popular summer lake communities? (Wilmington, Chapel Hill: condo, chapel, houses)

[All4Bee]

We recently relocated to North Carolina (Chapel Hill), and are considering buying a small cottage at a lake for weekends/extended summer vacations for our young family. We've heard that Lake Norman is supposed to be nice, and would consider a couple hour drive, but was wondering what other lakes people vacation at w/in a couple hour or less driving range?

If you are partial to a particular lake, can you give me some details as to what area of the lake is nice? We'd be looking for lakefront/lake view with a community feel to it (don't want it to be too isolated). Thank you!!

[J_Lurk]

I think the most "popular" thing is to go to the beach for weekends; it is only a 2 1/2 hour drive to the Wilmington area beaches.

The majority of big lakes in NC are man-made. The more recently built ones (Jordan, Falls) do not permit private land ownership. Two within driving distance of the Triangle that do permit private land ownership are Kerr Lake and Lake Gaston, both on the NC/VA border. Lake Gaston has an entirely private shoreline and as such has the most opportunity for home purchase.

[Janecj]

Try White Lake, NC. 2 hour drive toward Wilimington (near Elizabethtown). Clear lake with sandy bottom. You can water ski on this lake and is a very small town. Can be very pricey if you can find one on the lake.. I would say at least 400K to start but there are other homes not on the lake that are not as expensive. Our family has a cottage there since the 1950s..

[leighbhe]

I have friends in the durham area and they bought a house (although they have sold it now) at smith mountain lake. Let me say........I love love love that lake! It is beautiful, surrounded by a mountain, clear water, and they have many houses, as well as a couple of condo complexes that might be a good option. It is about 2 hours from durham, so maybe 2.5 for you, just up 86 through danville area.

Leigh

[uncletupelo]

Lake Tillery and Badin Lake(both are yadkin/pee dee river damn projects- the yadkin becomes the pee dee when it meets the Uwharrie) are great NC lakes. They are both within 2.5 hours of the triangle. Far less crowded than Kerr, Norman or Gaston. I would also recommend Smith Mountain Lake in Va. Drop dead gorgeous with a mountain backdrop and less than four hours from the triangle. Lake Greenwood near Clinton SC is a real jewel that is the least expensive lake in either north or south carolina(i hate the term carolinas-as do most deep rooted natives). Uwharrie Point is one of the finest lake hoods in the southeast. Good luck.