USCG Family relocating to Atlantic Beach, NC w/ 3 young Children... Advice... (Morehead City: 2009, rental)

[yates2009]

Hello,

I am getting married to a USCG member in June 2009 and he just got orders today to Fort Macon.... which is in Atlantic Beach, NC!!! We are soo excited for our new start together. He currently lives in Cape May, NJ and I am in Chesapeake, VA. Soooo... I was wondering if anyone knows of great areas. My priorities are SCHOOLS first, HOUSING COST second and DRIVE TO FT. MACON third. Any advice would really help. I will also be needing a job, ideas on employers in the area, I currently am a Office Manager at an architectural firm. Thanks soo much!!!!

[Bill Hitchcock]

The chart below will give you an idea of the cost of housing in the area. The prices listed are sold price-Not list price and are for homes (not condos) only. All of these towns are within 15 minutes of Fort Macon.
Shoot me a PM if I can be of further assistance!! You'll love it down here!

Take Care,
Bill

[NancyfromNC]

What are your children's ages? There are not many schools to choose from. Some private but mostly public. If you are in Atlantic Beach or Morehead City, there is only one school district. For example, we own a house in Morehead City (winter residence) and a house in Atlantic Beach ( summer residence) and when we move back and forth the kids stay at the same schools. Crazy but true. Very small community. Very safe for children to grow up in. They might, as they grow older, think is is boring.
Just my opinion......

[yates2009]

Ok, my kids are 8, 6, 4.... I am thinking of Emerald Isle... I researched alittle and really like White Oak Elem. Anyone know about that school? We are hoping to RENT, no buy.

[NancyfromNC]

Don't know much about White Oak Elem. My nephew went there. I can ask my sister for you. I know the middle school in your district is Broad Creek Middle. I picked up my nephew a few times and boy was I impressed. You can Google the school I'm sure. Emerald Isle is a very nice place to live, especially in the summer for the kids. Traffic will be bad though. Will your husband be stationed in EI or AB?

[NancyfromNC]

I just reread your post. Sorry. Fort Macon is about 30 minutes from Emerald Isle. I would still choose EI over AB. You could also try Morehead City. A lot of nice stores opening up in Morehead City, so exciting!
my email is nrice@ec.rr.com if you want more info

[eadams2]

EI has quite a few rental properties but I'm not sure you'd enjoy living there full time and commuting to Fort Macon. The speed limit is 35/45 mph from EI all the way to Atlantic Beach and the drive feels like it takes forever. The tourist traffic in the summer can be downright annoying if you live there full time and are just trying to go about your daily routine. Otherwise, it's a nice place to live and gives you easy access to the beaches and sounds. It's very laid back there.

Morehead City might be a good choice though since it's just a hop, skip, and jump from AB and probably has rental properties that aren't quite as pricey as EI. They're starting to get some good stores there and has all of the staples that you'll need.

[eanda02]

We are relocating there too! we've been puddle hoppers for a few years and i have family down there. I can suggest a few areas if you let me know what your looking for. you can contact me via yahoo messenger or email me at eanda02@yahoo] -rue

[raleighkc]

There is also St. Egbert's Catholic school in Morehead City. It's close to the bridge that goes over to Atlantic Beach.

[raleighkc]

Pine Knoll Shores is between Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle. It has some nice wooded lots with homes for rent. Check that out too. My brother rents there and loves it.