Can't decide on vacation home location - help?! (Charlotte, Raleigh: oceanfront, rental) - City-Data Forum

kone · 08-13-2009, 05:22 AM

Wife and I (mostly I) are torn between OBX and North Myrtle Beach for the location of a vacation home we are hoping to start searching for.

- We like MB but we love OBX.
- Prices are much lower in MB. Not sure how/if that equates to future gains as prices caome back.
- OBX is a shorter trip from our SE PA home - unless we venture to Hatteras Island - then it gets close time-wise.
- OBX is all tourist, MB combines the real world with the beach more.
- Rental demand and rates are better (I assume) in the OBX. At this stage we don't plan on renting except to family and friends but you never know.

What other factors am I missing??? Any advice? Thanks!

bmrisko · 08-13-2009, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kone

Wife and I (mostly I) are torn between OBX and North Myrtle Beach for the location of a vacation home we are hoping to start searching for.

- We like MB but we love OBX.
- Prices are much lower in MB. Not sure how/if that equates to future gains as prices caome back.
- OBX is a shorter trip from our SE PA home - unless we venture to Hatteras Island - then it gets close time-wise.
- OBX is all tourist, MB combines the real world with the beach more.
- Rental demand and rates are better (I assume) in the OBX. At this stage we don't plan on renting except to family and friends but you never know.

What other factors am I missing??? Any advice? Thanks!

I can't stand all the crowds and "Vegas-like" atmosphere at MB, so I would choose ANYWHERE but there. Why those 2 locations in particular? Have you considered somewhere around Wilmington?

kone · 08-13-2009, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmrisko

Why those 2 locations in particular? Have you considered somewhere around Wilmington?

I would but I don't know much about the area. We spend 4-5 weeks a year in the OBX. We have friends who own a condo in MB so we get there a few times a year as well.

dsobotta · 08-13-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kone

Wife and I (mostly I) are torn between OBX and North Myrtle Beach for the location of a vacation home we are hoping to start searching for.

- We like MB but we love OBX.
- Prices are much lower in MB. Not sure how/if that equates to future gains as prices caome back.
- OBX is a shorter trip from our SE PA home - unless we venture to Hatteras Island - then it gets close time-wise.
- OBX is all tourist, MB combines the real world with the beach more.
- Rental demand and rates are better (I assume) in the OBX. At this stage we don't plan on renting except to family and friends but you never know.

What other factors am I missing??? Any advice? Thanks!

You might find the Southern Outer Banks (SOBX) an alternative that offers a little of each.

The area between Beaufort, NC and Swansboro, NC is often referred to as the Crystal Coast. Part of the reason happens to be the crystal clear waters.

There is plenty of beach to enjoy on the Crystal Coast and some beach at Cape Lookout even more pristine than the Northern Outer Banks.

The key difference from the Northern Outer Banks is that the Crystal Coast is a year around community with plenty of modern services.

We are also protected from over development by the 158,000 acres of the Croatan National Forest.

This area is also a fantastic area for boating and kayaking.

We are not a Myrtle Beach and will never be. It you like the wall to wall condos, outlet shopping, and evening show, you will be happier in Myrtle Beach.

However, we are only three hours from Myrtle Beach so when people want a taste of that, we can easily do a day trip or a long weekend.

We have a very strong rental demand in our area and relatively stable prices compared to Myrtle Beach. We also have a wide variety of available properties.

The Crystal Coast does not have the traffic problems and huge tourist traffic of Myrtle Beach but we are a great place to live and even raise a family.

These are my reasons for loving the area and this is a website with lots of pictures and information about the area. My blog on the area describes what it is like to live here.

We have a number of people from Pennsylvania who have settled in the area.

Steven McCurdy · 08-13-2009, 10:42 PM

One thing I believe you should take into consideration is medical care.....How close is the nearest hospital? Cardiologist, etc....I love Myrtle Beach, going there later today for some family time, a great place to visit, but I wouldnt want to live there...OBX, it is what it is...but there again, medical care....I want good police, fire, rescue, stores, and peace and quiet, just whatever you need for daily life....you can drive two hours to entertainment, i.e. Myrtle Beach...but quietness is a blessing.....Look from Sneads Ferry to Morehead City, even Holly Springs....nice areas...And I happen to cover all those areas...I just had to throw that in, lol....

luvbeach50 · 08-14-2009, 05:17 AM

We have gone to OBX for many years, but now we love the Crystal Coast. Emerald Isle, Pine Knolls, Atlantic Beach...the whole island. The uncrowded beaches, the great weather, the laid back beach atmosphere, the reasonable prices for oceanfront. (Our condo in Pine Knolls this July was $1200 wk-2 bedroom, direct oceanfront). Well worth the 12-14 hrs., traffic depending, to get the heck out of Ohio!

DKVA · 08-14-2009, 06:39 AM

We too love the Crystal Coast. Have been going to Emerald Isle for the past 5 summers. This past summer we went twice-a condo right on the ocean.

We needed to get the heck out of IL! We fly as the drive is too long for us.

luvbeach50 · 08-14-2009, 08:21 PM

DKVA,
Do you fly to Raleigh or Greenville and then drive to the beach? I often thought of checking that out. What is your route, if you don't mind me asking?

DKVA · 08-15-2009, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvbeach50

DKVA,
Do you fly to Raleigh or Greenville and then drive to the beach? I often thought of checking that out. What is your route, if you don't mind me asking?

In July we flew to New Bern, August was to Jacksonville, then drove to Emerald Isle. Both times we had stops-to New Bern stopped in Charlotte-to Jacksonville we stopped in Atlanta. Next time we will definitely go to New Bern. We didn't like the stop in Atlanta going to Jacksonville. Atlanta is too huge-we had to get on train,( albeit a quick ride) to get to our connecting gate.
Both drives were about an hour.
We are somewhat lucky in that both are kids live in Richmond. They bring the beach chairs, umbrellas, fishing poles and boogie boards. Otherwise we would have to rent everything!