Ivan Gillis

Active Retirement Communities

State:    North Carolina--Coastal

City:      Ocean Isle Beach

Ocean Isle Beach is a small seaside town located in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 426 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Located at the southern end of North Carolina's Atlantic Ocean coastline, with access to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Ocean Isle Beach has many beach houses and second homes, and is a tourist attraction because of its beauty, atmosphere, and proximity to other major beach towns.

On October 28, 2007, the tiny, normally quiet community found itself in worldwide news as an early Sunday morning four-alarm fire at a three-story beach house occupied by 13 college students claimed seven lives, injuring six more. Widespread publicity and the magnitude of the tragedy of the Ocean Isle Beach house fire renewed public interest on issues in many communities which included fire safety, building codes, flamability of materials, and fire suppression methods such as sprinkler systems, as well as the potential benefits of monitored fire alarm systems, which can be added to existing structures at relatively minimal costs.

Known as the "Gem of the Brunswick Islands," Ocean Isle Beach has a current year-round population of 426 and a vibrant seasonal vacation population. Located along the popular coastal corridor between Wilmington, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Ocean Isle Beach is connected to the mainland by a modern bridge spanning marsh savannas. The beach runs east to west, offers a fishing pier, public boat launch facility, direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway, and beach paths every 500 feet. Established with a long history of traditional family vacations, seasonal festivals, sports fishing, quaint eateries and stories, and friendly residents, Ocean Isle Beach is lined with charming family cottages. Ingram Planetarium offers an 85-seat domed theater with learning experiences on astronomy, energy, navigation, and space exploration. The Museum of Coastal Carolina offers family oriented activities with dioramas on coastal life, touch tank, and a science hall. Inland neighborhoods and communities offer planned cottage style living with on-site amenities and private beach clubs. There are over 110 local golf courses from Wilmington to Myrtle Beach, along with boutique shopping, malls, medical facilities, international airports, interstate highways.

Brunswick County will soon break ground on a new 58 acre recreational park on the mainland. The Town of Ocean Isle Beach donated the property and the county has set aside $3 million for the project. When completed, the new park will offer a variety of amenities, such as an amphitheater, festival grounds, ball parks, lighted tennis courts, and biking trails. The park should be completed in time for the 2009 Oyster Festival. This recreational park will be located on Old Georgetown Road abutting the Ocean Ridge Plantation community and is part of a $500,000 federal grant for parks throughout the county. Other projects scheduled is the Shallotte Blvd Recreation Area, which is a joint project between Ocean Isle Beach Land Conservancy and the Town of Ocean Isle Beach. The park will be at Shallotte Blvd and the ferry landing at the East end of the island. The recreation area will have a gazebo, picnic tables, a fishing pier, and a walkway with steps to the sand.

The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association recently named Ocean Isle Beach as the winner of its 2008 Best Restored Beach Award. Ocean Isle Beach's quest for a federal beach restoration program began after Hurricane Hugo devastated the area in 1989. The Town lobbied members of Congress for federal funding and opened a capital reserve savings account to provide the local share of funding necessary for restoration. Coastal engineers began the project in 2001 and provided high-quality sand for the beach and created a deeper channel for boaters. Judging for the Award was based on three criteria: the economic and ecological benefits the beach brings to its community; the short and long term success of the restoration project; and the challenges each community overcame during the course of the project.

Income & Housing Costs Numbers:

Ocean Isle Beach:	$87,035
North Carolina:	$46,549

Estimated per capita income in 2008: $54,000

Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $689,143 (it was $341,700 in 2000)

Ocean Isle Beach:	$689,143
North Carolina:	$154,500

Dec. 2009 cost of living index in Ocean Isle Beach: 104.6 (near average, U.S. average is 100)

In-Depth Facts and Figures as listed below, plus other information:

·        Climate Charts

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5.      Snowfall

6.      Sunshine

7.      Cloudy Days

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·        Discussion Forums

For the above information and photos, click this link:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Ocean-Isle-Beach-North-Carolina.html

Total Tax Burden--Data for Calculation

http://www.city-data.com/city/Rlstate3.htm#NORTH%20CAROLINE

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http://www.retirenet.com/location/communities/131-north-carolina/1-active-lifestyles?city=28469-ocean-isle-beach

Visit our Senior Cruising Site at: http://seniorcruisers.org

Other sites of interest:

World of Collectibles

http://www.collectibleshg.info

Information on: Architectural Collectibles, Art Collectibles, Artist Trading Cards , Books & Paper Collectibles, Brand Name Products Collectibles, Clothing Fabric & Textiles Collectibles, Collectibles UnLimited, Doll Collectibles, Household & Furnishings Collectibles, Militaria Collectors, Movies & TV Collectibles, Music Collectibles, Musical Instruments Collectibles, Nature And Animal Collectibles, Numismatics (Currency Collecting), Pottery & Glass Collectibles, Technology Collectibles, Theme Collectibles

DOGS

http://www.zcanines.com

Information on:  Overview Of Dogs, Sporting Dogs, Hounds Dogs, Terrier Dogs, Toy Dogs, Non-Sporting Dogs, Herding Dogs, Miscellaneous Class Dogs, Foundation Stock Service® Breeds Dogs

CATS

http://www.zcats.com

Information on: Cats Overview, Abyssinian Cat, America Cat Bobtail, American Curl Cat, American Shorthair Cat, American Wirehair Cat, Balinese Cat, Birman Cat, Bombay Cat, British Shorthair Cat, Charteux Cat, Colorpoint Shorthair Cat, Cornish Rex Cat, Devon Rex Cat, Egyptian Mau Cat, European Burmese Cat, Exotic Cat, Havana Brown Cat, Japanese Bobtail Cat, Korat Cat, LaPerm Cat, Maine Coon Cat, Manx Cat, Norwegian Forest Cat, Ocicat Cat, Oriental Cat, Persian Cat, Himalayan Cat, Ragamuffin Cat, Russian Blue Cat, Scottish Fold Cat, Selrik Rex Cat, Siamese Cat, Siberian Cat, Singapura Cat, Somali Cat, Sphynx Cat, Tonkinese Cat, Turkish Angora Cat, Turkish Van Cat

BIRD WATCHING

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Information on:  Overview Of Birds, Ostriches-Emus-Kiwis, Gulls, Plovers, Loons, Grebres, Albatrosses, Penguins, Pelicans, Tropical Birds, Storks, Flamingos-Birds, Falcons-Birds, Eagles-Birds, Hawks-Birds, Cranes-Birds, Doves And Pigeons, Parrots,Cuckoos, Owls, Nightjars, Hummingbirds, Kingfishers-Birds, Woodpeckers, Mousebirds, Passerines 

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