NC beach vacation - need advice

~Lily~

We would like to do a family beach vacation to NC (possibly Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills) at the beginning of summer.  Looking at pricing, if we go with an updated nice house, ocean front view, pool, on the beach, it costs a lot more than we'd like to spend.  So, we need to figure out what we definitely want and can do without.  We've never taken a beach vacation so this is where I need your help.  If you've don't a beach vacation, what are the amenities you definitely would not give up?  Do we really need a pool, do we really need the house to be on the beach, etc?  Our children are 3 and 5 yo if that matters.   

Brad54

I don't think a pool is a necessary amenity unless you feel that you need one.  

A house on the beach would be great if you don't want to drive or walk a ways to get to the beach.  

jessica490

I stayed in that same area many years ago on a family vacation and I loved it! My parents rented a house a few houses back from the beach so we were able to walk there. The house had a pool and hot tub and it was so nice to have both as I'm not a big ocean person. the family hung out by the pool a lot too.  We also had our aunt and uncle join us in order to split the cost because I remember my parents saying how expensive it was. Is there someone else that you can invite to help split the cost? We had a nice big house so it fit all 6 of us nicely.. My husband and I would love to get back down there again someday, it's a great area!!

jenpiglet17

Hey there! LOVE the Outerbanks! When I was younger, I used to go there every summer for a few weeks at a time, right before school started again.  DH & I went on our honeymoon to SC (Pawley's Island), and had to make a few stops at some restaurants up in NC  

When we went to the Outerbanks, we would rent a house from Surf or Sound Realty - you can check them out to compare prices, they have different sized houses, with so many different amenities that there was something for every wish list and budget.  I'm actually planning a vacation down there & can't wait to go back!  

If you want the best deal, and biggest bang for your buck, go at the end of August.  The waters are warm, and everything down there is quieter than usual at the time.  They go back to school in August (NY kids normally go back after Labor Day), so prices will drop drastically because its the time in between the IN and OFF season. I have friends that also go down there, and they say prices are also lower in the beginning/middle of May. 

When considering where/what kind of home to rent, etc.  keep in mind what you and your family will be doing during the day.  Do you want to spend most of the day on the beach and in the ocean? Do your kids need the safety of a pool to learn how to swim? Would you like "Mom and Daddy" time after the kids go to bed and enjoy a hot tub together? Do you want walking distance to the ocean with easier access to the town and restaurants, or do you want the "true" vacation experience and walk out onto the beach every morning? Speaking of restaurants, do you need to spend more money on going out or enjoy a dinner on your ocean front balcony? Small things like going out to eat on vacation adds up.

I agree with Jessica, if you get a little bit bigger of a house, you can lower the costs by splitting it up between you and family members or friends.  I once went to the OBX and only paid $175 for a week in paradise with 7 of my closest family members. We split up dinner nights, so each person or couple was responsible for planning and buying supplies for one dinner, so the costs would be even for everyone. It was such a fun time - the house even had an elevator in it! And every bedroom had a private porch (which is heaven!) 

Be sure to bring A LOT of sunscreen, and don't forget to keep reapplying it! Hope you have a blast! 

MrsLee04

When we go on a beach vacation, I don't think DH and I feel like we need a pool, but our kids are in that phase that they "need" one.  We can be at a beautiful, fun beach, and after awhile they always want to know when we're going to the pool (and never vice versa).  So we usually choose some kind of lodging that offers a pool and often split the day (beach morning, pool afternoon, then switch it up next day).  

What I want most is separate bedrooms, because I don't want to have to go to bed when the kids do, and I don't want them staying up late with us.  Also, a kitchen, so we can save money on meals.