Info on Lake Gaston (Richmond, Roanoke: appointed, hotels, houses)

[lasershen111]

On the way back up to Maryland from my sisters wedding in Raleigh, NC this summer, my parents and I want to stop through Lake Gaston for a day to check it out. It is a place they are considering retiring in a few years. We have never been but have heard good things...

Any suggestions on places to visit while we are there? My Mom really likes colonial style, little towns, antique shops, that kind of thing. Are there places that are far enough away.. but close enough to "stuff" for when they need to go out?
Would I have to contact a realtor to get anywhere close to places on the lake, I'm assuming there is no real public access?
Are there many churches to choose from? Or small town one church type of thing?

Any suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

[cbl1]

This is a Roanoke forum. It is pretty far from Lake Gaston . . Roanoke is near Smith Mountain Lake

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by lasershen111

Any suggestions on places to visit while we are there? My Mom really likes colonial style, little towns, antique shops, that kind of thing. Are there places that are far enough away.. but close enough to "stuff" for when they need to go out?
Would I have to contact a realtor to get anywhere close to places on the lake, I'm assuming there is no real public access?
Are there many churches to choose from? Or small town one church type of thing?

Hello - We also looked briefly at Lake Gaston as a place to retire and decided against it. The major reason was the lack of amenitites nearby. You would have to go to larger town 15 to 20 miles away for a hospital. The small towns servicing the area are Littleton, NC and Clarksville, VA. Littleton has a grocery store, a couple motels and boating supply places.

We found the housing choices disappointing, as we saw mostly rustic summer cabin places. Your wife would probably disappointed with the area. There are a couple historic places in Clarksville, and I never saw an antique store. The major recreation is fishing in the lake. For churches, there are probably several flavors of Baptist.

You are correct that a realtor would have to show you around, as many communities were posted or gated. The area may work for you, but it just did not work for us.

[lasershen111]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

Hello - We also looked briefly at Lake Gaston as a place to retire and decided against it. The major reason was the lack of amenitites nearby. You would have to go to larger town 15 to 20 miles away for a hospital. The small towns servicing the area are Littleton, NC and Clarksville, VA. Littleton has a grocery store, a couple motels and boating supply places.

We found the housing choices disappointing, as we saw mostly rustic summer cabin places. Your wife would probably disappointed with the area. There are a couple historic places in Clarksville, and I never saw an antique store. The major recreation is fishing in the lake. For churches, there are probably several flavors of Baptist.

You are correct that a realtor would have to show you around, as many communities were posted or gated. The area may work for you, but it just did not work for us.

Where did you end up, if you don't mind me asking. This is actually for my parents...

I think they are really looking for a nice lake house that is far enough away.. but close enough. So if they could drive 15 minutes to get to everything the need, that would be bad I don't think. But I'm sure some places would be better than others. A cute town semi close by would be their top choice.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by lasershen111

I think they are really looking for a nice lake house that is far enough away.. but close enough. So if they could drive 15 minutes to get to everything the need, that would be bad I don't think. But I'm sure some places would be better than others. A cute town semi close by would be their top choice.

We moved to Sneads Ferry, NC near North Topsail Beach, in a water access community near the Intercoastal WaterWay.

You parents might like Littleton or Clarksville. There were some older houses worth restoring in Littleton. It has potential, but it isn't a tourist town yet. I think it has a doctor and drug store, but the hospital is in Roanoke Rapids about 20 miles away. About the same is true of Clarksville, VA-- the hospital is in South Boston.

[lakegaston]

Littleton is just 15-20 minutes from Roanoke Rapids and Lake Gaston is between I-85 and I-95 on the VA/NC state line close enough to Raleigh/Durham and Richmond. South Hill VA is close too. Roanoke Rapids being the closest town with shopping center, entertainment, restaurants and hotels etc. Lake Gaston has constant water levels with no floating docks (unlike Kerr Lake). There are public access boat ramps but the vast majority are privately owned lake lots with private boathouses.

[lasershen111]

Originally Posted by lakegaston

Littleton is just 15-20 minutes from Roanoke Rapids and Lake Gaston is between I-85 and I-95 on the VA/NC state line close enough to Raleigh/Durham and Richmond. South Hill VA is close too. Roanoke Rapids being the closest town with shopping center, entertainment, restaurants and hotels etc. Lake Gaston has constant water levels with no floating docks (unlike Kerr Lake). There are public access boat ramps but the vast majority are privately owned lake lots with private boathouses.

Awesome! I'm excited to check it out this summer with them. What quadrant are you most familiar with?

I think we will be looking in the areas within 30 or so minutes from Roanoke rapids.

Thanks!

[lakegaston]

All Lake Gaston quadrants are nice. The closest to Roanoke Rapids would be the SE Quad where you have subdivisions such as Myrick Estates, Evergreen, Two Creeks, Timber Creek, Roanoke Shores, Cross Creek, Lake Shores South, Eatons Ferry Estates.

[schil]

i am thinking the same thing about the stores being far away. In the NE corner I heard elizabethtown is nice.