Moving to NC and love rivers (Charlotte, Raleigh: subdivisions, to live, beach)

[fergfam]

We are an active couple planning to retire to NC and we'd love to live along or near a river. We'd like to find a housing development where the river is the focus amenity, especially one with shared river access. Trying to avoid coastal areas and snow country.
Any suggestions?

[friendnc]

Suburbs south (Lake Wylie) and north (Lake Norman) of Charlotte.

[Ed&Betty]

French Broad Crossing

[ksnpjordan]

I would like to suggest Edenton, NC. It is on the Albemarle Sound, which feeds the gorgeous Chowan River. I grew up there and it has become a hub for New retirees. Several new subdivisions have come up and the Historic district is quaint and bustling with activity. The Chowan River is 2 miles wide and the most beautiful body of water in North Carolina. It is also usually sheltered from Hurricanes although storms can make their way up the Sound. Edenton is located approximately 2 hours from Nags Head, 3 hours from Raleigh, and 1.15 hours from Greenville, NC. It is also 1 hour from Norfolk, Va. Also a little known community called Arrowhead Beach has river access--boating and swimming with private access to a large community beach and park located 15-20 minutes outside of Edenton in the Chowan county district.

[Rwarky]

Originally Posted by fergfam

We are an active couple planning to retire to NC and we'd love to live along or near a river. We'd like to find a housing development where the river is the focus amenity, especially one with shared river access. Trying to avoid coastal areas and snow country.
Any suggestions?

Try Rockingham County, NC.

[tcpendley]

I would suggest Morganton/Lenoir/Hickory (Catawba River Runs through all) area to be close to Pisgah National Forest and what we call Wilson Creek (Part of Catawba River). It is a beautiful place to hike, fish, camp, swim and tube. However, if you are wanting to live right on river you are talking big $$$$.

Good Luck

[SunnyKayak]

You might also want to look around Brevard or Rosman here is photos of my kayak trip down the French Broad River at Rosman

[LiveLoveLaugh]

GREAT photos! Thanks for sharing!

[glenzx2]

Sunnykayak, I had wondered about your call name, and if you actually know anything about kayaking... yippee, you do! (nice pics too)

It seems to me the kayak experience in NC would be very different than here on Long Island Sound. My hubby likes to kayak alone... but it seems to me river kayaking involves multiple cars and different put-ins and take-outs. True?

[SunnyKayak]

there are several outfitters across the state he could use where they can have his car at a access point where he wants to end then they can put him in the van and put his kayak on their carrier to one of the drop off spots.

Yeah I love kayaking it great way to let your mind relax for a few hours.
I only been doing touring kayaking not performance, or whitewater. I would like to try it but I think the whole concept of flipping over in a bananna peel would freak me out LOL.

It only 35 dollars at the whitewater center so maybe I can have one of trainers teach me how and good ways to work a eddy when I get in one.