OBX vs everywhere else.

The Outer Banks is generally the most consistent area in the Mid Atlantic as far as rideable days. But, you are talking about a relocation, and are you only concerned with surf?

I think the Outer Banks is great. Its laid back, surf towns... but there are a lot of differences between the different areas in the Mid Atlantic.

If you are looking to be closer to the city life, then you may like to be in Central Jersey, where you are close to NYC. Delmarva and VB really aren't that different, but you may have a little more year round livelihood in VB.

What are you looking for besides surf? After all, there are plenty of flat days, no matter where you are on the east coast.

 

why not just move somewhere else on the west coast?

 

Why not just stay in SD? I mean, a lot of right-coasters would love to move across the continent, I know I would, to try something new. But I guess it's not giving you what you're looking for....

OBX is definitely going to pick up better/bigger swell than most places on the EC. Have you ever been there? I mean, when you get there, you are really far away from the mainland, and you realize that at night when you can actually SEE the Milky Way in the sky, wheras, a lot of places have too much light pollution.

But in regards to the other factors, like you said: Seasonal, tourists, not much work.
BUT, Some warmer water for sure.

Check out Wilmington, cause that place is pretty big, the beaches are nice, and you will get some decent sure down there. I'm sure some guys on here from there can tell you more. But obviously , the further north you go=colder water.
Don't worry about being away from MD, you're not missing much!!! Well, maybe family
That being said.....I'm ready to head SOUTH!!

 

the water can be warmer in VB/OBX, but its usually only an issue during the dead of winter and not that big of a difference.

If you want warm water, then you need to go south of hatteras.

I say think about staying in MD, since that seems to be the main draw back east. It is fun in the summer, and you can get empty lineups in the winter. If you can take the freezing winters, then take a trip or two to the Caribbean or Central America in the winter - that is what a lot of us do.

 

Wilmington is a HUGE restaurant place. Wrightsville is a pretty nice beach too. During the summer, you can only between checkered flags (spread out down the beach) but before 10 and after sometime around five ( I don't remember) there isn't flags to worry about. Topsail and Carolina beach are also down the road if Wrightsville is closing out or something. Wilmington is a nice place.

 

Not sure what your priorities are... wealth, surf, warm water or family? Understand how you can be conflicted but direction will come from your (you and sweetie pie) in the heart priorities. Maybe you will want to move to Hawaii, or Atlantic City, or Jacksonville? Sounds like a good time to do some brainstorming of all the things you want, priority list them and assign values as to how important they are... and also list the not-in-play items.

 

ledzep you just ruined the secret of us. and we can surf any where before 10 and roght after the lifeguards leave which is 4:50-5 but after they take the flag down its free game anywhere.

 

It's not like our surf is epic anyways...

 

dude you know our surf is epic all the time. only at the right spots that we cant give away.

 

is that really a secret? i mean im pretty sure everyone on this site knows that

 

Ha, you make me chuckle. For all we know, the whole beach is a secret spot. At least it's not highly publicized like cali, but it's a pain-in-the-neck to check out other beaches because they're barrier islands, unlike california that has a highway right next to the ocean. So, yeah sure, we have epic - ahem - I mean - no waves...


Not sure if that made remotely any sense at all...

 

South Jersey. You could get a job as a chef in Atlantic City tomorrow and there are dozens of beach towns and mainland communities within 30 mins or less drive and the surf in NJ is better than just about everywhere else on the East Coast. Better than DelMarVA better than Florida and more consistent than New England. I'll help you out, come to New Jersey and ask for Salty J.

 

the obx is a good place to relocate for surf and workso long as you stay up north in 'town' which is mainly nags head, kitty hawk, and kill devil hills. Thats where the bulk of the people on the obx live and vacation. Once you get down south into hatteras it can get super SLOW in the winter for work (but super good for surf).

 

zach619...yea check your Google Maps/Earth and you will see the towns pretty clearly. Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, (North section of barrier islands) they all kinda run together..like one big town. Super beachy vibe, not like OCMD AT ALL. When the National Park was established, it was made that there were no mainstream businesses/franchises to be put south of there (national park area) in any of those towns, Avon, Rondanthe, Waves, Salvo, Buxton. It's all local business to keep the money local - (in reference to an earlier thread). So yea there's probably not much round season work there. I've only visited these areas in the summer and fall soo...

I absolutely LOVE Ocracoke Island, which is only accessible by ferry-only one historical town that rules-with 13 miles of sweet beach...mmmmm I miss that place.
I spent a week camping by myself in the OBX and it was one of the best things I ever did for myself. Coolest thing ever was being out in Ocracoke waters with 6ft surf and no one out, like at all. Then hitting the town for some beers at one of the local harbor bar grills. That was an amazing experience

The Nor' Easters you speak of, they go by that name for a reason- they move north east. So I'm not sure they will affect Wrightsville too much (correct me on that one if I'm wrong guys) but they will affect more north areas-VB, Delmarva, Jersey, etc.

But yea, I reckon you will want to be closer to your family in OCMD. So like Micah said, that would be a good bet, cause it will get decent here occasionally, and you won't be far from family.

But I also here ya on the living on the shore thing. I know I can never go back inland either

 

PS...don't be scared of sharks...they ain't gonna get ya

 

all valid points of view, but i think your #1 concern should be the economy and job oppurtunity. there are literally NO restaurants hiring right now in this region (delmarva), and i would think the last thing you would want to do is move here in the summer, get a job and then get laid off in october (well, except for the added surf time in peak season!). VB is not a bad town, but with city life comes city traffic, though you are probably used to that in SD. and yes, the outer banks are that much better, but only 3/4 to 1.5 hours from the VB metroplex (as all too many ob locals know!). how about long island, ny?
oh, and for the love of god, can the use of the term "cali" be banned for life? the only people who call it that are from the east coast, specifically the mid'lantic (throw in saying "frisco" instead of SF, or san francisco, too... frisco is in NC, or CO, not CA!). its annoying...