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My family and I are hoping to move to North Carolina within the next year. We do not want to be more than an hour from the Cape Carteret area. I have been researching a few towns. Beaufort, New Bern, Swansboro, Moorehead City and Jacksonville. We are somewhat familiar with Beaufort and New Bern but only because we vacation in Emerald Isle every summer. Seeing a town from a tourist view is very different from actually living there.
We will be renting an apartment as we do not want to be tied down to an area right away. I am looking for a small town, within 15 minutes of the water. I don't like a lot of traffic. We do want to be close to grocery stores and a library. We are homeschoolers so the local schools do not matter. We will be looking to join a local homeschool group.
Can you recommend a town? Or are there towns that I am missing that might be better? Also can anyone recommend an apartment complex? We want a pool and a playground. Hoping to pay between $700 - $800 a month as we are trying to save money for another house eventually.
We are from New England so all my research is done in the internet, it makes it hard when I can't actually visit the area. We are hoping to visit in October or November of this year, with a move shortly thereafter.
I have been researching a few towns. Beaufort, New Bern, Swansboro, Moorehead City and Jacksonville..... Hoping to pay between $700 - $800 a month as we are trying to save money for another house eventually.
You need to answer a few questions before anyone can give a reasonable answer. Where would the wage earner find a job? How many bedrooms do you need for your family? Would you have military credentials allowing you to drive through Camp Lejeune?
Your rent budget is awfully low. You can find duplexes or townhouses with 2 to 3 bedrooms for that price, but they won't be quality houses, eg mobile homes or flimsy construction.
I'd suggest avoiding any apartment, as they are likely to have a transient population of military, transferees or vacationers. Apartments aren't likely to be a good quality environment for small kids because of the potential for drinking, partying or drugs.
Another issue with Swansboro, Sneads Ferry or Jacksonville will be noise from the Marine base. They frequently shoot off large artillery, so you will hear booms late into the night. The guns are supposed to stop at 10 PM, but helicopters fly during the night. New Bern is probably far away from the noise, but i am not sure about Morehead City or Beaufort. You might also add Newport and Havelock to areas to check out.
If you or the kids have any allergies, you should be aware that open burning is allowed, and you will get some days where smoke fills the air. We also have several weeks of heavy pine pollen in the spring.
For a short summary, yes, living on the coast is feasible but not ideal. I really suggest uping your rent budget to $1000-1200 so that you can find a single-family house in a decent area, or else consider buying sooner. One can buy a small 3/2 ranch for about $155,000 in Swansboro.
Last edited by goldenage1; 02-28-2015 at 09:16 AM..
Reason: added military question. added buying option.
Don't forget Bogue Auxillary Landing Field right on the Bogue/Cape Carteret border. They have occasional Harrier touch and go's as well as C-130's. It can get noisy. With that said I have owned 2 separate properties there and loved the area!
I hate to sound like the husband of a real estate broker, but the area you mentioned is quite diverse in price. It would be best if you could contact a real estate broker before you come down, tell them your goals and work with them from there.
I rented for about a year and a half in Morehead City at a high rise condo called Harborside Club. It is located between 70 West Marina and Coral Bay marine on US 70.
Right off ... the down side is its a bit over your budget at 1,000 .. maybe 1,100 a month. Next .. it is on US 70 and traffic can be a pain at times but you get used to it.
The up side ..... its gated, good security, a very nice, large, out door pool that is well maintained. Units are about 1600 square feet, 3 bed room, 3 bath. A balcony over looks the maria, Peltier creek, and higher units get a nice view of the sound and ICW. It is centrally located. The beach is maybe 10 minutes away. You can actually walk to a grocery store and 3-4 restaurants. Wall-mart is 10 minutes, actually most anything you need is less than 10 minutes buy car. There are nice neighborhoods to each side that are good for walking/biking. A 6x10 storage unit comes with each condo, located on the bottom floor. There is a small exercise room, sauna.
Its a great area for boating, kayaking, fishing, shell collecting etc. Probably the best in NC. The actual condos often are for sale but IMHO are overpriced but not a bad place to rent until you find what you want.
If the OP is considering buying, I have a friend who wants to sell a small 3/2 house in a quiet development in the Star Hill Road area of Cape Carterert.
Last edited by goldenage1; 02-28-2015 at 09:26 AM..
I rented for about a year and a half in Morehead City at a high rise condo called Harborside Club. It is located between 70 West Marina and Coral Bay marine on US 70.
While you lived in the condo, did you any experience excessive noise from the Marine base? For example, artillery, helicopters or jets?
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