North Carolina Bound - Any input appreciated!

[Carol and Banjo]

DH, Banjo & I are heading to coastal North Carolina this spring for a few weeks to see if it's a place we'd like to relocate to.   Although we're big ski buffs and do enjoy the winter....we're realizing that we'd both prefer a milder climate.  We can always come back here to visit and ski if the mood strikes.   I'm wondering if there are any DK'ers out here who live in or near any of the coastal areas of NC.   I'd appreciate any info or tips you could give me.   Although we aren't looking for beach (hurricane prone) property, we'd like to be within easy driving distance.   We'd also love to find a nice "dog friendly" town.

We plan to stay in the Beaufort area and travel north and south of that point to check out different towns.

Would love to hear from anyone who has any info on nice towns/beaches in NC!   Thank you!

[Carol and Banjo]

Hi Eric....We've been to Asheville and Hendersonville and love that area as well....but I'm a beach bum at heart.  We're thinking if we can sell our home here (considering the market...it may be a BIG "if") we'll head to NC...find a nice place to rent for a year at the coast....see if we can tolerate the extreme heat...and if not head to the hills!

Asheville is one of the nicest cities I've ever been to.   I would love to eat my way through every one of it's restaurants!

 

[ERIC A. NATER]

Carol, Asheville is quite far from the Beaches, and I am sure you will be able to find some place that has what you are looking for. I know Cooper did not seem to be bothered by the heat when we were at the Beach, so maybe it is just me that finds it hot.  I grew up mainly in Florida, so maybe that is why I enjoy the Mountains so much. I had many, many years in the Tampa Bay area, and I can understand your attraction to Beaches.  Good luck, and I hope you find what you are looking for.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

When we were looking to move from CT we looked on the coast of NC because DH is from Raleigh and we thought it would be nice to be close to his family for a change.  We look from Wilmington, NC to Charleston SC.  I loved Wilmington (I'm a beach bum as well), but at the time there was no Interstate or Highway System there .... To get from one end of town to the other it was stop light stop light stop light ..... not for me.  I'm sure it has probably changed by now.  We were also concerned about hurricanes and DH's family was trying to assure us that no hurricanes had hit there in Donkey's  years.  Well, we ended up in Orlando FL and the first two hurricanes that missed us in FL hit in Wilmington ... however, the next 4 hit us in Florida.   So, now we are back in Ohio.  I'm with you on the heat though, the older I get the less I like the heat.  Is even too hot for me here in Ohio in the Summer.  It was a joke when we were looking to move to FL that we would eventually become half backs ..... those are the ones that move from the North to FL, find it too hot and move 1/2 way back to the North -- and end up in North/South Carolina.  Good Luck with your search ..... Moving is fun, I love it!

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks!   I love the idea of living in a different place.....but when I think about the packing and moving and unpacking....I sorta think....ahhhh...never mind!  : )     I've already begun to "clean house"....building a massive Yard Sale pile.   Yesterday I took loads of clothing to a local consignment shop.  If nothing else....I'll have a clean house!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I know what you mean about cleaning out.  When the Military stopped paying for the move and we started paying, I cleaned out big time.  This last move though got the better of me by the time it was all said and done and I've actually been heard to say this is our last move   ....... sort of makes me cringe of thinking I'll live right here forever, but that move was a lot of work!

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Take a look at New Bern, NC.  My DH has a restaurant there.  It is a beautiful, quaint, historic, waterfront town that is VERY dog friendly.

http://www.visitnewbern.com/

 

I also like Beaufort and Wilmington.  We would love to meet "ya'll"  (you'll have to learn to sat that)  when you are here.

[shelly]

LOL.. wow my parents bought time share in New Bern YEARS ago and still have it!

[2SCdoodles]

Which restaurant?  I adore New Bern!

 

[ERIC A. NATER]

I have to agree with Ronna.  I had forgotten about New Bern because it has been so long since I have been there, but I do remember how much I liked the town and the area.  I guess you have been to Beaufort before, and that is very nice.  It is good to hear that New Bern is so Dog friendly.  The last time I was there was when I had left my Dogs with my Parents, which was a rare trip without them. (Golden Retrievers at that time)  You should definitely check that out.  The people there were very friendly, and there is a lot of History and Southern Charm.  I'm looking forward to your post when you return from your trip.

 

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks Rona and Eric....We spent some time last night looking online at the New Bern area....real estate, etc it does look very nice!   We have a friend in New Bern we had planned to visit - now we're REALLY looking forward to seeing him and his town!   We've had a lot of fun checking out the different areas on Google Earth - utilizing the "Street View".   It's amazing that you can actually "drive" down the streets looking around town!   Rona....What is your husband's restaurant?   I see New Bern has LOADS of places to dine.    Would love to say "Hi y'all" if we get down there!

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

His restaurant is called "Ribeyes" it is in an old historic bank building.  There is also a very cute dog boutique/bakery.  I love going there. 

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

BTW...it's "Hey Ya'll"....not Hi.  lol