39 Roads

Here’s a list of retirement value towns from Warren Bland, author and geographer:

Hot Springs, Ark.
Winston-Salem, N. C.
Fayetteville, Ark.
Bowling Green, Ky.
Lawrence, Kan.
Columbia, Mo.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Gainesville, Fla.
San Antonio, Texas
Colorado Springs, Colo.

An article on RealEstateJournal.com on this topic indicated that Bland used the following twelve criteria to produce his rankings of the towns: landscape, climate, quality of life, cost of living, transportation, retail services, health care, community services, cultural activities, recreational activities, work/volunteer activities and crime.  For a definition of “value”, particular emphasis seems to be given to cost of living as it relates to quality of life.  

I think it’s interesting that this list has a couple of major metropolitan areas in Pittsburgh and San Antonio, and that the middle of the country is well-represented by Arkansas, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri, and Colorado.

College towns are plentiful as the homes of the University of Arkansas, University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University of Florida and others are found on this list.

In a posting from last week I talked about a recent trip to the Myrtle Beach-Wilmington area.  I would like to continue along those lines in this article.  I ended by referencing up-and-coming communities in northern Brunswick County, just outside Wilmington.

One such community which has received significant attention in the past few years is Waterford of the Carolinas.  Waterford is best known for its finger lakes which run behind many of the homes.  Mere steps from the doors of many residents are these waterways and the rowing, kayaking, and other activities accommodated by this unique community feature.  The scene calls to mind Florida living- without the excessive heat and cost.  One can easily envision a relaxing lifestyle in this kind of setting- whether it’s taking the grandchildren fishing, enjoying a picnic by scenic Osprey Lake, or taking walks on the community’s trails.  Waterford offers tennis and swimming at its clubhouse.  The community is adjacent to a 27-hole golf course with a 4 1/2 star rating and is within a 60-minute drive of over 50 public courses.  Accessibility to shops and restaurants are key as well as many are located within just a few minutes drive of Waterford. Lastly, Property Owners’ Association fees are quite reasonable.

An article from a March 2006 edition of the [Wilmington, N.C.] Star-News talked about Brunswick County becoming one of the fastest growing counties in the country (29th), with the county’s population increasing 5.4 percent from July 2004 to July 2005.  As chairman of the county commissioners, David Sandifer attributed the growth to the variety of the neighborhoods- with beach towns and golf course communities among the offerings- and the slower-paced lifestyle that’s available.  Brunswick County is one of the largest counties in North Carolina in terms of land mass, and with plenty of room left to develop, Sandifer speculated that new residents will continue to find the county a place to call home.

An article from a Grand Strand New Home Guide publication entitled “Ten Reasons to Build or Buy a Home in Brunswick County” highlighted among other things new roads and bridges coming to the area.  The Cape Fear Skyway when completed will link Wilmington’s Independence Boulevard with Highway 17 in Brunswick County.  This bridge will be the tallest in the Carolinas and will make northern Brunswick County much more accessible.  Another bridge to Oak Island scheduled to be completed in 2008 will enable the new and established communities along Highway 211 to have easier access to the beaches.  Property values in the county will reflect this new accessibility for area residents in coming years.

Recent travels took me to the coastal Carolina areas around Myrtle Beach and Wilmington. 

The first stop was Myrtle Beach, land of outlet malls and golf courses and, of course, the beaches of the Grand Strand.  There’s much to do for the 14 million visitors who come to the area each year, from the Myrtle Beach Pelicans minor league baseball games to the shopping and entertainment of Broadway on the Beach to the many restaurants.  While current housing prices in the region are reasonable, the Myrtle Beach area continues to grow in size and popularity.  The world’s first Hard Rock Park is slated to open there in the spring of 2008 and will create approximately 3,000 jobs.  The almost $400 million 140-acre theme park will feature 40 attractions and is projected to host more 30,000 guests each day during the peak season.  The endeavor is being hailed as “the largest single investment in tourism infrastructure” in the history of South Carolina.  Needless to say, this will have a dramatic effect on the region in many ways.

Harmony Township, located in Georgetown, S.C., is conveniently situated halfway between Myrtle Beach and Charleston.  Georgetown has been named among Newsweek Showcase’s “Ten Small Towns that Make Great Places to Retire” and CNN Money’s “Best Places to Live Along the Coast”; the town is also currently being featured in a Nikon television ad.  With its riverfront, lake, marsh, and Town Center homesites and approach to neo-urbanism, one can enjoy a South Carolina Lowcountry lifestyle to the fullest in Harmony Township.  Within easy walking distance of the homes is Harmony’s deep-water marina on the Sampit River; from there one can access Georgetown, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic Ocean.  In recreating the feel of a small Southern town, the community also will offer a swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, fitness center, and community center for events of all types.  When completed, the Town Center will feature shops, businesses, and restaurants where the owners may live just above their establishments.  If you’re planning to visit Harmony Township, you’ll want to ask for Missy Toemmes for thorough insight and guidance on what the community has to offer those looking for property in the area.

Coming along Highway 17 into North Carolina’s Brunswick County, it’s remarkable how many communities in a variety of price ranges there are to choose from in this relatively small geographic area.  Again, golf seems to be a major draw, but beach clubs are popular as well.  The area markets itself based on easy access to the activities of Myrtle Beach and the resources of Wilmington.  Towns like Calabash, proclaimed to be the seafood capital of the world, Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Southport have much to offer, and some of the amenity communities provide enough seclusion to escape from even the activity of the smaller towns.  What seems to really be fueling what is now one of the fastest growing counties in the country is what is happening in northern Brunswick County.  Leland, just west of the Cape Fear River and downtown Wilmington, is booming.  Again, there are a number of unique housing possibilities in the area, and shopping and dining options are sprouting up to support the new residents flocking to these communities.  While I’m sure that many jobs are still linked to Wilmington, the area is coming into its own both economically and with its own identity.  Some of the neighborhoods will essentially become their own towns and are projected to be developed over the next twenty years.

Clearly, this entire coastal region is experiencing pronounced changes which will greatly alter the literal and proverbial landscape of this area.  I believe the extent and speed of these changes is as dramatic as you will find anywhere in the country.  I for one look forward to seeing how this stretch of the Mid-Atlantic develops over the next five to ten years.     

In doing some research on pet-friendly communities for retirement I came across some interesting information.

First, many communities consider themselves “pet-friendly”, but generally this means that pets are not prohibited.  Some go a step further and talk about their open space where owners can bring their pets for walks or to play.  A few make real attempts at defining what makes a community pet-friendly and seek to integrate pet ownership into the neighborhood.  Here are a few:

River Rock, located in Cashiers, N.C., is building what it is calling The Grizzly Poodle, a pet concierge service.  The facility will offer full-service grooming and kennel and will also have personnel that can offer in-home pet care.  The Grizzly Poodle will be located in Skillet Gap, an amenitized village for property owners in this gated community.  This convenient location will also feature a general store and internet cafe.

The Falls at Eagle Crest, an active adult community in Central Oregon, allows pets, but they must be on a leash.  Fences are prohibited in The Falls to preserve the natural beauty of the land.  The community also boasts fifteen miles of walking trails, featuring stations with waste disposal bags.  Further adding to its appeal, The Falls at Eagle Crest was named one of “America’s 100 Best Master-Planned Communities” in 2005 by Where to Retire Magazine.  

Located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Rarity Ridge prides itself on being pet-friendly.  The community has 5 1/2 miles of shoreline on the Clinch River; and of its over 1500 acres, over 400 acres have been designated for open space and parks.  While pets must be kept on a leash outside one’s yard, fences are permitted in back yards; and invisible fences may be utilized to provide greater freedom to pets.  Further bolstering their claims, construction on the shopping areas of the Town Center will begin this summer and will include a veterinary office which will be operated by a professor of veterinary medicine from the University of Tennessee.

As more baby boomers age and retire, look for more and more communities across the country to address the issue of pet-friendliness with creative approaches.

Upcoming events which you may find to be of interest include the following:

April 27-29-  St. James Plantation, Southport, N.C., is releasing new homesites for its newest neighborhood, Woodlands Park.  For $199 a couple will receive two nights accomodations, a tour of the community, and participation in other scheduled events.  St. James will also be featuring purchase incentives of up to $35,000 which will be available only during that weekend.  

May 4-6-  Grey Rock will host its Spring Event and is offering complimentary accommodations at The Crown Plaza with a reception dinner party at The Biltmore Estate.  Weekend entertainment will include music by country music star John Anderson, helicopter tours, and 2006 HGTV Dream Home Tours.

May 5-  Ocean Isle Palms in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. will be featuring its “island inspired living” as they celebrate their opening of Grace Bay at Savannah la Mar.  This one day sales event will offer purchasers two years of no payments, no property taxes, and no association dues.

May 25-27-  The Settings of Lake Rhodhiss, located near Hickory, N.C., will host its Grand Opening weekend when it will unveil its community on the shores of Lake Rhodhiss.  Lake Rhodhiss is known for its excellent fishing and for clear waters.  Due to the natural topography of the area, The Settings offers most of its homesites with views of the water.  The Settings of Lake Rhodhiss is conveniently situated approximately an hour’s drive from Asheville, Boone, and Charlotte.

May 31-June 2-  Wild Wing Plantation, Myrtle Beach, S.C., will be holding a Grand Opening for its Phase 2.  The weekend will offer tours of this lakefront golf community and a sales incentive of $5,000 off the price of any homesite for this weekend only.  The community features 180 acres of lakes and a 27-hole championship golf course.

June 1-3-  Roaring River, Fayetteville, WV, is hosting a Grand Opening of their newest neighborhood overlooking the New River Gorge.  The complimentary weekend will include two nights lodging and dinner with entertainment by Joe Diffie.  Activities will include helicopter tours and horseback riding.  Additionally, the first 50 reservation holders will also be treated to a whitewater rafting excursion on Sunday.

June 2-  The Coves of Smith Mountain Lake in Southern Virginia will offer a Community Discovery Event which they are billing as “a unique opportunity for families to get an enjoyable glimpse of mountain lake living”.

During the spring Harmony Township in Georgetown, South Carolina will be having a cookout at its marina every other Saturday afternoon.  They are making a arrangements for stays in their cottages.  Harmony Township is also offering private boat tours from Friendfield Marina to Winyah Bay.  Georgetown has been named among Newsweek Showcase’s “Ten Small Towns that Make Great Places to Retire” and CNN Money’s “Best Places to Live Along the Coast”.

If you are interested in getting more information on these communities or registering for one of the events this spring, please contact the Retirement Relocation office at 703-430-6411 or 877-55-RETIRE (877-557-3847) or by e-mail at info@RetireRelocateRelax.com.