Born and Bred on Chesapeake Bay, Where to go?

[Bodkin Creek George]

Hello All,
George from up here on the beautiful Chesapeake. We up here in Maryland are slowly watching our lives being changed by many factors that we have no control over. I grew up on the water and live on it now. I am a retired Elevator Constructor and have held a commercial crabbing lisense since 2004. I am an avid boater, hunter, fisherman and gun owner. Our way of life up here is being changed changed at a rapid pace by our ultra liberial pololiticians, but enough of that. I may be forced to sell my beautiful waterfront home on the Chesapeake and relocate to some place a little more friendly to what I enjoy doing. Looking for suggestions for moving to water front property that is fairly well storm safe and yet has access to deep water.
Also what about the hunting and fishing possibilities? We are both retired so schools are not a problem. Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
George

 

[rcknecht]

I work in MD and understand what you are talking about. The state is run by people that have no clue, supported by people who don't work...

I live in NJ and believe it or not the politics are much better... Christie has been great for us. It amazes me how he handles all the idiots.... But unfortunately, governments change like the tide, and its only a matter of time before we get a liberal back in....

Based on your requirements, and where you live now, you have a few areas that might be good... NC or SC may work, but the storms are a factor. The pan handle of Florida is good, but the storms are also a factor. Of all the East Coast options, I think the Charleston area might be best...

 

[Bodkin Creek George]

Just got back from Charleston and spent 3 days and nights there. Great place but skinny water and overpriced real estate. People are super friendly and love all the taverns. Especially on Shem Creek side. We will take Christie and trade you a dozen O'Malleys.

 

[xravenx]

Since your a steeler fan you could always move back to Pittsburgh - sorry, couldn't resist. Seriously what has pushed you over the edge, for me that proposed gas tax hike to replenish the highway trust they stole from to fund other crap is enough to pi$$ any Marylander off........good luck with your decision.

John

 

[tcason]

Costa Rica looks like a great option for me - a fellow Marylander!

 

[dwna1a]

George, the idiots are everywhere,they still haven't made the stupid drug. Our government will fight that drug tooth and nail. If you want to stay on the bay, Urbanna, Cobbs Creek, Deltaville are all nice spots. Old Hampton, lower Bay. Hampton does not tax boats of any size and has many waterfront homes for sale. If you want to look into something more in the form of island living. Gwyenn Island may be your spot. It's kinda going thru a new growth, many old homes, and many new.

 

[rondds]

I'm thinkin' Texas. Gulf Coast. Not likely to ever change politically. Storm prone but anywhere warm is going to have that possibility.

 

[spikedaddy99]

Urbanna, Va.

 

[CRUZ'N]

Hi George, Like you, I was born and raised on the Chesapeake. I've lived and boated all over the US and points beyond. Those days of walking the shoreline with a bucket and shovel digging up clams, plucking soft shell crabs out of those ,now elusive acres of seaweed ,are in [ our ] rear view mirrors. Remember struggling through the 7' tall seaweed just to get to the dock and busting shear pins and untangling our props from those clumps of weeds? Swans and ducks so densely covering the rivers that you couldn't see the water? After traveling for my career, I moved back W/I 400' of where I was raised on the water in Annapolis. Politics aside, I think the Chesapeake is one of the most enjoyable places for boating. I still enjoy boating in the Bahamas and BI to Nantucket, but I'll always migrate back here. After touching base with Bill, I wanted to come up to Bodkin Crk/ Pleasure Cove Marina. We can toss a few back and swap lies ! Regards, Tim

 

[dwna1a]

Sad part is I'm only 54 years old and until the time of 18 I remember those days very well. Walking the Piankatank River picking up sharks teeth, steaming oysters on the beach, and walking out to my uncles crab pots. Going to Gywenn Island to see my Great Grandfather and helping on the deadrise. I was born on the old James River Bridge, mom and dad tried hard to get to the closest Naval Hospital, Portsmouth Gen. I want to explore the rest of the bay by water. I want to go to Urbanna by boat and also go to my Uncles old home on the Piankatank. Those were my goals as a kid living along the Warwick River....and even now. I love the water, but I love the Bay more. Sounds dumb I guess.

 

[CRUZ'N]

If I wanted to move back in time a few years to recapture that lifestyle ,I'd look seriously at Deltaville, Kilmarnick , Irvington, Urbana ,etc. Flocks of geese setting up for landing at a nearby pond,walk to the end of your dock and actually see the bottom.....ahhh...I'm gonna grab me a Natty Boh , Hon....!!

 

[Bodkin Creek George]

I know what you mean about the old days. I grew up on South River. Used to dig Piss Clams (manoes) at low tide. Not many people ate them back then. If you didn't want to dig them you could get them whole off of a clammer for $3 a bushel or broken for $1.50. The sea grass was everything back then. A nursery for all things that lived in the water. I put my trot lines just on the edge of the grass. For dinner I would cast a shad dart with pork rhine right to the edge of the grass and catch a keeper rock almost every time. ( 12") back then. I sold my hard shells unsorted for $3 a bushel and made a killing off my soft shells which I got 15 cents for the regulars and 25 cents for the jumbos. Tropical storm Agnes took all that away and the politicians are doing the rest. What a wonderful treasure we had in our bay and to see it all go away is heart breaking. At age 68 its not hard to tell the difference between a liar and and honest person and believe me when I tell you that the folks that are supposed to be the true stuarts of the Chesapeake are just paying us lip service to forward their own agenda. Sort of like kissing a strangers baby for effect. But enough of that. I have met some wonderful people from the Carolinas and Virginia so I guess the next move is mine.
George

 

[wileecoyote]

Unfortunately the tides are turning the wrong way. The more takers they get on the govt payroll the more voters they have built in. With the Baltimore area, PG county, and the liberals in Howard and Montgomery I don't see it changing anytime soon. I have 12 years left until I can bug out, don't see it getting any better by then. The problem with those who commute to D.C. is where do you go? Unless you want to drive 2+ hours, the options are limited. The Carolinas look nice, but Texas looks better and better every day!

I work in MD and understand what you are talking about. The state is run by people that have no clue, supported by people who don't work...

I live in NJ and believe it or not the politics are much better... Christie has been great for us. It amazes me how he handles all the idiots.... But unfortunately, governments change like the tide, and its only a matter of time before we get a liberal back in....

Based on your requirements, and where you live now, you have a few areas that might be good... NC or SC may work, but the storms are a factor. The pan handle of Florida is good, but the storms are also a factor. Of all the East Coast options, I think the Charleston area might be best...

 

[islandhopper00]

The Carolinas look nice, but Texas looks better and better every day!

The Carolinas are full......look at Texas!

I kid, I kid.....I'm a transplant too. Except I moved UP from Florida.
Coastal Carolinas are beautiful. The Crystal coast is super for all mentioned. Moorehead, Beaufort, ect are great.

 

[wileecoyote]

Parents live in New Bern, so I have spent alot of time in the Beaufort/ Morehead city area. Every year in October for the seafood festival. There are tons of people flooding the area, so I'm not sure if prices will be sky high by the time I'm ready to go. I always look around to see whats available. Parents and I had looked to get a rental property in Emerald Isle about 5-8 years ago, and the prices went crazy high in about 2 years. The real estate agent I was working with told me that most of the land for sale was gone so people were buying existing houses to bulldoze and build their big palaces on the lots.

 

[blaster]

Unfortunately the tides are turning the wrong way. The more takers they get on the govt payroll the more voters they have built in. With the Baltimore area, PG county, and the liberals in Howard and Montgomery I don't see it changing anytime soon. I have 12 years left until I can bug out, don't see it getting any better by then. The problem with those who commute to D.C. is where do you go? Unless you want to drive 2+ hours, the options are limited. The Carolinas look nice, but Texas looks better and better every day!

I suggest West Virginia. Then just commute to the boat.

 

[JimT]

The requirement that the area be safe from storms and also be waterfront is inconsistent. NC is ideal from a boating standpoint but seems to get a direct hit from a hurricane or tropical storm every 2-3 years. NC recently elected a republican governor but no guarantees that will last. SC from Charleston to the Georgia border is great for boating and fishing and the number of tropical storm hits is less (Hugo excepted). SC is conservative and that's not about to change. Beaufort, SC is a great place about half way between Charleston and Hilton Head.

 

[ZZ13]

The requirement that the area be safe from storms and also be waterfront is inconsistent. NC is ideal from a boating standpoint but seems to get a direct hit from a hurricane or tropical storm every 2-3 years. NC recently elected a republican governor but no guarantees that will last. SC from Charleston to the Georgia border is great for boating and fishing and the number of tropical storm hits is less (Hugo excepted). SC is conservative and that's not about to change. Beaufort, SC is a great place about half way between Charleston and Hilton Head.

Two thumbs up for Beaufort, SC. We discovered this hidden gem 6 years ago while visiting my parents and almost immediately bought our retirement home there on Lady's Island. Spent the last few years getting it ready and we should be there full time in summer of 2014. Only thing left to do is exchange the sterndrive 300DA for a more salt tolerant boat.