Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
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Kure Beach, North Carolina
Kure Beach is on the Southern End of Pleasure Island and is a Relaxed Place with Oceanside Homes, a Nice Boardwalk and Miles of Sugar White Beaches
Kure ("Curry") Beach (population 2,200), a relaxed seaside hamlet, sits on the southern end of Pleasure Island, which is on the southern North Carolina coast. The town is just 25 miles south of downtown Wilmington and has the Cape Fear River to its west and the Atlantic Ocean to its east.
The beach is the primary draw here. It is long, clean and bordered by private homes and vacation rentals. Ocean Front Park, which is near the 700 foot long fishing pier, has a boardwalk and an attractive open air pavilion. Restaurants specialize in seafood, but Italian and BBQ places are here, too. Specialty stores cater to shoppers looking for beachwear, ice cream, coffee and more. Daily fishing charters set sail in search of blue marlin and yellowfin tuna. Festivals include a chowder cookoff, a car show, a surfing event and more. Nearby Fort Fisher State Recreation Park, also known as the South End, allows 4-wheel drive vehicles, has pristine stretches of beach and is home to more than a dozen endangered species.
Kure Beach Real Estate:
Kure Beach's neighborhoods are compact and do not have sidewalks. Many oceanside homes sit on stilts; some have double and triple balconies. Most properties have a white or pastel-colored exterior.
The housing market has been trending down lately, with overall prices 20% below where they were a year ago. The current median listing price is $875,000.
Typical Kure Beach Homes (Inland and Oceanside):
Inland home
Beachside home
Inland neighborhood
Details:
Cost of Living: 83% above the national average
Age 45 or Better: 60%
Climate: This area has hot, humid summers with temperatures in 80s and 90s and mild winters with temperatures in 40s, 50s and 60s. On average, it receives 52 inches of rain per year.
Hospital: No, but Wilmington has several hospitals. Most are accredited by the Joint Commission.
Public Transit: No
Crime Rate: Meets the national average
Public Library: No
Political Leanings: Conservative
Is North Carolina Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Somewhat
Cons: The hurricane threat is real. In fact, in 2018, Hurricane Florence eroded some of the beach and damaged the pier (which has been repaired). In 2019, Dorian brought flooding.
Notes: Kure Beach has maintained its population during last decade and is still very quiet in the winter. The pier is the oldest on the Atlantic coast.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes
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