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My husband and I are planning on moving our little family back with his family in Brunswick County. He lived there only when he was little and doesn't remember much about the schools. I am wanting to know how the schools are, what areas are better than others, what kind of crime level there is, wether there are any colleges/universities in a short communte, just anything that anyone may think of that might be of benefit to us when we actually go out and look for somewhere to live. (I have asked his family, but to them, the area has no flaws as they have lived in the area their whole lives). I live out west, this will be quite an adjustment for me, any comments would be greatly appreciated.
My husband and I are planning on moving our little family back with his family in Brunswick County. He lived there only when he was little and doesn't remember much about the schools. I am wanting to know how the schools are, what areas are better than others, what kind of crime level there is, wether there are any colleges/universities in a short communte, just anything that anyone may think of that might be of benefit to us when we actually go out and look for somewhere to live. (I have asked his family, but to them, the area has no flaws as they have lived in the area their whole lives). I live out west, this will be quite an adjustment for me, any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Hi "babydawn". You are certainly in for a surprise. Brunswick County is
the 29th fastest growing county in the U.S. according to the last statistics.
You would not believe how much it has changed in the last five years. People
are coming in droves. The local government is trying all they can to stay ahead of the infrastructure issues. The quality of life there, in my opinion, is still the best. The areas heading south of Hwy's 17/74 by Wilmington, driving towards Boiling Spring Lakes/Southport/Oak Island on NC 87 and NC 133. After driving south to BSL/Sp/OI where the land ends and the water begins, try heading out west on 211 almost to Lockwood Folley river. These are some of the best areas.
I know I might get some grief from the Holden Beach/Ocean Isle Beach area people, my apologies to you folks, but like I said this is my opinion. There are
four new schools to be built within the next couple of years to handle the increase. South Brunswick Middle/High School beside Boiling Spring Lakes is a nationally rated school. Good School, my nephew is a senior there. Brunswick Community College "around the corner" is going through a major expansion, is also a good school. UNC-Wilmington is the only university within a reasonable commute. "baby dawn", time to act is now on purchasing property there. The area had a major price increase last year. I'm sure you have heard about it. There are still super deals to be found. It is still one of the most underpriced areas on the east coast. The economic out look for the area is strong. There is going to be a major port to be built between BSL and Southport. This port is going to be able to handle the largest container ships afloat. Along with that is jobs, jobs, jobs.
They plan to have it operational in 6 years and fully built in 8-10 years. Lets not forget the Babyboomers, they have been moving to our area steadily for the last 10 years. I know, I helped build the first houses in St. James.
Look, I know there are alot of people who do not want to see our area get lost in the change. Lose that home town, southern charm that so many of
us want. I don't want it lost either, but we can't change the growth or stop
the people from wanting the same things we want. The only thing we can do
is accept the change and make sure that it doesn't turn out to be like the
places that all of these people are moving from. (gangs, illegals, schools, high taxes, congestion, high cost of living, and so on) We can keep that from happening only from forward thinking planning and making sure our local government does it right. Just so you know that this comes from the heart, my wife and I have 7 properties in BSL and Oak Island. Where else can you own island property, lake waterfront property and golf course property all within a 10 mile radius.
I hope this helps, and I wish you luck. My wife and I will not live anywhere else.
His family is all from the Calabash/Sunset Beach area, which is virtually where we would like to end up. I visited last summer for the first time and really loved the area. It still had the hometown feel. We would like to be within a 20 minute drive from his family, since they are the reason we are moving out there. Do you know if that area is seeing the kind of growth that is happening in other areas of Brunswick County?
His family is all from the Calabash/Sunset Beach area, which is virtually where we would like to end up. I visited last summer for the first time and really loved the area. It still had the hometown feel. We would like to be within a 20 minute drive from his family, since they are the reason we are moving out there. Do you know if that area is seeing the kind of growth that is happening in other areas of Brunswick County?
It is basically happening all over the county, especially closer to the ocean
and ICW.
I am sorry, I hope you don't mind me asking one other question. Is there a big problem with meth out there. Meth has taken hold of so much of where I live. Sure, we live in a nice neighborhood with very little crime and there are a lot of nice neighborhoods where I live, but that doesn't change much about who your kids go to high school with and meth seems to be the drug of choice out here. I read something somewhere saying that meth is only a big problem out west, what is your opinion on that?
Not so prevalent in our area, but still I would be lying if I said there isn't any.
Then again, with the influx of people coming here from out of state and the
increase of illegals to our area it might turn out to be a bigger problem than it
already is. Hopefully it won't turn out that way. (unrealistic but still hopefull)
The thing is we have alot of police here. Sheriff/Highway Patrol/Local Police.
I mean alot. The Brunswick County Sheriff is tough. So is the DA. On raids in the areas where drugs are mostly located (I think you can imagine where) The Sheriff and his officers blast the lead from COPS from their cars. "Bad Boys whatcha gonna do when they come for you" when they arrive for the bust.
So, next question, my husbands family (who, I have never mentioned how wonderful they are....they are truely great!) says that they have never evacuated from a hurricane, however, the thought of living through a hurricane scares me to death. How far inland do you have to be to avoid the massive destruction? There are always repairs for the fam out there, but not so much to their homes they say, just to the trees and sheds and such. They are such a bunch of characters, what they say is not a big deal, I am worried will be....paranoia I suppose. I live in an area where the average rainfall per year is 16 in. We do get some thunderstorms during the spring and summer, but they are not real common, maybe one good one a year (they usually only last about an hour), just to give you some basis of where I am coming from. What do you think?
So, next question, my husbands family (who, I have never mentioned how wonderful they are....they are truely great!) says that they have never evacuated from a hurricane, however, the thought of living through a hurricane scares me to death. How far inland do you have to be to avoid the massive destruction? There are always repairs for the fam out there, but not so much to their homes they say, just to the trees and sheds and such. They are such a bunch of characters, what they say is not a big deal, I am worried will be....paranoia I suppose. I live in an area where the average rainfall per year is 16 in. We do get some thunderstorms during the spring and summer, but they are not real common, maybe one good one a year (they usually only last about an hour), just to give you some basis of where I am coming from. What do you think?
There's no answer for that since it depends on the storm size, track & speed. Inland flooding due to torrential rain is just as deadly as hurricane force winds on the coast. I'm around 360 miles from the NC coast and we are sometimes worst off than the coastal areas.
Hurricanes, I don't blame you for being concerned. If you live on the beach,
or a low lying barrier island, or for that matter any low lying area, your chances are good on getting nailed. Either with flooding or if your on the beach, high winds. But, I must say the houses you see flying apart on the news, are usually houses that were built with a whole different Housing Code than the ones built today. The thing with Katrina, especially the areas that looked like they were wiped clean and the only thing left standing was a stump. The water got them. I am sorry to say, that was a time bomb waiting to go off. Building your house at sea level, your asking for it. A big no no. Our families houses on Oak Island (wooded section) got through Floyd and the rest with no damage. Just a couple of branches down. The people on the beach, well thats a different story. There are houses 50 years old on the island. Survived Hurricane Hazel and the rest. In Southport there are houses over 200 years old. I think you get my drift. There are evacuations, you either go visit someone you haven't seen in awhile. Inland. Or, you drive until you find a motel. Most people in our area, unless you live on one of the islands, ride out the storm. How far inland do you drive? Good question.
With hurricanes, usually the main concern is "tidal surge". 95% of all damage
done by hurricanes, is done by water. Not the wind. The "tidal surge" can only go in so far. The rain that comes with the storm is where the flooding
comes in for the low lying areas. Building your house in one of these areas is a no no. All in all, we have some of the best weather. Never boring. Long summers, short winters and beautiful springs. If you want to see the leaves change, go to the mountains. You say, you have 16in. rain per year where you live. I don't know it might be alittle greener here.
For all of you who want to be better informed about hurricanes, flooding and
stronger home construction in North Carolina, this website is for you. Great tool.
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