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North Carolina Coastal Communities, Wilmington North Carolina

Some of the Best Coastal Communities in North Carolina
by:  By Bob Bencivenga

            Many peoples idea of heaven includes living on or near the coast.  From the Outer Banks in the north, to Wilmington in the south, there are plenty of places to choose from along North Carolina's coast.  Some of our favorite places along the coast are found in master planned communities.  Many of these provide active lifestyles in a safe, friendly community with plenty of amenities.  And if you just want to relax, you can't find a better place to do it!  If you like the North Carolina coastal communities you read about here, visit www.PlacesofValue.com and check out my North Carolina Communities Guide.  It's full of mountain, coastal, lake, and golf communities. 

            The first community we want to highlight is, Albemarle Plantation.  Albemarle Plantation is located in Hertford, just a bit northeast of Edenton, along highway 17.  Edenton is a manageable, cute little town of about 7,792 people, with a tree lined downtown of little shops.  Edenton is growing, and Albemarle puts you in the center of a great opportunity to enjoy the countryside and the excitement of a blooming area.  Consisting of 1,600 acres, Albemarle is full of amenities to keep you entertained.  Located off the Albemarle Sound, the community has a full service, deep water marina, with 212 slips, from which you can access the Intracoastal Waterway.  If you're not into boating, you can cool off in the 25 meter pool, located in the 12,000 square foot clubhouse, which also plays host to a country club casual restaurant.  Sports enthusiasts will find the 18-hole golf course, designed by Dan Maples, breathtaking as they end a day with a putt on the 18^th green, while the sun sets over the sound.  Other options for fun include tennis, a fitness center and clubs such as a yacht club, card, and craft groups.  The community has walking and biking trails for a relaxing walk in the cool Carolina evening.  Visit Albemarle Plantation online at www.AlbemarlePlantation.com.

            If you're the type of person who thought Robinson Crusoe had a pretty good deal, by living on his own island, you may want to visit Bald Head Island.  Accessible only by ferry from Southport, after leaving the car on the mainland and spending twenty minutes on the boat, you'll find yourself at Bald Head Island.  Once there you'll travel around Bald Head Islands 1,200 acres via public trams and electric carts.  You can play golf on the 18-hole course, designed by George Cobb, or play tennis on four outdoor courses.  There is a 1,500 square foot fitness facility, the 10,000 square foot Shoals Club with decks, porches, and dining and banquet rooms, and a 10 acre harbor with a full marina.  Even though you're on an island, you won't feel cut off from the mainland.  There are plenty of events to keep you entertained during the year, such as fishing and croquet tournaments, and annual celebrations on the Fourth of July, New Year's and more.  The peace and quiet on Bald Head Island is unmatched, you can learn more by visiting, www.BaldHeadIsland.com. 

            Heading back to the mainland, we'll visit Waterford of the Carolinas.  Located just south of Wilmington, Waterford is special for its proximity to both Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington.  The keynote feature of the community is the seven miles of linked lakes and canals which meander through the 600 groomed acres.  Spending the day in your kayak, exploring the community or visiting the outdoor pool to swim a few laps or laze around consists of a couple of the things you can do.  There is also a clubhouse with a media room, billiards, and a ballroom, tennis courts, and walking and biking paths.  Waterford of the Carolinas is an affordable community, with living options for every budget.  Visit www.WaterfordLifestyle.com for more information.

            Right on the South Carolina border, at Sunset Beach, is Sea Trail.  Sea Trail's location is one of its greatest assets.  It is nearly equidistance from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina.  The community is also close to several other charming North Carolina towns, like Calabash, Holden Beach, and Southport.  Encompassing 2,000 acres, Sea Trail has about 1,500 residences consisting of single family homes, town homes, and smaller golf villa style homes.  Because Sea Trail caters to vacationers and seasonal renters, it has some things other communities lack.  There is a managed renters program, perfect for owners of investment properties or second homes in the community.  There is an extensive activity center with badminton, volleyball, croquet, and a kid's room with movies, crafts, and board games.  Parents are further free to enjoy themselves with hosted kids night out: parties with movies and pizza.  Getting to the beach is easy, with the provided shuttle service from the Vacation Center, which residents are free to use.  Worried about vacationer's ruining your retreat?  Don't be.  There are two residents only swim and fitness centers, with indoor pools, and a range of fitness equipment and classes.  54 holes of golf, designed by Rees Jones, Willard Byrd, and Dan Maples, make Sea Trail a golfer's paradise.  If you're just in the mood to practice, you can spend time on the putting green or driving range.  Tennis courts, spa services, a golf league, and walking and biking trails, round out the opportunities for fun at Sea Trail.  Sea Trail can be found on the web at www.SeaTrailHomes.com.

            On the easterly coast of the state, where the Neuse and Trent Rivers meet and run into the Pamlico Sound, the Intracoastal Waterway and finally the Atlantic, sits New Bern.  About five miles south of New Bern on route 70, is the Carolina Colours community.  Carolina Colours sits in a sleepy area, which seems about to wake up.  New Bern has been steadily gaining notoriety.  To the south, you have Morehead City, Jacksonville, and the Atlantic beaches of Salter Path, Atlantic Beach, and Beaufort.  To the west is Kinston, and north is Greenville and Washington.  The community has its own 18-hole golf course, designed by William R. Love, four tennis courts with lights, access to the Pamlico Sound, a lake for fishing and paddling, a 6,000 square foot fitness center with classes, two pools, and a clubhouse with a dining room, a banquet hall, and meeting facilities.  If you ever wanted to live in the middle of it all, while still having your peace and quiet, Carolina Colours is a great place to settle.  Learn more by visiting www.CarolinaColours.com.

            From the beautifully, secluded Bald Head Island, to Waterford's access to great metropolitan areas, and Albemarle's combination of the two, North Carolina coastal communities have it all!  If you enjoyed learning about the communities I've mentioned, go to www.PlacesofValue.com and check out my North Carolina Communities Guide; to learn about over 180 other great communities in North Carolina.

© 2007 Places of Value Inc.

 All Rights Reserved.  Reproduction without permission prohibited.

This article was written by:
Bob Bencivenga ,  Site Evaluation Expert
Places of Value
http://www.placesofvalue.com

I've spent over 30 years finding the best real estate locations for major corporations. These companies have made hundreds of millions of dollars based on the locations I've selected. I'm a professional real estate site locator and location analyst. During the last 5 years, I've been researching the growth of towns in North and South Carolina, for the relocation of my family. I've studied hundreds of towns to find those areas which are still affordable, have a high quality lifestyle, and the potential for future growth. My purpose is to share what I've found with you and help you find your Dream Place in the Carolinas.

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