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Tuborg, it was most definitely a glorious weekend. You must have been in heaven. Hoping the same for next weekend, too, since we're headed down to do a scouting trip.
Someone told me it's hard to get insurance for a house in any coastal town up and down the Atlantic Coast. I'm not sure if this was a reliable comment or just someone with sour grapes. Any thoughts on this?
Degree of truth in but how much of a degree I am not sure. It is expensive and a lot of companies won't. We belong to a condo association and they have the insurance at the beach. But it can be a problem from what I hear. Like with most insurance I suspect if you have it bundled. We have renters insurance on the beach place and home insurance on our other house, car insurance on two cars and umbrella insurance. Which probably makes it all easier. If you are just wanting home owners at the beach I think that could complicate it. They are making money off of us with multiple policies and we have never had any kind of insurance claim other than a cracked car window many many years ago. Laws in NC make it easier to get and afford insurance as I believe it is subsidized by policy holders state wide.
You really must spend time in your prospective city. A good way to get a feel for it is to go out for breakfast and lunch, and ask people how they like living there. Ask anyone you run into, they're happy to talk about it. Some people seem to really like New Bern, others really dislike it. We lived there for a few years, became disenchanted, and left. Others have stayed for years, and I guess they like it! The downtown looks pretty, but there are a lot of crime issues. Is burglary petty? Not when a couple of young men break in while you're sleeping, or your house is robbed while you're on vacation. Anything left outside must be securely locked up. Even the assisted living facilities have theft problems. The hospital is good, and medical care in general very good, lots of specialists. There is no Costco, but there is a Target. For anything more than basics, you will need to travel 30 miles or more, or shop online. They do have a very nice Harris Teeter. New Bern does not feel "coastal", no sea breezes, takes an hour to get to the beach. I would advise renting for a good long while, whichever city you choose, as selling property is very difficult. I see that you are a gardener. The deer are voracious. if you live anywhere but downtown, you will need a tall fence.
Southport is charming, but sleepy, feels very homey and safe. There is a good hospital in town, which is quite unusual for such a small town. And of course, Wilmington is nearby for advanced medical care and shopping. It sounds like it may be a little laid back for you. Most activity revolves around boating, the beach and golf. Wilmington offers a lot of cultural activities, but is about 40 minutes away.
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate hearing your observations about these communities. Not sure when we'll be able to visit since they're kind of hard to get to. Maybe next winter.
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate hearing your observations about these communities. Not sure when we'll be able to visit since they're kind of hard to get to. Maybe next winter.
Yeah it can be a haul from No Virginia. You might want to consider renting a place and making day trips from there for a week. My youngest and his wife live in No Virginia and it would be a haul for them to come to our beach place for a weekend even a long weekend.
Laws in NC make it easier to get and afford insurance as I believe it is subsidized by policy holders state wide.
Thanks for noting this. This is just the sort of comment I value the most from city data forums. It's sad to base a move on an issue like insurance, but it can become a real problem in a few states. We just had a charming visit to St. Augustine but even though we love that city Florida apparently is a real PITA place to get insurance. It makes ya think. I'm glad to hear NC is a lot friendlier to people who want to move there.
Thanks for noting this. This is just the sort of comment I value the most from city data forums. It's sad to base a move on an issue like insurance, but it can become a real problem in a few states. We just had a charming visit to St. Augustine but even though we love that city Florida apparently is a real PITA place to get insurance. It makes ya think. I'm glad to hear NC is a lot friendlier to people who want to move there.
I love the NC coast I really do, but most towns are mostly for vacation homes or second homes for people. There is a distinct "season" and it's very quiet (restaurants closed) off season.
If I were considering a Carolina Coast retirement it would be either;
(in no particular order)
1) Myrtle Beach area
2) Charleston area
3) Wilmington area
The Brunswick County NC area b/w Myrtle Beach area and Wilmington are where the majority of the new communities are springing up. I'd venture a bet that is where these folks marketing thier places were from. I can't comment on the communities, but look at distance from major shopping needs this could be an issue.
I would focus on the southern end of Myrtle Beach (Murrels Inlet, Surfside Beach, Garden City) or the Mt Pleasant area of Charleston if I were retiring to the Carolina coast. The weather is warmer number 1 and 2 SC has a distinct tax advantage over NC.
But I think your on the right track with St Aug, FL, that would be more interesting to me. I would also expand by search down to Ormond Beach, FL. Many great reviews from that town.
I've often thought Savannah or Charleston would be nice towns for retirement. My husband has a personal reason he doesn't want to go to the Charleston area, but if we didn't have that factor we'd consider Folly Beach.
Charleston tops many lists of best places to retire, Savannah not so much. Not sure how much credence you put in those lists, anyhow. But if he has a personal reason I'm sure it's valid and rational.
For me it was about commute as much as anything. We are two hours apart from each home and being retired we just bounce back and forth as we want. As you plan consider you may want some day by a second home more inland and closer to something else.
Thanks for noting this. This is just the sort of comment I value the most from city data forums. It's sad to base a move on an issue like insurance, but it can become a real problem in a few states. We just had a charming visit to St. Augustine but even though we love that city Florida apparently is a real PITA place to get insurance. It makes ya think. I'm glad to hear NC is a lot friendlier to people who want to move there.
Living near the beach is a hassle insurance-wise just about everywhere in the SE (don't know about points north). FWIW - NC and SC both have state run wind pools - like Florida does:
The only real issues are how high the premiums (and minimum deductibles) will go in any such pool - and which ones will get into financial trouble or go broke if there's a major storm.
Note that these are windstorm pools. When it comes to flood insurance - no matter where you live - you'll be dealing with the National Flood Insurance Program (administered by FEMA). Which is pretty much the only game in town. It's currently about $20 billion in the red - and I wouldn't be surprised to see rate hikes in the future:
If you are considering a specific house in a specific area - best to talk with an insurance agent before you make an offer. About the availability of private wind coverage - any state pools - flood coverage - etc. A lot of one's premium is based on very specific stuff (location of house - age of house - construction of house - etc. - etc.). We save about $1500 a year on windstorm coverage (we still have a private insurer for windstorm) because we have a block house - no roof gables (all hip) - impact windows and doors - etc. - etc. Robyn
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