Calabash and Shallotte

[Quick Enough]

A friend moved to Calabash about 9 years ago. About 7 years ago we visited them and fell in love with the area. I always said "when I retire, I am moving South, somewhere". On our way home that first time, my wife said, "I could retire here". That spring we went back down and bought a lot in Calabash.

Since then everyone, without exception, that we have met has said the same thing, "I should have made the move sooner".

We were going to build on our lot but found a house already built with everything we wanted, cheaper than building new.

Thankfully I will retire Dec 31, 2007. By mid January 2008 we will be in our new house. Can't wait t get out of MD/DC. I was born and raised here.

There is a forum on here about modular houses. Don't believe the negative comments. My house in MD is modular and you can't tell the difference from stick built.

The new technology today allows everything you can do in stick built, to be done in a modular.

Before we bought I did some research and found that this area gets less hurricane activity than MD does.

The great people that I have met in calabash all have said that they installed hurricane shudders and put them up for their first hurricane. Have not put them up since.

In my mind NC has 2 coasts, The Outerbanks, known as Hurrican Alley and the South Brunswick coast. The swing bridge used to get to Sunset Beach was built in the 1920' s I believe, and is still standing.

I don't think you can go wrong with South Brunswick County.

[jerseyj]

Quick Enough-How wonderful that you found your home and can move right in! Building one can be a real head spinning, stomach churning experience! This way you pack up and move in, your January move will mean you also miss the worst of the winter up here!
Will you sell your lot?
Congrats on your new home!
jj

[njprintman]

Originally Posted by Quick Enough

A friend moved to Calabash about 9 years ago. About 7 years ago we visited them and fell in love with the area. I always said "when I retire, I am moving South, somewhere". On our way home that first time, my wife said, "I could retire here". That spring we went back down and bought a lot in Calabash.

Since then everyone, without exception, that we have met has said the same thing, "I should have made the move sooner".

We were going to build on our lot but found a house already built with everything we wanted, cheaper than building new.

Thankfully I will retire Dec 31, 2007. By mid January 2008 we will be in our new house. Can't wait t get out of MD/DC. I was born and raised here.

There is a forum on here about modular houses. Don't believe the negative comments. My house in MD is modular and you can't tell the difference from stick built.

The new technology today allows everything you can do in stick built, to be done in a modular.

Before we bought I did some research and found that this area gets less hurricane activity than MD does.

The great people that I have met in calabash all have said that they installed hurricane shudders and put them up for their first hurricane. Have not put them up since.

In my mind NC has 2 coasts, The Outerbanks, known as Hurrican Alley and the South Brunswick coast. The swing bridge used to get to Sunset Beach was built in the 1920' s I believe, and is still standing.

I don't think you can go wrong with South Brunswick County.

Quick,
Now not only do I hate JJ but I hate you too.
Only kidding.
I am soooooo jealous.
All my stupid decisions have come back to haunt me but moving to NC will remedy them all.
We are dying here trying to sell our place. Have already dropped the place by 20k.
Had the same people in the last two nights so we are praying so very hard they will make an offer.
We do have a place with a deposit soooooooooo fingers are crossed.
God bless you guys and even though I hate to admit it........even JJ.
Hope EVERYTHING WORKS OUT PERFECT.
Dennis

[Quick Enough]

JJ,
Yes, we will be selling our lot.

njprintman,

The only way to overcome your fears (hate), is to face them.
Only kidding. Hope you can make the move soonest.

[Carol53]

Did any of you check out the new community of Devaun Park in Calabash?

The lots are now up for sale - but, I am concerned about the cost of a custom home.

I think I can get a better bang for the buck just in the Calabash area without going into a community. Any thoughts on this guys?

[jerseyj]

Carol,
I do think you can get a ton more for your money in Calabash outside a community. We have looked in the area for a number of years and some of the real estate is quite reasonable. The Communities all tout different ammenities, either golf, boating (slips), nature ammenities etc. These ammenities cost a lot of money whether you use them or not. There are HOA fees, maintenance fees, building restrictions and I'm sure, GATE fees.
We have driven through Devaun Park but didn't have a formal tour, there is an older section of the community, I don't know anything about the newer lots that are being offered.
I have been in e mail contact with a couple of agents in the Calabash area who send me e mail updates of their listings, no strings. I would be happy to give you their contacts just to give you an idea of what is available.
jj

[njprintman]

Originally Posted by Carol53

Did any of you check out the new community of Devaun Park in Calabash?

The lots are now up for sale - but, I am concerned about the cost of a custom home.

I think I can get a better bang for the buck just in the Calabash area without going into a community. Any thoughts on this guys?

Carol,
I think Quick and Jersey J can give you REAL good advice about the Calabash/Shallotte area. They have been dealing with people and property there and have an idea where things are and are going.
The big question is how much money you have to spend.
Unfortunately, money always is the answer to every question.
When we first started to look in the area we were a little depressed and didn't think we could find something around $150k that wouldn't be in a development or had HOA fees.
It took some time and searching but we did find Judy's perfect place. Notice I didn't mention my perfect place. Doesn't matter to me. Just want for Judy.
Calabash/Shallotte area you can spend 125K and then you can spend 500K without blinking any eye.
We wanted something with a little ground and found it.
We don't need a golf course (even though I love to golf) we don't need pools and meeting houses etc.
It just adds to the cost of a home.
Just search search and search again.
A good idea is to get a realtor down in that area to help out.
We wound up with a lady in Southport, which is a ways aways, but she was and is a good lady.
Anyway, best of luck and hope you beat me and Quick and Jersey J down to NC.
Nah, not really, I'm a pig. I want to get there before all of you.
Best of luck.
Dennis and Judy / Woodlynne NJ

[dollfolkWdTNRQ]

We are moving to Calabash in the summer, so I am in the same position as you.

We both need help!

[BlueLily7]

Originally Posted by Quick Enough

The swing bridge used to get to Sunset Beach was built in the 1920' s I believe, and is still standing.
.

Although I believe a barge once ran right through it and put it out of commission.... But yep, it's still there. I think it was out for a week...

[Horton2008]

Most of this thread is older posts but if anyone is still interested I am a native of the area you are discussing and I work for a national builder in a wonderful new neighborhood if you need real estate info I'll be glad to help.