Good Boating Areas?

[ParkRode360]

The Admiral and I have been kicking some ideas around for our retirement over the past few weeks, and she came up with an idea that kind of startled me, being a Joisey guy and all.  It started with us discussing the house next door that was recently listed for an obscene amount of money (definitely not worth it) and she said if they got anywhere close, we should list ours and head toward NC.  Hadn't considered moving as a part of the retirement, etc, so i was caught a bit flat-footed.

So, being pig-ignorant in anything inner-and-outer-bank wise, what are some nice areas to look at in the southern VA / northern NC area that would be great to boat in?  Would ideally be ocean versus lake, and very ideally be "on the water" -- saw some nice places in Bath / New Bern.  I know the admiral has heard Asheville is nice, but it didn't seem like there was any water within 3 hours drive.  

Or am I all wet and missing a "killer area" elsewhere?

Thanks -- just putting some feelers out.  Gas prices being what they are, retirement may be put off for awhile!

[casteen]

George,
I grew up in Va Beach and worked charter boats in the Chesapeake bay for most of my youth. What I like about the area  is the access to the Ocean, when you want, access to the Bay, and access to several rivers. Plus it is the start of the ICW and climate is mild. Waterfront housing is not too bad, you can get a nice 3K Sq house on deep water for the 500K+ range. I have been looking to move back come retirement and thinking about buying the house now.

just my .02 worth..
Al

[ParkRode360]

I was checking Google Maps, and it really does look like there's alot to do boatingwise -- would be "very similar" to the Hudson River / LI Sound / Sandy Hook where we boat today -- and warmer!

Sounds like I have to look a bit closer -- any advantages to the VA side versus NC?

[casteen]

I would say the advantage is Bay and River access, also, more of a metro area with a lot to do.

[ParkRode360]

sounds like something to concentrate on, then!  
Thanks, Al!

[casteen]

Best of luck to ya..

[FEMAguy]

I built my retirement home in Bath, NC two years ago and only need to retire to use it.  My wife and I love the place.  Very quiet and laid back.  Our house is on the water so we just pulled the 310 up to the dock next to the kids jetskis.  Lot of water (and I can only see the top).  There's some great places to cruise to.  We slide up to Washington(NC), Bellhaven or Oriental for dinner or to hang out.  A great weekend cruise is over to Ocracoke Island (about an hour cruise).  Most times we just go out into the sound and have dinner on the hook.

Lots of nice folks.  Plus..... no sales tax on used boats (or to retitle in the state) and a maximum sales tax on a new boat of $1,500.  Plus, you can file at the end of each year and get back the road tax on the fuel you purchase within the state... I think its .23 cents per gallon.

Slip fees are very inexpensive compared to Baltimore (where I'm from) and there are a couple of decent golf couorses in the area.  One nice housing area on the water has a golf course and a marina that is top notch.

Let me know what other information I can help you with.

[ParkRode360]

Geez, it's sounding perfect right about now!

[ParkRode360]

just noticed some nice prices down around the northern N/C (Bath) area.... Will have to make a pilgrimage to see what's up!  Do you have a good marina that services Rinkers? Or at least Volvo Pentas?

[FEMAguy]

parkrode....  I must admit, I love the area but am having some challenges finding folks to work on large boats.   to be honest, the whole thing surprises me.  I'm sure I will find what I'm looking for as I press forward.  
Prices have dropped from the bubble.  Very laid back and certainly a different pace from the DC/Baltimore area.  
As my wife and I sit on our back deck looking out over the sound I typically say to her "do you hear that"?.  She say "hear what" and I respond by saying "exactly"  The point being, very quiet, very laid back, low drag.
Basically, a different way of life.

Good luck

[ParkRode360]

Being out of the NYC area, that's something I'm definitely looking forward to! The marina helps, but we're all running double-time up around here -- I wouldn't mine someone stopping by my hammock and checking my pulse every once in awhile to make sure I'm still kicking! And re-filling my margerita glass, of course!

[FEMAguy]

Parkrode:
Come on down the more the merrier.  We kinda tripped over the place a few years back.  Bath is the oldest town in NC and the actual home of "blackbeard".  Very hisotical homes on the water and quite quaint.  Also some new developement that meets the more modern home needs.
We hooked up with an equally laid back real estate person who printed out a bunch of listings and left us alone to navigate as we saw fit. When I was ready I called her and she was very helpful in providing some insights into the area.
Name was Amber and works at
United Country O'neal & Associates Inc
Bath, NC 27808
Phone: (252) 923-0299

Feel free.  Let me know when you're in the area and I'll save a spot for you on the deck (cold beverage included)

[ParkRode360]

Great! Thanks!

[ParkRode360]

As far as the "large boat" service question, you might want to try registering on Activecaptain.com -- they seemed to have some good updates on marinas around Bath, etc.  I used to use Marinas.com, but they've been really out of date lately.  Maybe you'll hit upon a marina that you either didn't know about or that travels...

[Dave (Daddy's Diamond)]

ParkRode,

If I could enter my 2 cents (for what it is worth.)

I currently live in Hampton VA and it is absolutely a wonderful boating area.  The bay is all that anyone could ask, and the access to the ocean is literally a 10-15 mile drive across the bay.

Then there are all the shore lines up the bay, the numerous rivers and the ocean.

Home prices are slightly higher than down in Bath where FEMAguy is, but still reasonable and particularly if you are not demanding water front.  I live in the Southall Landing Marina (see the pic below).  We love it, and the only problem I have is that I don’t get out on the boat enough.  (This is due more to a difference of opinion on “what is fun” with my Admiral than anything else).

Having said all of that though, my entire extended family is from a little place called Manns Harbor, which is on the Albermare Sound.  This is about 70-80 miles north of where Fema Guy is but still inside the barrier islands of the Outer Banks.  If you Google “Manteo, NC.” you’ll see it on the mainland just west of the island of Manteo.

There is land available, the prices are rock bottom and the pace of life is slow and sweet.  Everyone knows everyone, and they like getting to know new people.  Hell if you want I could introduce you to half the town at one of our family reunions.  Here is a link to some of the properties….(Ignore those million dollar ones and go to the second page……those are the ones worth considering if you want water front I think….. http://realestate.yahoo.com/North_Carol ... classified ).

Down there almost everything has to do with the water.  People work on it, work around it, work for it, etc.  The Ocean is still available (though not quite as easy to reach because you have to tread your way through Oregon Inlet (which has very quickly shifting shoals….but then….it is only sand and going slow generally prevents any damage……plus all you really have to do is follow the line of sport fishermen that go in and out EVERY DAY.)

There are expensive (really nice) places to live over on the Outer banks side, and they are building Condo type communities on several of the islands with slips right outside your doors. Also, the price of housing off the water drops by about 2/3s. (Here are a couple examples http://www.condo.com/Condo-For-Sale_Man ... =MapSearch  or http://www.condo.com/Condo-For-Sale_Man ... =MapSearch )

The place is growing like weeds that have been fertilized.

I went to school there as a kid during the 2nd and 9th grades….All I can say is that it has become much less rural and much more “resort” oriented.

Curiously, that “resort” feel does NOT extend to the mainland yet.  That is why I would look there first.

If you are a fisherman, it is a largely hidden secret that the Sound (and we use that term to describe all the water between the mainland and the OuterBanks islands) is one of the hottest fishing spots on Earth…..no kidding.  Add in the fact that the Gulf Stream is only 25-40 miles off shore (Which you may not know, means that you can be out there fishing for the BIG fish in January and Feb in short sleeves because that warm water flowing north warms everything up nicely.)

I would live there already, but I can not retire yet.  There are not a great deal of professional type employment options, so if you are going there looking for work, you might want to stay north a bit (like up here in Tidewater VA, or south a bit, Like New Bern or even further south.)  But, if you are really done working…….WOW what a spot.