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Sunset Beach is a small community on the southern tip of North Carolina. It’s between Bird Island and Ocean Isle Beach. This location is home to the southernmost island in North Carolina. It was originally named Bald Beach but was purchased in 1955 for $60,000 from the Brooks family and in 1958, the current owner designed a pontoon swing bridge giving vehicles access to the Sunset Beach island.
Sunset Beach has been a favorite coastal destination for families for generations and not only is it a beautiful vacation spot its home to about 3500 residents. Sunset Beach was incorporated as its own town in 1963.
The small town consists of mainland neighborhoods and a barrier island with about 1200 homes. Three of the larger mainland neighborhoods in Sunset Beach are Golf Course Communities including Oyster Bay, Sea Trail Resort and Sandpiper Bay.
Sunset Beach has a variety of events and activities as well as numerous things to do all year long. Bird Island is a 1300 acre state preserve barrier island connected to Sunset Beach accessible only by boat, walking or biking along the beach. It’s home to Loggerhead turtles, and the elusive purple sandpiper. This location features dunes, maritime forests and marshlands with a variety of habitats for various seabirds and coastal marine life.
The turtle sanctuary is a popular vacation destination and many residents are part of the Sunset Beach Turtle Watch Program, which is a private, nonprofit program with volunteers monitoring turtle nesting around the Sunset Beach area.
Ingram Planetarium is a popular spot when the weather turns as people of all ages can enjoy this state-of-the-art facility with a 40 foot dome and sky theater, laser music shows, galaxy gift shop and exhibits. It’s located at 7625 High Market St.
Of course a visit to Sunset Beach would not be complete without a visit to the Pontoon Bridge. This iconic bridge link to the mainland to the island and it opens hourly and on-demand serving residents and visitors for more than 50 years.
Residents of Sunset Beach utilize the Brunswick County public school district. It’s also part of the Ocean Isle Beach area as well. Brunswick County offers nine elementary schools throughout the different towns, five middle schools and five high schools all schools use similar curriculum. Two of the five high schools are specifically designed for college preparatory students.
Home prices throughout the Sunset Beach range anywhere from $55,000 to over $800,000 for luxury oceanfront estates and large properties. The average home price is between $150,000 and $320,000. At any given time there are about 300 to 350 properties, land, townhomes and estates for sale within the town of Sunset Beach.
For more information on the homes and real estate in Sunset Beach please contact us at any time. Because we live in this coastal town, we can help you find the right home at the right price.
Image by Tonya Lane Rucker Flickr
Sunset Beach is an ideal location to live. Many retirees and families love living in the peaceful coastal small town. It is not only gorgeous but also a friendly community and a relaxed lifestyle. Additionally is one of the most affordable coastal locations in the area to live.
The benefits, or pros, of living in Sunset Beach are noted as its relaxed, family-friendly environment with uncrowded beaches. The tight-knit community that has been cultivated from the people who live here is also often regarded when concerning the quality of life and Sunset Beach. The safety rating is very high. Of course, the outdoor recreation and proximity to larger areas like Myrtle Beach are also noted as a plus.
The cost of living in Sunset Beach is relatively affordable, especially when considering that it is a coastal area. Housing does drive much of the cost-of-living index in the area. Though the cost of living is much lower than in many other North Carolina beach towns and is competitive nationally for coastal locations.
Sunset Beach has mild winters and warm summers and offers beautiful beach weather year-round. With its location on the southwest coast of the United States, it does sit in a hurricane zone and has the potential to be significantly impacted by tropical storms. Areas of Sunset Beach, especially those closest to the water, are within flood zones, and this is good to be aware of when purchasing real estate in the area. Many people who live here approach living with harsh weather with the attitude of being properly prepared and knowing that every area has its tough weather, and hurricanes happen to be Sunset Beach’s inclement weather.
The public schools that serve the students of Sunset Beach are in the Brunswick County public school system. These schools are often ranked above average. niche.com gives the schools in the area a B rating, which is the second-highest rating they offer.
Sunset Beach is a very small coastal town, and as such, the local employment is limited. Many people who work in Sunset Beach are in the service industry or are self-employed. Additionally, people in the workforce commute to neighboring areas like Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, Shallot, and more.
Sunset Beach is a major visitor destination because of its coastal location. However, it does remain quiet even in peak tourist times; it is much less crowded than areas like Myrtle Beach. Living here year-round means getting used to the rhythm of the slow season and tourist season. Tourist season brings a lot more life and activity to the area, and it can mean adjusting to challenging parking situations around the beach areas during summer and times when school is out. However, people still love that the vibe seems to remain fairly relaxed, and the rhythm of life is pretty easy to get used to.
