In the process of planning a last-minute 2 week beach vacation to N.C. for the last week of August / first week of September. Looking for insights on the various areas (OBX vs. "Crystal Coast" vs. Cape Fear/Brunswick area). Hoping to rent something oceanfront in a beautiful, not crowded beach area. We definitely prefer sleepy, small town to a busy resort community. We'll be travelling with our kids (1 & 2-1/2), so a beach that's kid-friendly is a must. Any advice on areas to focus on would be greatly appreciated!

Not knowing where you are travelling from, the latter may be easier to access. The beaches further south, on into SC are known for being wide and the surf not so hard (Wilmington is great for surfing). Little kids LOVE this style beach because the tide makes friendly pools for them to play in.

That being said, it may be difficult to find any available properties (particularly beachfront) that time of year. Many families make their reservations a year or more in advance. I am partial to the Brunswick Islands myself. Best of luck. There are a ton of posts on here if you'll just search under "beaches" NC.

Check out Emerald Isle, NC. Look at the Web sites for Bluewater/GMAC and Emerald Isle Realty. They actually start back to school fairly early in NC, which should work in your favor re availability. We rent the first two weeks of September, and make reservations the previous February.

Thanks for the advice, we're coming from Boston, but planning on flying so mot much of an influence to where we end up. Fortunately I've been able to find a couple of house in each area, so it's just a matter of which town is going to be the best fit.
I'll check the other NC beaches posts as advised. Thanks.

Hatteras (Village) or perhaps Buxton/Frisco
www.sunrealtync.com

We spent the week of July 4th at Topsail Beach and have spent many family vacations futher down the coast at Oak Island and while I liked them all, my favorite is the Outer Banks. There's something about the flavor there that keeps calling me back. If you choose the Outer Banks, I think your kids would enjoy driving to Hatteras and taking the ferry over to Ocracoke.

That week will be when a lot of kids are in school in the Carolinas so it may be easier than you'd think.
OBX will be somewhat daunting to get to from an airport.
You might look at Bald Head Island. We have always liked the beaches further south of Wilmington. Everyone has their faves, of course.
If you are flying, however, it will be Wilmington or Myrtle Beach.
Don't overlook one beautiful beach--Pawley's Island, SC. Complete with an historic distict and no development (to speak of) on the beach island.

Corolla in the OBX should meet your criteria as a relaxed family friendly beach town. Though, most of the houses that are ocean front are mansions (sleeping 12-16 people), so you may have to settle for a house a block or two back from the ocean (though still close). Also will be hard to reserve a house at this late date, your best bet may to find a cancellation.

We have a few houses on Ocean Isle Beach, www.oceanislebeachrentals.net
and it is a great beach. It is right between Sunset and Holden Beach.

I've vacationed at Topsail Island for forty years and love the place. But all of the North Carolina shore is fine at that time of year as long as a hurricane doesn't drive you out.

Another vote for Ocean Isle Beach or Sunset Beach. NC. Great for kids b/c the currents are not bad as you are actually facing South when you look at the ocean. Small family towns w/ a water slide, and several shops and restaurants. Very sleepy, quiet and relaxing, uncrowded beaches. We go every summer!

George
You were one who recommended Topsail to us. We did enjoy it very much. Fresh, fresh seafood every night! yummmmm We rented our condo thru VRBO and have always been satisfied with them, except this condo was dirty so we were disappointed with that. However, when the tide came in the water was directly below us! You could spit in the water! We figure that particular condo will not be around much longer, it seems the ocean is reclaiming the land. The 7 or 8 homes beside the condo (going toward the end of the island )were already vacated and boarded up.

North Topsail has experienced severe erosion problems. And there have been a few scam sales of homes. A Duke geologist named Pilkey has warned that the islands of North Carolina's southeastern coast are in motion heading southerly. Which means that northern portions of these islands are not good places to invest.

GeorgeW is correct - & on the islands facing south the East end seems to get the brunt of it. Of course another problem is the channel dredging that occurs. On Holden Beach the Holden family have fought that for 30+ years, which is about how long it took the Army Corp of Engineers to finally agree (after losing an entire street & probably 20+ houses).

the area of the OBX below Cape Hatteras also faces South.