Retire to Coast or Sandhill Area? (New Bern, Pinehurst: real estate, taxes, living)

[marc515]

Wife and I are looking to retire to NC within the next two years, and are torn between the New Bern, Shallotte, and Pinehurst areas.

Would appreciate some insight from folks who have lived in these areas; What are the +'s and -'s of each area.

Thank you.

[SunnyKayak]

thread relocated for better response

[BillMacon48]

Newbern - large senior citizen/retiree demographic with fraternal community service overtones...not much for younger people to do in the city, but you can find just about anything in Real Estate, geriatric health, church, golfing, kayaking, etc within a 45 minute drive or less. Hey! Its above the gator line and good for fishing and boating. If you have more money you might consider Beaufort/Morehead or Swansboro/Cape Carteret as kayaker-friendly alternatives to New Bern, Or, hey live on a boat like many do there...year-round!
Shallote - please! go a little farther south towards Calabash/Little River and there are some very nice retirement/golf communities. The Brunswick County area is known for major drug import activity though as well as snakes, gators, rabid animals and scary people. Consider North Myrtle Beach as S. Carolina taxes and cost of living are more favorable for retirees from what I've heard.
Pinehurst - I've never lived or worked there but people that I know who used to live there say they really liked the community; although they did move back here after only a few years away.
Good Luck!