I'm starting to look around for the next/retirement house, and am just recovering from a severe case of sticker shock regarding prices on the Bay. Looking at areas around Oriental, NC, the deals look LOTS better, and I figure that the boating season will be a month or two longer.

I really love Chesapeake Bay, and I know for a fact that there is a really extensive group of great, active boaters, but money is money....

How 'bout it - Anyone have any input on Oriental, New Bern, Wilmington, Morehead City, whatever???

Check out Virginia Beach and the surrounding Norfolk and Hampton Roads area (Newport News, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton). We get the best of both worlds considering we are at the southern most point as the bay enters that Atlantic. On average we're boating early March thru October but have known to be out from February thru November. Currently it's the mid to upper 60's (although we have had several mid 70's days of recent) and decent weather and I just went out yesterday for a few hours. You should be able to find some nice on or near the water property or houses for your next venture. If you would like I can have another OSO member's wife who's in real estate find some things for you. I also have a contact for Edenton, NC which is on the Ablemarle Sound not far from Wilmington. PM me if you're interested.

Vyper, I have friends on Broad Bay, and have spent some time down there over the last several years. I stopped by over Labor Day in 2002, and met up with BillR and the gang at the Narrows. It's nice, but I'm thinking about going even further South. If I can't find what I want in NC, I might look around Hilton Head or even Savannah....

Since I got no response from the NC gang, I can only assume that there is no performance boating in NC. Funny - I though that there was a manufacturer in that state who built high-performance boats. I guess not......

Thats right my friend, go south deep south, then I will have some place to stay in the Winter.

Yeah Chuck, i'm thinking a nice place in Lauderdale or the Keys with 12 bedrooms and 16 boat lifts out back

C there are a lot of performance boaters in nc, just not a lot on hear . me i grew up at atlantic beach, we go a s often as i can ., ive not been to the bay allthough, i heard it is the best fishing on the east coast . nc is real nice place to live you ought to try it a while robbie

Chuck,

You're not old enough to retire!!

Stan

I love North Carolina, but if performance boating is your thing you would probably enjoy Chesapeake more from what I have seen.

There seem to be many clubs, good people and good water up there.

Personally I would be moving even farther south for an extened boating season!

I forgot, New Bern is very nice, but cruiser/Yacht city.

Money talks.

However, do you wanna live in dumb fluck egypt or more near populas areas?