Have you ever visited North Carolina’s Outer Banks? Have you closed your eyes and imagined what life would be like if you could wake up and breathe in the salt air and listen to the ocean waves? I can’t tell you how many times I hear someone say “Must be nice!” when I tell them where I live. And it’s true – every person who calls the Outer Banks home is lucky to live in such a beautiful place. But getting here (and staying here) can be a challenge. So here are 5 tips for relocating to the Outer Banks!
1) Want to buy a home? Rent one first
If I could offer any advice to people interested in a permanent move to the Outer Banks, it would be this. The housing market here is unique, and properties that are priced well move incredibly fast. I work with out of state clients and I’m always happy to do narrated video tours of homes they are interested in. And while we can do an entire real estate transaction via the internet (from video tour to offer to under contract), odds are that you would move into a home and see something even better pop up (and disappear) in another few weeks. So if you can rent and be physically present, it allows you to capitalize when that perfect home does pop up, and you get to walk through it yourself when it’s listed. We have short-term winter rentals and the housing market heats up in the spring, so that’s a great time to rent a furnished home for a couple of months and pounce on the new homes listed in February through April.
2) Not interested in buying? Rent a “starter home”
For those who want to move here but aren’t interested in buying a home, this is a great option. There are only so many long-term rentals here on the Outer Banks. With many homes being used as weekly vacation rentals, and many other mid-range homes being occupied by year-round residents, the inventory of long-term rentals on the Outer Banks is extremely limited. The first step in living here is getting here -so the first opportunity you see (with reasonable security deposit/pet fees/other requirements) you might want to capitalize on. And while you rent for a year, keep your eyes open for long-term rentals you like. Make note of when it was listed and once your year lease becomes a month-to-month, you’re free to change addresses. Hopefully to a place you want to be for a few years! The best places to find long-term rentals here are Craigslist, Zillow, or local Facebook groups.
3) Embrace “Island Time”
Let’s say your favorite lunch spot on the beach is John’s Drive-In. You love stopping in and ordering those dolphin boats (it’s just fried mahi, the dolphins are safe don’t worry). And then one day you go to pick up your favorite lunch and…….. it’s closed! Not only is it closed, but it won’t open back up for another 5 months. You’re devastated, where are you going to eat lunch on Fridays now? Well, here on the Outer Banks we have a seasonal economy and we have lots of tourists from Memorial Day to Labor Day but during the winter we just have the locals. And some businesses can’t justify staying open year-round so they close for the winter. It’s not just restaurants, you’ll find art galleries, ice cream shops, donut shops and all sorts of businesses who close for the winter. Enjoy this aspect of living at the beach! Think about how happy you’ll be when John’s opens back up in the spring, or a restaurant finishes renovating and has the latest draft beer you’ve been hoping to find. It’s all about your mindset – relax!
4) Scout it out!
Do you need to be close to a Walgreens or do you prefer shopping at Publix? Which salon handles your style the best? Sometimes the little things make a big difference – a Walmart nearby, proximity to schools, commuting distance to your job in Chesapeake, VA. These are things that really influence your enjoyment of living anywhere, so keep these things in mind. You might want to use your time renting a home as a way to explore different areas here at the beach. Would you prefer Duck’s classy restaurants or Manteo’s waterfront downtown? Would you rather be close to a Walmart or a Fresh Market? Don’t be afraid to go on some road trips while living here, explore your options from Corolla to Hatteras. Many people think they want to live in Nags Head initially, and then fall in love with one of our other towns. So when you make your plan for relocating to the Outer Banks, leave some time for exploring.
5) Call a REALTOR®
If you have any questions about an area (schools, jobs, long term rentals, utility providers) a licensed REALTOR® should be able to provide answers. After all, it’s our job to help you find a home you love and make the moving process as easy as possible. I can’t speak for every agent here at the beach, but I’m always happy to meet new people and establish relationships with renters and buyers alike. I’m willing to answer any questions about moving here to the Outer Banks and I’m always available for you! Favorite restaurants, areas that might line up with your interests, if you’d like my opinion on anything you can contact me anytime.
If you are thinking about relocating to the Outer Banks I hope these tips help! And maybe after you become familiar and knowledgeable about our area, you’ll be able to pick the perfect home for your family. And when it’s time to move in, you’ll move in feeling this great!
