As a Realtor®, I meet a number of people who have gotten to the point in their lives where they would like start narrowing down where they would like to retire.
I really enjoy working with people who have arrived at this very significant milestone. I have not met anyone who has not worked very hard to get to this point. Everyone is also very serious about where they are going to live.
After you take your first job once you have graduated from college, it is rare that you get much input in where you are going to live. Sometimes by shifting careers or if you are in the military, you have seen lots of territory. Most of the about-to-be-retirees that I have met have lived most of their lives close to one spot.
They are very clear on what they like and what they dislike. These are not first time home buyers. Their biggest concern is doing due diligence in their search for their retirement spot.
These buyers can paint a fairly clear picture of the home they would like to find. Having just finished a three year search for our own "retirement" place, I can easily relate to what they are going through.
On top of that, it turns out that the very reasons that I came to the Cape Carteret area are often the same ones that are drawing potential retirees to the area.
Given that, why did my wife and I choose the western end of Carteret County after considering all of the east coast from Chincoteague Island to Oak Island?
- The area, especially from the water, is one of the most beautiful spots on the east coast.'
- Outsiders are welcome and even encouraged to come to the area.
- It is a chance to live once again in small town America.
- The climate is remarkably temperate. We can play outside all months of the year.
- The recreational opportunities are almost limitless if the outdoors is your playground.
- Property taxes are low.
- Property values are reasonable.
- Access to services, shopping, and medical care is very good.
- Many people in the area care about the environment.
- The area is safe with generally low crime and few disastrous events.
Of course I can and often do expand on these points when talking to potential newcomers. While the area does not have as many good full time jobs as it needs, most retirees have little trouble finding a part time job to keep themselves occupied.
The period just before you retire is a wonderful time with the chance to make some choices that might not have been available during your career.
I love helping people find that home where those new things that they have always wanted to try just might be possible.
Along the way lots of other concerns and questions need to be answered. Sometimes I find out something that suggests another area might be better for someone. I am really pleased that I continue to hear from those people who for whatever reason ended up in another area.
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No area is perfect, but over two years after moving to the Crystal Coast, I have no regrets. I think we came as close as possible to finding our perfect spot in the sun. Being able to drop the boat in the water and be in the Intracoastal in ten minutes has not hurt nor has having the swimming pool across the cul de sac.
It is pretty hard to beat an area with almost no traffic, lots of services, great beaches and plenty of places to fish.