My mom, sister and I and our kids have been taking an annual beach trip to South Carolina. We love Pawleys island but the drive (from CT) is getting to be a bit much for everyone, and we're thinking of going a bit further north. I'm thinking of the Outer Banks.

I've never been, but I know people love it there. Can anyone recommend a charming town, or possible the best spot in the OBX? When I look at the rental listings, all the houses and areas look kind of tacky. I guess I'm comparing it to Nantucket which is where we also go every summer. Am I being unrealistic?

Thanks for any help or advice, we have to move quick if we are going to find something, thanks.

have you chekced the previous posts on this? this question has been asked and replies have been posted in th elast 6 months regarding going to the southern outer banks towns for that type of place.

We rented a house in the Currituck Club in Corolla, the northern part of the OBX. The homes were new and there were tennis courts, golf, basketball, etc. The house we rented was on the sound, so although we were not right on the beach, we had a beautiful water view with great sunsets.

We really liked Corolla and Duck. Corolla was more newly developed than other parts that we drove through, such as Nags Head. Duck was the most charming area IMHO.

Yes, I did a search prior to asking, but found nothing that would help me. Sorry if I'm bothering anyone with the question. Also, I'm not even sure which towns would be considered "Southern". Sigh....

1scs1, thank you for the information, that's exactly the type of feedback I was looking for. I'll look at Duck and Corolla.

May I ask how you found your rental? Is there a website you searched? Thank you.

Some people, and I emphasize the word "some" like to stay in Corolla and Duck because they think it is more "upscale" and "exclusive" and these are the same folks who tell you that everbody who stays anywhere else does all their shopping at K-Mart..you know the type. I would assume those who have posted and recommended these areas are the exception to that, of course.

You might try using the sun realty site which I believe is www.sunrealtync.com which is one of the largest rental agencies on the Banks.

I think a lot of where you end up should depend on what you like..if you want mob scene and lots of theatres, shopping, Wings stores, outlets, etc., etc., then head to Nags Head and Kitty Hawk.

If you want the beach where if 30 people show up as far as the eye can see
in both directions it is considered a "crowd" and there is a lot less civilization then consider going as far as Hatteras which is wonderful and yes, all you Duckies..there are houses there that START in the 1.5 million dollar range, thank you.

Then there's Ocrakoke..even more remote and also wonderful.

I wish you luck..everybody has their favorite spot on that sand and I hope you find yours.

The prior posts and discussions I referred to were on Hateras (still has issues from the hurricaine last Sept. I think), Waves, Radanthe, Salvo, and also Ocacroke. You might try searching for them. I don't stay down there so can't help you on those, that is why I said to try a search (I wasn't scolding you or anything weird like that!)

My first thought was Ocracoke, but it occurred to me that the trip wouldn't be a LOT shorter from CT than to Pawleys, just because of the way the highways are laid out. And you say you aren't sure about which towns would be considered "Southern," I'm wondering whether this is a matter of not being familiar with the geography or making distinctions regarding cultural flavor. Do be aware that getting out to any part of the OBX can be a chore -- e.g., it's quicker from Norfolk VA to Duck than it is from I-95.

Finally, you just aren't going to find much of the developed parts of the OBX that are as quaint and "non-tacky" as Nantucket. Duck is an older town, so you will find some older buildings and less grid-like street arrangements. Ocracoke has had its development severely limited, which is to the good although some people dislike having most of the town fold up at night and not having beach-front housing (the beaches are preserved). I'm very fond of Ocracoke, but you might get impatient with having to shlep the kids back and forth to the open beach areas. They are gorgeous, but . . . and it's a 1 1/2 hr. ferry ride from Cedar Island, which is about 2 hrs. from I-95.

There may be places in those towns south of the Nat'l Seashore boundary with Nags Head that would be less tacky than further north, but remember it's all a LOT newer than Nantucket and was not populated by rich people creating their own retreat -- but rather mostly by developers hoping to cash in on other people's vacations.

I'd love to hear from someone who HAS been to Pawley's Island to compare it to any part of the OBX.

To be hoenst Outer Banks is, IMHO, a very laid back area. The homes are primarily cedar sided so that they retain that rustic, weathered look. Outer Bank beaches are beautiful and they are not crowded.

Corolla and Duck are on the north side as you first come into town (from the north at least) and it's a affluent area of generally large homes that also have a drawback. There's only one road to get up to and out of that Corolla Duck area. Sometimes the evening dinner line is looooong.

I can't speak too much for Ocracoke or Hatteras Island but as for Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and South Nags Head I think it's a lovely, peaceful area. You can find any priced rental you would like and some come with swimming pools, hot tubs, and 6 or 8 bedrooms.

There's some good restaurants around and the kids always seem to love miniature golf and most adults seem to love walking or running the beach.

I haven't been to Pawleys Island but I would guess that it's as laid back.

I prefer the towns and beaches north of the Wright Bros. bridge. Southern Shores is my favorite area--mainly residential.

I've rented from and done business with Sun Realty and have been very happy with them. They have offices throughout OBX and one is in Southern Shores.

It is VERY late in the season to expect to rent a good place, especially beachfront. I've no experience with condos. Don't know what rental companies you have been looking at, but there are many, many wonderful places to stay.

LN, Corolla is not one of the first towns when entering the Banks, Southern Shores is. Then in order: Duck, Sanderling, and Corolla. The paved road ends at Corolla. It can easily take an hour to reach Corolla from the bridge in the summer, which makes it a too-out-of-the way place to stay for me. I like the S. Shores area because of its accessibility north or south.

Sorry, but I don't consider Kitty Hawk- Kill Devil Hills - Nags Head area "laid back" if by that you mean undeveloped. That area is so congested that you can watch your neighbors eat their carry-out pizza, and it's chockablock with resort-town schlock. And just because weathered shingle is used for siding doesn't mean that the architecture is attractive or quaint, although I definitely prefer it to vinyl!

Ocracoke is a bit more quaint than maybe people are explaining here -- it has a "cute" short lighthouse and a small graveyard for British soldiers (sailors?) who lost their lives locally. There are few, if any, chain stores or restaurants, and all are clustered with houses at the far end of the island around the protected harbor, while the rest of the island is devoted to scrub and beach. There used to be a wild pony area, but I think that has been moved, either because of danger to the ponies from cars or from hurricanes.

Nina-We are also from CT, and although the Outer Banks is also a long drive, we thought it was worth it!! It took us about 13 hours down, but 15 back!!

We stayed in Corolla, and would choose it again. A little less developed than Duck, but still has plenty of shopping, restaurants, golf, etc. We used Twiddy and Southern Shores realtors when we were researching the area. If you are looking for beachfront for this summer, I doubt you'll find much available. We reserved our oceanfront home a year in advance, and that was even difficult!! We were calling as soon as the realtors opened in the morning. The way it worked through the realtors I'm familiar with is that the houses open up one year in advance, first choice is given to the prior year's renter to return for the same week. Therefore, if you find a home you love, but last year's renter wants the same week, they get first dibs.

A lot also depends on the size, location, and amenities you want. We needed a 6 BR, with private pool and oceanfront. This type of home goes quickly because a lot of people are travelling with other families, and the 6BR's+ are very popular.

If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, you can reserve a home a little north of Corolla in the "4 wheel drive" area. Lots of new large homes were going up there when we visited two years ago. If you want to avoid crowds, that might be an option.

You can go online to twiddy.com or southernshores.com and do searches for whatever type of home and location you are looking for. As I recall, you can search open weeks also.

I don't know if I'd describe any area of the Outer Banks as "quaint", but Duck and Corolla are more upscale than Nags Head and Kitty Hawk. "Tacky" does not describe Duck and Corolla or the houses there. We have used Twiddy realtors in the past and have been happy with them. Your choice of houses will be limited at this late date. A suggestion for avoiding the traffic getting onto the island when you arrive on either Sat. or Sun.;drive the day before to the Norfolk/Hampton area of Virginia and stay overnight and leave before 9 the next morning. You'll have a short drive and no traffic and will arrive early enough to enjoy the day at the beach before you check into your house.

2nd timer

I think you kind of misunderstood me - I meant as you come into the area from the north you would head to the left to go up to Corolla, Duck et cetera and head to the right to take the Bypass Road to the lower Outer Bank areas such as Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, et cetera.

Southern Shores is great - I enjoy Nags Head from about milepost 13 through 17. But then I always enjoy a good beach.

Thanks so much for all replies. Believe it or not I think I found not one but 2 very, very nice places. Since we are looking at the last week of August (the kids don't start school 'til August 30th), we not only found some vacancies, the prices are discounted!

Both homes are in Southern Shores, which, as far as I can tell from a website, looks like a nice, non commercial, residential beach town. I hope I'm right. Both houses are lovely and nicely decorated, and a fraction of what we pay in Nantucket. I've already got the lease on one of them and am just waiting for my mom and sis to get online and help make a choice.

Thanks again for all the feedback, I appreciate it.

Please check back when you return and tell us how it compared to Pawley's, etc.

Have a nice time!

Nina: We always go that same last week of summer when rates are discounted. What is the location of the houses, how far back from the beach and exactly how far t=from the beach access? That is important, as there are only certain areas available to get to the beach across the dunes. They can say "200 feet to the beach" but the rub is, how close to the beach access area?? We rent that last week so that we can afford oceanfront, once you do that, it's hard to shlump stuff down the road- so nice to hop right out and be on the beach walking...

Nina, that's great, just great! emd is correct--it's important to be exacting about the proximity to the beach.

Beach access is 335 and 375 yards respectively, and both houses include parking passes - we would rent direct oceanfront, but we went on a cruise in April, Italy 2 weeks ago, and are also going to Nantucket in July, so this trip is without our husbands and on a budget !

I agree, direct beachfront is best, but we'll do that in ACK.

nina: at 350 to 375 ft, you might want to look into renting one of those carts w/the big wheels to carry your chairs, cooler, stuff down to the beach. We rent them from Ocean Atlantic Rentals (they have a website). They are like $30 a wk and are very worth it. They will deliver it to the house and it will be under the house when you get there, and they pick it up.
You will have a lovely time. I love the OBX and can't wait til our week in August. Last year we rented a very nice 3 bedroom oceanfront condo w/patios and pool for a grand that week (and I didn't rent it til July!). There are very reasonable deals to be had that last week.