We love Rosemary as well (maybe even a little more than Seaside) but I didn't mention it because I know it's a little less known than Seaside. Thanks again to everyone - huge help.

I just have to ask. Do you "love" "sterile". I completely understand liking an "underdeveloped" beach place if you can find it, but LIVING in one as a home is really a lot different from going to a "beach" place. I think I don't understand this.
BUT, having gone back to Ocean Isle after being there 30 and more years ago when there was only the first and second row--there are MANY more rows but no commercial development on that beach because it was controlled by one family. It is really pretty amazing.

Ekscrunchy your question infers you disagree with my comments. If that's the case, explain why you disagree.

If the OP is a fan of Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Watercolor, etc. she is looking for the equivalent of a planned, upscale (often gated) community. Celebration, FL is another example but is inland. Those are consistent - and won't have those Tshirt shops (although they will have Tshirts for sale). The closest I can think of is Hilton Head. Tybee is not what she's looking for nor most beach towns that develop organically.

All good points.

I agree with starrs - when I hear the OP state that she wants "a small beach town where we can park our car (for the most part), rent bikes, shop, eat, and generally relax", other than "small beach town" she's describing Hilton Head pretty well.

While Hilton Head is a large island, there are areas (Sea Pines, Coligny Circle) that are smaller and self contained where one can park the car and get by almost completely on foot or bike. And on the east coast, HH's beaches and tree canopy and natural areas can't be beat.

Being part of a planned community does have its perks - restrictions on commercial signage, no street lights or overhead power lines, extensive bike paths, etc.

Does it have the character of older beach towns? No, but I don't think that's what the OP is looking for.

Sometimes people mistake a recommendation for what a poster is looking for as a confirmation that what is being recommended is something the responder likes. Some of us really do listen to questions and try to respond with things that answer the question, not just give our own favorites or try to switch what the person is asking for.

Is Okracoke what you are looking for? http://www.openingtimes.co/ocracoke-...ba-ocracoke-nc
On the right side of the website is a list of the other shops in town. The National Seashore takes up nearly all of the island.

<<Sometimes people mistake a recommendation for what a poster is looking for as a confirmation that what is being recommended is something the responder likes>>

I tried to understand that. I don't.

Ocracoke is beautiful but I don't think that's what the OP had in mind. If you enjoy planned communities, Hilton Head is your best bet. Kiawah, maybe.

Funny, if you reread the OP's posts, she never mentions an attraction to "planned communities" - I think that just something other posters have inferred. Even the reasons she lists for liking Seaside don't necessarily require a "planned community."

I'll throw out Folly Beach as another alternative if you stay reasonably close to the center of town, though it is not as bike friendly.

"...she never mentions an attraction to "planned communities" - I think that just something other posters have inferred"

Yes, that is something I inferred.

My first post suggestion included non-planned beach communities in case the inference was incorrect.

When she later added they liked Watercolor too, my inference was confirmed (IMO anyway) and I modified my suggestion to Myrtle Beach.

Nothing wrong with inference. Lack of inference would result in Panama City Beach or Myrtle Beach tossed out as suggestions.

I agree - nothing wrong with inference - that's where a lot of good information on this forum comes from. It just seem to me that later posters had taken this inference and ran with it as if the OP had stated that preference.

Did the OP say she also liked Watercolor? I didn't see that.

I can't copy and paste on this site for some reason but she DOES modify her request to "more quiet and local"--not planned, etc.
Sounds like an older beach town to me. I'll still go to Ocean Isle for it--you can eat at one or two places on the beach. Can buy a few groceries but not much more!!
Maybe even Wild Dunes. I can't see Myrtle Beach fitting at all!!

OP here. Again, thanks for all the information. For what it's worth, the community doesn't have to be planned. We just like small, walker/biker friendly, and not all neon/plastic (no offense to those that like that sort of thing). It's just not us (at least not us in our mid-40's). We've been to Hilton Head and really liked it but it was completely off season (Christmas). Definitely want to try that again and am researching many of the other suggestions as well.


Again, thanks.

"I can't see Myrtle Beach fitting at all!!"
Me either. That was my point (re the inference comment).
PCB and/or MB would be the opposite of what it sounds like she wants.

"Did the OP say she also liked Watercolor?"
Nope. She said Rosemary. In my mind I substituted Watercolor for Rosemary - probably because they kind of merge/blur in my mind. That is my mistake but I do think they are very similar.

Too much overthinking for me. I've tossed out some suggestions as have others. Hopefully those suggestions will be a starting point. I like funkier places - although I wouldn't say no to a free house for a week at any beach place/town. My favorite is way too laid-back (read dead) for most people.

I'll second Brian's Folly Beach nomination.

If you don't have to walk/bike to every dinner (although you can eat at Webster's or Litchfield Inn) I recommend Litchfield by the Sea. It is a gated community and even on July 4th the beach itself is not crowded.
You don't say if you "need" oceanfront housing (I require it if I am going to the beach!!) but it is available--in high rises (5 story tops). Beautiful property--VERY quiet, pools, ocean, bike rentals available, etc.
Best seafood on the coast in nearby Pawley's and Murrell's Inlet.

I am familiar with Seaside....and I too love it. I understand what you like about Seaside, and I must recommend Bald Head Island off Wilmington, NC
You take a ferry to the island...so there are no cars just golfcarts and children love it. Children can ride bikes and roller blade on the narrow cart paths...it is very natural...you can see the sea turtles lay eggs....the stars are soooo bright and the sand is very clean.

Bookmarking for great suggestions.

If you really want to get away there is a town in the state of Washington modeled after Seaside. Seabrookwa.com

The weather is not quite as good but the wide wild beach is amazing.