie.

We live on Long Island. I grew up 8 houses from the beach, and currently live 200 yards from the Long Island Sound.

Any suggestions of areas to look at by Wilmington? I know Jacksonville is a nice place to live, is not for us. There are many little towns close to Wilimington any suggestions?

Thanks
Cathey

You should try Swansboro, Emerald Isle, Cape Carteret, and Beaufort.

It will take you about an hour and thirty to forty-five minutes to come from Wilmington to Swansboro. Emerald Isle is ten minutes from Swansboro. Beaufort is 35 minutes from Swansboro.

This map will orient you to the area.

We have been coming to the area for over 50 years and finally moved down a little over two years ago. We love it.

I have a blog that talks a lot about the area especially the small town aspect of it.

I also have travel guides for Swansboro, Emerald Isle (http://coastalnc.org/emeraldislenctravelguidecd - broken link), and Beaufort (http://coastalnc.org/beaufortnctravelguidecd - broken link).

Here's a link to a beach walk this summer.

[Bill Hitchcock]

Here's the tourism video produced by the Crystal Coast Tourism Bureau: Click Here

[Cathey]

Thanks all. We'll be busy the rest of the weekend, looking into your suggestions. I really appreciate all your help.