what's Stella nc like?

[dsobotta]

Originally Posted by Richard Martin

I don't have an issue. I was merely trying to alert the OP to issues he may have when they move to a rural area. To let the guy think that Stella and it's surrounding area is like living in Mayberry is wrong. Sometimes reality can be harsh. Get over it. You get all defensive and stuff. Geeze.

Look I lived in Mount Airy, NC which likes to call itself Mayberry. I now live a few minutes from Stella. While Mount Airy has a nice downtown, it is not much different than that of Swansboro.

My wife's family lived in the country outside of Mount Airy. It was not all that different in living in the Stella area.

The reality is that living in rural parts of many North Carolina counties is very pleasant. Stella happens to be one of those places.

No place is perfect, but the picture is a lot brighter than what you tried to paint.

Have you ever even been to Stella?

[getatag]

Richard You are coming off as a carpetbagger. Ease up a bit, relax, take a deep breath....... well, unless you're near Stella and the smoke from the fire chokes you!!!! ha.

Stella is like every other very small crossroads that happens to get a name. Enjoy it for what it is, not for what you think it should or could be.

[mkozlpn]

Originally Posted by dsobotta

Stella is a crossroads with a post office. It does have its own zip code, but there are no stores in the tiny town. There is bridge across the White Oak River to Onslow County, a number of farms, a couple of camp grounds, a railroad trestle and a few homes. Stella is where the White Oak River goes from being 1-2 miles wide to about 30 feet wide. There is a ramp in Stella which can be used for a fee. There is another one up river at Haywood Landing. There is one new subdivision, and a number that are close by Stella and officially in the zip code. River Oaks Plantation is one that meets your requirements (boat ramp, slips, large lots, deeded water access) and has some homes under $300K. As for shopping most people would go to Cape Carteret (or Cedar Point) which would be about 12 to 15 minutes. Jacksonville by the back way would be about 25 minutes. Swansboro is about 20 minutes. Morehead City would be about 30 minutes.

Emerald IsIe has fewer people in the winter obviously, but there are enough of us around that many of the restaurants stay open in the winter. Most of our services are year round. There are some subdivisions on Emerald Isle that are deserted in the winter. Most of the mainland subdivisions are fully populated in the winter.

There are sometimes month to month rentals in the Stella area. There are plenty as you get closer to the beach.

This interactive map and links to information about the area will give you a good idea of what is around.

Finally here are some pictures that I took in Stella a couple of years ago. It has not changed much.

It you have more questions let me know.

Thanks for all the info. River oak plantation was one of the places we saw homes for under 300k and several over 400k on the river. We drove around Cape Cateret and Swansboro last time down and they also seemed nice. Moving out of state is going to be hard enough, and we don't want to move somewhere where we are miserable, so renting first seems like the only way to really research different towns. Thanks for your honest appraisal of Stella.

[mkozlpn]

My husband asked me to ask, how's the fishing on the white oak river? Thanks again to all. I value the varied views.

[Richard Martin]

Originally Posted by dsobotta

Look, I not sure what your issue is, but the Stella area is a nice spot. It is very scenic, safe, and friendly.,

Stella is a hole just like 95% of the rest of Eastern Carolina. You call this scenic? This is from right in "downtown" Stella.



Or how about this. Also from "downtown" Stella. There's 2 houses buried in there.



And here's another "fixer upper" as you real estate agents would call it.



There's about a dozen other old houses in Stella. Nothing that's noteworthy.

How about this nice commercial structure? Also in "downtown".



Here's the one building that caught my eye and is probably the nicest structure there.



If not for this boatramp and bridge Stella would have fallen down a long time ago.



There is one subdivision attempting to go up outside of town. It's a great place to live as long as you don't mind living in the middle of a cornfield with mostly potholed gravel roads. There's a handfull of houses there.





Don't ever call me out again.

[getatag]

Originally Posted by Richard Martin

Don't ever call me out again.

What kind of statement is that?

Stella is quaint. It's close to shopping on 58. It's just a few miles out of Swansboro and the Crystal Coast. For people that want a bit of rural life, yet close to shopping, the beach, medical facilities, etc. Stella might just fit the requirements. The Belgrade road isn't very heavily traveled, I have ridden my bike on it daily last week.
Bet there hasn't been a major (or minor) crime in Stella for years.

[Richard Martin]

Originally Posted by getatag

What kind of statement is that?

Stella is quaint. It's close to shopping on 58. It's just a few miles out of Swansboro and the Crystal Coast. For people that want a bit of rural life, yet close to shopping, the beach, medical facilities, etc. Stella might just fit the requirements. The Belgrade road isn't very heavily traveled, I have ridden my bike on it daily last week.
Bet there hasn't been a major (or minor) crime in Stella for years.

Stella isn't quait because Stella isn't anything. There's NOTHING there. A couple of houses and a boat ramp. If you want to see what quaint looks like try visiting Black Creek. They even have a railroad right through the middle of town and a nice clean family atmosphere. Well kept houses and lawns and no abandoned buildings or houses.

Again, the only reason there hasn't been a major crime in Stella is because there would only be 25 suspects because that's all that lives there. It doesn't even rate a dot on the map or a mention in City-Data's list of small towns.

[getatag]

Originally Posted by Richard Martin

Stella isn't quait because Stella isn't anything. There's NOTHING there. A couple of houses and a boat ramp. If you want to see what quaint looks like try visiting Black Creek. They even have a railroad right through the middle of town and a nice clean family atmosphere. Well kept houses and lawns and no abandoned buildings or houses.

Again, the only reason there hasn't been a major crime in Stella is because there would only be 25 suspects because that's all that lives there. It doesn't even rate a dot on the map or a mention in City-Data's list of small towns.

I stand corrected by the Know-all, Be-all, Stella-authority on the planet!

Damn, where's that little smilie that bows?

[Bill Hitchcock]

The further from city life and "stuff" generally speaking, the lower the price. Stella is right off HWY 58-A straight shot right to, well, huh-Stuff!
Stella is priced accordingly
This also supports a statement I made in another thread-Just a few minutes away from the high rent district and you can save-1000's if not 10's of 1000's.

Map of Stella to the foot of the Emerald Isle Bridge (Cedar Point0: Driving Directions from Cedar Point, NC to Stella, NC

[dsobotta]

Originally Posted by mkozlpn

Thanks for all the info. River oak plantation was one of the places we saw homes for under 300k and several over 400k on the river. We drove around Cape Cateret and Swansboro last time down and they also seemed nice. Moving out of state is going to be hard enough, and we don't want to move somewhere where we are miserable, so renting first seems like the only way to really research different towns. Thanks for your honest appraisal of Stella.

Renting is a very good idea especially if you have never lived in the country. There are plenty of rentals and usually you can figure out the area in a month or two. Just don't be afraid to ask questions. You will find that most people are very open.

I had some clients down from NJ recently, and they were amazed at how helpful people in the area were. They ended up talking to my neighbor for thirty minutes. Then they were also able to talk to a couple of business owners who we just happened to see.

Start familarizing yourself with what is on the market as soon as you can. The really good buys do not last long. While many properties stay on the market for ages, we have recently seen more and more properties that are realistically priced. One a few weeks ago came on the market, was shown on a real estate caravan on Tuesday and had a contract on it by Wednesday and two back-up offers by Friday.

Good luck