Now I've been to Stone Harbor,Ocean City,Wildwoods and a couple of other places in New Jersey.I was just looking into going to the Outer Banks in NC and saw pictures that look very similiar to NJ beaches.
Does anyone else think both places look pretty much the same??
I've read and heard so many great things about the Outer Banks but I'm seeing so many similarities to the New Jersey beaches I've been to in the past.
Where's the difference in these two places?
Can anybody tell me??
Debbie

Well, Debbie, the main difference is that one is in the north and one is in the south. To me, that makes a world of difference just in the way people treat you, as well as the temperature difference. In physical appearance in photos, you are correct -- they are similar. But I would have to say they are worlds apart in actual ambience. On the other hand, if all you are interested in is the sand, either would do.

OBX: The water is warmer, the surfing is better, the dunes are bigger, the hurricane risk is much greater, and it's alot harder to get to (no direct flights etc). They're both wonderful. You can find remote wilder places in the OBX (example: Ocracoke), but NJ has its secret share too (Island Beach State Park).

I don't know what that crack about being treated differently was for, Wayne. Perhaps it's your attitude. Either way, that's the first time I've heard the Outer Banks described as being "in the South"...

Yes there are similarities but the differences are significant.

The biggest difference IMO - many of the accomodations in NJ are still in the '50s - '60s, and people still pay big bucks for them.
They're also right on top of each other, too many IMO and not enough green space.

The Outer Banks are newer in terms of lodging and therefore have a different ambiance.
Newer, more open, more updated IMO and nicer.

But in terms of people Wayne? They're great everywhere.
Its all in how *you* treat them.

Maybe Wayne did mean that as a bash against people in NJ and maybe he didn't, but he certainly didn't say it that way. You're all reading between the lines. He said it's different. Pizza and chocolate are different . . .

I haven't been to the beaches in NJ (well, not yet), but I find a variety of offerings in the OBX. You have giant McMansion places (that weren't around when I was a child vacationing there) and empty places protected as National Seashores.

I've heard about ???(mind blanking) the town that has Victorian inspired cottages. That's not available in NC.

But I doubt NJ has as much pirate lore as NC beaches.

I think ncgrrl is thinking of Cape May.

Haven't been to OBX since I was a teen, but I do think there's some similarity between the two.

OBX is a less built up version of the Jersey Shore...kinda like NJ was about 20-30 years ago. Jersey Shore real estate has skyrocketed in the past few years...they're building everywhere!

As for the 50's & 60's comment...that is just Wildwood area. Most other areas of the Jersey shore have newer residential style homes (not motels).

Depends alot on what part of the shore in NJ you go to what you'll find.

That's a tough one. Geographically, if you looked at satellite photos from 100 years ago they are very similar.

Otherwise, I'd say no, they are nothing alike.

Hi Debden! I grew up in the Jersey shore area and have vacationed in the Outer Banks a few times. You're right ~ the beaches are pretty interchangeable in NJ and NC. The NC beaches get warmer a little earlier, but it's definitely not the same difference as, say, Florida vs. NJ. The real difference is the towns. The Outer Banks are mostly quiet and low-key, and less crowded than in NJ. There are lots of historic sites to visit, and the hotels (in the most popular areas, at least) are generally chains. (Unlike NJ's older motels and B&Bs.) If you're renting a house, you may have better luck with prices in NC, especially on the beach. And even with the Jersey shore so close to me, I still thought my trips to NC were worth my while. Have fun, wherever you wind up!

grew up going to nj beaches and have done obx. I like SOME of the nj beaches much more, for example the nags head beaches where the houses are very narrow, the tide takes the beach away.

i like the sand better mid jersey coast (yes the sand grains do make a difference!) extreme south jersey it's like powder and you'll find it in everything for the next week.

Island Beach State Park can't be beat for having facilities for those who want it, and natural areas for those who don't not to mention back bay activities. Strathmere is another uncrowded beach, no facilities, no bathrooms but great beach south of sea isle city in nj.

I thought obx had just as many houses on top of each other thru residential areas as nj towns it's just that the jersey barrier islands are wider so there are more rows of houses. but there are some locations along obx that you do get a more remote feeling.

hurricane risk much greater at obx. It is a different atmosphere off the beach at obx. quieter not as many things to do at night.

I think the beaches are ok at obx. I don't think i'd do obx again if i was choosing just for the beach.

Stone harbor and other smaller shore towns can give you nice houses and good beaches AND the option of driving to some night activities in neighboring communities, atlantic city, ocean city boardwalk, cape may charm etc.

but there is no question that the places are more affordable in obx and it is more laid back.

Joan: Despite its somewhat deceptive name "North" Carolina is near universally regarded as southern US.

Have been to a couple of the NJ beaches, travelled the length of OBX. This is one of those questions where you have to qualify everything to death, so in some ways it's unanswerable.

SOME parts of the OBX look like SOME parts of the Jersey shore. A lot don't. And Debden, surely you know better than to try to gauge things from pictures!

For one thing, the sheer length of the whole OBX chain means a lot of variability, and I daresay, the stretch that's protected National Seashore is unique, gorgeous, pristine, lovely.

Other parts have been allowed to be overdeveloped to a farethewell, despite all sense and all hurricane knowledge -- notably the Kill Devil Hills/Kitty Hawk/Nags Head cluster.

The NJ shore was largely developed earlier, so some areas are just flat older and look it -- but that also means that in some areas, the density is less. Large parts of the OBX were developed in the last 20 yrs. and it's McMansion McMansion McMansion, and gross.

But the further south on the chain you go, the less of that kind of stuff you see. I'll take Ocracoke Island over most anyplace I've been in NJ.... except:

the summer is a heckuvalot HOTTER on the OBX than in NJ! It does make a difference.

There are also some difference in flora/fauna -- by the time you get all the way south in NC you may see a palm tree or two.

As for treatment? Good grief! And for what it's worth, most (or a major proportion) of the license plates you see on the OBX are from "up north" -- people from the Tar Heel state more often go further south, leave Nags Head and Duck to the Washingtonians!

I live in NJ,but vacation in NC and SC. I agree with the previous poster. People definitely act different here. I've lived in NJ all my life and have traveled extensively. The frendliest people I meet in NJ are often from other parts of the country. I think it is well worth the drive to go South. The water is warmer and the cost of rentals are less expensive.

Just spent a week with a consultant living in NM and originally from California and her #1 impression was the friendliness of the people. "Even the person at the Dollar Store was nice to me and told me to enjoy my visit!". She was amazed.

There are nice people everywhere I've traveled, but folks truly are friendlier and nicer to strangers in the South - and NC is very definitely in the south!