Shallotte Living (Raleigh, Cary, Asheville: insurance, schools, living in)

[babydocDO]

Hi all,

There is a potential job opening for me in Shallotte, and I am hoping to get some thoughts about what it is like to live in the area. I am originally from a small town in the foothills of NC, spent some time living in Southern Cali and now in central Kentucky; I am looking to get back to the small town way of life. I like the thought of being in between two larger cities to escape the occasional boredom that sometimes comes with a small town. While I'm used to deciduous forests and mountain rivers, I am hoping that Shallotte can offer an abundant, albeit different, number of outdoor activities? Finally, is Shallotte a laid back, easy-going kind of coastal town? Or, is it like many of the cities in the South: very conservative and uptight? Thanks!

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by babydocDO

I am hoping that Shallotte can offer an abundant, albeit different, number of outdoor activities? Finally, is Shallotte a laid back, easy-going kind of coastal town?

You will certainly find outdoor activities, also I don't think the surfing is great. Stand-up paddleboarding has become popular. There are jet-skis and kayaks if you aren't ready for a full-sized boat.

So far I have found the NC coast to be easy-going but not "laid-back".* It is not as cut-throat and career-driven as Washington DC was for us. There are still many dedicated Christians among the locals, and they vote conservatively. It is not the mecca for the counter-cultural people like Asheville is.

There is probably less pressure on the kids to achieve in school, so the schools don't have the test scores that Raleigh and Cary have. People may go to church, but they won't criticize you if you don't.

We need more doctors on the coast, so I hope you like the area.

* to me, "laid-back" means drug-smoking, unwashed, self-indulgent hippy-types. We have a few of those, but easy-going is a better description for most of the people. My auto insurance agent's staff was wearing tee-shirts, shorts and flip-flops when we first arrived. I was shocked at their informality, but adjusted.

[babydocDO]

Very good info! My wife and I have decided that we are going to move to the area as it seems to fit us very nicely. Now, just hoping to find the right community and home. My time will be spent working in Shallotte and Southport, so we are looking to live preferably closer to the beach (not right on it, but maybe in the vicinity of the ICW) from Ocean Isle to Southport. Ocean Isle seemed to be a great little town when we visited. Are there any areas where there seem to be more younger families living?

[Daedalus-NC]

Check out Sunset Beach. You will probably find it to your liking. I just decided on a place a bit inland at RiverSea Plantation. Having been caught in three hurricanes right on the beach I decided I was willing to drive fifteen minutes to the beach!