Our many trips vacationing on the Outer Banks have always been mainly because we loves the beaches, the sightseeing, the people we met, and the overall OBX experience. When people have asked us why we vacationed on the Outer Banks, living seven hours away, we always would mention one of the above factors.
This year, with the economy in the worst shape in memory and people losing jobs or fearful of losing jobs, the question around the feasibility of taking a vacation has been felt by nearly everyone. People are looking for ways to hold onto the money they have, but are still looking for ways to take some relaxation time.
Now, more than ever, a vacation on the Outer Banks is more affordable. As an example, let's take a six bedroom and seven and a half bath house with an elevator in Salvo. The high season rate is $5,330. This includes everything but taxes. The house is 100 feet from beach access and has both ocean and sound views. Central air, fully stocked kitchen, a private pool and hot tub, elevator, wireless Internet and beds made and towels provided are all included. There are no additional charges for house cleaning, credit car fees, booking fees, security deposits and so forth. For a six bedroom house on the Outer Banks, this may be in the upper range of price for a house that is "ocean-side." An ocean front house will likely run slightly higher.
Now let's compare similar homes in other beach resorts I pass on the way to the Outer Banks: Avalon, New Jersey; Bethany Beach, Delaware; Ocean City, Maryland; and Virginia Beach, Virginia. All are beautiful houses but all have slightly different amenities, but none offer any more than what is available in the Salvo, North Carolina house. All of the houses are ocean side but not ocean front. The rental prices were as follows:
Beach Location Bedrooms/Bathrooms Weekly Rental Rate
Avalon, New Jersey 5 bed, 5 bath $13,500
Bethany Beach, Delaware 6 bed, 4 bath $7,500
Ocean City, Maryland 5 bed, 4 bath $5,595
Virginia Beach, Virginia 6 bed, 4 bath $5,525
Salvo, North Carolina 6 bed, 7.5 bath $5,330
As with any sample, rental prices vary by house in a particular market, based on amenities, location to the beach and so forth; however, it is clear that you do get more house for you money in the Outer Banks both in size of the house and in the amenities the house provides.
Now, mix this in with the other things you can do and see on the Outer Banks outside of a week of beach fun and suddenly you have all the makings of a truly unique family vacation experience. The Outer Banks has a wide range of historical sights, like the Wright Brothers Memorial and the four lighthouses. In addition, with six championship golf courses and world renowned fishing, there is something for whatever your passion.