Close, BR..."stripers ain't a bitin' heyur...drop suma them sodie-crackers offun tha boat...that feller ova yunder'll thank they's schoolin' heyur an we'll go feesh HIS hole"...:nut:...an that's "stripers" w/a LONG "i"...:zip:

Too funny Reel, LOL - no such thing as a short "i" in these parts!

No. Not untill you get down here towards Wilmington where the Cape Fear River meets the ocean. And even then the "highlands" are only like 20' above sea level at best. As far as insurance rates go, they say if you can smell the salt air you're gonna be paying more. As long as you stay out of New Hanover county you should be okay. I live right outside of Wilmington across the county line in Pender county, and I'm within sight of an inlet and the ICW (3-4 rows back) and my insurance is cheaper here than at my other home in Wilm. but no where close to the water.

Willy, take a look at Lake James, it is one of my favorites, but a long way from the coast.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...&oq=lake+james

Morehead City / Beaufort is where anyone that boats, fish, and owns a "V" needs to live.

agreed MHC is the place to be Willy or Emerald Isle Come on to EI or MHC and hang with us Willy. I'm heading to my place tomorrow at EI.

My wife is a realestate agent in NC & VA, we live in Camden NC. We are 45 minutes from the Outer banks and about 50 minutes from VA beach.

We live on the water and there is some good waterfront property around here (and great fishing and boating water).

She can get you info & represent you in both states.

Let me know if you want her phone # for more info.

I'd be careful giving your wifes # to Willy, remember Atlantic City and the quarters?

Hey Willy, I've been thinking about it and I think the Raleigh Area would suit you best. Lots of lakes close by, plenty of work, 2 hrs to the coast.

Some of the retired cops around here get jobs with the US Marshall's office doing Federal Court House security, they have a court house in Raleigh. It works out fine with the NC retirement system, don't know about yours.

As some one who was born in and grew up in Raleigh, or should I say South Cleveland, I wouldn't pick it as a place to retire. The lakes around there are mad houses on the weekends, although they do have some good fishing. The traffic is as bad as Atlanta. Willy, after my trip, I think you need to be talking to garagenc, he's a good piece( another Southern term you need to learn) inland from the coast, but still has great access to some of the best fishing on the East coast with several different bodies of water within an hours drive. The biggest decision you will have to have is whether to fish fresh water bass, brackish for reds and flounders, Stripers in any number of locations, or heading to the stream for the blue water big ones. I would invite you to the Low Country but I think that would be too far of a drive from NJ. Check map quest for distance and drive time to Lee's area. You could make it a weekend trip rather than a week trip

Randle, Spare, all you guys I appreciate the info, keep it coming. You guys are right, I need to decide whether to pursue a life on the coast or one in the hills. I truly love both as a die hard hunter as well as a fisherman. I want to work also and whether or not I want to do that in security or the like is up in the air.
I intend to take a trip with my wife and kids down there this summer and check out a few areas. Hopefully I can hook up with some of you Snaggers.