Seeking advice for a move to the coast...

[MAK]

Looking for some retirement home advice from those of you who have actually lived or spent time in the area you are commenting on...
I'll be retiring soon. We currently live in Forsyth on Lake Lanier and have a place on 30 acres next to USNF up in Fannin. We're tired of the crowds on Lanier, and noisy, obnoxious neighbors in general. My wife wants to be near the ocean. I told her I'm ok with just about anywhere as long as I have water in the backyard for a boat and that we spend half our time at our place in the Mountains.
I would like to keep it within about a 7+ hour radius so that would encompass the FL panhandle and the Atlantic coast from Jacksonville up thru Southern NC. We used to live in Brunswick and while the fishing is good, I'm not really interested in being there again or dealing with the gnats, even though the hurricane risk is lowest in that area. I'm assuming that bug problem extends all the way up thru SC, although a visit to Beaufort is on the list. We'll probably visit places like Ocean Isle Beach and North Myrtle too, but I think the crowds, and houses right on top of each other will probably get those areas pulled from our list of possibles..
My wife's parents lived in Panama City Beach for 10+ years and she really liked it down there. I would prefer something less crowded and less touristy, but as she reminds me, "you already have your place out in the middle of nowhere". So, as it stands now, Panama City is probably one of the primary potential areas. Seems to be some decent options for properties on the bay or on a canal.
I guess other options would be Pensacola, Ft Walton, etc. She would probably be fine with a small town as long as there are some restaurants to pick from and shopping choices beyond Dollar General.
So what other areas should we consider? Have you lived in any of the areas mentioned, and if so, would you want to again? Any first-hand knowledge about specific areas you would like to pass on? Hoping for some input with more detail than "It sucks." or "Best place ever."
We'll have to go spend time in the areas under consideration but need to figure out what needs to be on that list...
Thanks

 

[Torn]

I lived in both Panama City (1989-94) and Pensacola (1994-2012) and I am glad I got out. They used to be nice beach towns that were busy in the summer and laid back in the fall and winter. But they have grown so much the traffic is year round, costs are catching south florida and it's more of a hassle than fun. Destin, Ft. Walton, Orange Beach, Perdido have become overcrowded with traffic backed up for miles on weekends, summer and holidays. It's okay if you don't mind crowds and drunk tourists and of course homeowners insurance was steadily going up (it will skyrocket) after a hurricane).

If you want a slower pace without a bunch of tourist shops, restaurants and condos try looking at Cape San Blas, Mexico Beach, Appalachiacola, St. George's Island (just below Tallahassee) though from what I hear these are growing and are under assaullt by the condo commandos.
Good luck.

 

[I.P. Freely]

How much for the house on Lake Lanier?

 

[Bushwick100]

Looking for some retirement home advice from those of you who have actually lived or spent time in the area you are commenting on...
I'll be retiring soon. We currently live in Forsyth on Lake Lanier and have a place on 30 acres next to USNF up in Fannin. We're tired of the crowds on Lanier, and noisy, obnoxious neighbors in general. My wife wants to be near the ocean. I told her I'm ok with just about anywhere as long as I have water in the backyard for a boat and that we spend half our time at our place in the Mountains.
I would like to keep it within about a 7+ hour radius so that would encompass the FL panhandle and the Atlantic coast from Jacksonville up thru Southern NC. We used to live in Brunswick and while the fishing is good, I'm not really interested in being there again or dealing with the gnats, even though the hurricane risk is lowest in that area. I'm assuming that bug problem extends all the way up thru SC, although a visit to Beaufort is on the list. We'll probably visit places like Ocean Isle Beach and North Myrtle too, but I think the crowds, and houses right on top of each other will probably get those areas pulled from our list of possibles..
My wife's parents lived in Panama City Beach for 10+ years and she really liked it down there. I would prefer something less crowded and less touristy, but as she reminds me, "you already have your place out in the middle of nowhere". So, as it stands now, Panama City is probably one of the primary potential areas. Seems to be some decent options for properties on the bay or on a canal.
I guess other options would be Pensacola, Ft Walton, etc. She would probably be fine with a small town as long as there are some restaurants to pick from and shopping choices beyond Dollar General.
So what other areas should we consider? Have you lived in any of the areas mentioned, and if so, would you want to again? Any first-hand knowledge about specific areas you would like to pass on? Hoping for some input with more detail than "It sucks." or "Best place ever."
We'll have to go spend time in the areas under consideration but need to figure out what needs to be on that list...
Thanks

I lived in the Ft. Walton Beach area for about 18 months, I was stationed at Eglin AFB. It was nice a little colder than other parts of Florida. But, Ft Walton Beach area and surrounding area was NOT that crowded, but when I went back about 7 years later it was so built up that I thought,I was in a big city, mostly New England and New York people, had moved in!!! I had buddies who had bought land there so when they retired they could build a home there but most sold there property at a profit since they considered the area to built up for the peace they wanted . Good Luck

 

[Just1more]

My wife will tell you we will be moving to the Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, Indian Pass area when we retire. Quiet, beautiful beaches (CSB and IP) great bay fishing (CSB and PSJ). Will have to go into PCB or Appalachicola to shop though.

 

[logcabinman]

Check Mexico Beach, used to be quiet.

 

[MegaFan]

I've lived oceanfront on the beach on Oak Island, NC, and on the intracoastal waterway in Wrightsville Beach, just outside Wilmington, NC, as well as intracoastal in the Carolina Beach, NC, area. Absolutely loved the intracoastal living and may return in retirement. What I hated most about beach front living, besides the continuous flow of folks just off our walkway steps and the heavy summer traffic congestion, was the constant barrage of salt air spray. Anything that sits outside gets eaten away from the salt, including items often stored underneath the house (lawnmower) as well as the outside A/C units. Most oceanfront properties are built up, because of the expected high water hurricane surge levels, so new construction limits ground level construction and enclosed garages. I had parking for four vehicles under my home on Yaupon Beach (Oak Island, NC) and purposefully parked the family van on the ocean side to help block salt spray on the other vehicles, but it really didn't help. Everyday, getting into a vehicle, the salt spray covered all of the glass, making it almost as much trouble as having to clean ice accumulation, plus the brake rotors were coated in rust after just a few hours of sitting. Moving to the intracoastal almost eliminated the salt spray, yet allowed access to numerous less crowded beaches by boat, or walking across a couple of streets to the ocean. I would only be interested in oceanfront again in a condo unit, with enclosed garage, so that someone else dealt with the salt issues.

 

[MAK]

I've lived oceanfront on the beach on Oak Island, NC, and on the intracoastal waterway in Wrightsville Beach, just outside Wilmington, NC, as well as intracoastal in the Carolina Beach, NC, area. Absolutely loved the intracoastal living and may return in retirement. What I hated most about beach front living, besides the continuous flow of folks just off our walkway steps and the heavy summer traffic congestion, was the constant barrage of salt air spray. Anything that sits outside gets eaten away from the salt, including items often stored underneath the house (lawnmower) as well as the outside A/C units. Most oceanfront properties are built up, because of the expected high water hurricane surge levels, so new construction limits ground level construction and enclosed garages. I had parking for four vehicles under my home on Yaupon Beach (Oak Island, NC) and purposefully parked the family van on the ocean side to help block salt spray on the other vehicles, but it really didn't help. Everyday, getting into a vehicle, the salt spray covered all of the glass, making it almost as much trouble as having to clean ice accumulation, plus the brake rotors were coated in rust after just a few hours of sitting. Moving to the intracoastal almost eliminated the salt spray, yet allowed access to numerous less crowded beaches by boat, or walking across a couple of streets to the ocean. I would only be interested in oceanfront again in a condo unit, with enclosed garage, so that someone else dealt with the salt issues.

Oak island has been among my Zillow searches. Haven't been there yet. I've been concentrating on the intercoastal or canal properties so I can have easy access to a boat. Don't want to have to trailer or go to a marina which would be the case for beachfront. The thing I noticed about the Carolina properties is that almost none of them have boat lifts on the docks. I don't know if that is a county/city code up there that prevents approval or zoning for those , or if there is some other reason. Maybe most of those canal front homes are all part time rentals and the owners don't want a boat parked there full time.
Although I think one of those areas would be nice for having easy access to a boat and also a quick walk to the beach, I suspect I would not like the in-season crowds. Would probably end up with lots of noisy kids and drunks, especially the way those houses are squeezed in so close. Obnoxious neighbors is one reason we want out of our current house. The cigarette boat that just idles all day and never goes anywhere or the diesel truck that does the same every morning from 6:00-7:00 and every night from 11:00-11:30...
I definitely worry about the salt air and the toll it could take on my toys.

 

[MAK]

I've had other friends recommend Port St Joe and Mexico Beach. want to check out those spots n person. Same with the Alligator Point area. maybe Crawfordville has enough to keep my wife interested. Thanks for all the good info so far.

 

[savannahboy]

We spent many peaceful, laid back, uncrowded, quiet weeks on Edisto Island through the 90's. It hasn't changed much at all since then. No hordes of tourists, but limited shopping and dining choices. It's close enough to Charleston for more excitement when needed.