Can't decide on vacation home location - help?! (Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach: for sale, rental)

[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!

[Tinabean]

keep us posted on your decision and results, if you will. My hubby and I are going to upgrade from our condo in Garden City in about 5 years and I was wondering about the OBX area....seems like you might have less swimming time during the year (colder?) but I'd like a more naturalistic setting. I've not visited OBX....is the water about the same (color)? And the beach....is it more or less pebble-y?

[creekgirl4life]

Love the Outter Banks and certainly less commercial than North Myrtle Beach.....one thing that would concern me if I were buying is the fact that the OBX tends to get many more tropical storms than NMB.
I think OBX would cost more to build overall due to location and NMB certainly has many units for sale and has lower purchase prices for now. Both locations likely have strong rental demand.

[coastalgirl]

I agree w/ creekgirl. The Outer Banks is a hurricane target. They are hit more often because they stick out. MB is sheltered a bit more b/c it's in a curved part of the coast. If you look it up on google earth it looks sort of like a bay, so something to think about. Have you looked into insurance costs and compared for both areas?

[tonyc]

Originally Posted by coastalgirl

I agree w/ creekgirl. The Outer Banks is a hurricane target. They are hit more often because they stick out. MB is sheltered a bit more b/c it's in a curved part of the coast. If you look it up on google earth it looks sort of like a bay, so something to think about. Have you looked into insurance costs and compared for both areas?

One of my co-workers has rental property in Hatteras. Twice he's had to rebuild and move further inland.

[tonyc]

Since your SE PA, have you looked into Lewes?

[kone]

Originally Posted by tonyc

Since your SE PA, have you looked into Lewes?

Not really...too cold in winter, but thanks.

[tonyc]

Originally Posted by Tinabean

I've not visited OBX....is the water about the same (color)? And the beach....is it more or less pebble-y?

OBX is noted for it's shore break, so tons of surfing, skimboarding etc..unlike MB. pics OBXsurfinfo.com Photo Gallery - OBX photos

Originally Posted by kone

Not really...too cold in winter, but thanks.

Understood- I'm heading there tomorrow and it better not be cold.

Just got back from MB last week (I'm in MD) after a week of fun in the sun and rain. I've been going to MB every year for the last 5+ years, and sometimes I've gone twice a year. I don't think I'll be going back for a few years as the drive is getting tirring - I might as well as fly to SFL. The two hour difference from here to the OBX makes a big difference - so next year OBX.

Personally for me I would quicker buy a place in the OBX due to closer proxmity to MD and the North East.

BTW, VA beach is also very very nice in the off season.

GL with your decision. Let's us know what you decide.

[Teddyterp]

I would go with OBX.

[kone]

Thanks all. We will be seeing places in the Upper OBX while we are there on vacation next week. We will also be in Hatteras the last two weeks of September so we hope to have things pretty well done by then.