Retirement life in Brunswick County VS other coastal areas? (Wilmington: real estate, house)

[marc515]

We are looking to move to NC in about 2 years and have been researching the coastal areas, and were originally drawn to the New Bern/Swansboro/Cape Carteret area because I was stationed at Cherry Point, NC in the 70's.

We have not been to any areas south of the New Bern/Swansboro/Cape Carteret area yet, but have had a couple of folks tell us to take a look further south, in Brunswick County- towns like Calabash and Shallotte, etc, as the area is not over developed yet, and plenty to do as it's between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach. We really do not want to live in Wilmington; nothing against it, just don't want to live in that populated in area.

So, how the area is overall for retirement- What drew you there?, and how is medical care?

We've got about 2-3 years before we make the move, so still have time to decide, and are hoping to take a trip down in August/September to look around.

So, looking for some input on that area. Thank you,....marc

[GetoutofNJDave]

My wife and I purchased some property about 5 years ago. It is located in the town of Shallotte in the Rivers Edge community. We plan to build in 4 years from now. Check out the area for yourself. We found that there are many people from Jersey there. Good luck.

[CrimsonDregs]

It's a very friendly outgoing town with lots of wonderful people. It's drop dead gorgeous and the amenities keep on growing. We moved here 5 years ago and we have never been happier. We have nearby Southport and Oak Island (both are charming and unique). St. James features 81 holes of fabulous golf, Tennis courts everywhere, more swimming pools than you can count, a world class marina, fitness centers and parks galore. Let me know if you would like more info (I am NOT a real estate agent). bv

[GetoutofNJDave]

I can not open your message.

[robma44541]

I tried sending another did you get that?

[GetoutofNJDave]

robma44541, why don't you ask marc515 to check out your place?

[robma44541]

OK I'll do that, but he isn't looking to move for 2-3 years, which is quite a ways out yet, but no harm in trying.

[robma44541]

Hi Marc, Just want to send you some information about Rivers Edge Golf Plantation in Shallotte. We own property there and would love you to come see it and the community as we have to transfer jobs and sell it. Rivers Edge is a fairly small community, about 50 homes built, and a great bunch of people have retired there from all up the east coast. It is built along the Shallotte river and the marshes and the sunsets are unbelievable to view from the club house. It is its own nature preserve with Egrets, Ibis, and the Great Heron making daily visits to the river and marshes, bluebirds, cardinals and woodpeckers abound in the woods. There are walking/bike paths and a fresh water pond to walk around. It is a gated community and the facilities are brand new, a fully equiped gym, library, indoor/outdoor pools, sauna and hot tub, tennis courts and a new picnic grilling area for social gatherings.
The residents meet in the center for parties, cookouts, poker night, bridge, book club meetings, knitting groups, and have started a bowling league. We also have a new beach house right on Holden Beach to take family and friends and meet up with neighbors. And of course there is a great men and womens golf league for residents.
The town of Shallotte is the hub of the area and has a small town feel, over the past few years they have added quite a few new restaurants and stores, Ashley furniture opened last year and a brand new Walgreens replaced an empty store, making for a great shopping center, which includes the Belk, Home Depot, Bath & Bodyworks, and many others and also a small restaurant row, and you have to go to the Purple Onion for lunch, the food is great and its a good local gathering spot. A brand new Food Lion store also opened about a mile and a half from rivers edge and its close to Lowes Foods. A drive to Ocean Isle Beach will take about 10 minutes and Sunset Beach and Calabash are about 5 minutes further down the road. All the beaches are not overdeveloped and therefor are not too crowded even in the summer. Brunswick Hospital is in the process of building a brand new hospital near Supply, just outside Shallotte, and it is due to be finished in about 12-18 months, it will be a state of the art facility. And close to that is the Brunswick Community College, there are some great courses for everyone there and reasonably priced for residents. I hope this helps and you make your way down to the area in the summer, if you need a tour guide I'd be happy to show you around.
I am not a realtor or a salesperson of any kind I just think you should check it out for yourselves and see the beauty of the place!

[marc515]

Wow, really amazed that this thread has only recieved responses from 3 of you guys (which are greatly appreciated).

Either this area is the best kept secret, or not one of the best choices (which I find difficult to believe).

We're really wondering how this area compares with other coastal areas, like Crystal Coast, etc.

Would really like to hear from more of you guys so we can gain additional insight into this area.

Thank you,....marc

[steve_d_bear]

Hi Marc, like you I'm a Jersey guy looking to retire to coastal NC in a few years. I have spent some time in Brunswick county and like it very much. I don't know if you're a golfer or not but Brunswich co. has a great selection of golf courses. It's Myrtle Beach without the crowds and traffic. There are a number of different types of communities to look at. If you provide a little more detail on what it is you're looking for it would be easier to suggest places to look.